Getting acclimated to watching the 3-4

[Juke99]

For long time Cowboy fans, this will take a bit of time...or at least for this long time Cowboy fan it will.

There are times when I'm watching and it makes me nutz to see Ware 15-20 yards downfield on a pass play.

One of the reasons the 3-4 became less prevalent is because offenses learned how to beat it...one of the ways to do so was to put an extra reciever on the line.

From Sam Wyche: "If you spread the 3-4 out and you leave yourself with one back, you usually reduce the front. So instead of having seven men in the box, if you've gota back that's lined up wide, usually somebody a LB or someone is going to walk out there.

You have one fewer blocker, but you have one fewer guy to block. So the strategy is: My guy may not block him every time but I know it's the equivalent of blocking him if (the linebacker) is standing out there where he can't make the tackle"

...or if the linebacker is 15 yards downfield covering a receiver.

On the other hand, the LB may instead rush the QB and make a big play.

There's the difference in what I've watched for 40 years from this team.

From the Landry years right through Zimmer, there wasn't a whole lot of gambling going on. Our defenses were great because we consistently stopped teams on the majority of drives. And our best pass rusher was always doing just that, rushing the passer. On rare occasion we'd drop a lineman into coverage and run a zone blitz, but those truly were rare occasions.

The 3-4 on the other hand isn't quite going to work the same way...or to my inexperienced eyes, it isn't. Drives will be stopped by someone making a big play, causing a turnover, etc. And the fact that Ware is in coverage sometimes, only makes it more confusing for the offense to know when he's going to be rushing the QB, which in turn, causes the big play.

Or something like that. :D

[Cbz40]

Excellent post Juke.......My concern with the 3/4 is stopping the run. We seem to be holding our own in that department thus far.

I like this D because it does allow us to get our best players on the field.

and yes, this long time fan is still adjusting to where, what, & who to watch on D.

[Sarge]

Excellent post Juke.......My concern with the 3/4 is stopping the run. We seem to be holding our own in that department thus far.

I like this D because it does allow us to get our best players on the field.

and yes, this long time fan is still adjusting to where, what, & who to watch on D.

It is a nice post Juke. I'm accepting this 3-4 thing but as an oldtimer like you two (well, not as old as Pops - but who is?) it's hard looking at the Cowboys in this formation.

Whatever works best though is what I want to use, obviously. There is going to be a learning curve, both for the players and us 'older' guys who are use to watching the Harvey Martins, Charles Haleys come tearing around the end out the 4-3.

Times change, they just better be for the better or some bugels will be flying.

[JDSmith]

I personally don't notice it all that much, probably because I have always lived in NJ and my father is a Giants fan. As a result, in the pre NFL Sunday Ticket days of my youth I watched a lot of Giants football and saw them running this scheme with great success.

[da_boyz_mk]

the thing i love about this defense is seeing ware standing up ready to rush the passer. it just looks intimidating to me!

[LaTunaNostra]

Juke, I know it's a rough transition..it's really so much predicated on the versatility, lateral moves and speed of the outside backers..you just can't make it work w/o talented ones.

But there is one very important dynamic here that imo will ease the transition.

And that is the presence of #31. We don't really think of a a saftey making or breaking a 3-4.

But I have a feeling this one that's just a biscuit short of a linebacker is going to not just make stoping the run easier, but the coverage skills we decried at FS will look much different bailing out an OLB who overran his man.

Tuna has never had an SS talent like Roy on the field when playing his 3-4, closest he came to it was Milloy. Roy's ability to hone in on a ball carrier transcends scheme...he is going to make that middle of the field HIS, and patrol the parameters like a doberman...can't wait til the game is telecast tonight to see what he did, and who if anyone he was bailing out when he did it.

I swear from the limited No Huddle coverage last night, they were hearing #31's footsteps. And dropping passes underneath accordingly.

[JDSmith]

the thing i love about this defense is seeing ware standing up ready to rush the passer. it just looks intimidating to me!

And he gets a MUCH better jump on the ball when he starts standing.

[Hostile]

For long time Cowboy fans, this will take a bit of time...or at least for this long time Cowboy fan it will.

There are times when I'm watching and it makes me nutz to see Ware 15-20 yards downfield on a pass play.

One of the reasons the 3-4 became less prevalent is because offenses learned how to beat it...one of the ways to do so was to put an extra reciever on the line.

From Sam Wyche: "If you spread the 3-4 out and you leave yourself with one back, you usually reduce the front. So instead of having seven men in the box, if you've gota back that's lined up wide, usually somebody a LB or someone is going to walk out there.

You have one fewer blocker, but you have one fewer guy to block. So the strategy is: My guy may not block him every time but I know it's the equivalent of blocking him if (the linebacker) is standing out there where he can't make the tackle"

...or if the linebacker is 15 yards downfield covering a receiver.

On the other hand, the LB may instead rush the QB and make a big play.

There's the difference in what I've watched for 40 years from this team.

From the Landry years right through Zimmer, there wasn't a whole lot of gambling going on. Our defenses were great because we consistently stopped teams on the majority of drives. And our best pass rusher was always doing just that, rushing the passer. On rare occasion we'd drop a lineman into coverage and run a zone blitz, but those truly were rare occasions.

The 3-4 on the other hand isn't quite going to work the same way...or to my inexperienced eyes, it isn't. Drives will be stopped by someone making a big play, causing a turnover, etc. And the fact that Ware is in coverage sometimes, only makes it more confusing for the offense to know when he's going to be rushing the QB, which in turn, causes the big play.

Or something like that. :DThe big test of our 3-4 will be when it is facing a team with a big OL and a RB who can beat you. I like the last 2 games and what I have seen. Pressure on the QB, turnovers, and in all 3 games not many points allowed. We acquired some good talent this off season. This defense might be very special if all the pieces begin to fit right. Doesn't matter which scheme you run, the better the chemistry, the better the results. So far we look pretty good. This is without Spears and Ferguson too. Better days might still be ahead. Isn't that a fun thought?

[MichaelWinicki]

The five biggest positive differences to this defense over a year ago...
1. The signing of Henry.
2. The drafting of Ware.
3. The improvement of Newman.
4. The improved play at FS.
5. The ability of Roy to play his more natural position.

And none of those things have anything to do with the 3-4.

[Sarge]

The five biggest positive differences to this defense over a year ago...
1. The signing of Henry.
2. The drafting of Ware.
3. The improvement of Newman.
4. The improved play at FS.
5. The ability of Roy to play his more natural position.

And none of those things have anything to do with the 3-4.

...but all 5 are truly HUGE.

Nice post.

[Nors]

4-3 apologist Mikey?

We drafted and signed 3-4 parts. Its all scheme and CONFUSING an offense. One play Burnett and Ware are in coverage. Next playing rushing off the edge and creating sacks and fumbles.

Bigger football players on the field.
Not only is the 3-4 here - its doing GREAT so far.

Any yes - LTN - i observed the same - Roy much more suited for the 3-4 and SS role in it. Its almost a 3-5....

[scottsp]

4-3 apologist Mikey?

We drafted and signed 3-4 parts. Its all scheme and CONFUSING an offense. One play Burnett and Ware are in coverage. Next playing rushing off the edge and creating sacks and fumbles.

Bigger football players on the field.
Not only is the 3-4 here - its doing GREAT so far.

Any yes - LTN - i observed the same - Roy much more suited for the 3-4 and SS role in it. Its almost a 3-5....

Another day in the life of...

[MichaelWinicki]

Another day in the life of...


That's OK.

I enjoy having the Nor-monster around. :)

[LaTunaNostra]

The five biggest positive differences to this defense over a year ago...
1. The signing of Henry.
2. The drafting of Ware.
3. The improvement of Newman.
4. The improved play at FS.
5. The ability of Roy to play his more natural position.

And none of those things have anything to do with the 3-4.
No, but they are the things done to try to ensure the 3-4 works.

The logical mind step is they would have ensured the 4-3 too, tho the critical line pass rush still would not have been addressed with any of the moves, the secondary would not have been as exposed.

What the 3-4 gives us is versatility to rush the passer from more angles, and in the absence of a great pass rushing 4-3 end, it's not just make-do but maybe even preferable.

You hang your rush on a Kearse or an Abraham and keep your fingers crossed.

You hang it on several players playing front or back, and disguise with even more blitzes, the odds start to favor you.

Mike, even the 4-3 dline talent of the Jets (cripe, Abe, Ellis, Robertson, Fergy kicked it up a VERY big notch by mixing in the 3-4 last year). Not to mention the ability to rest those linemen so that in the 4th qtr, they aren't dog tired.

One of the big reasons NY was so effective in second half shut outs last season was Henderson's adjustments.

But a rested dline rotation was pretty big too.

More and more it's about depth and role playing and versatility, and who has managed to catch his second wind. I mean, look at New England...they way they can utilize the roster, how guys spell one another, how they always make you feel you are playing a full roster, no wasted spots.

I think that's what the 3-4 will give us... a Coleman all of a sudden a 'force', a Burnette subbing for a Singleton....players in, players out, and in different formations, causing mental confusion. You rotate with 4-3 presonnel, but this just ups the ante. Exponentially.

It's 21st century ball, Mikey.

Not quite yer old 3-4.

[Hostile]

The five biggest positive differences to this defense over a year ago...
1. The signing of Henry.
2. The drafting of Ware.
3. The improvement of Newman.
4. The improved play at FS.
5. The ability of Roy to play his more natural position.

And none of those things have anything to do with the 3-4.I will echo that, but remind that this is still pre season and not full games by the starting D. I will also balance that by saying some of our best players aren't in yet.

The scheme is making a difference but it is making the difference because of the players we acquired. It was and is always about the personnel. The best players make your team better and better teams win.

It isn't rocket science. We'd be playing this well regardless of scheme because we acquired some real talent to go along with 5 already very good to great defenders in Ellis, Nguyen, Williams, Newman, and Glover.

Very encouraging.

[dwmyers]

From the Landry years right through Zimmer, there wasn't a whole lot of gambling going on.

While this might be true for the Landry years, this hasn't been true since Chad Hennings retired. In fact, since we last had a decent DL, we have had to blitz and generally resort to unsound defense to get any kind of pass rush at all.

David.

[Nors]

We are far better in the 3-4

Bigger players on the field and players that move around and put PRESSURE on an offense. That will result in mistakes and turnovers......Its already showing!

[Juke99]

...just to clarify...I'm not suggesting one defense is better than another...not suggesting why this one might outperform what we've seen in the past season...

I'm only saying it's simply different to watch...and after years of conditioning, it takes a bit of adjustment. I've always watched the defensive side of the ball more closely and in the past, it was at times, pretty easy to see how a play was developing. Plus, when I watched, I'd see the entire defense in unison...now, I find myself more focused on the play of the LB's...

In any case, the best defense I've ever seen was the 1970 team which gave up 2 offensive TD's in their last 7 games...and 41 total points (only 34 surrendered by the defense) over the same period. Just to give ya an idea of how that would stack up today...this would be the equivalent of a team giving up 96 points in a 16 game schedule.

Ultimately, it was all about the players.

[dwmyers]

The five biggest positive differences to this defense over a year ago...
1. The signing of Henry.
2. The drafting of Ware.
3. The improvement of Newman.
4. The improved play at FS.
5. The ability of Roy to play his more natural position.

And none of those things have anything to do with the 3-4.

Yea, but with the personnel we drafted, if we lined up Ware, Ellis, Glover and Coleman in a 4-3 front and let Ware get beat up by a LT, then we squander Ware's speed. These players were drafted with a 3-4 in mind so that Ware is most often chipped by a guard, dinged by a fullback or H back and generally matches his exceptional speed against a lesser blocker.

In a 3-4 we have Ellis on the LT and Ellis is good enough to occupy the LT; then Ware comes in and Mistah Jets for Legs causes backfield havoc.

My guess is, though, as Spears and Ferguson come off injured lists, we'll actually see more of the 4-3.

David.

[Hostile]

...just to clarify...I'm not suggesting one defense is better than another...not suggesting why this one might outperform what we've seen in the past season...

I'm only saying it's simply different to watch...and after years of conditioning, it takes a bit of adjustment. I've always watched the defensive side of the ball more closely and in the past, it was at times, pretty easy to see how a play was developing. Plus, when I watched, I'd see the entire defense in unison...now, I find myself more focused on the play of the LB's...

In any case, the best defense I've ever seen was the 1970 team which gave up 2 offensive TD's in their last 7 games...and 41 total points (only 34 surrendered by the defense) over the same period. Just to give ya an idea of how that would stack up today...this would be the equivalent of a team giving up 96 points in a 16 game schedule.

Ultimately, it was all about the players.Agreed only a handful of people on this site claim this and they refuse to see anything other than their own opinions as valid. It's a good scheme but the players make the difference. You are correct to focus on the LBs for action.

[LaTunaNostra]

While this might be true for the Landry years, this hasn't been true since Chad Hennings retired. In fact, since we last had a decent DL, we have had to blitz and generally resort to unsound defense to get any kind of pass rush at all.

David.
That's the bottom line.

Not much less safe than perpetual blitzing.

I think maybe a little of the 3-4 angst is not just the historical record, the very successful long time Cowboys way of getting things done, but it may feel like yet another depreciation of talent...a reliance more on many cogs than a few stars.

That may be true to certain extent, as more players will share more time. But
LT was at least as big a name (and impact player) as Haley was.

A Ware is going to do a lot to make the 'lunchpail quality' more palatable.

So is Burnette. So is Canty.

I think Richard Seymour is one of the most valuable DEs playing today...perhaps the MOST..he may never rack up the Kearse like glitter, but you can learn to live with it.

Seymour is a flat out stud.

(and I think the reason why Tuna dropped those very early LT comparisons was his understanding of the 'sell' to the Dallas media and fanbase...not that he isn't gonna do what he wants to do anyway, but that he FINALLY comprehends the idea that bus driver quotes are not appreciated in Dallas!..cripe, I coulda told him that after one week!..he only needlessly irritates with any already too obvious reminders that execution by the many is his key to success)

Folks will adjust to the lack of 'true stardom' on the line..they already have, with NOTHING to compensate for it elsewhere but Roy.

Specially when you didn't have anything near Kearse to begin with closer in memory to the admittedly awesome Chalres Haley..

[SmashFactorGolf]

We burned how many #1 piks on finding the next Haley.......Ekuban, Pittman, S. Carver, and then at least one FA in M. Wiley.........

Is it easier to draft for the 3-4, If Spears and Canty become players, I beleive they will be players in either scheme...........it all seemed to fall into our laps this year in the draft......time will tell

In Jimmy Johnson era......LB's were required for speed only.....they were bottom of list for salary, let alot of quality lbs go via free agency

speaking of LB's----Philly let a quality kid go (6th rdr) according to espn....for what ever that is worth

[scottsp]

The thing I remember most about the Bill Parcells era with the Giants are the wars those boys waged against Joe Gibbs and the Skins. This, of course, was circa 1986, or thereabouts. And those were two heavy duty clubs going at it.

As we all know, the G-Men relied on this 3-4 defense, anchored by the great Lawrence Taylor. Some of you also might recall the Skins multiple set attack. Typically, they'd roll with a single-back attack.

But what flanked John Riggins was a variation of looks that would make a flag football offense come across as blase.

Gibbs would throw out two tights, one and an H-Back, three wides, four, etc. Motion, motion, and more motion. But against Big Blue, the Skins would come with a lot of three-wide looks. The Posse, anyone remember those guys? That's what the trio of Gary Clark, Art Monk, and Ricky Sanders dubbed themselves. They were an excellent group, IMO.

The Giants response?

Play a lot of nickel and turn the monster loose. Line him up here. Line him up there. New York did not elect to utilize Taylor in static fashion. Far from it. But when they did go conventional with LT, it was pure joy to watch him go at it with Joe Jacoby. That guy was one hell of a left tackle.

I guess I bring this up because I don't really forsee the Cowboys dropping Ware a lot once we get to San Diego, especially in obvious passing situations. My gut tells me they're doing this now to get him work in an area he's really never had experience with prior to now. And I think it's wise to do so.

I'm not so uncomfortable with this since I know Bill Parcells has seen it all before. He's quite adept and familiar with the adjustments thrown at this defense. I feel confident in his ability to counter those.

That said, the same is true now that was true then, twenty years ago. Regardless of what front or scheme is being used, if you're not getting to the passer, the X and O's of it don't mean so much.

Must...get...to...the...quarterback.

[Cbz40]

The thing I remember most about the Bill Parcells era with the Giants are the wars those boys waged against Joe Gibbs and the Skins. This, of course, was circa 1986, or thereabouts. And those were two heavy duty clubs going at it.

As we all know, the G-Men relied on this 3-4 defense, anchored by the great Lawrence Taylor. Some of you also might recall the Skins multiple set attack. Typically, they'd roll with a single-back attack.

But what flanked John Riggins was a variation of looks that would make a flag football offense come across as blase.

Gibbs would throw out two tights, one and an H-Back, three wides, four, etc. Motion, motion, and more motion. But against Big Blue, the Skins would come with a lot of three-wide looks. The Posse, anyone remember those guys? That's what the trio of Gary Clark, Art Monk, and Ricky Sanders dubbed themselves. They were an excellent group, IMO.

The Giants response?

Play a lot of nickel and turn the monster loose. Line him up here. Line him up there. New York did not elect to utilize Taylor in static fashion. Far from it. But when they did go conventional with LT, it was pure joy to watch him go at it with Joe Jacoby. That guy was one hell of a left tackle.

I guess I bring this up because I don't really forsee the Cowboys dropping Ware a lot once we get to San Diego, especially in obvious passing situations. My gut tells me they're doing this now to get him work in an area he's really never had experience with prior to now. And I think it's wise to do so.

I'm not so uncomfortable with this since I know Bill Parcells has seen it all before. He's quite adept and familiar with the adjustments thrown at this defense. I feel confident in his ability to counter those.

That said, the same is true now that was true then, twenty years ago. Regardless of what front or scheme is being used, if you're not getting to the passer, the X and O's of it don't mean so much.

Must...get...to...the...quarterback.

Good post Scott......The name of the game harass the QB

[Juke99]

Great post scottsp.

Thanks

And yeah, I remember those epic battles between the Giants and Skins...Parcells and Gibbs....LT and Jacoby.

Great stuff.

[dwmyers]

Is it easier to draft for the 3-4, If Spears and Canty become players, I beleive they will be players in either scheme...........it all seemed to fall into our laps this year in the draft

I think you answered your own question. This draft was a good one regardless of scheme. We are using the 3-4 because our head coach is an expert in it, won 2 Super Bowls with it. But it appears as if we have the kinds of DL bodies to play both schemes, and play them successfully.

David.

[Sarge]

Great post scottsp.

Thanks

And yeah, I remember those epic battles between the Giants and Skins...Parcells and Gibbs....LT and Jacoby.

Great stuff.


Classic games. Two lunchpale teams smacking each other in the face. Nothing like the history behind the NFC East.

If it isn't Dallas/Redskins, it's Giants/Redskins, Dallas/Philly, Dallas/Giants.......... etc.

[Juke99]

Classic games. Two lunchpale teams smacking each other in the face. Nothing like the history behind the NFC East.

If it isn't Dallas/Redskins, it's Giants/Redskins, Dallas/Philly, Dallas/Giants.......... etc.


Oh yeah...and if you add the wind, cold, snow, etc at the Meadowlands..well, heck...I'm feeling stirrings in my loins. :D

[dwmyers]

Some of you also might recall the Skins multiple set attack. Typically, they'd roll with a single-back attack.

What I recall about the Skin's attack in the 1980s is that they were a very patient and deliberately annoying offense. They would dink you for ages, running and throwing short, running and throwing short, until your defense would start playing 8 in the box, man-to-man, tight safeties. That's when they would throw over your head for a long TD pass.

You could count on it, regular as clockwork.

[MichaelWinicki]

Oh yeah...and if you add the wind, cold, snow, etc at the Meadowlands..well, heck...I'm feeling stirrings in my loins. :D

Whoa! I'm outta here! I know what happens when you get those stirrings. :D

[MichaelWinicki]

Classic games. Two lunchpale teams smacking each other in the face. Nothing like the history behind the NFC East.

If it isn't Dallas/Redskins, it's Giants/Redskins, Dallas/Philly, Dallas/Giants.......... etc.


Compare those with the "air-wars" between the Bills, Dolpins & Jets of the early 90's.

[Juke99]

Whoa! I'm outta here! I know what happens when you get those stirrings. :D


:grin2:

[Sarge]

Oh yeah...and if you add the wind, cold, snow, etc at the Meadowlands..well, heck...I'm feeling stirrings in my loins. :D

Keep your loins the hell outta here Sally.

[Sarge]

Compare those with the "air-wars" between the Bills, Dolpins & Jets of the early 90's.

Apples and oragnes.............uh, oranges.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Its good to see the old guard changing their minds here... ;)

But, its Sooooooooooooo much more then different players...

Parcells had seen enough of "occupy & enagage" passive & predictable stop NOooooooooooooo one when we had to football...

He made the right move to a much less predictable, pressuring defense!

It always made me sick to hear zimmy wuss say "were going to play the run on first & second down and then rush the passer on 3rd down".

Ah yeah, that would be fine I guess... Zimmy the GREEK if the offense had rules to only run on first & 2nd down & then had to pass on 3rd...IDIOT!

He still didn't know how to rush the passer...His blitzes were awfully timed and by the wrong players....(Sorry zimmy, Dat CAN'T RUSH the passer!)

Yes, Parcells had seen enough journeyman QB's easily out wit zimmy...

He knew HE had to change the D to what would work...

Its only going to get better! :D

[MichaelWinicki]

Its good to see the old guard changing their minds here... ;)

But, its Sooooooooooooo much more then different players...

Parcells had seen enough of "occupy & enagage" passive & predictable stop NOooooooooooooo one when we had to football...

He made the right move to a much less predictable, pressuring defense!

It always made me sick to hear zimmy wuss say "were going to play the run on first & second down and then rush the passer on 3rd down".

Ah yeah, that would be fine I guess... Zimmy the GREEK if the offense had rules to only run on first & 2nd down & then had to pass on 3rd...IDIOT!

He still didn't know how to rush the passer...His blitzes were awfully timed and by the wrong players....(Sorry zimmy, Dat CAN'T RUSH the passer!)

Yes, Parcells had seen enough journeyman QB's easily out wit zimmy...

He knew HE had to change the D to what would work...

Its only going to get better! :D


Afternoon HH.

Yawn on your post BTW. :)

[big dog cowboy]

I'm feeling stirrings in my loins. :D
Easy there Chief. :lmao:

[Juke99]

Easy there Chief. :lmao:


Hey...that's a low blow calling me "Chief" ;)

Actually, Chief is like Elvis in my eyes. One of the originals around here.

Winicki and Sarge on the other hand are like...

http://www.ufomind.com/area51/desertrat/1996/dr33/stooges.jpg

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yawn if you like Mikey...

I guess thats easy to do when u don't UNDERSTAND! :D

[blindzebra]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but keep in mind it's preseason.

Our first team is getting about half the snaps they'd get in a regular game, so they are fresh and know they can go all out.

The teams we have played don't have very good second team depth on offense, ours has improved on defense and it shows. We have deeper talent on that side of the ball and they too, are playing to make the team.

While it will be nice to get Fergy and Spears into the mix, they are behind, not in football condition, and will be taking snaps away from players that have played well.

So far we have players making makes and that is great, but it's preseason and no team has tried to attack us with the run. I guarantee SD will.;)

[Sarge]

Hey...that's a low blow calling me "Chief" ;)

Actually, Chief is like Elvis in my eyes. One of the originals around here.

Winicki and Sarge on the other hand are like...

http://www.ufomind.com/area51/desertrat/1996/dr33/stooges.jpg


...as much as I hate to admit it - that one made me laugh out loud.

...which ultimately means.............. I'll get even.

;)

[Hostile]

Keep your loins the hell outta here Sally.Sarge, you are going soft. In the old days you'd have called him a sick freak.

[Nors]

Yea, but with the personnel we drafted, if we lined up Ware, Ellis, Glover and Coleman in a 4-3 front and let Ware get beat up by a LT, then we squander Ware's speed. These players were drafted with a 3-4 in mind so that Ware is most often chipped by a guard, dinged by a fullback or H back and generally matches his exceptional speed against a lesser blocker.

In a 3-4 we have Ellis on the LT and Ellis is good enough to occupy the LT; then Ware comes in and Mistah Jets for Legs causes backfield havoc.

My guess is, though, as Spears and Ferguson come off injured lists, we'll actually see more of the 4-3.

David.

Parcells has COMMITTED to 3-4
We practiced 3-4 primarily
We darfted 3-4
Ferguson is a stout NT
Spears is a 295 pound DE
Ware played OLB all camp

You do the math and it does NOT add up to 4-3.

[Sarge]

Sarge, you are going soft. In the old days you'd have called him a sick freak.

Sick implies there's room for betterment.

;)

[DWAREZ]

The big test of our 3-4 will be when it is facing a team with a big OL and a RB who can beat you. I like the last 2 games and what I have seen. Pressure on the QB, turnovers, and in all 3 games not many points allowed. We acquired some good talent this off season. This defense might be very special if all the pieces begin to fit right. Doesn't matter which scheme you run, the better the chemistry, the better the results. So far we look pretty good. This is without Spears and Ferguson too. Better days might still be ahead. Isn't that a fun thought?

Finally, we actually can think in these terms..it has been a long time and I am stoked for the very reasons you mention :)

[Nors]

Let San Diego run on us......

They will be running right into Ware, Burnett and ROY!!!!!!!!!!!!!