What to expect in a 4-3 defense

There wasn’t a question mark on the subject.. but I like what you did there lol

It depends on what Texas is doing in that game.

Thanks

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better pass rush with more sacks and turnovers from QB pressure... but on the flip side the 3-4 is a better scheme for stopping the run which was our strength this year I believe. So look for more sacks but also the run D to drop off. Just my take

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I think you have it backwards.

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Strengths of the 3-4 Defense
The 3-4 in a flexible defense, and provides some great advantages when it comes to rushing the quarterback and defending against the pass. Because there are only three linemen, the outside linebackers may play the role of defensive end at some times, essentially giving a 4-3 look.

The 3-4 can be confusing for opposing quarterbacks, who may find it tough to keep track of these roving linebackers who line up all over the place.

Because it offers so many options, and presents so many different looks for the opposing offense, many NFL teams have switched to the 3-4. This is probably largely due to the explosion of the passing game in recent years.

With its base personnel, the 3-4 is much more effective at dealing with intricate offensive game plans involving multiple-wide-receiver sets, tight ends who may line up anywhere, and versatile halfbacks capable of catching the ball downfield.

With the same personnel, a 3-4 defense might line up in a three-man front, a four-man front, or even a two or one-man front. It’s up to the opposing quarterback to figure out where everyone is, and what role they are playing. For a defense that is a huge advantage.

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3-4 Defensive Weaknesses
Because of its flexibility, the 3-4 may seem like the ideal defense, but much of its success depends on having the right personnel at various positions. To effectively stop the running game a team will need a dominant nose tackle that is capable of occupying space and taking on several blockers without giving ground.

Defensive ends are not only expected to have the speed to rush the quarterback on passing downs, but also to have the strength and size necessary to take on offensive linemen and keep them off the inside linebackers on running plays.

Outside linebackers need to be incredible athletes with a non-stop motor and a great nose for the ball. Inside linebackers need to have the toughness to take on offensive linemen, but also the speed and agility to cover backs out of the backfield.

As you can imagine, special players in these positions are not always easy to find, and a poor performer can hurt the whole defense. Without a dominant nose tackle, the 3-4 can be very weak against the run. Without linebackers who can both cover backs and tight ends and bring pressure against the quarterback, a team will suffer in passing situations.

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Strong Points of the 4-3 Defense
The 4-3 is a more conservative defense, but that’s not always a bad thing. In the 4-3 the linebackers play more behind the line, and the team will rely on its four defensive linemen to get the job done up front. This means stopping the run can potentially be more effective than with a 3-4 defense, as a 4-3 team utilizes two defensive tackles that shift and stunt to confuse the offensive linemen’s blocking.

If defensive tackles in the 4-3 can make plays against the run that’s great, but many 4-3 defenses are set up to allow the middle linebacker to make tackles. The middle linebacker must be very smart in this defense, and his reads must be spot on. He needs to have the size and power to stop a running back dead in the hole, and the speed to range from sideline to sideline.

The 4-3 defense can be effective against the passing game, as long as a team has a good defensive line. Whereas in the 3-4 defense a team will usually need to blitz at least one linebacker to get pressure on the quarterback, a 4-3 team can leave that job up to the defensive line and assign the linebackers elsewhere. This leaves options like the famed Tampa-2 coverage available, with 2-deep and the middle linebacker covering down the middle of the field.

All four defensive linemen must be good pass rushers, especially the defensive ends who are usually much smaller and quicker than their counterparts in the 3-4. A 4-3 team that can get pressure on the quarterback using only the four down linemen is a nightmare for offensive coordinators.

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4-3 Defense Vulnerabilities
Where the 4-3's conservative nature can be a benefit, with today’s modern offenses it can also be a liability. The best NFL quarterbacks have a much easier time spotting weaknesses in a 4-3 scheme, as player assignments are more predictable and less muddled up by the defensive alignment. It’s easier to get mismatches and exploit them, and easier to guess what the defense is about to do.

Because of the complexities of offenses, 4-3 teams may need to rely more on nickel or dime sets, basically telling the offense what they think is about to happen. The offense can counter by running the ball out of sets with three or four wideouts.

As with the 3-4, the 4-3 needs the right players in the right spots to be successful. A big part of this is having the right guy at middle linebacker. Like the quarterback on the offense, the middle linebacker often sets the tone for a 4-3 defense.

If all is going well with a 4-3 defense it can be very effective, but when things go bad, they can get very bad. The lack of flexibility and the lesser ability to disguise blitzes and player assignments can be a vulnerability. Like the 3-4, it all comes down to player ability, and having the right guys in the right spots.

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. but on the flip side the 3-4 is a better scheme for stopping the run

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incorrect. the 3-4 has worked better for stopping spread offenses, especially with dual threat qbs. It's no better for stopping running attacks in general.

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turnovers

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As good as Pelini's defenses have been over the years, they really don't produce huge turnover numbers MOST years.

I think personnel will be what’s different. If we had Aranda coming back, you probably would get M.Baskerville and D.Clark on the field at the same time nearly every down like Phillips and Queen this year.

With 4-3, Baskerville will have to compete against our SAM or Rover to stay on the field in Nickel. The production that LBs had in leading the team in tackles last few years will likely shift to more stops by the DL. Farrell, Thomas, Logan, and possibly Burch get inflated stats while MLB likely becomes 1 player instead of 2 on the field every series.