Re-examining the 3-4

[sk0aL]

I've always thought Parcells forced the 3-4 defense onto this team, and we've never had the personnel to pull it off. I hoped that when Wade came to town, he would fine-tune it and we would start seeing results. We all know how that's worked out.

I really think this team would be better off reverting back to the 4-3. In order to run the 3-4 you need speedy, agile LBs who are able to cover the middle of the field and DTs who are capable of taking on two offensive linemen at a time while still disrupting the run and generating pressure. Most importantly you need DBs who you're not afraid to leave on an island and play man. We're just not built personnel-wise to do it.

Look at what the Steelers do with Farrior, Woodley, and Polamalu, and what the Ravens do with Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Ed Reed and Chris McAlister. That is how you run a 3-4 defense. Then look at what we do with Ellis, Ware, James, and Hamlin. I won't even get into our CBs. It's just not working. The only person on this defense capable of playing in a 3-4 is Zach Thomas.

I know it will never happen in the Wade Phillips era, but I think going back to the 4-3 would be the best thing this defense could do to help itself atm.

 

[Smith22]

Then look at what we do with Ellis, Ware, James, and Hamlin. I won't even get into our CBs. It's just not working. The only person on this defense capable of playing in a 3-4 is Zach Thomas.

So Ware can't play in the 3-4 huh? How on Earth did he get those sacks last year? Please do tell.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I've always thought Parcells forced the 3-4 defense onto this team, and we've never had the personnel to pull it off. I hoped that when Wade came to town, he would fine-tune it and we would start seeing results. We all know how that's worked out.

I really think this team would be better off reverting back to the 4-3. In order to run the 3-4 you need speedy, agile LBs who are able to cover the middle of the field and DTs who are capable of taking on two offensive linemen at a time while still disrupting the run and generating pressure. Most importantly you need DBs who you're not afraid to leave on an island and play man. We're just not built personnel-wise to do it.

Look at what the Steelers do with Farrior, Woodley, and Polamalu, and what the Ravens do with Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Ed Reed and Chris McAlister. That is how you run a 3-4 defense. Then look at what we do with Ellis, Ware, James, and Hamlin. I won't even get into our CBs. It's just not working. The only person on this defense capable of playing in a 3-4 is Zach Thomas.

I know it will never happen in the Wade Phillips era, but I think going back to the 4-3 would be the best thing this defense could do to help itself atm.

Reverting to the 3-4 would greatly hinder the effectiveness of Dallas' best defensive player: Demarcus Ware.

His skill set tailors him perfectly for OLB in a 3-4, and he's playing his best possible position.

 

[Smith22]

Being capable of playing man to man and being allowed to are 2 different things.

 

[sk0aL]

So Ware can't play in the 3-4 huh? How on Earth did he get those sacks last year? Please do tell.

You're missing the point. It's not about sacks, it's about how your defensive unit performs as a whole. It doesn't matter if Ware gets 20 sacks a year if the rest of the defense looks completely lost like they did today.

 

[Smith22]

You're missing the point. It's not about sacks, it's about how your defensive unit performs as a whole. It doesn't matter if Ware gets 20 sacks a year if the rest of the defense looks completely lost like they did today.

So, because we lost by 2 points today, Ware can't play in the 3-4.

:bang2::bang2::bang2::bang2::bang2::bang2::bang2::bang2:

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Ware isn't the problem. I think we could use some more speed at the ILB's and with Ellis. I think we have a bigger problem at DE. Spears and Canty are pretty average. In the past they've been good against the run, but it didn't seem like that today and neither is much against the pass. We need more from them on passing downs, especially when we don't blitz or stunt. It would also be nice if they would bat down a pass at the LOS every once in awhile.





YAKUZA

 

[Clove]

Ware is plenty capable of playing the 4-3 end, including Spencer. Tank and Ratliff in the middle, James & Burnett on the ends and Zach in the middle.

 

[Hostile]

I'll say the same thing about the 3-4 now that I used to. Scheme does not matter. Regardless of scheme you have to execute.

 

[Eskimo]

Ware isn't the problem. I think we could use some more speed at the ILB's and with Ellis. I think we have a bigger problem at DE. Spears and Canty are pretty average. In the past they've been good against the run, but it didn't seem like that today and neither is much against the pass. We need more from them on passing downs, especially when we don't blitz or stunt. It would also be nice if they would bat down a pass at the LOS every once in awhile.





YAKUZA

I actually think the bigger problem is up the middle. A 3-4 fails if the NT cannot hold his ground. If the middle starts to cave it gives the runner too much room to maneuver. Wade's nonsense about having a smaller NT to jump the gaps is all hogwash. Letting Fergy go was a big mistake. We could have had a 3 man DL of Ratliff/Fergy/Canty/Spears/Hatcher.

I also think we give up too much with Ellis on the field. Spencer should be starting and Ellis should come in as nickel DE pass rusher. Ellis' lack of athleticism really undermines one of the main benfits of the 3-4.

Unfortunately, we have missed badly with two LB picks in the past few years with Carpenter and Burnett. Ideally, the ILBs do need to get better and more athletic and we need more depth at OLB for when Ellis retires.

 

[Everson24]

I've always thought Parcells forced the 3-4 defense onto this team, and we've never had the personnel to pull it off. I hoped that when Wade came to town, he would fine-tune it and we would start seeing results. We all know how that's worked out.

I really think this team would be better off reverting back to the 4-3. In order to run the 3-4 you need speedy, agile LBs who are able to cover the middle of the field and DTs who are capable of taking on two offensive linemen at a time while still disrupting the run and generating pressure. Most importantly you need DBs who you're not afraid to leave on an island and play man. We're just not built personnel-wise to do it.

Look at what the Steelers do with Farrior, Woodley, and Polamalu, and what the Ravens do with Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Ed Reed and Chris McAlister. That is how you run a 3-4 defense. Then look at what we do with Ellis, Ware, James, and Hamlin. I won't even get into our CBs. It's just not working. The only person on this defense capable of playing in a 3-4 is Zach Thomas.

I know it will never happen in the Wade Phillips era, but I think going back to the 4-3 would be the best thing this defense could do to help itself atm.

I've been saying this ever since we went to the 3-4. One of the main advantages of the 3-4 is to disguise where the rushers are coming from. Do we ever see Ware isolated on a RB like Harrison or Scott are? No. They know Ware is either lined up at RDE or LDE.

I thought the Phillips 3-4 was going to be a bit more exotic. I really do wish we would have hired a Jim Johnson or Dick leBeau disiple.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I don't think its the 3-4 as opposed to the 4-3 although the 4-3 could be really good for us. I think is the coverage schemes they are trying to play. I think we also have to remember we didn't have RW today and even though people like to rag on him he is still good against the run.

 

[Cali Cowboys]

Its not the fact the 3-4 is not working for the team. If our defence dont get more aggresive then we can kiss any hopes to a super bowl down the drain.

The cowboys play so much zone it is crazy. every game i watch i see the defence giving up big plays. i mean for gods sake the rams have an interception and we are still looking for our first.

I say get agressive and be the boys they should be like it says on paper.

sorry for the rambling as i dont normaly post.

go cowboys.....

 

[alby]

4-3 or 3-4, the Dallas defenders need to step up and make a play.

 

[sjw213]

....they are STILL learning the sys, and Phillips is STILL learning his players...we will never be like the other 3-4 D's until we havd a 350 lb NT who is a physical Football Player, and a kick-butt ILB.....these athletes are RARE people....thats why Phillips is still adapting....lets see how the O and D respons after a disappointing loss

 

[Eskimo]

....they are STILL learning the sys, and Phillips is STILL learning his players...we will never be like the other 3-4 D's until we havd a 350 lb NT who is a physical Football Player, and a kick-butt ILB.....these athletes are RARE people....thats why Phillips is still adapting....lets see how the O and D respons after a disappointing loss

Wade has had two seasons to bring in an NT and he has done nothing. JJ needs to go out and get himself a proper NT this offseason.

 

[sjw213]

Agreed!

 

[tunahelper]

Our DL got whipped today and I agree with whoever stated Fergy should not have been let go. We are light in the middle and a strong OL can expose us by running the ball. Eagles demonstrated that when they gave the effort to hand it off.

Some man coverages need to be mixed and allow some 8 man fronts on 1st down.

 

[Eskimo]

Our DL got whipped today and I agree with whoever stated Fergy should not have been let go. We are light in the middle and a strong OL can expose us by running the ball. Eagles demonstrated that when they gave the effort to hand it off.

Some man coverages need to be mixed and allow some 8 man fronts on 1st down.

That was me and I never really understood why we gave up Fergy. He wasn't that expensive and is still a good run clogger to use in a rotation. He is also much, much better than Tank Johnson who is probably better suited as a DT.

 

[jrumann59]

3-4 and 4-3 coverages are the same and with our defensive backfield scheme we still wouldn't have an INT whether its was the 4-3 or the 3-4. For some reason Wade and The D-Coordinator think we still have reeves and n. jones back there starting.