Question about 3-4?

[Champsheart]

I am just curious, does anyone know how long the 3-4 has been around, and who was the original architect of it?

Also has the 4-3 always been the base defense for most teams, or where there other fronts back in the early days?

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Champsheart

I am just curious, does anyone know how long the 3-4 has been around, and who was the original architect of it?

Also has the 4-3 always been the base defense for most teams, or where there other fronts back in the early days?

The Houston Oilers with Curly Culp at NT in the early 70's were the 1st as far as I know.

[jksmith269]

Originally Posted by Champsheart

I am just curious, does anyone know how long the 3-4 has been around, and who was the original architect of it?

Also has the 4-3 always been the base defense for most teams, or where there other fronts back in the early days?

I don't know about the 3-4 but our own Tom Landry was the creator of the 4-3 (i'm pretty sure)

[WoodysGirl]

How long has Pittsburgh ran the 3-4? I know as long as Cowher has been there, but was it played during the Chuck Noll days?

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by jksmith269

I don't know about the 3-4 but our own Tom Landry was the creator of the 4-3 (i'm pretty sure)

Landry created the 4-3 flex defense but most teams ran the 4-3 before Tom became a HC

[Champsheart]

Originally Posted by Woody'sGirl

How long has Pittsburgh ran the 3-4? I know as long as Cowher has been there, but was it played during the Chuck Noll days?

The 70's Steelers ran a 4-3.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Woody'sGirl

How long has Pittsburgh ran the 3-4? I know as long as Cowher has been there, but was it played during the Chuck Noll days?

No, the "Steel Curtain" defense that was so legendary was a 4-3.

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Woody'sGirl

How long has Pittsburgh ran the 3-4? I know as long as Cowher has been there, but was it played during the Chuck Noll days?

Steel Curtain was the 4-3. Joe Green, LC Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by Woody'sGirl

How long has Pittsburgh ran the 3-4? I know as long as Cowher has been there, but was it played during the Chuck Noll days?

The Steel Curtain had 4 defensive lineman.

I think the 5-2 was used quite a bit in the old days. Essentially the same as the 3-4. A guy directly over the center and two guys on the very outside. The two outside ends may not have dropped back into coverage as much as OLBs in the 3-4, but passing games weren't as complex either. They just wanted bodies up on the line to stop the run.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

Landry created the 4-3 flex defense but most teams ran the 4-3 before Tom became a HC

Correct. The 4-3 has been around since the 20's for the most part. Landry was the first to teach stay in your assignment and don't break. Thus the name "flex." It took not only good athletes but smart players to work but when it did work it was a thing of beauty.

[joseephuss]

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

Landry created the 4-3 flex defense but most teams ran the 4-3 before Tom became a HC

Didn't Landry create the Flex while an assistant with the Giants?

[Doomsday101]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Correct. The 4-3 has been around since the 20's for the most part. Landry was the first to teach stay in your assignment and don't break. Thus the name "flex." It took not only good athletes but smart players to work but when it did work it was a thing of beauty.

It also was a staggered front 4

[jksmith269]

Originally Posted by Doomsday101

Landry created the 4-3 flex defense but most teams ran the 4-3 before Tom became a HC

I stand corrected you are right.......Thanks

[WoodysGirl]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I wasn't sure what they ran in those days.

You know I'm still a baby compared to some of you.

[The30YardSlant]

Originally Posted by jksmith269

I don't know about the 3-4 but our own Tom Landry was the creator of the 4-3 (i'm pretty sure)

Tom Landry invented the flex defense, different thing. And the flex would not work in today's NFL anyway, thats part of the reason why JJ fired Landry.