Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - 3-4 Defense Question???

sandtrapjack · 11-01-2007, 05:10 PM

Well I am not totally familiar with the roster, but the 3-4 demands a substantial stable of linebackers. And it needs that big 320 lb run-stuffing NT that sucks up a double-team up front. LaRoi Glover in his prime was a pretty good DT in a 4-3, but when Dallas made the switch to the 3-4, he was too small for that position, and was subsequently released, and Jason Ferguson was acquired. A 3-4 DE is about the same size as a 4-3 DT.

Greg Ellis, drafted and played as a 4-3 DE, but converted last season to a 3-4 OLB, and had to learn a new position. So you get the size requirements.

The OLB is the most critical, they are typically the size of a 4-3 DE, but they are FAST and can also drop into coverage and must have tremendous lateral speed between the sidelines.

It took Dallas 3 years of drafts and free agency to get the personnel in place to make the cross-over to the 3-4.

The biggest factor is a good stable of front 7 players that can be rotated in and out of the lineup to keep them fresh for the later quarters.

11-01-2007, 05:10 PM	#2
sandtrapjack The Starter Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,994	Re: 3-4 Defense Question??? Well I am not totally familiar with the roster, but the 3-4 demands a substantial stable of linebackers. And it needs that big 320 lb run-stuffing NT that sucks up a double-team up front. LaRoi Glover in his prime was a pretty good DT in a 4-3, but when Dallas made the switch to the 3-4, he was too small for that position, and was subsequently released, and Jason Ferguson was acquired. A 3-4 DE is about the same size as a 4-3 DT. Greg Ellis, drafted and played as a 4-3 DE, but converted last season to a 3-4 OLB, and had to learn a new position. So you get the size requirements. The OLB is the most critical, they are typically the size of a 4-3 DE, but they are FAST and can also drop into coverage and must have tremendous lateral speed between the sidelines. It took Dallas 3 years of drafts and free agency to get the personnel in place to make the cross-over to the 3-4. The biggest factor is a good stable of front 7 players that can be rotated in and out of the lineup to keep them fresh for the later quarters.