I think our defensive personnel fit the 4-3 better than the 3-4.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Its a big question mark whether Carp will make a quick transition to MLB from OLB. He didn't even make the active roster the first few weeks trying to play ILB this past season. He had a tendency to take false steps that left him out of position and easily blocked in his early playing time at ILB and even at OLB.

I disagree on James. Sometimes he's ok at scraping, but he doesn't have the speed to get all the way to the sideline against faster RB's. I've even notice him lose track of the ball carrier many times when he's scraping down the line. Not to mention his coverage issues. If we're looking at running a Tampa 2 like Chicago did.. there's NO WAY we can expect Bradie James to cover the deep middle of the field like they had Urlacher do.

Fowler seems to have great instincts for finding the ball (see the Rams game 05 and how he was always in there on goalline defense in 06). I just wonder if he's good enough to be a starting MLB. BTW, Fowler was playing ILB when the Saints abused us with Mike Karney on several plays there... I believe he might have missed his coverage assignment.

Well, first I think you have to understand that MLB or OLB in a 43 is not like playing ILB or OLB in a 34, per say. In my scenario, I actually have Carp playing SOLB as opposed to MLB. To be honest, I think he could play either but Ayodele might be better suited only because I think Carp might be a better athlete. Naturally, you would want him at OLB in a 43 if that were the case. Both of those guys can play inside or outside IMO. Having said that, I don't think it's anymore of a stretch to play Carp in a 43 then it would be in a 34. All the things you said earlier pertain to Carp in a 34 as well.

In a 43, you don't have to have a MLB covering the deep middle. That's really only if you play a Cover2 and really only if your playing a Tampa 2 version of it. Besides, I don't have him starting. I have him as depth. Unless you just want to cut him and bring somebody else in. I mean, that's fine but either way, your going to have that problem in a 34 as well.

Fowler is not a starter in the 43. He's depth, which once again, he would be in a 34 as well. I mean, all of these guys have to make plays in whatever scheme. That is not something that is unique to either defense allignment.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

None. It's an opinion based on the performance of teams that currently run a 3-4 defense compared to those teams that run a 3-4.

OK. What teams are you basing your opinion on? Last year, the top 10 defensive teams were as follows.

Baltimore 46
Jacksonville 43
Oakland 46/43
Miami 43
Chicago 43
New England 34
Carolina 43
Minnesota 43
Pittsburgh 34
San Diego 34

Historically, most of the greatest defenses have been 43 based. I don't think you can really say that all things equal, a 34 is better. Each has it's merrits.

 

[TEK2000]

Well, first I think you have to understand that MLB or OLB in a 43 is not like playing ILB or OLB in a 34, per say. In my scenario, I actually have Carp playing SOLB as opposed to MLB. To be honest, I think he could play either but Ayodele might be better suited only because I think Carp might be a better athlete. Naturally, you would want him at OLB in a 43 if that were the case. Both of those guys can play inside or outside IMO. Having said that, I don't think it's anymore of a stretch to play Carp in a 43 then it would be in a 34. All the things you said earlier pertain to Carp in a 34 as well.

In a 43, you don't have to have a MLB covering the deep middle. That's really only if you play a Cover2 and really only if your playing a Tampa 2 version of it. Besides, I don't have him starting. I have him as depth. Unless you just want to cut him and bring somebody else in. I mean, that's fine but either way, your going to have that problem in a 34 as well.

Fowler is not a starter in the 43. He's depth, which once again, he would be in a 34 as well. I mean, all of these guys have to make plays in whatever scheme. That is not something that is unique to either defense allignment.

Can't disagree with ya on those points ABQ. I do believe that Ayodele and Carp are both very good athletes that could play inside or outside... its really just a matter of how fast they can make the switch and be really effective at the MLB position. I guess I'm thinking in terms of not wanting to have to wait for our guys to develop in the 4-3 when we're finally getting our young players to the point where they understand their roles and techniques in the 3-4.

As far as the Tampa 2... maybe I'm doing a little too much assuming and thinking that Rivera would want to implement the Tampa 2 here like they run in Chicago. I certainly hope that he would adjust the defense to fit the players we have because our talent is certainly different than Chicago's.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Can't disagree with ya on those points ABQ. I do believe that Ayodele and Carp are both very good athletes that could play inside or outside... its really just a matter of how fast they can make the switch and be really effective at the MLB position. I guess I'm thinking in terms of not wanting to have to wait for our guys to develop in the 4-3 when we're finally getting our young players to the point where they understand their roles and techniques in the 3-4.

As far as the Tampa 2... maybe I'm doing a little too much assuming and thinking that Rivera would want to implement the Tampa 2 here like they run in Chicago. I certainly hope that he would adjust the defense to fit the players we have because our talent is certainly different than Chicago's.

We don't really have an Urlacher on this team IMO. Not unless you moved Ware and that is not anything I would want to do.

To be honest, I'd rather run a 46. I like it bit better then I do any of the others but I'm probably just showing my age there.

 

[AtlCB]

OK. What teams are you basing your opinion on? Last year, the top 10 defensive teams were as follows.

Baltimore 46
Jacksonville 43
Oakland 46/43
Miami 43
Chicago 43
New England 34
Carolina 43
Minnesota 43
Pittsburgh 34
San Diego 34

Historically, most of the greatest defenses have been 43 based. I don't think you can really say that all things equal, a 34 is better. Each has it's merrits.

Baltimore runs a 3-4. Nobody has run the 46 since Buddy Ryan was coaching Arizona. Most of the superbowls won this decade were by 3-4 teams.

 

[blindzebra]

Baltimore runs a 3-4. Nobody has run the 46 since Buddy Ryan was coaching Arizona. Most of the superbowls won this decade were by 3-4 teams.

STL-4-3

BALT-4-3

NE-3-4

TB-4-3

NE-3-4

NE-3-4, but ran mostly 4-3 versus Philly

PIT-3-4

INDY-4-3

 

[superpunk]

Baltimore runs a 3-4. Nobody has run the 46 since Buddy Ryan was coaching Arizona. Most of the superbowls won this decade were by 3-4 teams.

Baltimore ran a 3-4. Currently, they run a 4-6.

 

[AtlCB]

STL-4-3

BALT-4-3

NE-3-4

TB-4-3

NE-3-4

NE-3-4, but ran mostly 4-3 versus Philly

PIT-3-4

INDY-4-3

I forgot that Baltimore ran a 4-3 defense that year. I'm used to them running a 3-4.

The 3-4 teams still lead 4 to 3, even though more teams run a 4-3.

 

[smarta5150]

I forgot that Baltimore ran a 4-3 defense that year. I'm used to them running a 3-4.

The 3-4 teams still lead 4 to 3, even though more teams run a 4-3.

And dont forget there are a ton more 4-3 teams.

Another plus to run the 3-4... run it well anyway.

 

[AtlCB]

Baltimore ran a 3-4. Currently, they run a 4-6.

According to their depth chart, they run a 3-4.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/depthChart.jsp

 

[blindzebra]

I forgot that Baltimore ran a 4-3 defense that year. I'm used to them running a 3-4.

The 3-4 teams still lead 4 to 3, even though more teams run a 4-3.

Hmmm, it's 4 to 4 and NE won 3 of those 4, and won the last one playing mostly 4-3, so I really fail to see the point.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Baltimore runs a 3-4. Nobody has run the 46 since Buddy Ryan was coaching Arizona. Most of the superbowls won this decade were by 3-4 teams.

LOL..

Check what Ray Lewis has to say about Baltimore and the 46. They don't run a 34. Also, this BS about most super bowls won this decade, of which only 6 have been played, who are you trying to kid? That's New England and guess what, that's as relivant as me saying that a 43 is better because the overwhelming majority of teams who have won the super bowl are 43 teams.

Both of Ryan's sons run variations of the 46.

 

[AtlCB]

LOL..

Check what Ray Lewis has to say about Baltimore and the 46. They don't run a 34. Also, this BS about most super bowls won this decade, of which only 6 have been played, who are you trying to kid? That's New England and guess what, that's as relivant as me saying that a 43 is better because the overwhelming majority of teams who have won the super bowl are 43 teams.

Both of Ryan's sons run variations of the 46.

How do you run a variation of the 46 with a three man line?

 

[Rack]

Read my post prior to yours.

We agree then. Although I'd prefer Ayodele at OLB since he already has experience there in a 4-3.

According to their depth chart, they run a 3-4.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/team/depthChart.jsp

The Ravens run a 46.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

How do you run a variation of the 46 with a three man line?

Here's an article on it.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9885032

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

We agree then. Although I'd prefer Ayodele at OLB since he already has experience there in a 4-3.



The Ravens run a 46.

I could live with Ayodele at OLB. To be honest, I think he could be good either way. To my way of thinking, I'd rather him at MLB because I'd rather have the better athlete at OLB (and I think that's probably Carp) but also because he has more overall experience. He's seen more and he's played more then has Carp. The MLB is going to have to call the defense and be the leader. Either is good with me but bottom line, I think we do have the personel to run a 43 should we choose to do so.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

3-4 4-3 1-10 0-11,.,who cares,, just use the players so that their talents are best suited, period. All D'a have some advantages and all of them have holes. A good D coach can coach any scheme, there is not a world of difference in the schemes,, its the coach's philosophy that makes the difference.

 

[Rack]

I could live with Ayodele at OLB. To be honest, I think he could be good either way. To my way of thinking, I'd rather him at MLB because I'd rather have the better athlete at OLB (and I think that's probably Carp) but also because he has more overall experience. He's seen more and he's played more then has Carp. The MLB is going to have to call the defense and be the leader. Either is good with me but bottom line, I think we do have the personel to run a 43 should we choose to do so.

Burnett at MLB wouldn't be a bad choice either. He's definitely got the speed and coverage ability to get deep when we call cover 2.

 

[The Realist]

Detroit game.

Yeah, we sure owned the Lions.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Burnett at MLB wouldn't be a bad choice either. He's definitely got the speed and coverage ability to get deep when we call cover 2.

I always wondered why Burnett didn't play inside in our own 34. He's a bit small for a 43 MLB but if we do run a cover2 scheme, we are definatly going to need somebody who can cover. I kinda see Burnett as the Will but who knows. He may comes back at 250 next year and makes us all eat our words.