3-4 versus 4-3

[Tutto]

What are the advantages of running a 3-4 rather than 4-3?

I understand that a 3-4 wouldnt work for us right now because you need some very good olb.

[coxc63]

I think we could run a 3-4 right now, if not next season. The lbs from left to right Norwood, Connor, Beason and TD. The DL from left to right Brayton, E. Johnson and C. Johnson. If we were to run it now I would like to drop Hardy to TD's spot and I believe it could be more effective than our 4-3 at this point.

[PantherFan52]

Hardy would have to slim down a little if he were going to take TD's spot. TD/Connor and Jon Beason, in the middle would strike fear into the eyes of opposing offenses though.

[mav1234]

I have heard it is easier to run on a 3-4, but I don't really know for sure.

[FreeDrinkMafia]

I understand the advantages of 3-4, but big boys up front is the way we play.

[weyco2000]

What are the advantages of running a 3-4 rather than 4-3?

I understand that a 3-4 wouldnt work for us right now because you need some very good olb.

I thought about this, but no bulk at DT to fill gaps.

[Urrymonster]

Whilst I am not ruling out a new coach bringing in a 3-4, we would be isolating a huge portion of our DL & LB corp.

Just about the only player ideally suited to playing in one is Connor. Beason & TD are smaller LBs who may struggle with the increased responsibility in taking on blocks. Anderson is a complete mis-fit. Norwood in theory would be suited to OLB due to his time at DE and being an athletic player.

None of our DTs could be the NT.

Brayton has proved already he can't play at DE so he would be gone. Brown would have to make the transition to OLB and he was already disregarded at that position. Hardy would have to be one of our DEs and that completely takes away his ability, he is NOT a 3-4 OLB. Johnson is in a similar situation to Hardy so he might fit.

So we essentially would need to get a true NT, another genuine 3-4 DE, 1-2 pass rushing OLBs and a back up ILB.

Not ruling it out, I just think it would completely blow up the roster and move a ton of players into positions they are not built for. This front 7 is built for speed after all...

[CatMan72]

The main advantage to a 34 defense is that you have no idea who is blitzing and who is dropping back in coverage.

As others have said, we don't have the right personnel for a 34 defense at the moment.

[mj4life]

really depends what type of 3-4 you are running, teams like the jets,steelers,& ravens are agressive with their defense . the steelers & ravens have built their versions for years which is part of the reason they are so good. the problem for us is you need bigger d linemsn who will take up blocks(esp nosetackle). also your inside lb will have to take on more blocks of guards which can negate beason , davis &anderson's best asset which is their speed. we don't need to change our base d we just need to become more agressive like the eagles who rely on speed and come up with ways to apply pressure(just won't happen much under fox)

[panthers55]

we don't need to change our base d we just need to become more agressive like the eagles who rely on speed and come up with ways to apply pressure(just won't happen much under fox)

This.

Or find ways to get more pressure with the front four if we keep our current defensive style.

[Tutto]

I thought about this, but no bulk at DT to fill gaps.

You dont always need a huge NT to be successful in a 3-4. Wade Phillips's 3-4 features Ratliff, who is rather small to be a DT, granted hes a very good player. But his size is more of a size of a defensive end.

[Lout]

I am sorry but Charles Johnson is completely unable to play DE on a 34 defense.. not sure where you got that idea from. Johnson actually is the least likely to fit anywhere on a 34 D.. he is a true DE for a 43 defense. Louis Leonard was the only Dt on our roster even capable of 'maybe' playing the NT in a 34, and he was traded by the Cleveland Browns because he COULDN'T play NT.. so we actually have nobody on our roster who could play the NT position.. not even Ed Johnson. I see Ed Johnson as a DE if anything.

[mj4life]

i don't get the fascination so many have with the 3-4 here, we have a defensive mind coach for the last 9 seasons who prefers the 4-3 and we have drafted & built our team this way. i am not ready to wait 2 or 3 seasons to get the players we would need to employ this scheme would rather tweak what we already have with a few upgrades in places(d tackle)

[SCMunnerlyn1]

Why not just a few 3-4 packages then for shts and giggles especially if we're winless going into week 6 , just to see how we look.