The 3-4

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-09-2004, 12:00 AM

I'm quite surprised by the relative lack movement on the dline. I guess they feel that Washington, unlike Armstead, brought more outside speed and that he will be like a cheaper pass-rushing DE. But, I'm somewhat surprised that they've pretty much ruled out the 3-4.

You Warpathers who were around before the start of last season may recall that I advocated using the 3-4 for the 03' season. Whether the 3-4 was right last season or not, I think it's worth considering for the upcoming season.

Defenses like the Pats, Ravens, Steelers, and some other team I can't think of used the 3-4 and I think our LB corps is better than theirs (assuming we add Favors for additional depth).

The 3-4 is ideal for teams that have great LBs, poor DTs & DEs, don't have much cash (LBs are cheaper than DTs and DEs), have speedy OLBs, and slow but big D-linemen. I think the 'Skins fit those criteria pretty well.

Ghost · 03-09-2004, 12:08 AM

Ramseyfan, what's your source on the team ruling out the 3-4? If Gregg Williams likes to be flexible and customize the defense for each opponent, it seems to me that he wouldn't want to rule anything out.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-09-2004, 12:17 AM

My understanding is that we will use the 3-4 sometimes (as almost every team does), but that the 4-3 will be the base defense. I can't recall if I read that in the Post or on ESPN.com (I do know it was one of the two).

Ghost · 03-09-2004, 12:25 AM

We've been running the 4-3 for so long it would be weird to see another base defense. I remember reading somewhere on this forum, I think, that the Skins were planning to bust out with that vintage '85 Super Bowl champion Bears defense, the 46 I think it's called. I wonder if there was something to that or if it was just B.S.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 03-09-2004, 12:27 AM

I haven't heard anything more on that subject.

BrudLee · 03-09-2004, 06:13 AM

Gregg Williams is a Buddy Ryan devotee, and has stated that the team will occaisionally use the "46". The downside I see with the 3-4 is that is requires amazing discipline from the LB's - they have greater gap responsibility. Heap all the praise you want on LaVar (and he earns it) but discipline ain't his game.

03-09-2004, 12:00 AM	#1
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	The 3-4 I'm quite surprised by the relative lack movement on the dline. I guess they feel that Washington, unlike Armstead, brought more outside speed and that he will be like a cheaper pass-rushing DE. But, I'm somewhat surprised that they've pretty much ruled out the 3-4. You Warpathers who were around before the start of last season may recall that I advocated using the 3-4 for the 03' season. Whether the 3-4 was right last season or not, I think it's worth considering for the upcoming season. Defenses like the Pats, Ravens, Steelers, and some other team I can't think of used the 3-4 and I think our LB corps is better than theirs (assuming we add Favors for additional depth). The 3-4 is ideal for teams that have great LBs, poor DTs & DEs, don't have much cash (LBs are cheaper than DTs and DEs), have speedy OLBs, and slow but big D-linemen. I think the 'Skins fit those criteria pretty well.

03-09-2004, 06:13 AM	#6
BrudLee Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 3,494	Gregg Williams is a Buddy Ryan devotee, and has stated that the team will occaisionally use the "46". The downside I see with the 3-4 is that is requires amazing discipline from the LB's - they have greater gap responsibility. Heap all the praise you want on LaVar (and he earns it) but discipline ain't his game. __________________ There's nowhere to go but up. Or down. I guess we could stay where we are, too.

03-09-2004, 12:08 AM	#2
Ghost Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 298	Ramseyfan, what's your source on the team ruling out the 3-4? If Gregg Williams likes to be flexible and customize the defense for each opponent, it seems to me that he wouldn't want to rule anything out.

03-09-2004, 12:17 AM	#3
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	My understanding is that we will use the 3-4 sometimes (as almost every team does), but that the 4-3 will be the base defense. I can't recall if I read that in the Post or on ESPN.com (I do know it was one of the two).

03-09-2004, 12:25 AM	#4
Ghost Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 298	We've been running the 4-3 for so long it would be weird to see another base defense. I remember reading somewhere on this forum, I think, that the Skins were planning to bust out with that vintage '85 Super Bowl champion Bears defense, the 46 I think it's called. I wonder if there was something to that or if it was just B.S.

03-09-2004, 12:27 AM	#5
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	I haven't heard anything more on that subject.

The 3-4

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