4-3 will be disaster if Lee and Carter don't do well - Dallas Cowboys Forum

JoeyBoy718 · 01-11-2013

The strength of our defense is our 2 linebackers (Lee and Carter) who are young and gifted and have the potential to be the best linebacker duo in the NFL. The secondary will be the secondary regardless of 3-4 or 4-3. And as good as guys like Ware, Spencer and Ratliff are/were, you don't build around guys of their age. My point is, I have no problem with the possible switch to 4-3, but it will be a major disaster if it takes away from the potential of Lee and Carter. If you're fortunate enough to land two guys of their caliber, you better not screw it up. So let's hope they're just as good in a 4-3 as they were in a 3-4.

zrinkill · 01-11-2013

So would the 3-4.

As evident this year.

erod · 01-11-2013

And what in the world makes you think they won't do well? This will be nothing for them.

We played a LOT of 4-3 last year.

InmanRoshi · 01-11-2013

The 3-4 will be a disaster if Lee and Carter don't perform well.

They're both more "prototypical" 4-3 linebackers than 3-4 linebackers, and they both excelled in the 4-3 in college.

Teague31 · 01-11-2013

If lee and carter don't play at a high level it is irrelevant which scheme we are playing

The Natural · 01-11-2013

Maybe someone with more knowledge of the defensive formation can speak to this, but why wouldnt they do well? Does a 4-3 diminish their talents in some way?

**justbob** · 01-11-2013

Will Lee and Carter actually have more protection in the new 4-3. Both are fast and extremely talented at reading a play. ??

erod · 01-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Natural

Maybe someone with more knowledge of the defensive formation can speak to this, but why wouldnt they do well? Does a 4-3 diminish their talents in some way?

Not at all. It makes almost no difference for linebackers that can run, and both of these guys can fly.

**justbob** · 01-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod

Not at all. It makes almost no difference for linebackers that can run, and both of these guys can fly.

That would be my question... With their ability to read plays and run to them--doesn't the 4-3 shield them and give them even more of an opportunity to do that ----or am I thinking wrong.

RS12 · 01-11-2013

Both played 4-3 in college just fine.

TheFinisher · 01-11-2013

It's not going to take away from their potential, if anything Kiffin's scheme will bring out the best of them.

Lee will be a star on the weakside. Kiffin's front is designed to protect your Will and flow all the action back to him, and for a playmaker like Lee that's exactly what we want. He's gonna be able to play clean and make tons of plays around the LOS, and also continue to thrive as an underneath zone defender. I'd expect Lee to have a monster year.

And for Carter, he is tailor-made to play the Mike. The reason we drafted him was because of his athleticism in space and his coverage ability. In Kiffin's D, the Mike has a lot of the responsibilty you would normally see out of a deep middle safety... you better be able to cover ground, and Carter is that type of guy. He's got the hips and change of direction to be a nightmare in the middle of the field for passing games and eliminate those inside seam threats. He's one of the few LBs in the league that can carry slot receivers vertically.

JoeyBoy718 · 01-11-2013

I don't doubt they will both do well. I'm just saying that if, for some reason, they're not the same players in the 4-3, then the move will be a disaster. Otherwise, I really don't see a problem with changing to a 4-3. It isn't like our line was elite in a 3-4.

**justbob** · 01-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFinisher

It's not going to take away from their potential, if anything Kiffin's scheme will bring out the best of them.

Lee will be a star on the weakside. Kiffin's front is designed to protect your Will and flow all the action back to him, and for a playmaker like Lee that's exactly what we want. He's gonna be able to play clean and make tons of plays around the LOS, and also continue to thrive as an underneath zone defender. I'd expect Lee to have a monster year.

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Thanks ---good info

TheFinisher · 01-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by justbob

Thanks ---good info

I played in a Kiffin-inspired scheme in college, Lee and Carter will thrive in it.

hra8700 · 01-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFinisher

It's not going to take away from their potential, if anything Kiffin's scheme will bring out the best of them.

Lee will be a star on the weakside. Kiffin's front is designed to protect your Will and flow all the action back to him, and for a playmaker like Lee that's exactly what we want. He's gonna be able to play clean and make tons of plays around the LOS, and also continue to thrive as an underneath zone defender. I'd expect Lee to have a monster year.

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Agree. I think everyone wants lee at middle because of the history and importance in other 4-3 systems, but in Kiffins system a lot of responsibility is taken away from the MLB and he has to play a deep zone in coverage which is absolutely not lee's skillet and is great for Bruce carter. People love carter on the weak side because of speed but that position is all about instincts and in coverage it's all about reading the qb's eyes which is what lee is great at.