Walterfootball.com: 4-3 not in Kansas (City) Anymore
 

4-3 not in Kansas (City) Anymore

One of the most questionable moves of the offseason when we look back a year from now will be the Kansas City Chiefs moving to the 3-4 defense.

Adam Schefter of NFL.com reported this on his blog yesterday, and it simply makes absolutely no sense to me. This could waste the careers of a few players on the Chiefs defense. Let's analyze this move more in-depth and why it makes no sense:

Glenn Dorsey: Dorsey's best fit is as a three technique where he can get upfield and make plays in the opponent's backfield. He does not have the size to play five technique (3-4 DE) or zero technique (nose tackle). He doesn't fit in anywhere on this defense and his career will suffer.

Tampa Hali: This young defensive end out of Penn State generated 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons, and with the trade of Jared Allen, he only registered 3.5 sacks in 2009. Hali does not have the size to play five technique or the elite explosive athleticism to make an easy transition to outside linebacker. He is most comfortable when his hand is in the dirt and he can get physical.

Derrick Johnson: Johnson fell a little bit in the 2005 NFL Draft because the main criticism of him was he could not take on blocks. Johnson has never had a 100-tackle season in his career, and his strength is still dropping into zone as the weakside linebacker and making plays sideline to sideline. With the move to the 3-4, he will have to move inside because he doesn't have the size to play outside. Because he has trouble shedding blocks, he shouldn't see much playing time next season before being a free agent in 2010.

Brandon Flowers: Flowers had a very good season last year with the Chiefs as a rookie, but he struggles in press man coverage. He lacks long speed and cannot be left alone on the island. In the 3-4, you must be able to play press man. I am not sure if Flowers can make the transition to a scheme with less zone coverage.

The Chiefs have spent three first-round picks on the four football players I have mentioned, as well as a high second on Flowers. With the transition to the 3-4, this is probably going to hurt the production of this young nucleus on defense.

I do not understand why Todd Haley and Clancy Pendergast want to do this. The defensive personnel is best fit for the 4-3, so why try to be something you're not?

This is not the first time a team is making the wrong move schematically. Houston drafted poorly and should have just started out as a 4-3 defense.

Mangini's Jets were not very successful with the 3-4 until last season when they shelled out a ton of money for players such as Calvin Pace and Kris Jenkins. They had Jonathan Vilma, who was one of the best, young 4-3 inside linebackers in the league, but simply could not make the transition to the 3-4. Dewayne Robertson was also looked at as one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the league at the time, but moving to the 3-4 ruined his career as well. They did not have the personnel fits on the defensive line to make the transition, outside of Shaun Ellis, and they struggled.

The Chiefs weren't even an average defense last year. However, that does not mean they are devoid of young talent. With the transition to the 3-4, this team is completely starting from scratch, and historically that is not a smart move, especially considering that the Chiefs also have to address the offensive line and quarterback position.

http://www.walterfootball.com/mattblog.php

Who is Tampa Hali?

I agree. Though switching to the defense of champions sounds exciting, it doesn't seem logical with the group of guys we have. I'll support the new regime no matter what, but I don't think most of our core defensive players fit the scheme.

I do however, think that flowers and DJ can make the switch.

I guess we're in a win now mode all of a sudden...

WGAF
Seriously. It's so ridiculous to make the decision, at this point, based on the players we have. If it's a system you believe in, you switch...now.
Thing is, I fully believe in tayloring what you do as a team around the plaers' strengths. But at this point, we have no real "player strengths." DJ, while I still hope, has not emerged. Dorsey, while I still have tons of hope, disappointed me last season with his lack of quickness and ability to get off blocks.There is absolutely no reason to cater to them, hoping they come through finally.

Well, that article pretty much ripped DJ a new 3-4 asshole.

This is STUPID! The only one this remotely affects is Dorsey and who even knows for sure about that. Hali sucked in a 4-3 last year. It won't matter where the hell DJ lines up and Flowers? Are you kidding me, Flowers?

As much as I HATE cover 2 and want change... this is a little scary.

Blog Blog Blog......Blah Blah Blah. :rolleyes:

I am sure DJ is going to be sitting on the bench most of the year ROFL Even if the 3-4 doesn't suit him well.

His characterization of Dewayne Robertson was good for a laugh, anyway. As for the rest of the entry, does he understand that as part of the 29th ranked defense in the league, the fearsome foursome he highlighted wasn't exactly getting the job done?

Well....it couldn't be any worse, could it???

Did I miss the official "we're going to the 3-4" press conference by Todd Haley, or is this all based off of the report that Schefter launched on his blog?

Sorry but I don't think Haley's going to do something that would fly in the face of what our personnel can logically do best. But then again if Haley and Pioli haven't consulted with the genius Chiefs Planet DC's of Madden '09 world, I could be all wrong.

I wonder how much of this whole 3/4 stuff is just smoke. From what I understand, this is nothing more than a rumor begun by Schefter, at this point.

Is there any other, reliable source that confirms we are, in fact, moving to the 3/4?

FAX

The speculation of these football gurus is hilarious. ROFL

My Defensive scheme prediction: The fact is if Haley is true to his word, he'll be using a 4-3 base. (Since that is what we have players for, and he said he'd build the system around the players) We'll probably experiment with a hybrid 3-4 scheme off and on, but the base will remain the same for this first season at least. We will see more blitzing and a whole lot less cover who though.

Nope, it is all speculation at this point. I think maybe we'll see a hybrid 4-3, 3-4 defense this year at least and slowly work it in.

Why don't you think it will affect DJ?

Good. I guess I can unbunch my panties, now.

FAX

Yet another reason why I prefer thongs.

KC will most likely institute a 4-3/3-4 hybrid scheme

um someone should tell this guy that none of the players on this team can play in a 4-3 either. So what does it matter?

As long as Flowers survives and thrives; **** everyone else.

I would be greatly disappointed if Dorsey doesn't pan out...

Not a single person on this board, expert...anyone...thought Dorsey was a reach or an expected bust.

He was suppose to be a sure thing...best prospect in the draft, etc. etc. etc.

I hope we're not ready to give up on him after 1 season.

Who gives a shit if Dorsey pans out or not? If the chiefs win the super bowl in three years or make it to an AFC champ game and NONE of these players are on that roster will it make you cry yourself to sleep? I get so tired of people saying "I can't believe u are ready to give up on this guy or that guy." I don't give a crap who is playing what position as long as they are playing at an elite level. Dorsey IS going to be on this team next year and no matter where he lines up he better produce if not get the hell out of the way for the next guy.

Pretty solid take.

I really don't think anyone cares if running 3-4 hurts Tamba Hali...

Flowers is good enough to do what's asked of him in a press man situation he's more of a 2 than a 1 though.

Exactly. If you want to run a 3-4, there's no better time to switch than when your 4-3 is the worst in the league and you're rebuilding anyway. If now is not a good time, when is?

I'm with this. Flowers will be fine. I hope Dorsey works out. F the rest of them if they can't get the job done.

Carr or Leggitt( hopefully both )will have to step up, too. I honestly think those are the only three guys that have a snowballs chance in hell of surviving this.

And why the **** does Krumrie still have a job with this team?!

I think he can play either inside or outside but either way you go with it, DJ is going to be DJ. I don't think he'll ever be spectacular but he doesn't totally suck a** either. I just don't think it will affect how "good" he is.

DJ is pretty close to sucking ass...

I'll give ya that...I just didn't wanna say it. :D

Systems don't win games, players and coaches do. Making things even more difficult for the few promising players we have seems kind of counterproductive.

But yeah, Flowers and Dorsey are the only ones I really give a **** about, so whatever.

Don't forget Claythan's BFF Bernard Pollard! ROFL

A little late to the party but here's my .02 worth. Hopfully the Chief's have a definite defense in mind that they want to run. I don't give a flying monkey's butt who we presently have on our roster - start implimenting our new defense immediately. That way it will be in place for whoever we bring in. If the players currently on the roster can't fit in - get rid of them. This is a complete blow up and start over. It's not like we have an all-star cast to begin with.

I think he plays in the Bay area.

What he said.

ROFLROFL