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.