New Defensive Coordinator 2015

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

There is a really good article about the Cowboys defense switch to a 4-3 which basically quotes Lovie Smith that preaches simplicity.

Lovie Smith Explains The Big Advantage Of The 4-3 Defense - Blogging The Boys

Says it is much simpler to plug guys into the front of the 4-3 with a rush first responsibility because of the limited time with coaches after the cba.

Makes sense to me, but I'm not a football guru.

There seems to be more pressure from our 3rd down nickle sets with 4 rushing down lineman that are not playing gap first. More does not equal much. Murphy and Kerrigan next to each were stout on 3rd downs.

TL;DR Version - 3-4 Defense cheaper, more players capable of being plugged in, better suited for passing league, just needs new DC.

I still like the 3-4 better though. For starters from a pure cost perspective its generally cheaper, which is a huge plus with a salary cap.

On top of that I believe its easier to find pass rushers for a couple reasons. For starters your pool of talent ranges from DE's in 4-3 systems to OLB's in 4-3 systems. I also like the idea of 3 big DT's in the middle occupying blockers rather than 2 DT's for edge rushers.

I also feel its easier to find productive 3-4 OLB's then it is 4-3 DE's. If you look at the Top 6 leaders in sacks for 2014 (6 because our own Ryan Kerrigan is tied with Mario Williams at present time) 4 out of 6 are 3-4 OLB's. 5 out of 6 play in a 3-4 ( though in all fairness JJ Watt is kind of a freak regardless so I don't think his production is so much a reflection of the system as much as his once in a generation level talent).

Nose Guard can be kind of tough to fill but it seems much easier than finding a 4-3 DT that can collapse the pocket and get after the passer. Paying guys like Vince Wilfolk who are just space eaters in the middle is on average a hell of a lot cheaper then gap penetrators (cough Haynesworth cough).

In a passing league I have no problem with a 3-4 system that on average provides more flexibility for disguising coverage as well as more athletic guys on the field when using the base package. Mostly lowering the frequency of needing to use 6 in the box 4-2 Nickle Packages. In all honesty I believe the problem is more Haslet then the 3-4 itself.

I've long since admired Rex Ryan as a coach so if we got a chance to put him in his ideal role as a Defensive Coordinator rather than a Head Coach I feel we would see a pretty sizeable improvement over years past. Not to mention he would likely be easy to keep as a Defensive Coordinator since teams will likely be gun shy on making him a HC going forward.