Can anybody answer my questions about 3-4?

[Awakened]

I've never really watched a 3-4 defense closely, because the only NFL team I've ever watched closely is the Cowboys. Can anyone tell me:

1) What type of guys physically are you looking for to fill the DL positions?
2) What are these positions called? (1 NG & 2 DT's?)
3) Are all 3 DL guys basically suppossed to be "cloggers" and run stoppers, but not necessarily guys who are able to rush the passer? If the DT's are sometimes good pass rushers, can you name a 3-4 DT who was a good pass rusher?
4) I understand that you are looking for bigger LB's. Obviously, I remember LT as the prototype 3-4 outside linebacker. So, again, what type of guys physically are you looking for to fill Outside LB's and Inside LB's?
5) Are you looking for anything different from the DB's?


Thanks!

[Qwickdraw]

In a 3-4, the front 3 consist of two Defensive Ends on either side of a Nose Tackle. Because of the reduced number of guys on the line, you want the 3 guys to be of a larger build. A Nose Tackle should be a very large, immovable guy who can plug up the middle in hopes of forcing opposing Running Backs to have to carry the ball around the edges because they are unable to run it up the gut. An ideal Nose Tackle should be at least 6'3" and over 300lbs. On either side of him there are two Defensive Ends. Once again, given the lack of numbers on the line, ideally you want these individuals to be oversized so they will be harder to move as well. They should posess some pass rushing ability but given their size they can only be but so productive. The beauty of the 3-4 is the ability to send a number of different blitz packages, often utilizing the Linebackers so the Ends don't need an awful lot of ability here, though it helps. The ideal size for a 3-4 End... 6'4", 290ish. You'd like the faster of the two on the left (weak side) to rush the QB and the larger, stronger on the right (strong side) to help stop the run.

The Linebackers are key. They have to accept more responsibilites in pass coverage. On the outside, you want larger, faster guys to disrupt pass plays, rush the QB and stop the outside run. These are often college Defensive Ends who weren't large enough to continue that position in the pros and can play from a standing position rather than down on one hand. Typically, these guys will have the most sacks on the defense as opposed to the Ends in a 4-3. On the inside you want guys with the abilty to drop back in pass coverages and fast enough to make tackles from one end of the field to the other as well as run in the gaps for Inside Linebacker blitz packages.

I'm sure some will disagree but I think primarily your secondary (CBs and Safeties) have basically the same duties. The 3-4 allignment does however offer up some interesting blitzing schemes for Linebackers which I mentioned before, thus requiring the secondary to move into other positions to cover the absent Linebackers during those plays.

Overall, the general consensus is that a 3-4 is stronger in terms of pressuring the Quarteback and defending the short underneath routes.
A 4-3 is better at stopping the run but not as effective in getting to the opposing QB.

[Rack Bauer]

I've never really watched a 3-4 defense closely, because the only NFL team I've ever watched closely is the Cowboys. Can anyone tell me:

1) What type of guys physically are you looking for to fill the DL positions?
2) What are these positions called? (1 NG & 2 DT's?)
3) Are all 3 DL guys basically suppossed to be "cloggers" and run stoppers, but not necessarily guys who are able to rush the passer? If the DT's are sometimes good pass rushers, can you name a 3-4 DT who was a good pass rusher?
4) I understand that you are looking for bigger LB's. Obviously, I remember LT as the prototype 3-4 outside linebacker. So, again, what type of guys physically are you looking for to fill Outside LB's and Inside LB's?
5) Are you looking for anything different from the DB's?


Thanks!

1. Big, strong, physicall guys. Not necessarily any "Glover types", although if they're big, physical and just happened to have the quickness of a La'Roi Glover then that's good too.

2. NG, and DEs.

3. They aren't required to be bigtime pass rushers, but if they are then that's ok too.

4. Big, Physical LBs, with good pass rushing skills. Someone that won't just run right to the blocking back and stand there (ala Dexter Coakley).

5. DBs that have the ability to blitz would add another dimension to the 3-4. The OL is already worried about which LBs are gonna blitz on any given play, but if you have good blitzing DBs they'd have to worry about them too. Could really help to confuse an OL/QB.

[Derinyar]

Overall, the general consensus is that a 3-4 is stronger in terms of pressuring the Quarteback and defending the short underneath routes.
A 4-3 is better at stopping the run but not as effective in getting to the opposing QB.
Its all about the personel. If you have the right personel you get pressures and sacks. in the top 10, in sacks, you find 2 3-4 teams and 8 4-3 teams.

[Verdict]

Its all about the personel. If you have the right personel you get pressures and sacks. in the top 10, in sacks, you find 2 3-4 teams and 8 4-3 teams.

Good post Derinyar, as usual. I agree with your comment that good personnel leads to a good defense. Do you know (I don't) the percentage, or number of defenses in the NFL running the 3-4 defense. I'm not aware of many, but the teams running the 3-4 seem to be better on average than the 4-3 teams. I'm not knowledgeable enough at this point to be able to take a strong stand on whether we would be better off in one defense over another. The dominant defenses on average seem to be much bigger up front and have more physical linebackers than bad defenses do. Team speed is important, but the big guys seem to do a better job in run stuffing, especially at the goal line.

[Qwickdraw]

Teams currently using the 3-4:

Oakland
Baltimore
New England
Houston
Pittsburgh
San Diego


I absolutely agree that the defense is only as good as it's personnel. But given that only 6 teams run the 3-4 and 2 of them just implemented it this past year (Oakland and San Diego), I think it says something impressive that 2 teams are in the top 10 in sacks. Probably Pittsburgh and New England (the Super Bowl champs and the runner up in the AFC, Steelers also had the number 1 defense in the league this past year) are the 2 but Im not sure.
Id like to know how many of those 3-4 defenses are in the top 10 for QB hurries and tackles for losses.

[Derinyar]

Teams currently using the 3-4:

Oakland
Baltimore
New England
Houston
Pittsburgh
San Diego


I absolutely agree that the defense is only as good as it's personnel. But given that only 6 teams run the 3-4 and 2 of them just implemented it this past year (Oakland and San Diego), I think it says something impressive that 2 teams are in the top 10 in sacks. Probably Pittsburgh and New England (the Super Bowl champs and the runner up in the AFC, Steelers also had the number 1 defense in the league this past year) are the 2 but Im not sure.
Id like to know how many of those 3-4 defenses are in the top 10 for QB hurries and tackles for losses.
Out of that list there are 3 good defenses, 1 average defense and 2 bad ones. Pitt has been running a 3-4 for ages. Houston has been running it since the start, and still haven't put together a particularly good defense. With I think 2 more teams moving to it, and one leaving it(Baltimore), the misfits everyone talks about being really easy to find will start becoming more popular, hince valuable in both FA and Draft.

I think we are much closer to having a good 4-3 than to a good 3-4. For the 3-4 we pretty much have the depth with no starters. Though most of the LB we have that would be pretty decent 3-4 backups can probably be decent 4-3 backups also. Theres a reason why most players who are backups are backups, especially on a team whos defense was as questionable as ours last year.