If Curry is gone at the 3 spot...who do we take or what do we do?

[ChiefsCountry]

3-4 easier to find players. You guys are on crack if you think that. There is reason why were ever Parcells goes he takes the same guys around with him.

[The Buddha]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

3-4 easier to find players. You guys are on crack if you think that. There is reason why were ever Parcells goes he takes the same guys around with him.

I always though it was because he gets annoyed at having to teach new players his style.

I am confused, though. What's the difference between a 3-4 MLB and a 4-3 ILB? Do you look for different things? Also, what about the difference between a 3-4 OLB and a 3-4 ILB. Do the outside guys really rush more than the inside guys, cause it seems like when I watch NE, you never know which of the LBs are gonna blitz. It looks very even to me.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by The Buddha

I always though it was because he gets annoyed at having to teach new players his style.

I am confused, though. What's the difference between a 3-4 MLB and a 4-3 ILB? Do you look for different things? Also, what about the difference between a 3-4 OLB and a 3-4 ILB. Do the outside guys really rush more than the inside guys, cause it seems like when I watch NE, you never know which of the LBs are gonna blitz. It looks very even to me.

Size, inside linebackers in the 3-4 are generally bigger guys. Its why the Jets got rid of Vilma.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Size, inside linebackers in the 3-4 are generally bigger guys. Its why the Jets got rid of Vilma.

To some extent. Usually you have one who moves very well in coverage (aka, Zach Thomas in Dallas) and a guy who relentlessly attacks the line of scrimmage (aka Kendrell Bell in Pittsburgh). The coverage guy is a little lighter while the run guy is usually a little heavier. But not nearly as heavy as the OLBs in a 3-4, who usually weigh over 260 lbs.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Size, inside linebackers in the 3-4 are generally bigger guys. Its why the Jets got rid of Vilma.

This really isn't true. Look at the two ILB's in New England. 242lbs, 247lbs.

Look at the Steelers, 243lbs, 239lbs.

So, NO, the ILB's in a 3-4 AREN'T bigger. In FACT, they are typically smaller than a normal MLB, who plays around 255-260.

[Brock]

There isn't anything wrong with still drafting Stafford, and maybe not Sanchez either.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Brock

There isn't anything wrong with still drafting Stafford, and maybe not Sanchez either.

Hell yeah!

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

3-4 easier to find players. You guys are on crack if you think that. There is reason why were ever Parcells goes he takes the same guys around with him.

I'm not on crack. Do some reading on it and tell me what you find. Almost every source you read will tell you that the reason teams like the 3-4 is because finding 2 stud DEs on both sides of the line has become extremely difficult. Finding even one is difficult. That's considering that these days, the best 4-3 defenses have not 2 but 3 solid pass rushers. It's impossible to find an every-down DE who is explosive enough to rush the passer, but also big enough to shed blockers and win in the trenches. You have light 255 lb edge rushers who get dominated against the run and you have 280 lb every down DEs who are usually half as explosive as a speed rusher. You also need to find stud LBs who are capable of doing everything--they can't just be good in pass coverage, they also have to be big enough to stop the run and shed blockers, and have the instinct to see the entire field. You also need two DTs who are capable of both engaging blockers, but also being explosive enough to rush the passer. Building a 4-3 is really, really difficult.

In a 3-4, it's significantly easier for several reasons. Because players play roles, they don't have to be versatile. You don't have to find a LB who's quick AND big; who can move in coverage AND can shed blockers in the running game. Why do you think Kendrell Bell was such a disaster in KC? In Pittsburgh, his role was purely to be a bowling ball and to shed blockers like a machine. It didn't matter that he was horrendous in pass coverage. It didn't matter that he wasn't intelligent. He was told to attack, attack, attack. That was his role. Vrabel and Bruschi would probably never make it in a 4-3. They have smaller zones to cover and because they have specific roles, they have less responsibilities. On the DE/OLB side, they're a hell of a lot easier to find than DEs because there is a surplus of "tweeners" coming out of college. These are guys who are too small to play every down on the NFL level, but too big to play LB. And there are a ton of them. It's like this: what do you think is easier to find? A person who's really good at math? A person who's really good at art? Or a person who's really good at math AND art? That's an easy question--many artists don't know jackshit about math and many mathematicians couldn't draw their way out of a paper bag.

The DEs are also easier to find because their role is really defined. They don't have to be outstanding pass rushers. They only have to be very good at occupying blockers. That's why standard DTs usually excel in a 3-4 defense. Case-in-point... Turk McBride is a so-so player in a 4-3 because he not only has to occupy blockers, but also have the speed to get to the QB. In a 3-4, he only has to occupy blockers. The only major challenging position to fill in a 3-4 versus a 4-3 is the nose tackle position. But I would argue that finding one nose tackle is a hell of a lot easier than finding 2 DEs, 2 solid DTs, and a versatile MLB.

The goal of a 3-4 is to have 3 linemen down low who are basically occupying blockers. These linemen then open up lanes and gaps for LBs and Safeties to attack the QB or ball carrier from unexpected directions. Arguably, the coaching is more important than the personnel, as it doesn't matter how talented your players as much as it matters how good your coach is at surprising offenses with interesting blitz packages.