4-3 or 3-4?
 

I think this will be a topic of discussion while we wait for our coach to be hired, so I thought I'd make a poll.

I prefer a 3-4 for a few reasons...

1) Not a ton of teams run it, meaning it's marginally more time consuming to prepare for.
2) The blocking angles are a lot tougher to deal with.
3) It can be very multiple.
4) I love the different blitzes that can be run out of it, including zone blitzes. I think these work better from a 3-man front.
5) I believe the front 7 athletes for a 3-4 are easier to find. The D-linemen are tougher than LBs, but also aren't as highly paid. There seem to be tons more tweeners coming out of college. And if it's a well-run system, it can be plug-and-play to a certain extent.
6) You get faster athletes on the field.


I know we don't have the personnel for it right now, but as has been said in another thread...we rally don't have great personnel for the 4-3, either.

I meant to make this a poll...
...my bad.

uh

Let's see who our coach is first...huh?

I thought it was a better discussion pre-coach, as once we have him in place, we'll pretty much know.

I like the 3-4 and would love to see the switch

I like the idea of a 3-4 but I don't know where Dorsey would fit in to it. He's definately not a noseguard because he's not big enough, and theres no way he could play DE. If we didnt have such a high pick invested in him i would support it.

Also I think 3-4 LBs are easier to find than 4-3 because they can specialize a little bit more. i.e. you can have a pass rushing LB or a coverage LB

I like the 4-3. Basically its either find a big fat ass for the middle of a 3-4 or a stud pass rusher at DE for a 4-3. Its easier to get a pass rusher than the fat ass.

You think so?
I don't know...I'll have to think about that, but my gut reaction is that it's pretty equal.

Lots of teams have multiple pass rushers, very few have the special NG required for a 3-4.

I been screaming for a 3-4 for years. Everyone has said we don't have the talent for a 3-4 yet Vonnie Holiday, who we cut, is playing well in a 3-4.

Though Dorsey would have to be moved to end and not tackle.

Whatever Pioli wants.

I said this in the other thread, but I like Dorsey a lot. I really want to see him succeed. But I simply don't think you build a defense around a 2nd year player who, while showing flashes, had a disappointing year. I don't see him fitting at 3-4 DE...but maybe going back to a full-time 2-gap style would benefit him.

How many have tried to cultivate one?

I dont think we should have let Holiday go when we did. That was a poor job of talent evaluation IMO.