Ad Disclosure
Mississippi State introduces new ‘viper’ position to defense
By Nick Cole
Published:
Mississippi State is on its third defensive coordinator in as many seasons, following the departure of Manny Diaz after the 2015 season.
While the Bulldogs are expected to keep a “multiple” approach to their defensive alignment under new coordinator Peter Sirmon, the former NFL linebacker is using this spring to put his own personal spin the Mississippi State defense.
One of the new ideas that Sirmon is implementing is a new position called the “viper”, according to a report from Mississippi State beat writer Michael Bonner.
Bonner, who said the Bulldogs have spent early spring practice with the 3-4 alignment as the base defense, explains what that exotic name for a position means:
Sirmon’s 3-4 defense is different than Diaz’s 3-4 front. Sirmon, a former Southern Cal linebackers coach, introduced the “viper” position last week, featuring a defensive end that drops back as a linebacker.
Through the first day of practice, Will Coleman, Traver Jung and Anfernee Mullins have moved from defensive end to viper.
Essentially, it’s taking what could be considered a surplus of athletic defensive end types and moving them around in ways that could disrupt the pre-snap recognition process for opposing quarterbacks.
And while some guys may carry a cool new title, he doesn’t expect the “viper” to change the expectations for their core performance.
“When we play some of the four-down stuff, their hands will be back in the ground,” Sirmon said. “They haven’t moved positions. I don’t think we’ve moved anybody.”
Prior to arriving in Starkville, Sirmon served as the assistant head coach, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at USC.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.