4-3 base defense - What do we gain?

[RayClay]

http://www.geocities.com/epark/raiders/football-101-3-4-defense.html

Pretty good breakdown of player types and roles in the 4-3 vs. 3-4.

It has been proposed that we could go to a 4-3 base and allow platooning of Seau and Bruschi without missing a beat.

We'll just use an extra DL where we're strong (no doubt) and play 3 linebackers.

Who are the 4 linemen? If we add 285 lb. Jarvis Green, we need another DE.

Warren and Seymour aren't suited to be the fast DE, they're DTs in a 4-3.

Remember, that LB we eliminated was one of our two pass rushers. At 285, Green is big for a 4-3 base end, huge for a rush end. He essentially replaces Wilfork, with Adalius or Vrable or maybe Chad Brown on the other side.

Linebackers? We have strong side, slower than average middle linebackers and weak side?

("The WLB (weak-side LB) often plays in space, has the freedom to flow to the ball, and must have good range. WLBs are often undersized compared to the other LBs.")

We don't have this guy. The closest would be Rodney Harrison, a safety who might have lost a step playing out of position.

Of course we could just throw Warren Wilfork, Sey and Green out there and just take one of Seau and Bruschi out.

That would mean All the front seven except 2 tackles and the strong side linebacker would be slower than average and playing out of position.

Thoughts?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

I have no idea why people are talking about a 4-3. Sure it gets a LB off the field but it also makes our weakest position (if AD goes outside) tougher. If Seau and Bruschi are limited sharing the middle in a 3-4, they are more limited having the middle to themselves in a 4-3. Just who is our 4-3 MLB anyway ?

 

[psychoPat]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

I have no idea why people are talking about a 4-3. Sure it gets a LB off the field but it also makes our weakest position (if AD goes outside) tougher. If Seau and Bruschi are limited sharing the middle in a 3-4, they are more limited having the middle to themselves in a 4-3. Just who is our 4-3 MLB anyway ?

How 'bout Adalius?
Pierre on the outside.

 

[unoriginal]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

We would be the slowest, largest, most out-of-place 4-3 team in the league. It may not have any depth, but that is a 3-4 linebacking corps through and through.

Between Bruschi, Seau, Vrabel and Thomas, you have maybe 2 Sams if Thomas is good to go. Seau is a decent coverage backer in the 3-4, but he's no Brian Urlacher.

 

[RayClay]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

How 'bout Adalius?
Pierre on the outside.

I've got him starting at DE in the 4-3.

 

[psychoPat]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

If you think we'll continue to play mostly with a lead
... perhaps a big lead ...
then we'd be in nickels and dimes a lot anyway.

As Indy has been demonstrating for years ...
get ahead, and then
dare them to run it!

This year we can afford that style of D.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

How 'bout Adalius?
Pierre on the outside.

If you plan on Woods which is iffy, then why not stay in 3-4. We could always give Alexander spot duty.

But let's be realistic the next five games will be finidng the right fix and the pats need to find the fix for the playoffs.

what will they do against the steelers and colts?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

How 'bout Adalius?
Pierre on the outside.

AD as a MLB with Colvin and Vrabel outside intrigued me; having AD at a new position with Woods also green, I don't think so.

 

[unoriginal]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

If we're talking about changing defenses, why not the 46? I know its completely out of place in today's NFL, but at least we have the personel for it.

Slap a 46 jersey on Harrison and we're good to go.

 

[unoriginal]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

AD as a MLB with Colvin and Vrabel outside intrigued me; having AD at a new position with Woods also green, I don't think so.

Colvin going on IR is apparently the reason behind this topic being broached.

 

[Arrrr]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

If we're talking about changing defenses, why not the 46? I know its completely out of place in today's NFL, but at least we have the personel for it.

Slap a 46 jersey on Harrison and we're good to go.

We knew we had in that huddle, the kind of pressure that had not been seen before.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

Colvin going on IR is apparently the reason behind this topic being broached.

That's why I used the past tense with respect to a 4-3 with Colvin - I'm not too interested without him.

 

[Remix 6]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

i dont think this will work if we do it on a week to week basis. We have power but not speed on the line. Bruschi and Vrabel might be little slow to dominate the way we need them to. Thomas is a great fit as is the interior of our line but the rest is slow.

I think 3-4 is fine with Seau having a chance to play a much bigger role. Thomas is an upgrade outside over Colvin no doubt in my mind..hes the best LB we have period and thats why i think Seau will start inside instead of letting Thomas play inside and putting Woods or Alexander out there

 

[ALP]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

i also believe that the pats will use it more, but will use a 3-4 often as well depending on team/situatinon...

however, i think this just may make our D better...Vrabel and AD will get better pressure from outside, AD will of course be on the other side of seymour, and hell becoem a DT....

its gonna be intersting...but hopefully a yound LB will rise to the task

 

[Frezo]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

i dont think this will work if we do it on a week to week basis. We have power but not speed on the line. Bruschi and Vrabel might be little slow to dominate the way we need them to. Thomas is a great fit as is the interior of our line but the rest is slow.

I think 3-4 is fine with Seau having a chance to play a much bigger role. Thomas is an upgrade outside over Colvin no doubt in my mind..hes the best LB we have period and thats why i think Seau will start inside instead of letting Thomas play inside and putting Woods or Alexander out there

Nobody will want to hear this, but I think C. Brown is a better OLB in a 4-3 than a 3-4. If he has to spell someone I'd rather see him do it in a 4-3.

 

[Patsmaniac]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

do we have faith in the play of Woods and Alexander? Does anyone have insight into them? I would sure love to see a LB for the future get significant playing time and do well in the role.

 

[ATippett56]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

Nobody will want to hear this, but I think C. Brown is a better OLB in a 4-3 than a 3-4.

Speaking frankly, Chad Brown sucks and has since 2005!

 

[Arrrr]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

Speaking frankly, Chad Brown sucks and has since 2005!

He really blew up in your face then huh?

 

[Frezo]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

Speaking frankly, Chad Brown sucks and has since 2005!

Yeah, but everybody sucks less at something.

 

[PatsSteve1]

Re: 4-3 base defense-What do we gain?

I don't expect the Patriots will do anything very different than what they've been doing. Some 3-4 and some 4-3. For the last few years, every time there's a LB issue that comes up the 4-3 idea pops up right with it. They'll still vary the D depending on the opponent.