Define the 3 Tech position

[garyv]

Can someone please define the 3 Tech position on the DL in the Tampa 2 Defense.
What really is expected and list the top 3 Players in the 2014 Draft that best fits what
is needed and required.

 

[AsthmaField]

It is the position that Warren Sapp played, Geno Atkins, and Henry Melton play. Just watch any video on them and you will see what a 3-tech is supposed to do.

As a matter of fact, you can watch Sapp when he played in Tampa and then watch him when he played in Oakland to get a good idea of why Dallas would be interested in Aaron Donald while 3-4 teams would not be.

Anyway, here is a pretty decent explanation below:

Now we come to my favorite position on the defensive line, the left defensive tackle. Commonly referred to as a "3 technique" defensive tackle, the left defensive tackle is the tackle equivalent of the right defensive end. It is the primary playmaking defensive tackle. Though it is very rare for a left defensive tackle to record the kind of sack totals of a defensive end, they are superstar non-stat contributors: redirecting rushers, drawing blocking backs, creating fast arriving inside pressure, blocking pass lanes, forcing checkdowns and forcing incompletes.

Glossary:

3 Technique or 3 Tech: Typically the left defensive tackle. The 3 technique tackle almost exclusively plays a single gap, the B, 3, 4 or 3-4 gaps between the offensive guard and offensive tackle. The term is used interchangeably meaning either the position itself, or the typical traits of the position: fast first step, ability to shed blockers, ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, ability to create inside pressure and ability to sack the quarterback.

Link: http://www.fieldgulls.com/2008/6/2/544329/football-explained-left-de

 

[Nirvana]

Unlike the 1 tech who gets double teamed by the center and guard, the 3 tech is lined up between the offensive tackle and other guard. The OT is concerned with blocking the DE, so the 3 tech has one guard to beat to shoot up his A gap. In our scheme of rush and react, a quick twitch 3 tech is ideal, with quickness and instincts. Speed is much more of a premium than size, unlike the 1 tech who needs to anchor down on running plays and not open up running lanes by getting pushed around. A good 3 tech can push his guard right back into the QB and disrupt passing plays, or beat the guard with a good swim move, etc. and sack the QB. He can also tackle the RB before he hits a hole.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

My super simple explanation:

The 3T is primarily a gap shooting (usually the "3-gap"- between the LG and LT) player. His main responsibility is to get up the field as quickly as possible to disrupt plays. He'll most likely be asked to play the run as a secondary consideration, or "on his way to the QB." The best 3T DT's will display some leverage and point of attack stoutness elements of a 1T/Nose Tackle, while possessing short area burst more frequently seen in DE's.

The best 3T prospects, in my opinion, are Aaron Donald, Dominique Easley, and Will Sutton. I also think Timmy Jernigan is a better overall player than Sutton and could work as a 3T, although it's probably not his best position.

 

[Nirvana]

Unlike the 1 tech who gets double teamed by the center and guard, the 3 tech is lined up between the offensive tackle and other guard. The OT is concerned with blocking the DE, so the 3 tech has one guard to beat to shoot up his A gap. In our scheme of rush and react, a quick twitch 3 tech is ideal, with quickness and instincts. Speed is much more of a premium than size, unlike the 1 tech who needs to anchor down on running plays and not open up running lanes by getting pushed around. A good 3 tech can push his guard right back into the QB and disrupt passing plays, or beat the guard with a good swim move, etc. and sack the QB. He can also tackle the RB before he hits a hole.

I should have said B gap, not A gap. The gap between the guard and tackle.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I should have said B gap, not A gap. The gap between the guard and tackle.

I considered calling you out for that, but then thought "nah... he was 99% on point" haha.

 

[garyv]

Nirvana why do you like Chris Smith DE in the 2nd Round ? I thought looking at some various Mocks that
he was a later rounder ?

Do you like him better than Dee Ford ?

 

[KingintheNorth]

Lines up outside shade of the Guard or inside shade of the B Gap.

 

[AsthmaField]

I considered calling you out for that, but then thought "nah... he was 99% on point" haha.

Yeah, what the OP is basically asking is: What does a 3-tech DT do?

Which is really asking (at least how I took it since we are in the Draft Zone) what physical traits are needed by a 3-tech. What is asked of a 3-tech in this particular 43 scheme.

The name of the gap really doesn't matter.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Yeah, what the OP is basically asking is: What does a 3-tech DT do?

Which is really asking (at least how I took it since we are in the Draft Zone) what physical traits are needed by a 3-tech. What is asked of a 3-tech in this particular 43 scheme.

The name of the gap really doesn't matter.

Someone scored really high in reading comprehension...

But yup, exactly. It's all about a blend of quickness and leverage. Donald has them both in gobs.

 

[garyv]

CowboysLaw87 do you think Donald will be sitting there at #16 or will he go sooner ?

 

[AsthmaField]

Someone scored really high in reading comprehension...

But yup, exactly. It's all about a blend of quickness and leverage. Donald has them both in gobs.

Lol, I guess I deserved that...

Donald is the best 3-tech prospect I have seen in years... which is why I've been getting up on my soapbox telling everyone how much I want Dallas to draft him.

If you look back a year ago on this forum, I kept saying over and over that I hoped we would draft Sheldon Richardson. That was because I know how vital the 3-tech position is in this defense. I thought he would have been very good in this defense. Richardson played very well for the Jets, but IMO, he would have been best in our system.

Well, I think Donald is a better prospect than Richardson was. What Donald does very, very well is exactly what we would need him to do. He should be a fantastic 3-tech.

Fantastic.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

CowboysLaw87 do you think Donald will be sitting there at #16 or will he go sooner ?

I'm giving him about a 55% shot of being there. I think Chicago is a real threat, as is anyone who wants him that knows they probably have to jump us in a trade up to get him.

His lack of ideal height/length/weight really does limit him to being exclusively a 3T in a "1-gap" (gap shooting) scheme, so it limits the number of threats.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Lol, I guess I deserved that...

Donald is the best 3-tech prospect I have seen in years... which is why I've been getting up on my soapbox telling everyone how much I want Dallas to draft him.

If you look back a year ago on this forum, I kept saying over and over that I hoped we would draft Sheldon Richardson. That was because I know how vital the 3-tech position is in this defense. I thought he would have been very good in this defense. Richardson played very well for the Jets, but IMO, he would have been best in our system.

Well, I think Donald is a better prospect than Richardson was. What Donald does very, very well is exactly what we would need him to do. He should be a fantastic 3-tech.

Fantastic.

Completely agree that he's perfect for our scheme and should undoubtedly be our top target, for all the reasons stated.

I liked Richardson even better as a prospect though. Really close, but I think Richardson offers just a bit more scheme/positional versatility that would push me just over the Richardson/Donald line. That's actually a great debate though, and for the record, Richardson was my top hope last draft season too.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm giving him about a 55% shot of being there. I think Chicago is a real threat, as is anyone who wants him that knows they probably have to jump us in a trade up to get him.

His lack of ideal height/length/weight really does limit him to being exclusively a 3T in a "1-gap" (gap shooting) scheme, so it limits the number of threats.

That's about how I see it as well.

If Dallas loves him as much as I think they might, and they hear whispers that someone might take Donald before our pick (like Chicago), I can see them jumping up to around the 11th pick.

I know people don't want to hear it, but I think it is a distinct possibility, depending on what they're hearing. Donald really is exactly what they will want in a 3-tech.

 

[AsthmaField]

Completely agree that he's perfect for our scheme and should undoubtedly be our top target, for all the reasons stated.

I liked Richardson even better as a prospect though. Really close, but I think Richardson offers just a bit more scheme/positional versatility that would push me just over the Richardson/Donald line. That's actually a great debate though, and for the record, Richardson was my top hope last draft season too.

Richardson does offer better scheme versatility, for sure - but if you are in this defense, with Marinelli as your Def Coordinator - Donald is an even better fit than Richardson was IMO. Plus, he's cleaner intangible wise as well.

Donald is exactly what Garrett would want off the field, between the ears and in his heart and guts.

Donald is exactly what Marinelli would want on the field at the 3-tech spot... which just so happens to be probably the team's biggest need.

 

[Nirvana]

Nirvana why do you like Chris Smith DE in the 2nd Round ? I thought looking at some various Mocks that
he was a later rounder ?

Do you like him better than Dee Ford ?

He had a very good combine. Great first step, 1.63 10 yd split (Clowney 1.59), 4.71 40 (Clowney 4.53), 7.55 3 cone (Clowney 7.29), 37" vert (Clowney 37.5"). Wing 82" (Clowney 83")He is only 6'1 (Clowney 6'5) but has great physical tools. Excellent bend. Was under-utilized at Arkansas. Had great Senior Bowl. Would compete for starting LDE spot over Spencer or Selvie.

I see Ford going in the first round. I don't like him at our 16 pick. Would choose him over Smith in the second though.

 

[AsthmaField]

He had a very good combine. Great first step, 1.63 10 yd split (Clowney 1.59), 4.71 40 (Clowney 4.53), 7.55 3 cone (Clowney 7.29), 37" vert (Clowney 37.5"). Wing 82" (Clowney 83")He is only 6'1 (Clowney 6'5) but has great physical tools. Excellent bend. Was under-utilized at Arkansas. Had great Senior Bowl. Would compete for starting LDE spot over Spencer or Selvie.

I see Ford going in the first round. I don't like him at our 16 pick. Would choose him over Smith in the second though.

I like Smith too. Scott Crichton is a very good second round target too. If he is there at our pick, I think they would probably take him. However, I don't think he makes it to us though.

With a draft this deep, you never know for sure.

 

[Nirvana]

I like Smith too. Scott Crichton is a very good second round target too. If he is there at our pick, I think they would probably take him. However, I don't think he makes it to us though.

With a draft this deep, you never know for sure.

I think Crichton is a great pick if we trade down in the first.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Crichton is a great pick if we trade down in the first.

Possibly. I'd rather go Donald at 16 and then if Crichton is available early in the second... maybe move up to take him there if Dallas likes him that much.

Donald and Crichton would go a long, long way towards fixing the DL... particularly when you consider Crawford and Bass coming back from injury, and Dallas finding solid rotational players (Selvie and Hayden) during last year's defensive debacle.