If a new coach brought back the 3-4, how would you feel?

[Manwiththeplan]

For starters, let's not post in the thread, just to say "I'll feel great if there's a new coach...period...."

But I just think it's a long shot for Monte Kiffen to return. For starters, we have to win the next two games, and I'd put our chances, some where between slim and none. If we don't, Garrett is likely gone, and no coach is going to look at the defense and keep going in this direction. If we do some how win both games, thus saving Garrett's job, I think there's at least a 50/50 chance Garrett goes in a new direction. He may be tempted to stick with Kiffen, due to him being still somewhat on the hot seat and not wanting dramatic changes, but we're really bad on defense and likely need a scheme that better fits our players.

And I'm not even saying the 3-4 is the best fit for our players, but we really don't have cover 2 corners, nor a playmaker at the safety spot what so ever.

So my question is, how would you guys feel about the 3-4 coming back? For me, a NT would be a must, but if we could get one, I'd be for it. Either way, unless we are going to do a lengthy rebuild, we really need to abandon this defense.

 

[cowboys1981]

I like the 4-3, we just don't have the personnel for the Tampa. We need to address the Dline in the offseason. Our secondary would look a lot better when we have a Dline that can push the line and create pressure.

Even when we had the 3-4, we weren't too successful. I still see the same problem; not making 3rd down stops.

 

[Beats_By_Zeke]

If the 3-4 means less injuries than I'm all for it

 

[Tabascocat]

If Garrett is fired - whatever the new HC wants is fine with me

If Garrett stays - who cares, my attention will be focused on the offense and if they change anything there

This team isn't built for either the 4-3 or the 3-4 properly. Whichever way they go, stick with it and not change with the wind. I like the 4-3 if the corners are allowed more press coverage. Of course, we may need another corner soon

 

[iRepDatStar]

We had the 3-4 last year and the same amount of injuries

 

[gimmesix]

I'd feel good if it worked, which is the same way I feel about the 4-3.

This defense has been injury-prone and putrid the past few years. We need one we can rely on whatever the scheme.

 

[Idgit]

I don't like the 3-4 in Dallas. Mostly because I'm a traditionalist. I don't know that either's a particularly good fit for our talent right now. We're going to need to add DL, and we're going to want to look at improving our S play. And now we might need a new Will. I don't care all that much about the fronts if we can just get the personnel to work.
I do wonder what they'd do on defense if they don't fire Jason Garrett. A third coordinator in three years seems unlikely, but so does keeping Kiffin after the damage this season.

 

[XxTDxX]

I much prefer the 4-3.. It is way easier to find talent in the 4-3.. Wouldn't mind switching to a different philosophy as in schemes and tendencies but I prefer the 4-3 by a lot.

 

[Nightman]

The 4-3 without the Tampa 2 and I'm good.

 

[yentl911]

I am up for anything that will not allow the opposing offense to go up and down the field like they are playing catch in the parking lot.

 

[ftghb]

The 4-3 without the Tampa 2 and I'm good.

all 4-3 schemes run some variance of the tampa 2. Anytime a 4-3 is running a cover 3 with the mlb running down the middle, that's a tampa-2.

I'm actually more intrigued with seattle's single high safety looks and how that enables them to run multiple defensive fronts

essentially, the only position that's really vital for them to run that scheme is an earl thomas patrolling centerfield. Kam chancellor is allowed to drop in as an in the box safety/ convering intermediate zone, essentially acting as an extra linebacker. And you can flex the LEO (LB/OLB) hybrid depending on either side of the offensive line has the better blocking.

EDIT: I should also say, this fits some of our guys better (like ware, carr and claiborne, for instance) because Ware can fall back into a rush OLB role while claiborne and carr complain a lot about playing off-man/like to bill themselves as press cbs.

 

[Pabst]

Well, almost all of our defensive players are 34 guys. It was strange to switch in the first place. It would put less wear and tear on Ware, if he's kept around. I'm not sure he should be, unless he takes a paycut.

If you're gonna stick with the 43, that's fine, but it's going to take a few years to swap in the right players for it. Still need the nose, and a 3 tech if Hatcher is gone. This is regardless of scheme. We can get by with Claiborne/Carr/Scandrick so long as we don't play zone that often, but cover 3 zone is pretty much what Kiffin does. Safety is more important in tampa style, but it needs an upgrade at free scheme regardless. Maybe Wilcox can develop into a free, but Church should be playing strong. He's only at FS now b/c Heath and Wilcox are too raw to know deep coverage responsibilities.

Kind of a moot point. Kiffin is going to be gone. You can't have a defense as terrible as we are and still keep your job. Well, usually. It is jerry writing the checks.

 

[Nightman]

all 4-3 schemes run some variance of the tampa 2. Anytime a 4-3 is running a cover 3 with the mlb running down the middle, that's a tampa-2.

I'm actually more intrigued with seattle's single high safety looks and how that enables them to run multiple defensive fronts

essentially, the only position that's really vital for them to run that scheme is an earl thomas patrolling centerfield. Kam chancellor is allowed to drop in as an in the box safety/ convering intermediate zone, essentially acting as an extra linebacker. And you can flex the LEO (LB/OLB) hybrid depending on either side of the offensive line has the better blocking.

EDIT: I should also say, this fits some of our guys better (like ware, carr and claiborne, for instance) because Ware can fall back into a rush OLB role while claiborne and carr complain a lot about playing off-man/like to bill themselves as press cbs.

That was supposedly the plan before all the injuries. I think Kiffin had to fall back to a basic zone to deal with all the newcomers. I agree that our CBs are better suited for man/press coverage. Either way, most of the resources next year should go to improving the Defense, the Offense is pretty stable going into next year.

 

[jobberone]

all 4-3 schemes run some variance of the tampa 2. Anytime a 4-3 is running a cover 3 with the mlb running down the middle, that's a tampa-2.

I'm actually more intrigued with seattle's single high safety looks and how that enables them to run multiple defensive fronts

essentially, the only position that's really vital for them to run that scheme is an earl thomas patrolling centerfield. Kam chancellor is allowed to drop in as an in the box safety/ convering intermediate zone, essentially acting as an extra linebacker. And you can flex the LEO (LB/OLB) hybrid depending on either side of the offensive line has the better blocking.

EDIT: I should also say, this fits some of our guys better (like ware, carr and claiborne, for instance) because Ware can fall back into a rush OLB role while claiborne and carr complain a lot about playing off-man/like to bill themselves as press cbs.

Excellent post. Seattle also mixes up its DL assignments. They will shoot, shoot and hold, and play some two gap. They also do some interesting things with their LB/S formations. This defense is what Kiffin was hired to run but injuries scuttled that as well as personnel. Wilcox was drafted to be that Earl Thomas but he's not ready. And Carter isn't the Will we need and Durant is not as strong as you'd like in coverage......ie we don't have the personnel to run it.

This is my reason why they should draft a safety in the first. I've never been a proponent of drafting safeties in the first. I always felt you could get one later. The league has changed and a top safety drafted high is one of the safest picks recently. Of course they needed an interior lineman worse.

These things are why I say we can't evaluate the defense this year. You can't play without enough players and we are running on empty apologies to Jackson Browne.

I'd love to see you post more.

 

[Gaede]

I like the 4-3. I think we should stick with it.

Just get a guy who has a clue to run it.

 

[jobberone]

It's not the coach IMO but the injuries on top of not having all the guys we need. It really is a misnomer to call most defenses in the league a 4-3 or 3-4 with all the variations or hybrid defenses and special packages run. You can scheme all you want but you have to be able to run, tackle and cover or you're going to get beat. Losing Ratliff was a big blow but they really gambled on this guy being one of the keys to the D with his age and previous injuries. Carter and Lee were keys but Carter doesn't appear to be the guy most thought he'd be and Lee can't stay on the field. Like ftghb said you have to have that S to play as well and Wilcox has it IMO but he has to have enough experience to go with the talent. And your corners have to be able to tackle and cover. Carr can tackle reasonably well but unless he's locked he has trouble because he's too slow. Claiborne is too fragile. Scandrick is too small to play the outside esp with the evolution to the big and fast receivers. Add in a front seven that can't get pressure and they are just too exposed back there.

Kiffin wasn't hired to run a vanilla Tampa 2 and he told people what he wanted to do which was great. He just couldn't implement it due to injuries and personnel.

 

[jobberone]

That was supposedly the plan before all the injuries. I think Kiffin had to fall back to a basic zone to deal with all the newcomers. I agree that our CBs are better suited for man/press coverage. Either way, most of the resources next year should go to improving the Defense, the Offense is pretty stable going into next year.

You and ftghb need to post more.

 

[Fredd]

Kiffin's problem, IMO, is that he just couldn't adjust to all of the injuries...if healthy, the people on the defense would be average to decent...but, you sprinkle in about 60%+ of guys off of the street, and you have the 2013 dallas cowboys defense....gotta get better on the DL this coming off season...a solid rotation to get some pressure is what the defense needs. ANY QB in the league will look like P.Manning if he can just sit there and survey the field...all QB's in the league have talent or they wouldn't be in the NFL...

 

[Alexander]

People around here massively overrated the virtues of switching to the 4-3 despite numerous warnings that the alignment isn't a cure all.

To answer the question, I would not care as it would be cosmetic for the most part, just pretending that is a solution.

Well, I lie. I would care if we did like we did this year and depend on aging overpaid players that should be gone to be considered vital pieces of the new defense and bring in some old man that just got finished having a horrible tenure in college to run it.

All in all, it would only matter if we were committed to getting the pieces (right young pieces) to run it again. And no, it would not be the magic potion to revive Ware's career before anyone gets any bright ideas.

 

[Alexander]

That was supposedly the plan before all the injuries.

If so, we lacked the single high coverage safety to get it done. We were doing it wrong.