4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!!

SaintPauly · 05-09-2010, 10:59 PM

Ok, I reallize that GW runs a 4-3, and that's not going to change, that's not what this question is for.

This question has been discussed quite a bit on this forum, but never really singled out in it's own thread that I remember. IF, you were a defensive coordinator, and you were putting together your defensive scheme, which formation would you base your defense around, and why?

I chose a 3-4, because in my opinion, if you have a strong enough nose tackle, you can get pressure up the middle, while being able to hide blitzes easier with your LBS. Of course you have to have a stronger LB core in this situation. I guess Ive always been a Dome Patrol fan, and loved the 3-4 since then.

Ok, this is one thread I can't wait to read. So, LET'S GET IT ON!

Quarterbckmc · 05-10-2010, 02:15 AM

I agree with you on every point made in your entry but would like to add smore... 3-4 gives an advantage on both pass and run because the four linebackers can quickly get to either the run or the pass, If u have a strong LB core wich is a must as saintpaul has already mentioned, It also makes coaches think twice about running the ball outside because the linebackers can more easily get from sideline to sideline and are usually lined up outside of the tackles. Plus it gives u an extra man for Playing the pass wouldnt recommend to much man coverage tho haha

Tobias-Reiper · 05-10-2010, 07:27 AM

46 defense?

darstep · 05-10-2010, 11:04 AM

I picked the 4-3 only because I like more teeth at the point of attack. But its kind of a heads-or-tails things. Stand up an extra guy in the 4-3 and you've got a 3-4. Bring one of the linebackers in a 3-4 and you've created a 4-3. It depends on what we are trying to do, and the situation we trying to do it in: run or pass, 1st and long or 3rd and short. The 4-3 (should) gives us stronger edges and better allow us to force teams into what we want them to do. Either way you are looking at 7-on-6, except for 2 tight-end sets, so if we have guys that can keep their feet and get to the ball, we should always have the advantage.

CantonLegend · 05-10-2010, 11:18 AM

see this is where it really depends

against the NFC south.....id rather run a 4-3

the 4-3 is better designed to stop the run and control the LoS....against the NFC south you need to be able to stop the run to win games

however....if im going to design an offense to score points.....like we have....im going to need a defense that can stop the other team from throwing the ball

the 3-4 is better designed to stop the pass because they take away a defensive lineman in favor of more speed to cover the pass......of course the most important part of a 3-4 defense is probably the nose tackle whereas the most important part of a 4-3 defense is the MLB......really kind of ironic eh?

neugey · 05-10-2010, 11:41 AM

As recent as a few years ago, I would've told you the 3-4 - because of the all the different blitz/coverage combinations and how creative the scheme is. I felt it was the best way to disrupt the offense.

But I've come around to the 4-3. It's just more fundamentally sound and I think you really need that 4th man to control the line of scrimmage and disrupt the pocket. So I like 4 down line man. And you still have so many packages to utilize - 4-3, 4-2-5, 4-4, 4-6, nickel, dime.

I do however like the 3-3-5 against the college spread offenses.

Rugby Saint II · 05-10-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by neugey

As recent as a few years ago, I would've told you the 3-4 - because of the all the different blitz/coverage combinations and how creative the scheme is. I felt it was the best way to disrupt the offense.

But I've come around to the 4-3. It's just more fundamentally sound and I think you really need that 4th man to control the line of scrimmage and disrupt the pocket. So I like 4 down line man. And you still have so many packages to utilize - 4-3, 4-2-5, 4-4, 4-6, nickel, dime.

I do however like the 3-3-5 against the college spread offenses.

GW will run every available formation possible............I believe that we need to run the 4-3 because our NT just isn't strong enough.

TheEnigma · 05-11-2010, 02:30 AM

The 4-3 worked well for us so I'll stick with that.

bronzetiger · 05-11-2010, 10:54 AM

New to the forum, so here goes....
I'd prefer a 4-3, because you HAVE to have that nose tackle, and good 3-4 tackles aren't easy to find. Soon the trend will go back to 4-3 because of the lack of this one position.

In addition, it's hard to take 3 pt stance undersized DEs and make them stand up linebackers. The coverage part of playing that role is the transition hump. Think about it, how many DEs turned LBs can actually cover TEs an RBs and actually get INTs like James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, and Joey Porter? That ability makes those guys special. Not just the sack ability. The Steelers and Pats are exceptions.

The 4-3 is easier to find "fits" for your defense, and keep rebuilding.

strato · 05-11-2010, 04:31 PM

Two words DOME PATROL......

I like the 3-4 ..but we dont have the personel....so we have to go with what works for us...but as stated above..we use many different hybrid formations...so with G.W you never know whats coming...

View Poll Results: Which base defense would you run as a DC?
3-4	7	28.00%
4-3	18	72.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

05-09-2010, 10:59 PM	#1
SaintPauly Senior Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 1	4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! Ok, I reallize that GW runs a 4-3, and that's not going to change, that's not what this question is for. This question has been discussed quite a bit on this forum, but never really singled out in it's own thread that I remember. IF, you were a defensive coordinator, and you were putting together your defensive scheme, which formation would you base your defense around, and why? I chose a 3-4, because in my opinion, if you have a strong enough nose tackle, you can get pressure up the middle, while being able to hide blitzes easier with your LBS. Of course you have to have a stronger LB core in this situation. I guess Ive always been a Dome Patrol fan, and loved the 3-4 since then. Ok, this is one thread I can't wait to read. So, LET'S GET IT ON!
	What's popular is not always right, and what's right is not always popular.....

05-10-2010, 02:15 AM	#2
Quarterbckmc Rookie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Anaheim Ca, Posts: 5	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! I agree with you on every point made in your entry but would like to add smore... 3-4 gives an advantage on both pass and run because the four linebackers can quickly get to either the run or the pass, If u have a strong LB core wich is a must as saintpaul has already mentioned, It also makes coaches think twice about running the ball outside because the linebackers can more easily get from sideline to sideline and are usually lined up outside of the tackles. Plus it gives u an extra man for Playing the pass wouldnt recommend to much man coverage tho haha
	If u have ever wondered if its possible! OH YEAH IT IS...2010 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS...WHO DAT Last edited by Quarterbckmc; 05-10-2010 at 05:12 AM..

05-10-2010, 07:27 AM	#3
Tobias-Reiper Merces Letifer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 4,161	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! 46 defense?

05-10-2010, 11:04 AM	#4
darstep SaintSince67 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PortCity Posts: 2,044	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! I picked the 4-3 only because I like more teeth at the point of attack. But its kind of a heads-or-tails things. Stand up an extra guy in the 4-3 and you've got a 3-4. Bring one of the linebackers in a 3-4 and you've created a 4-3. It depends on what we are trying to do, and the situation we trying to do it in: run or pass, 1st and long or 3rd and short. The 4-3 (should) gives us stronger edges and better allow us to force teams into what we want them to do. Either way you are looking at 7-on-6, except for 2 tight-end sets, so if we have guys that can keep their feet and get to the ball, we should always have the advantage.
	SaintSince67

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05-10-2010, 11:18 AM	#5
CantonLegend 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,685 Blog Entries: 2	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! see this is where it really depends against the NFC south.....id rather run a 4-3 the 4-3 is better designed to stop the run and control the LoS....against the NFC south you need to be able to stop the run to win games however....if im going to design an offense to score points.....like we have....im going to need a defense that can stop the other team from throwing the ball the 3-4 is better designed to stop the pass because they take away a defensive lineman in favor of more speed to cover the pass......of course the most important part of a 3-4 defense is probably the nose tackle whereas the most important part of a 4-3 defense is the MLB......really kind of ironic eh?
	"deal with it or you can go play the saints and get trounced by 30 and you won't have to worry about it."-colin cowherd

05-10-2010, 11:41 AM	#6
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,724 Blog Entries: 13	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! As recent as a few years ago, I would've told you the 3-4 - because of the all the different blitz/coverage combinations and how creative the scheme is. I felt it was the best way to disrupt the offense. But I've come around to the 4-3. It's just more fundamentally sound and I think you really need that 4th man to control the line of scrimmage and disrupt the pocket. So I like 4 down line man. And you still have so many packages to utilize - 4-3, 4-2-5, 4-4, 4-6, nickel, dime. I do however like the 3-3-5 against the college spread offenses.

05-10-2010, 01:11 PM	#7
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! Originally Posted by neugey As recent as a few years ago, I would've told you the 3-4 - because of the all the different blitz/coverage combinations and how creative the scheme is. I felt it was the best way to disrupt the offense. But I've come around to the 4-3. It's just more fundamentally sound and I think you really need that 4th man to control the line of scrimmage and disrupt the pocket. So I like 4 down line man. And you still have so many packages to utilize - 4-3, 4-2-5, 4-4, 4-6, nickel, dime. I do however like the 3-3-5 against the college spread offenses. GW will run every available formation possible............I believe that we need to run the 4-3 because our NT just isn't strong enough.

05-11-2010, 02:30 AM	#8
TheEnigma 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 711	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! The 4-3 worked well for us so I'll stick with that.
TheEnigma 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 711

05-11-2010, 10:54 AM	#9
bronzetiger Rookie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! New to the forum, so here goes.... I'd prefer a 4-3, because you HAVE to have that nose tackle, and good 3-4 tackles aren't easy to find. Soon the trend will go back to 4-3 because of the lack of this one position. In addition, it's hard to take 3 pt stance undersized DEs and make them stand up linebackers. The coverage part of playing that role is the transition hump. Think about it, how many DEs turned LBs can actually cover TEs an RBs and actually get INTs like James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, and Joey Porter? That ability makes those guys special. Not just the sack ability. The Steelers and Pats are exceptions. The 4-3 is easier to find "fits" for your defense, and keep rebuilding.
bronzetiger Rookie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1

05-11-2010, 04:31 PM	#10
strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586	Re: 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, YOU DECIDE!!! Two words DOME PATROL...... I like the 3-4 ..but we dont have the personel....so we have to go with what works for us...but as stated above..we use many different hybrid formations...so with G.W you never know whats coming...