I was saying a couple weeks back that we should change to a 3-4, and it was not generally received well in the forum. I thought with the current group of linebackers and adding wilson as that hybrid DE/LB type player, we could be successful. Or at least improve. I always thought of Martez as a perfect fit in a 3-4, and with Lofton and Hawthorne both natural inside linebackers, it just seemed like the right roster to make this move.

I honestly thought Spagnuolo would get one more year, though.

I think Sean realized we would probably have more opportunities to pressure the QB with the 3-4 or even the 3-3-5 than with the 4-3, because we don't have good talent for it like the Vikings or the previous year's Giants do.

But we must be careful and need to be able to hold up okay against the run. We saw what Adrian Peterson and Colin K. did to Dom Capers 3-4 D in some recent weeks.

I think Sean realized we would probably have more opportunities to pressure the QB with the 3-4 or even the 3-3-5 than with the 4-3, because we don't have good talent for it like the Vikings or the previous year's Giants do.

But we must be careful and need to be able to hold up okay against the run. We saw what Adrian Peterson and Colin K. did to Dom Capers 3-4 D in some recent weeks.

The Bum Phillips 3-4 Defense
By Scott Carasik

Teams that use this defense: Houston Texans

Overview

The 3-4 defense is one of the most complex defenses in the NFL. There are muliple teams that use the Phillips 3-4 in the NFL, but we'll just go over the basic scheme that the Dallas defense uses. The Bum Phillips 3-4 is a one gap 3-4 defense and relies on quickness more than other 3-4 defenses. We'll start off with the basic alignment:

The Defensive line lines up in a natural one gap alignment. The Nose Tackle is in the strongside "A"-gap. The strongside DE is in a 6-tech on the strongside "C"-gap. The weakside DE is in a 5-tech role lined up across from the Tackle. The Middle Linebackers are shaded to the strong side a bit with the WILB or "Mike" lined up in the weakside "A"-gap and the SILB or "Ted" lined up in the strongside "B"-gap.

The secondary is in a traditional alignment with the corners lined up across from the WR's and the FS in a traditional spot at around 10 yards back from the LOS across from the weakside Tackle. The SS is at a traditional spot as well around 8 yards back from the strongside Tackle.

Defensive Line Responsibilities
In a close up you can see how the lineman are aligned better. The Nose Tackle's job is a 1-tech role. The 1-tech role is one of the most misunderstood roles in the draftnik community. Many believe that because Wade Phillips used Jamal Williams as a traditional 0-tech (lined up over the center) NT in San Diego, that it is his preferred style. But even with Jason Ferguson in Dallas, he was using the 1-tech NT. The 1-tech role is designed to be a penetrator as well as a clogger. His job is to tie up the Center and the strong-side OG so that the Linebackers can have more time to roam free and make the plays.

The basic idea behind the 1-gap Defensive Line is to control the entire offensive line. The DE's roles are to control the OT on their side of the ball. The weakside DE is supposed to be so disruptive that the weakside OG has to help the LT out in both the run and pass game. This would cause the WOLB the ability to roam free. The weakside DE is also responsible for the "B"-gap on his side in the run game. The strongside DE's job, while a more traditional 6-tech stance you would find in the 4-3, is to be a penetrator on the end. He should be able to tie up the OT and TE in the run game if blocked and provide enough push to help the blitzing OLB in the pass game come in clean. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

Phillips Strongside DE - J.J. Watt, played 4-3 DE at the University of Wisconsin

Phillips Nose Tackle - Stephen Paea, played 4-3 DT at Oregon State University

Phillips Weakside DE - Cameron Jordan, played 3-4 DE at the University of California

Linebacker Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Linebackers in this scheme is the most complicated part of the scheme. Not only will they stunt and blitz in the pass game, but they will also be asked to cover in zone as well as man.
The SOLB will be in charge of the outside of the TE on running plays and will normally either blitz or be manned up on the TE in pass plays.
The SILB will blitz around 20-25% of the time on pass plays but normally cover an underneath zone, while in the run game is only responsible for the strong-side "B"-gap.
The WILB is covering the middle of the field in a zone on pass plays usually and will be blitzing only about 5-10% of the time. His job in the run game is to be the only guy covering 2 gaps. He is responsible for both the "A" gap in the run game, as well as cleaning up the "B"-gap if the DE decides to go to the outside shoulder of the OT in the run game.
The WOLB's job is to take care of the weak-outside, and is normally the best pass rusher on the team. He will normally be the guy who will be making the most sacks, and blitzes over 50% of the time in the passing game. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

Phillips Strongside OLB "Sam" - Justin Houston, played 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB at the University of Georgia

Phillips Strongside ILB "Ted" - Martez Wilson, played 4-3 MLB at the University of Illinois

Phillips Weakside ILB "Mike" - Quan Sturdivant, played 4-3 MLB at the University of North Carolina

Phillips Weakside OLB "Will" - Von Miller, played 4-3 OLB at Texas A&M University

Secondary Responsibilities
The secondary is lined up in a very traditional role. The scheme calls for man cover corners, whose role is to not press and bump, but rather just stick with their man. They are also expected to be ready for underneath routes and make plays on the ball. The Safeties also run in a traditional role.
The Free Safety covers the deep third, while the Strong Safety will normally cover the underneath routes in either man or zone and come up to the box quite a bit if they are expecting a run. There is not too much blitzing out of the secondary in this scheme either. The Ideal players for this scheme based on the roles in the 2011 draft:

Phillips #1 CB - Patrick Peterson, played CB at Louisiana State University

Phillips #2 CB - Prince Amukamura, played CB at the University of Wisconsin

Phillips Free Safety - Aaron Williams, played CB at the University of Texas

Phillips Strong Safety - Rahim Moore, played FS at the University of California-Los Angeles

The Bum Phillips 3-4