Poll: Defensive front

[ddh33]

Simple question: which defensive front do you prefer?

3-4 or 4-3 and why?

 

[Venger]

4-3. 4 men close to the action is better than 3. I will always believe that.

 

[Ashwynn]

Simple question: which defensive front do you prefer?

3-4 or 4-3 and why?

Being a 70's guys and thru the 90's. 4-3 baby.

But I really dont care so long as its good. This sucking really sucks.

 

[Galian Beast]

4-3, I think it provides more consistent pressured, and is an easier scheme for players to play in.

It's difficult to ask a linebacker/defensive end to play in coverage, run defense, and pass rush.

A 4-3 defensive end doesn't have to worry nearly as much about coverage.

This means you can get players out of college who know pretty much what they need to do, and not learn a new position, and then at times learn another position.

How many linebackers have we drafted who have gone in and outside. This stunts growth, and it's why we don't have defensive players step up very quickly on this team.

 

[Shinywalrus]

43 is a better scheme against the emerging trend in offenses. The mean reversion in trends toward the 34 comes from personnel rarity - when few teams run the 34, it becomes more effective because there's less competition for players. When it becomes more popular as a result, most teams are less effective running it.

Right now and for the next 5-6 years I would run a 43 if I had the right personnel.

 

[Teague31]

3-4 for two reasons.

1. If run correctly it is better suited to defend these crazy spread/pistol offenses that are invading the league.

2. Our current personnel is better suited for it.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

4-3. I think its easier to run on a 34 defense and the personel is harder to find.

 

[Risen Star]

3-4. It's a more flexible and athletic defense.

 

[Risen Star]

4-3. I think its easier to run on a 34 defense and the personel is harder to find.

I think the opposite. It's easier to find a pass rushing OLB than it is a pass rushing DE who can also hold up in the run game.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I think the opposite. It's easier to find a pass rushing OLB than it is a pass rushing DE who can also hold up in the run game.

Yeah I don't know. There is alot of projection in the draft when it comes to olbs in a 34 though, most of them play end in college. The real kicker for me is I think the 43 is better suited to stop the run.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think the opposite. It's easier to find a pass rushing OLB than it is a pass rushing DE who can also hold up in the run game.

Don't agree here. I think it used to be that way but now that passing games are becoming more complex, you not only need a guy who can rush like Ware and tackle like Carter but you have to cover like Lee and you have to be big as well. That is a harder athlete to find. It's basically the same guy as a DE but he has to be able to cover. DE's don't have to do that.

 

[TimHortons]

3-4 is a superior defensive scheme. It's harder to design and coach, but with a smart coordinator and remotely smart players it's better against the run and pass.

 

[big dog cowboy]

3-4. It's a more flexible and athletic defense.

This.

It's easier to find a pass rushing OLB than it is a pass rushing DE who can also hold up in the run game.

For this reason.

 

[RGKN33]

Simple question: which defensive front do you prefer?

3-4 or 4-3 and why?

honestly to me it always comes down to the coordinator and personnel .
The 3-4 is great as an attacking defense with fast physical players and a stout nt .

But with this team and lovie hopefully coming in 4-3 makes more sense .
I hope we can find a way to keep spencer because hes great against the run i think he would be a good le .

So 4-3 it is .

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

honestly to me it always comes down to the coordinator and personnel .
The 3-4 is great as an attacking defense with fast physical players and a stout nt .

But with this team and lovie hopefully coming in 4-3 makes more sense .
I hope we can find a way to keep spencer because hes great against the run i think he would be a good le .

So 4-3 it is .

I don't believe there is any way, at all, we can keep both Romo and Spencer. Numbers are just too far to the red for that.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

If I were starting a team from scratch, I think a variation of the nickel would be my base defense. Only problem is it would require three great safeties who could rotate up and the NFL is bereft of quality safeties.

 

[jobberone]

I want to play a mixed front with platooning. You could certainly use a standard 4-3 and 3-4 against some teams when its called for but you aren't likely to run one or the other for the entire game. We've been mixing it up for awhile.

I'd like to have more personnel to get more pressure and play the run better. I think you have to mix and match the right personnel and of course you're going to get the perfect play called against you a certain percentage of the time no matter what front you have called.

So there is no simple answer to your question and we have been running a mixed front for awhile now. Of course when this gets mentioned most ignore it as they have no idea what we really do.

 

[Clove]

I like the 4-3.

I like having size and strength on the field, and the Cowboys haven't learned that it takes a MONSTER NT first, to employ a 3-4 and they just won't do it.

 

[Shinywalrus]

3-4 for two reasons.

1. If run correctly it is better suited to defend these crazy spread/pistol offenses that are invading the league.

2. Our current personnel is better suited for it.

Having bigger, slower outside linebackers helps defeat the pistol/spread? Not sure I'm following.

 

[TheCoolFan]

The 4-3 is the way to go for an indoor team like the Cowboys. You want speed on all 3 levels of the defense - DLine, LB, and secondary.