Does The 3-4 Still Make Sense?

[mgteich]

The 3-4 made a lot of sense when we were one of 3 or 4 teams playing it and the players were easily available. Now, with 14 teams going to play the 3-4, the players are at a premium. Consider the situation at 3-4 DE. Jackson, a mid-first talent may be drafted 3 or 9. Look at Gilbert, a 3rd round talent who may go in the first. Raji may be a top 5 players and Brace a 2nd rounder because of the needs of so many.

Given the premium being paid instead of getting players in the later rounds, perhaps it is time to move back to the 4-3 much more often. There are several 3-4 DT's at the top which would give us a very reasonable front seven. Consider if we chose Jerry, Everette Brown and a LB on Day Two.

DL Seymour, Wilfork, Jerry, Warren, Brown, Green, Wright
LB Thomas, Mayo, Woods, Crable, Bruschi, Guyton, Redd/draftee, Banta-Cain

 

[WaterfallJumper]

It does make a certain sense, but I think it's trying to be too cute. The 34 allows for more flexibility, more confusion (for the offense), better pressure, and better run defense. Ideally. The 43 just doesn't inspire me. It always seems boring and lacking in creativity, though that's a broad categorical statement and probably untrue.

Although BB can manage a 43 just fine, he is at his best with a 34. That's reason enough to keep it.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Nope, time to go to the 3-3-5 stack.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Nope, time to go to the 3-3-5 stack.

Hehe. 46, anyone?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hehe. 46, anyone?

Gimmick defense.:snob:

 

[Ungeheuer]

You don't pick your defense based upon the availability of personnel. You pick it because you prefer it intrinsically.

You can tell that Belichick likes the 3-4 because it allows him to change around his coverages and disguise his formations. That's the primary advantage of the 3-4. I don't see how they could change; it would take years. They don't have anyone on the roster who could realistically be a 4-3 end. BB won five Super Bowls with this defense, in three different decades. I don't see them changing.

 

[farn]

3-4 makes sense to me. Patriots and Steelers using it heavily since decade started and have been kickin' A ever since. I like it.

Figure it out : BB likes it so much that when he has injuries to his LBs, instead of plopping in J.Green and going 4-3 (like everyone always suggests) he prefers putting in Alexander, TBC, Woods, Colvin from the street... he loves it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nope, time to go to the 3-3-5 stack.

I think we're going to run 2 schemes: the 11-0, where all 11 guys stack the line of scrimmage, and the 0-11, where all 11 guys drop back into coverage.