You can't play Nickel from a 3-4

xwalker · Sep 22, 2021

The 3-4 is a run defense.

Defenses in the modern era play about 70% or more snaps in Nickel.

If a team is in a 3-4 alignment, then they are expecting run.

When a 3-4 team goes from 3-4 to Nickel, they pull the 320+ NT off the field.
- They then bring in the ~200 pound Nickel CB.

Quinn often has the DEs in Nickel standing up.

The stand-up DEs job in Quinn's defense has similarities to a 3-4 OLB.

Summary: If Parsons played 3-4 OLB then he still has to either play DE or off-ball LB on 70%+ of snaps.

Aftershock · Sep 22, 2021

xwalker said:
When a 3-4 team goes from 3-4 to Nickel, they pull the 320+ NT off the field.
- They then bring in the ~200 pound Nickel CB.

.

correct me if I’m wrong but I thought nickel can either be a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 in that case of 3-3-5 they would keep the NT. They would sub one of the LBs for a safety (big nickel) or a CB converting the 3-4 to a 3-3-5. A 3-4 to a 4-2-5 would sub two LB for 1 corner and a DT

aikemirv · Sep 22, 2021

Aftershock said:
.

correct me if I’m wrong but I thought nickel can either be a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 in that case of 3-3-5 they would keep the NT. They would sub one of the LBs for a safety (big nickel) or a CB converting the 3-4 to a 3-3-5. A 3-4 to a 4-2-5 would sub two LB for 1 corner and a DT

All this soccer talks gets me confused on the Cowboys board!

Risen Star · Sep 22, 2021

And now for reality.

The 3-4 was invented because of the lack of DE's capable of being stout enough to play as a down lineman while also being athletic enough to get to the QB. The scheme exists to more easily find players who can rush off the edge.

CATCH17 · Sep 22, 2021

Just send Parsons after the QB and don’t waste his talent asking him to cover people.

xwalker · Sep 22, 2021

Aftershock said:
.

correct me if I’m wrong but I thought nickel can either be a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 in that case of 3-3-5 they would keep the NT. They would sub one of the LBs for a safety (big nickel) or a CB converting the 3-4 to a 3-3-5. A 3-4 to a 4-2-5 would sub two LB for 1 corner and a DT

Yes, I posted during the preseason about the 3-3-5 being an alternate Nickel package; however, it's still not a 3-4.

The 3-3-5 is basically the 4-2-5 with 1 DT replaced by a LB.

The Cowboys are using a lot of big Nickel (4-2-5) with SS Kearse (6-4, 215) as the Nickel DB.

Proof · Sep 22, 2021

aikemirv said:
All this soccer talks gets me confused on the Cowboys board!

as much football as i watch, as much as i feel like i understand, i'm still a doofus when it comes to alignments and schemes.

TheMarathonContinues · Sep 22, 2021

CATCH17 said:
Just send Parsons after the QB and don’t waste his talent asking him to cover people.

And then when we are getting destroyed in the passing game then what? Just pray for the best?

Dak_Attack_09 · Sep 22, 2021

xwalker said:
The 3-4 is a run defense.

Defenses in the modern era play about 70% or more snaps in Nickel.

If a team is in a 3-4 alignment, then they are expecting run.

When a 3-4 team goes from 3-4 to Nickel, they pull the 320+ NT off the field.
- They then bring in the ~200 pound Nickel CB.

Quinn often has the DEs in Nickel standing up.

The stand-up DEs job in Quinn's defense has similarities to a 3-4 OLB.

Summary: If Parsons played 3-4 OLB then he still has to either play DE or off-ball LB on 70%+ of snaps.

4-3 is the best scheme with Gregory back. Just move Parson around the field based on the situation.

Ekspozed · Sep 22, 2021

You'd think 3 4 would be more stout against the pass then run

Where as 4 3 the opposite

Ekspozed · Sep 22, 2021

xwalker said:
The 3-4 is a run defense.

Defenses in the modern era play about 70% or more snaps in Nickel.

If a team is in a 3-4 alignment, then they are expecting run.

When a 3-4 team goes from 3-4 to Nickel, they pull the 320+ NT off the field.
- They then bring in the ~200 pound Nickel CB.

Quinn often has the DEs in Nickel standing up.

The stand-up DEs job in Quinn's defense has similarities to a 3-4 OLB.

Summary: If Parsons played 3-4 OLB then he still has to either play DE or off-ball LB on 70%+ of snaps.

Going off basic knowledge from watching football, and then a quick Google search, it seems you're completely wrong and the 3 4 is for the pass where as 4 3 is better against the run, generally.

lk8701 · Sep 22, 2021

CATCH17 said:
Just send Parsons after the QB and don’t waste his talent asking him to cover people.

It's like telling Giannis to shoot 3s instead attacking the basket.

CowboyFrog · Sep 22, 2021

lk8701 said:
It's like telling Giannis to shoot 3s instead attacking the basket.

In this upcomming game I want to see Parson Shadow Hurtz..I dont think Hurtz can beat us from the pocket. In that scenario there will be times Parson comes at him.

Ekspozed · Sep 22, 2021

CowboyFrog said:
In this upcomming game I want to see Parson Shadow Hurtz..I dont think Hurtz can beat us from the pocket. In that scenario there will be times Parson comes at him.

Id also like to see Parsons spy on hurts. But also when they do send Parsons, have cox spy on hurts.

HungryLion · Sep 22, 2021

rocyaice said:
And then when we are getting destroyed in the passing game then what? Just pray for the best?

Well, I would argue the best way to stop a teams passing game. Is for Parsons to be burying their QB in the dirt play after play.

I won’t say “never” have Parsons in coverage. But yeah I want him rushing the passer more often than not.

TheMarathonContinues · Sep 22, 2021

DakPresgoat said:
Well, I would argue the best way to stop a teams passing game. Is for Parsons to be burying their QB in the dirt play after play.

I won’t say “never” have Parsons in coverage. But yeah I want him rushing the passer more often than not.

If Hurts holds the ball as long as Herbert did? Then maybe…..but the easiest way to negate a pass rusher like Parsons is to just get the football out fast.

quickccc · Sep 22, 2021

i believe in 2016, Matt Eberflus (before he departed to Colts) played a 3-7 in nickel, because the Cowboys just could not generate enuff of a pass rush upfront (Dlaw had only one sack that season)

CowboysFaninHouston · Sep 22, 2021

xwalker said:
The 3-4 is a run defense.

Defenses in the modern era play about 70% or more snaps in Nickel.

If a team is in a 3-4 alignment, then they are expecting run.

When a 3-4 team goes from 3-4 to Nickel, they pull the 320+ NT off the field.
- They then bring in the ~200 pound Nickel CB.

Quinn often has the DEs in Nickel standing up.

The stand-up DEs job in Quinn's defense has similarities to a 3-4 OLB.

Summary: If Parsons played 3-4 OLB then he still has to either play DE or off-ball LB on 70%+ of snaps.

wait, I thought 4-3 was a run defense and 3-4 was a pass rushing, pass defense....one of the main reasons 3-4 came to be was the difficulty in finding a pass rushing 4-3 DE, instead they took these smallish DEs or LBs and made them pass rushers, because they were fast and they didn't have to line up with hands down on the ground against LTs and RTs. plus it was much easier to disguise the pass rush with a 3-4 from same look. generally its a smaller front 7 (despite the NT), since you take a DL man and replace him with a LB, so more suspect to runs if the guards can get to the second level.

now, the nickle requires a different look and I have seen the 3-3-5 look, with a saftey in the box that can drop or cover. in essence swapping a LB for a saftey.

but you may have a point, I also see a lot of 4-2-5 look, which may be better against stopping a potential run but you still have two DEs rushing primarily.

today's defenses are mostly hybrid now anyway.

CowboysFaninHouston · Sep 22, 2021

xwalker said:
Yes, I posted during the preseason about the 3-3-5 being an alternate Nickel package; however, it's still not a 3-4.

The 3-3-5 is basically the 4-2-5 with 1 DT replaced by a LB.

The Cowboys are using a lot of big Nickel (4-2-5) with SS Kearse (6-4, 215) as the Nickel DB.

isn't the 3-4 primarily a 4-3 with a DE replaced by a LB...where they line up and if they are standing up vs. hands on the ground is what determines it. by definition a 4-3 has 4 down linemen. 3-4 has 3 down lineman.

HungryLion · Sep 22, 2021

rocyaice said:
If Hurts holds the ball as long as Herbert did? Then maybe…..but the easiest way to negate a pass rusher like Parsons is to just get the football out fast.

To be honest. I want Hurts standing in the pocket and throwing. I don’t want him on the edges running around and making plays.

for this upcoming game I would like to see Parsons spy hurts a lot.

You can't play Nickel from a 3-4

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