How many of you think it would be beneficial to move back to the 4-3 Defense?

Originally posted by socal9er42:

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by mayo49:
I wonder if they'll say today, if they're sticking with the 3-4 or moving to a 4-3?

They don't have a DC so it'd be odd to make that determination without the DC's input wouldn't it?

Yeah, I guess so.

I'm waiting until the DC is hired before I'm going to get too wrapped up in this annual question.

On the other hand, I can picture AA and Dorsey as DT's and Buckner on the outside as a DE fairly easily. Maybe I'm wrong though.

If we did switch, it would make Allen a possibility with the 2nd pick.

I have a feeling Blair gonna take over AA's or someone's spot.

Originally posted by Joecool:
I have a feeling Blair gonna take over AA's or someone's spot.

I like Blair a lot because of his versatility. Last year he lined up at end, tackle, and outside linebacker. He has some talent. This year I'd like to settle him into a role and let him develop.

What does New England run?

Originally posted by ComeOnDeberg:
What does New England run?

Multiple stuff it seems like.

Good health at ILB would be nice. Ruben Foster would be great.

Originally posted by Joecool:

Originally posted by socal9er42:

Originally posted by mayo49:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by mayo49:
I wonder if they'll say today, if they're sticking with the 3-4 or moving to a 4-3?

They don't have a DC so it'd be odd to make that determination without the DC's input wouldn't it?

Yeah, I guess so.

I'm waiting until the DC is hired before I'm going to get too wrapped up in this annual question.

On the other hand, I can picture AA and Dorsey as DT's and Buckner on the outside as a DE fairly easily. Maybe I'm wrong though.

If we did switch, it would make Allen a possibility with the 2nd pick.

I have a feeling Blair gonna take over AA's or someone's spot.

I like Blair a lot too. I can picture him as one of the DE's pretty easy. I can't picture AA there.

The New England Patriots run a modified base 3-4 Chuck Fairbanks-Hank Bullough system installed by Bill Belichick. The term 3-4 means that their base formation consists of 3 defensive linemen (defensive end, nose tackle, and defensive end), 4 linebackers (outside "Will" weak side linebacker, middle "Jack" weak side linebacker, middle "Mike" strong side linebacker, and outside "Sam" strong side linebacker), and 4 defensive backs (cornerback, free safety, strong safety, and cornerback).[15] It is believed[by whom?] that this 3-4 structure gives the defense the greatest amount of flexibility because the linebackers are among the most versatile players on the defense, capable of rushing the quarterback, tackling runners or dropping into coverage. By mixing the roles of their linebackers from play to play, the Patriot's defense seeks to cause confusion on the part of opposing offenses. At times the Patriots will also shade their defensive linemen different ways, creating "over" or "under" defenses. "Over" and "under" defenses simply refer to the shift of the defensive linemen to the strong or weak side of the offense, respectively, and the rotation of the linebackers in the opposite direction.

The "Fairbanks-Bullough" 3-4 system is known as a two gap system, because each of the defensive linemen are required to cover the gaps to both sides of the offensive lineman that try to block them.[16] Defensive linemen in this system tend to be stouter, as they need to be able to hold their place without being overwhelmed in order to allow the linebackers behind them to make plays. This is the reason that defensive linemen such as Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork do not always rack up sack and tackle statistics despite their critical importance to the team.[17]

The system is at times more conservative than certain other defenses currently in vogue in the league,[18] despite the constant threat of its potent linebacker blitz.[citation needed] The Patriots defensive system generally places an emphasis on physicality and discipline over mobility and risk taking[citation needed] and is sometimes characterized as a "bend but do not break defense".[19] The Patriots are also known for putting a great deal of emphasis on the front seven (defensive line and linebackers) but less so on the secondary.

4-3 under (so kind off both) ala Saleh's tutor Bradley



The Seahawks defense is certainly unusual in its front seven, no doubt about that one. Is it "a 4-3 defense with 3-4 elements" ... well ... What does that even mean? Descriptions like that tend to cause more confusion than they clarify anything. Does that mean our front seven is schematically close to a traditional 3-4? It really isn't. That we have the personnel to run a 3-4? For the most part, we really don't. The basic thinking here stems from the fact that we have three unusually big bodies on the front line, especially Red Bryant, a prototypical 3-4 end. But we play a fairly straight-up, although not very traditional, 4-3.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1/19/3890928/gus-bradley-defense-leo-position

Armstead as the 4 tech LDE
Dial as the 1 tech NT
Buckner as the 3 tech
Blair as the Leo

Originally posted by cools:
4-3 under (so kind off both) ala Saleh's tutor Bradley



The Seahawks defense is certainly unusual in its front seven, no doubt about that one. Is it "a 4-3 defense with 3-4 elements" ... well ... What does that even mean? Descriptions like that tend to cause more confusion than they clarify anything. Does that mean our front seven is schematically close to a traditional 3-4? It really isn't. That we have the personnel to run a 3-4? For the most part, we really don't. The basic thinking here stems from the fact that we have three unusually big bodies on the front line, especially Red Bryant, a prototypical 3-4 end. But we play a fairly straight-up, although not very traditional, 4-3.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1/19/3890928/gus-bradley-defense-leo-position

Armstead as the 4 tech LDE
Dial as the 1 tech NT
Buckner as the 3 tech
Blair as the Leo

Good stuff, I agree we can pull off a 4-3 under with a 4 man line like that. I like it because its an attacking style defense.

The graphic shows the NT 2-gapping, but as a 1 tech he's probably actually 1-gapping but still taking on 2 blockers (guard and center). You can see by alignment he's ready to shoot the A gap.

Armstead needs refinement to his technique, but his size and power leads you to believe he's a good fit for a 4 or 5 tech strong side end. Hopefully that shoulder heals up.

Buckner could be a beast as a 3 tech. Leverage will be an issue here since he's so tall, but if he can stay low he can really exploit all the one-on-one matchups he'll be getting in this look. Calais Campbell is 6'8" and plays a lot of 3tech in the Cardinal's sub-packages with great success. Pair Buckner with an explosive, fast edge rusher at LEO and we might having something.

Originally posted by cools:
4-3 under (so kind off both) ala Saleh's tutor Bradley



The Seahawks defense is certainly unusual in its front seven, no doubt about that one. Is it "a 4-3 defense with 3-4 elements" ... well ... What does that even mean? Descriptions like that tend to cause more confusion than they clarify anything. Does that mean our front seven is schematically close to a traditional 3-4? It really isn't. That we have the personnel to run a 3-4? For the most part, we really don't. The basic thinking here stems from the fact that we have three unusually big bodies on the front line, especially Red Bryant, a prototypical 3-4 end. But we play a fairly straight-up, although not very traditional, 4-3.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1/19/3890928/gus-bradley-defense-leo-position

Armstead as the 4 tech LDE
Dial as the 1 tech NT
Buckner as the 3 tech
Blair as the Leo

This (seattle) is what I was thinking about when I was considering a move to a 4-3. I'm not against it or for it but now is the time to do it if we are. We just came off an historically bad season defensively so what is stopping us? Seems like if we had a strength on defense, I use that term loosely lol, its that we have a lot of big bodies that can potentially pull it off.

Buckner
Armstead
Dial
Blair
Dorsey

As LEO we would have Lynch and maybe Blair. Bring in another pass rusher and NT though the draft and we might be on to something.

I like the 3-4 but lets face it, its hard to find that OLB that can rush the passer. We had one in Aldon but since then we have struck out big time. Meanwhile Seattle has been running the same system as above and just plugging guys in not to mention losing coordinators every year.

Originally posted by gold49digger:

Originally posted by ComeOnDeberg:
What does New England run?

Multiple stuff it seems like.

Whatever the favorable matchups dictate

I say we keep 3-4 base and 4-3 under when we go nickel. Multiple Defense like the one they had with Vic Fangio.

They need to sign a big NT in free agency ( B Williams, POE, hankins)
they need to sign a corner in free agency.

front seven base:
1i-B williams
4 tech. armstead/dial
3 tech buckner, dial
olb lynch & hopefully garrett

Originally posted by SofaKing:
I wouldn't say the scheme itself, 3-4 or 4-3, is more beneficial. You need the talent and discipline on that side of the ball to make whatever scheme work. Right now we're lacking key pieces to make either scheme work. We need pass rushers and run-stoppers.

Whether we play 3-4 or 4-3, I want to see an aggressive, attacking style defense. That doesn't necessarily mean we blitz more, but I want to see more one-gapping than two-gapping. Less read and react and more of an attacking mindset.

Lynch just mentioned this exactly in his post-conference interview on 49ers.com. He doesn't want to be a read and react defense, he wants to be a fast, aggressive defense. Loved hearing that.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by SofaKing:

I wouldn't say the scheme itself, 3-4 or 4-3, is more beneficial. You need the talent and discipline on that side of the ball to make whatever scheme work. Right now we're lacking key pieces to make either scheme work. We need pass rushers and run-stoppers.

Whether we play 3-4 or 4-3, I want to see an aggressive, attacking style defense. That doesn't necessarily mean we blitz more, but I want to see more one-gapping than two-gapping. Less read and react and more of an attacking mindset.

Lynch just mentioned this exactly in his post-conference interview on 49ers.com. He doesn't want to be a read and react defense, he wants to be a fast, aggressive defense. Loved hearing that.

I think Lynch/Brooks/Rookie can play the Leo role solid. Blair as strong side DE, AA as 4 as 1 tech, Buck as 3?

JPP anyone?

Originally posted by cools:
4-3 under (so kind off both) ala Saleh's tutor Bradley



The Seahawks defense is certainly unusual in its front seven, no doubt about that one. Is it "a 4-3 defense with 3-4 elements" ... well ... What does that even mean? Descriptions like that tend to cause more confusion than they clarify anything. Does that mean our front seven is schematically close to a traditional 3-4? It really isn't. That we have the personnel to run a 3-4? For the most part, we really don't. The basic thinking here stems from the fact that we have three unusually big bodies on the front line, especially Red Bryant, a prototypical 3-4 end. But we play a fairly straight-up, although not very traditional, 4-3.

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2013/1/19/3890928/gus-bradley-defense-leo-position

Armstead as the 4 tech LDE
Dial as the 1 tech NT
Buckner as the 3 tech
Blair as the Leo

I don't think the Leo is on the roster yet.The Leo is a speed rusher and Blair & Lynch don't have those qualities. The closest is probably Harold but he would be the backup ideally.

Lynch is SOL in this scheme. However he would be a good fit at LDE in a traditional 4-3 or Nickel front. Either way we will have to add personnel for either front. For the front you have listed:

4 tech- AA
1 tech- Resign Williams or FA/Dial
3 tech- Buckner
Leo- FA or Rookie/Harold
SLB- Armstrong/draft
MLB- Bowman
OLB- Resign Hodges/draft

3-4:

OLB- Lynch
LDE- AA
NT- Resign Williams/Dial
RDE- Buckner
OLB- Rookie/Brooks
ILB- Bowman
ILB- Armstrong/draft

Nickel:

LDE- Lynch
DT- AA/Blai
DT- Buckner
RDE- Rookie/Brooks
ILB- Armstrong/Rookie
ILB- Bowman/Rookie/Resign Hodges