3-4 Defense Discussion (Split from Grant Thread)

[Taosman]

I think if we haven't seen it, we won't see it. End of story.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I understand, I played it in high school, and blocked against it. I just think that strong defense end that plays outside tackle and inside TE need to be of big stature, b/c these lineman know adays are quick enough and they can get that double team and on up to the linebackers, and a smaller guy is easier to push back and then you are going to have problems with the linebackers not being able to scrape and get to the outside or to fill the gap.

Well I understand what you are thinking, but there are a number of college and pro coaches that would disagree. The DL in the 3-4/3-5/3-3 is constantly moving and the double teams are not the same as the combo block you are describing. If anything, the quicker guys cause more problems for the OL due to having to sit for that extra split second to see what is coming into their gap. West Virgina gave UGA fits with that philosophy against a much larger OL. WVU even plays their outside backers (Spur/Bandit) in a 9 technique at times just to add that extra thought process...the bigger one is 6'1 210. The odd man front is an entirely different thinking process than what is used in "traditional" football.

[exhawg]

Some teams that don't have the talent to compete run a heavy slant angle 3-4. With that the DL line up head up over their man and shoot hard either direction on the snap. That forces the OL to block for the worst case scenario. IE if you are the backside tackle and the ball is being run away from you you have to think the DE across from you is going to shoot hard inside so you have to take a big inside step. If you block him like is isn't going to move and he slants inside he is going to beat you across your face and blow up the play. If you take the big inside step like you have to and he slants outside you have to stop on a dime and turn back so that he can't go behind you and squeeze the cutback lane.
I remember once playing a team that ran the slant angle I had 3 or 4 pancakes one game because every time the guy tried to stunt across my face I was ready for him, caught him off balance, and put him on his back. If that happens to your DL you are in trouble.
If I was going to run a HS defense and didn't have very big DL I would run a 3-4 slant angle because I doubt that most HS OL's could handle it.

[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Really? Sorry but I disagree. The 3-4 is designed for confusion. Multiple line stunts and blitz combinations are what make the defense effective. Each member of the front 7 has a gap responsibility on every play, however, those gaps change with every play. There is no designation of a "pass rusher" amongst any position. I'm more familiar with the 3-5/3-3 stack but the basic premise remains the same. Slant the line, bring the heat from various spots on the second level.

You don't think Wilson, Richardson, or Gholston could line up in a 5-7 technique and crash a gap or force a double team?

I respectfully disagree.

EDIT: Split from Larry Grant's thread for further discussion

no doubt. i know he's a freak, but Troy Polamalu (sp?) came from every possible angle last year. i think they were even saying that he had lined up at every position on the field...

[BGriffBuckeye]

From what I remember, the staff was seriously considering the 3-4 before Freeman got hurt. Freeman-Laurinaitis-Kerr-Grant could hold up nicely, IMO, with Patterson-Pitcock-Wilson up front. I wouldn't mind at all and would like to see if they think it would be beneficial. Now, not saying run it the whole game, but it would be nice to change things up a bit and have the opposing offenses thinking too much about what we are going to throw at them.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by BGriffBuckeye

Now, not saying run it the whole game, but it would be nice to change things up a bit and have the opposing offenses thinking too much about what we are going to throw at them.

...but then you also have to consider the possibility of putting too much on the players' plate. Is it better to do a few things very well or many things at just a satisfactory level. The key to defense is not thinking too much and simply reacting...if the guys have too much to think about, such as an entirely different scheme and set of responsibilities, that slows them down.

[Taosman]

With the high level of talent we have, I think there's nothing inherently wrong about being a basic defense. Teach guys assignment football and tackling.