Lovie Smith Explains The Big Advantage Of The 4-3 Defense

[waving monkey]

Lovie Smith built his NFL reputation and became a head coach because of the defenses he led. Rod Marinelli was Smith's defensive coordinator in Chicago and was so loyal to him that when Smith was fired as the head coach of the Bears, Marinelli quit, landing with the Dallas Cowboys last season to help Monte Kiffin (who also has long standing ties to Smith). Now that Marinelli is the coordinator for Dallas, he is expected to run basically the same defense he did for Smith.

So when Lovie Smith explains why he is so committed to the 4-3 and the advantage he thinks it has, from a coaching viewpoint, you can probably apply that directly to what Marinelli is trying to do this season. It may also extrapolate to why the Cowboys made the switch from the 3-4 to the 4-3 in 2013.


Joey Ickes pointed out a video of Smith doing just that. To paraphrase what Smith says, it all comes down to simplicity. The down linemen (Marinelli's Rushmen) learn one thing - rush the quarterback. They are focused on going forward into the offensive backfield, and will react to the run on the way if needed. But the first job they have at the snap of the ball is to fire off, or fulfill their role in a stunt with the same objectives to penetrate, contain, and tackle.

The primary edge rushers in a 4-3 are the defensive ends. In a 3-4, the primary edge rushers are the outside linebackers. But those linebackers also have a responsibility to drop into coverage depending on the defensive call. And that is the advantage Smith sees in the 4-3: You do not have to teach your linemen to drop and defend the pass. All your time in practice is spent teaching them to attack and defeat the pass protectors.

 

[waving monkey]

Previous articles here have talked about the advantages of keeping the assignments simple, but Smith brings up the fact that it makes the time in practice much more effective. That was, for me, a new idea. With the rules in the CBA, the time available for teams to actually practice is limited. Instead of having to split what time is available between teaching your best pass rushers two inherently contradictory skills (drive forward towards the quarterback while forcefully knocking, pummeling, or shoving the blocker out of the way versus dropping back in coverage with limited contact allowed), you can focus on one thing, which the player will do all the time, so that it becomes his first, second and third instinct when the play begins. As Joey's Twitter buddy Keith Mullins put it, a Swiss Army knife is handy to have, but is rarely the best tool for the job, and you can open a can of beer with a shovel, but that doesn't mean it is the most effective way to do so.

This was made even more evident in 2012, when the Cowboys experienced injury problems on defense. While there are differing views on whether or not the problem was aggravated by the complexity of Rob Ryan's scheme, there is little question that the players often seemed out of place or confused about their responsibilities. Rabblerousr posited that this played a major part in the decision to part ways with Ryan when the team found that players being signed to the roster were not able to quickly absorb things to the point of being effective on the field. I think he is onto something (although I suspect there were also other issues involved with letting Ryan go).

Of course, even the simplest system is hard to implement when you are basically signing players in the locker room during the National Anthem and putting them on the field immediately. Dallas was in that situation with the Rushmen from the beginning of the 2013 season as the injury bug stayed around the defense and found itself on a treadmill trying to come up with effective players. It is clear that the team is going to do everything in its power to avoid that this season, with almost as many DL on the 90-man roster as they ran through all of last year. Barring another rash of training camp injuries focused on the same group, the Cowboys will have better prepared Rushmen this season. Hopefully, they will also be more talented as a group than the one Dallas wound up with in 2013, where the drop off from the handful of good players to the mass of warm bodies they had to use was vast.

This is one of the major contentions that is cited by those (like me) who think there is a real possibility for major improvement defensively for the Cowboys, despite the losses of DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, and Sean Lee. It is another place where the plan the team has is correct, but due to circumstances, mostly involving personnel issues, the execution did not go so well. Now the team has more and healthier players, and no one like Jay Ratliff squatting on a roster spot for much of the season with no intent of playing . . . um, well, let me say the defense has no one like that to worry about this year.

Although my opinion means absolutely nothing compared to that of Lovie Smith, I have to say I fully agree with his point. I was never really a fan of the 3-4. Obviously, of course, the decision by the Cowboys to move to the 4-3 was undoubtedly motivated by more than the nostalgia for the days of the Doomsday Defense that play into my preferences. I think it was the right thing to do to make the team more competitive and more able to survive the rigors of the NFL season. Do you agree?

 

[perrykemp]

I honestly don't think it matters. Look back over the past 10 years of Superbowl winners and you see the following:

6 teams that ran the 3-4 (Steelers twice, Patriots, Packers, Saints, Ravens)
4 teams that ran the 4-3 (Giants twice, Seahawks, Colts)

I really don't think there is any particular advantage to one system or not. As expected, both are heavily dependent on having good personnel.

 

[Fredd]

I honestly don't think it matters. Look back over the past 10 years of Superbowl winners and you see the following:

6 teams that ran the 3-4 (Steelers twice, Patriots, Packers, Saints, Ravens)
4 teams that ran the 4-3 (Giants twice, Seahawks, Colts)

I really don't think there is any particular advantage to one system or not. As expected, both are heavily dependent on having good personnel.

good personnel and a coaching staff that knows how to use them

 

[jaybird]

I honestly don't think it matters. Look back over the past 10 years of Superbowl winners and you see the following:

6 teams that ran the 3-4 (Steelers twice, Patriots, Packers, Saints, Ravens)
4 teams that ran the 4-3 (Giants twice, Seahawks, Colts)

I really don't think there is any particular advantage to one system or not. As expected, both are heavily dependent on having good personnel.

For the most part it depends on personnel. How the team was built. Obviously both can be good. I remember the 90s team offense(emit), I knew we would win against a 3-4 defense, because we would dominate in the run game. Therefore I have always favored the 4-3. See 70s def too.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The game evolves. Offense and defense evolves. When certain things become en vogue on offense, the defense eventually has to react to counter that and vice versa. The 3-4 started to become en vogue because 4-3 schemes were more about stopping the run (i.e. Campo and Zimmer's 4-3). The offenses could counter that by simply assigning a TE to help out against the defense's best pass rusher. With the 3-4, you could move around your best pass rusher and often times send more blitzes because you had an easier time confusing the defense. Also, most 4-3's were using some version of the Cover 2 and offenses countered that with better slot WR's and athletic pass receiving TE's to attack the deep middle.

But now the tide has turned. The offenses use a ton of shotgun and spread out the receivers and TE's. They throw a lot of quick passes and try to get the WR to run with the ball. This forces one of your best pass rushers into coverage like Lovie mentioned. And there are still some read-option looks and the 3-4 is reactionary and puts the OLB in bad positions at times.

Down the road offenses will start to adjust to the 4-3 Cover 3 like Pete Carroll designed and eventually a 3-4 scheme will be designed to stop that and the rest of the league will follow suit.






YR

 

[CCBoy]

Concepts throughout the history of man, involved development, cultivation, and advancement...

but guess what, once in the ring, basics still dominate.

That or one is player something akin to laser tag.

 

[BigStar]

The only thing I find that is left out of the 4-3 v 3-4 argument is that in nickle D, both D's employ 4 DL. The league is cyclical with offensive trends as seen in throwback O's like SEA/SF but the majority of playoff teams are passing teams so it seems the 3-4 could handle both situations. This is how our 3-4 was used and can count on one hand how many times both Spencer and Ware had to drop into coverage (there is always 4 coming regardless of scheme). I understand the resp. of the DL is changed and the type of players have changed (mainly incorporating a 3 tech) in a 4-3. I also agree with Yakuza that in a 3-4, you can show some variance as to where the rush is coming from and exploit weak lineman. I liked Rod's D in CHI though, and feel he will incorporate more man schemes for the corners and relieve the burden on the Safety play.

 

[noshame]

Give me 4 studs up front and speed everywhere else and I'm good.

 

[perrykemp]

Give me 4 studs up front and speed everywhere else and I'm good.

I like that. I also like watching three fat whale 3-4 DL with a pair of dominant 3-4 OLBs as well.

The challenge with the 3-4 is it is REALLY HARD to find two dominant 3-4 OLBs.

 

[tm1119]

I just hope there is a little more creativity in the defensive play calling this year. I still don't believe we have the d line talent to expect our front 4 to sustaain a good pass rush. Some blitzing and moving guys will help that, I just hope rod calling the plays this year changes that.

 

[CCBoy]

I just hope there is a little more creativity in the defensive play calling this year. I still don't believe we have the d line talent to expect our front 4 to sustaain a good pass rush. Some blitzing and moving guys will help that, I just hope rod calling the plays this year changes that.

Didn't we just end another term for a defensive coordinator who used shaking bushes and magic shows instead of stout defense...I think his name was Rob Ryan. His players are still shifting and producing hocus pocus.

Rod's defense will put their ears back and attack upfield. Disruption and pop should be the direction.

 

[jterrell]

Seattle doesn't run a 4-3. They run a hybrid.

The adjustment they have made which is to take a 3-4 and merge it with a 4th down lineman is really not much different than what Parcells does in base defense.
3 big, strong run stuffers with 1 elite pass rusher, and 1 versatile OLB that can rush, drop or hold point of attack.

What will always win is having bodies to execute regardless of situation.
Seattle was so good because they had the best run stopping DL on rush downs and the best pass rushing foursome on pure passing downs.
Insane depth is key to a good DL be it 3 or 4 or 5.

Seattle is led by a DB group that can man cover to play zone against virtually any offense including Denver's.
They gave Manning a certain look knowing where he was going with the ball and then beat the WRs there.
It is the same problem Dallas O has had at times.
Romo makes the right read but the defense was a step ahead in that read as well and prevent the WR from getting there or breaks to the spot early.

 

[jterrell]

Didn't we just end another term for a defensive coordinator who used shaking bushes and magic shows instead of stout defense...I think his name was Rob Ryan. His players are still shifting and producing hocus pocus.

Rod's defense will put their ears back and attack upfield. Disruption and pop should be the direction.

You mean we should stick with the defense which was worse last year then the prior year? All while bad mouthing a DC who vastly improved the Saints defense in that same year?

Ummm, ok.

 

[CCBoy]

You mean we should stick with the defense which was worse last year then the prior year? All while bad mouthing a DC who vastly improved the Saints defense in that same year?

Ummm, ok.

That is poor humor even for a stand-up at a dining/performing restaurant.

The Saints had basicly what they had the season before, and if memory is the same as fact, their team did partly cloudy as well...go figure about that Ryan affect as well, on a team that lost players, coaches, and the league pulled it's very head coach. You really bragging about the view?

If one chooses to brag about a button, don't start with one off another's vest.

 

[CCBoy]

Seattle doesn't run a 4-3. They run a hybrid.

The adjustment they have made which is to take a 3-4 and merge it with a 4th down lineman is really not much different than what Parcells does in base defense.
3 big, strong run stuffers with 1 elite pass rusher, and 1 versatile OLB that can rush, drop or hold point of attack.

What will always win is having bodies to execute regardless of situation.
Seattle was so good because they had the best run stopping DL on rush downs and the best pass rushing foursome on pure passing downs.
Insane depth is key to a good DL be it 3 or 4 or 5.

Seattle is led by a DB group that can man cover to play zone against virtually any offense including Denver's.
They gave Manning a certain look knowing where he was going with the ball and then beat the WRs there.
It is the same problem Dallas O has had at times.
Romo makes the right read but the defense was a step ahead in that read as well and prevent the WR from getting there or breaks to the spot early.

It is, but they move players around and change up assignments...now that is some nifty concept, Sir.

 

[noshame]

I like that. I also like watching three fat whale 3-4 DL with a pair of dominant 3-4 OLBs as well.

The challenge with the 3-4 is it is REALLY HARD to find two dominant 3-4 OLBs.

That's why I think we're finally ahead of the curve as DL, and LB's in this defense are abundant right now and hopefully for the near future.

 

[theogt]

If you need to be simple because your players can't function otherwise, you have a problem. That is not an advantage. It's a way dealing with a disadvantage.

 

[CCBoy]

For me, anyone coming out of the collegiate levels via a draft pick, had best be ready to fasten the chin strap and keep up with the intensity. That, or look for another means of employment.

 

[tm1119]

Didn't we just end another term for a defensive coordinator who used shaking bushes and magic shows instead of stout defense...I think his name was Rob Ryan. His players are still shifting and producing hocus pocus.

Rod's defense will put their ears back and attack upfield. Disruption and pop should be the direction.

Lol at blitzing and disguising as "shaking bushes and magic shows." That's called football. And it's a necessary part of football when the talent on your defense is less than ideal. You're kidding yourself if you think our front 7 is good enough to run a straight forward Tampa 2 and have sustained success