Who thinks we could have a solid 4-3 Defense?

I agree 100% with thl. We don't have a 3 technique on our team, and arik armstead would be the odd man out. He has no position on a 4-3. He's way too slow off the ball to play 3 technique and he isn't a true pass rusher to be on the edges.


We don't have the pass rushers to play a true 4-3. At least with the 3-4 we have the element of disguise.

Carradine as a 3 tech might work in pass rushing situations. But he wouldn't be an every down player. He also has little experience at the position and we know he struggles with schemes.

Originally posted by thl408:
Yup. That's the 3tech I'm referring to. The current 49er DLs are too heavy to be a slashing 3 tech.

Was actually thinking that this thread would show its head this morning when drinking my coffee.

Now our dlinemen are best suited for a 3-4, I think we would be fine at linebacker if we transitioned, but we dont have the edge guys or 3-tech. Plus armstead and dial become useless in a 4-3.

When i really started to follow this team hardcore, we were 4-3 back when we had Julian Peterson, Jeff Ulbrich, Jamie Winborn. i liked it.

and wasn't for the 3-4 that Nolan brought in, but eventually i came around and i liked the schemes of the 3-4.

Now i wouldn't want to go back, 3-4 is what i like.

I feel like we got the guys on the DL to make a 4-3 work. but my worry would be the linebackers. I'm not sure what we would do there besides Bowman.

Would Lynch be a DE or a OLB. Harold would need to step up as well. Maybe if we can invest in a good OLB free agent it can be a little better.

But i guess depending on the coach we get.

Eff the 4-3 defense, its weak

Originally posted by smarter:
Eff the 4-3 defense, its weak

Like most defensive schemes, if it's done well, it works. DEN, SEA, CIN, MIN all 4-3, all top 5 defenses this season based on points per game.

My thing is that this team struggled for a large portion of this season in a defensive scheme that they're already adjusted too. Granted it was Mangini's version of a 3-4 and we all saw the growing pains.

Imagine the growing pains if we switch their alignments all together .

I agree with THL I don't see that we have the personnel right now to make a move, with the exception of a couple positions.

If we switch to a new defensive alignment then our drafting and free agency is differently prioritized and we will start trying to fill positions that we wouldn't have to otherwise and thus using picks and cap space that we wouldnt have to otherwise. With the cap space and draft picks available, I think we need to prioritize putting them to good use and building on what's already in place and what the players are already comfortable in.

I have a feeling if Shanny or Homey come back, then we will go 4-3.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by smarter:
Eff the 4-3 defense, its weak

Like most defensive schemes, if it's done well, it works. DEN, SEA, CIN, MIN all 4-3, all top 5 defenses this season based on points per game.

DEN is the only 3-4 out of those 4 i believe.

But when you have ware and miller, i dont see how you cant put pressure on the QB 24/7

We don't need to switch to the 4-3 we just need quality pass rushers. Even though I like Lynch he's not getting double digit sacks every year. Beyond him and maybe Harold there is no depth for OLB here. Brooks is crap and so is Lemonier.

Originally posted by Joecool:

I have a feeling if Shanny or Homey come back, then we will go 4-3.

The redskins were 3-4 under shanny

Originally posted by JustinNiner:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by smarter:
Eff the 4-3 defense, its weak

Like most defensive schemes, if it's done well, it works. DEN, SEA, CIN, MIN all 4-3, all top 5 defenses this season based on points per game.

DEN is the only 3-4 out of those 4 i believe.

But when you have ware and miller, i dont see how you cant put pressure on the QB 24/7

Whoops. My mistake. You are correct, DEN is a 3-4.

Originally posted by Dshearn:

I never really loved the 49ers current 3-4, minus AS being a one trick pony, i always thought Willis and Bowman would have been better with 4 linemen in front of them. it does not help that growing up i watched the 49ers-Saints and NYG running the most dominant 3-4s that have ever existed. I dunno Charles haley and Tim Harris can do that to an impressionable youth.

Really though, they'd be going from 5 lineman in front of them to 4. In the 3-4 your OLB's become ends in the run game. If you think of the lineman inside the tackles, the 4-3 gives you 2 and the 3-4 3.

The 3-4, With A Stud NT becomes extremely dominant. Think of Haiti Ngata, Siragusa, Vince Wilfork- those guys force a team to try amd run from 3 wide sets, which removes most power run abilities. Having that stud NT can force am offenses hands unlike a 4-3 defense. Plus, it can get your best rushers in better positions for stunts, a la Fangio.

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by JustinNiner:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by smarter:

Eff the 4-3 defense, its weak

Like most defensive schemes, if it's done well, it works. DEN, SEA, CIN, MIN all 4-3, all top 5 defenses this season based on points per game.

DEN is the only 3-4 out of those 4 i believe.

But when you have ware and miller, i dont see how you cant put pressure on the QB 24/7

Whoops. My mistake. You are correct, DEN is a 3-4.

Just replace DEN with CAR. They run an awesome 43.

Originally posted by Joecool:
I have a feeling if Shanny or Homey come back, then we will go 4-3.

if Mangini is brought back , the 3-4 is here to stay for awhile , but I'm hoping we go after a couple of true 3-4 OLB Pass rushers to shore things up , when Lynch isn't on the field, we have no real threat to rush the passer, hopefully Tank can complete the transition to 3-4 OLB