What would the Cowboys playing an actual 3-4 do?

[jesusphreak]

The Cowboys play a 3-4, but realistically they do this in name only. Demarcus Ware is just about always lined up as a defensive end and is rushing the quarterback.

What I'm wondering is how often this year we ran a 3-4, because for every game I can remember (and I've watched all of them), I don't remember seeing hardly any plays where we were in the formation.

Also, if we did run the 3-4, would that make the defense more or less effective? Ware wouldn't have as many chances to put pressure on the quarterback, but he'd be free to go wild across the field, and having 4 linebackers might help our run defense a bit more.

I really just don't know, and I'd like to get some opinions on this.

 

[lspain1]

I think you have to recognize where we were this year with personnel on the 3-4. This year was a transition year with the defense. Not only did we have a bunch of rookies, we got hit by injuries to the LB corps, retarding progress a bit. The coaching staff, (other than BP) also needed some experience. Assuming we stick with the scheme, we'll progress further to a "complete" 3-4 next season IMO.

 

[jesusphreak]

I think you have to recognize where we were this year with personnel on the 3-4. This year was a transition year with the defense. Not only did we have a bunch of rookies, we got hit by injuries to the LB corps, retarding progress a bit. The coaching staff, (other than BP) also needed some experience. Assuming we stick with the scheme, we'll progress further to a "complete" 3-4 next season IMO.

Oh, I definitely recognize that...I'm just wondering what the advantages/disadvantages of actually running it would be. Primarily what it would do to DWare.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I believe it really hurt the 3-4 defense when Dat went out......he was very valuable

 

[Anguillidae]

We have run the 3-4 all year. In the 3-4 you rush the quarterback with 4 players (with no blitz), just like in the 4-3. Except player number four is a stand up outside linebacker instead of a defensive end. So this is Ware or Fujita.

Also in a 3-4 the defensive linemen line up differently across from the offensive linemen, making it possible to rush either outside linebacker.

What may confuse is that when we play nickle defense we use a 4 man front (and 2 linebackers). This is the same front four as in the 4-3 defense. But that dosn't mean that we don't play a true 3-4 as our base defence.

Note: I think we played some 4-3 base defense against Denver or Kansas City to contain the run. Didn't work though...

 

[Nors]

We have played the base 3-4 all year.


We have more sacks and more take aways. As our rookies get better you will see more aggressive scheming off the 3-4. We still suffer having two Safeties poor in coverage.

 

[trueblue1687]

The idea with a 3/4 is that your front 3 guys are "two gap" players who occupy O linemen with a surplus of LB's to swarm the run (gotta be pretty good sized guys to take on guards and shed their blocks) AND add more pass coverage. What confuses Offenses is the way formations are disguised-so as it would be real hard (ideally) to distinguish blitz, run, or pass coverage. Lining up a backer as a stand-up DE is really irrelavent as to distinguishing 3/4 or 4/3-they all stand up mostly in a 3/4 or a 4/3- otherwise the O-line calls the blcoking schemes REAL easy by matching or stunting. Dallas uses a hybrid form of the 3/4 defense, probably out of lack of true 3/4 personnel. Ngyuen (sp) was very undersized for the 3/4 (and really the 4/3 for that matter), but somehow fit in WELL. His loss changed alot of the defense schemes since there was a big talent drop-off from the bench (Fujita, Shanle, Fowler, etc).

 

[Cbz40]

The idea with a 3/4 is that your front 3 guys are "two gap" players who occupy O linemen with a surplus of LB's to swarm the run (gotta be pretty good sized guys to take on guards and shed their blocks) AND add more pass coverage. What confuses Offenses is the way formations are disguised-so as it would be real hard (ideally) to distinguish blitz, run, or pass coverage. Lining up a backer as a stand-up DE is really irrelavent as to distinguishing 3/4 or 4/3-they all stand up mostly in a 3/4 or a 4/3- otherwise the O-line calls the blcoking schemes REAL easy by matching or stunting. Dallas uses a hybrid form of the 3/4 defense, probably out of lack of true 3/4 personnel. Ngyuen (sp) was very undersized for the 3/4 (and really the 4/3 for that matter), but somehow fit in WELL. His loss changed alot of the defense schemes since there was a big talent drop-off from the bench (Fujita, Shanle, Fowler, etc).

Welcome to the board sir.........nice post

In the offseason I look for us to upgrade the LB position.....and with our rooks having a season under their belt, I would hope next season we will see a more innovative form of the 3/4 esp. in the blitz packages.

 

[joseephuss]

We have run the 3-4 all year. In the 3-4 you rush the quarterback with 4 players (with no blitz), just like in the 4-3. Except player number four is a stand up outside linebacker instead of a defensive end. So this is Ware or Fujita.

Also in a 3-4 the defensive linemen line up differently across from the offensive linemen, making it possible to rush either outside linebacker.

What may confuse is that when we play nickle defense we use a 4 man front (and 2 linebackers). This is the same front four as in the 4-3 defense. But that dosn't mean that we don't play a true 3-4 as our base defence.

Note: I think we played some 4-3 base defense against Denver or Kansas City to contain the run. Didn't work though...

Dallas did stop Denver's running game. They were mostly in a 3-4 in both those games.

 

[jesusphreak]

Welcome to the board sir.........nice post

In the offseason I look for us to upgrade the LB position.....and with our rooks having a season under their belt, I would hope next season we will see a more innovative form of the 3/4 esp. in the blitz packages.

Is Burnett gonna be anything special? We have quite a few young players with potential. Ware, Burnett, Fowler, and James are all young players with a chance to do something. I just don't know if all of them will be good - I think at this point it is safe to say that Ware and James are.

 

[Nors]

I can see us drafting another NT in round one. Ngata or Watson

Try and find FS/ILB/WR day 1.

Free agency to shore up Tackle.

 

[Anguillidae]

Dallas did stop Denver's running game. They were mostly in a 3-4 in both those games.

Spagnola said something about us running the 4-3 when Ron Dayne had his 55 yards run in overtime. That's why I said it didn't work.

And I agree we mostly played the 3-4. Thats why I said "some 4-3".

 

[Cbz40]

Is Burnett gonna be anything special? We have quite a few young players with potential. Ware, Burnett, Fowler, and James are all young players with a chance to do something. I just don't know if all of them will be good - I think at this point it is safe to say that Ware and James are.

As for myself I dont think we saw enough of Burnette to come to any conclusions. He looked good at times and a little suspect at times as well.

I think the draft will tell us what BP thought of him.....This is a strong draft for LBs.....Let's wait and see.

For now, I'll wait to pass judgement on him. Good cop out....huh.....

 

[superpunk]

Is Burnett gonna be anything special? We have quite a few young players with potential. Ware, Burnett, Fowler, and James are all young players with a chance to do something. I just don't know if all of them will be good - I think at this point it is safe to say that Ware and James are.

You answered your own question kind of. Before this year, everyone was questioning Bradie. Give Burnett some time. Three years, baby, three years.

 

[Zaxor]

I am not sure about any of you good folk out there...but I think we have potentially a very good 3-4 LB on IR by the name of Thornton...He can rush the passer and did not look that bad dropping in coverage...I realize he is a University of Texas guy but I don't think we should hold that against him and his Dad was a former Cowboy so that should give him plus points...had he not had the knee problem...I think you would have see a pretty good 3-4 LB

so we could use atleast one more OLB and 3 ILB... or 2 depending where Burnett plays

 

[Cbz40]

I am not sure about any of you good folk out there...but I think we have potentially a very good 3-4 LB on IR by the name of Thornton...He can rush the passer and did not look that bad dropping in coverage...I realize he is a University of Texas guy but I don't think we should hold that against him and his Dad was a former Cowboy so that should give him plus points...had he not had the knee problem...I think you would have see a pretty good 3-4 LB

so we could use atleast one more OLB and 3 ILB... or 2 depending where Burnett plays

I had forgotten about Thornton.......BP likes this guy.

 

[Zaxor]

I had forgotten about Thornton.......BP likes this guy.

The guy from what I seen is not the most talented but he has enough and a pretty good motor to boot...and a good morning to you my friend

 

[Cbz40]

The guy from what I seen is not the most talented but he has enough and a pretty good motor to boot...and a good morning to you my friend

Good morning to you.....

This is what BP likes about Thorton......


a. Good Motor
b. he's coachable
c. good speed
d. Works hard
e. eager to learn

 

[Zaxor]

Good morning to you.....

This is what BP likes about Thorton......


a. Good Motor
b. he's coachable
c. good speed
d. Works hard
e. eager to learn

I do believe that is the A to E of it

 

[wileedog]

I can see us drafting another NT in round one. Ngata or Watson

Parcells seems to really like Pepper Johnson, and he was one of the few guys to have a good game against Washington.

He might give him an offseason to bulk up and give him a shot next year before using a top draft pick on another NT. He's a little 'small' at 6-2, 294, but is still young and can probably add some pounds yet, and seems to have a great motor.