Defensive switch to a 3-4??

[JPICCIANO]

Any chance that ND switches its base defense to a 3-4 in the future? I was just thinking that some of the guys we have recurited as DE's could also play LB as well. The only problem is that we would need a large, dominant NT to plug up the middle.

Just a thought...let me know if I'm crazy.

 

[Irish Envy]

USC is using a slight variation with Cushing as a standing DL. If you have the speed, it works.

 

[jiggafini19]

If you have the speed, it works.

Having coached a high school version of the 3-4 this year, there is absolutely no question that you have to fave FAST linebackers to make it go. We did, otherwise we would not have ran the thing. They probably won't run it next year.

The 3-4 has become quite popular among the NFL and Weis knows this. The biggest strength, I feel, of the 3-4 is that it puts players in position to force more turnovers. You can also disguise coverages much better.

Whatever can cut back on eliminating big plays and forcing turnovers, I'm all for it.

 

[Irish Envy]

I've had an sneaking suspicion that we were recruiting for the move to the 3-4 ever since we loaded up on RB/LB hybrids in Paskorz, Nagel, etc. We'll see.

 

[scooper]

They had a hard enought time finding three linebackers to put on the field this year. I just don't see trying to add one.

 

[Irish Envy]

They had a hard enought time finding three linebackers to put on the field this year. I just don't see trying to add one.

And next year they'll have a hard time finding 2 DTs. It could actually be the perfect time since almost the entire defense will be new.

 

[Aerosmith777]

I've always liked the 3-4 b/c I think its a lot easier to find an extra inside linebacker than it is to find an interior lineman. Not to mention, it allows you to hide where the pressure is going to come from, b/c you can blitz at least one linebacker per play w/o taking the extra man out of your coverage.

If they could ever get a kid like Barksdale to play that nosetackle spot, I'd have no problem w/ them going to a 3-4. Especially if they get Donald.

Does anyone in college run a true 3-4 base formation? I know its popular in the pros, but I can't think of anyone in college who uses it consistently.

 

[Irish Envy]

Virginia does, I believe. Most use variations of it in college, like USC using the standing DL, etc.

 

[scooper]

And next year they'll have a hard time finding 2 DTs. It could actually be the perfect time since almost the entire defense will be new.

It's not really that simple. In the 3-4, what you call defensive ends are really built more like DT's. A guy like Trattau may be able to bulk up to the 285 range that is needed for 3-4 DE, but you'd better have an abundance of DE/DT tweeners ready to contribute.

I'd say to run a successful 3-4 you need MORE DT's, not less. To go along with more LB's. What you need less of are the true DE's.

 

[Irish Envy]

It's not really that simple. In the 3-4, what you call defensive ends are really built more like DT's. A guy like Trattau may be able to bulk up to the 285 range that is needed for 3-4 DE, but you'd better have an abundance of DE/DT tweeners ready to contribute.

I'd say to run a successful 3-4 you need MORE DT's, not less. To go along with more LB's. What you need less of are the true DE's.

I'd say that may be accurate in the NFL, but in college, you could possibly get away with having smaller DEs in the 260-275 range. I don't care either way, really... all I know is we need more speed on defense and guys that can make plays on the ball.

 

[scooper]

I'd say that may be accurate in the NFL, but in college, you could possibly get away with having smaller DEs in the 260-275 range. I don't care either way, really... all I know is we need more speed on defense and guys that can make plays on the ball.

I'm not sure two 260 pounders could hold the ends of the line. There's a reason that the 3-4 craze doesn't spur up like it does in the pros every so often. The personnel needed to run it effectively is a bit trickier.

 

[irishtexan]

Navy runs a 3-4 and does a good job with the personnel they have. If Notre Dame starts to run a 3-4 then they better blitz alot. Thats what the 3-4 is basically intended for isnt it?

 

[scooper]

Navy runs a 3-4 and does a good job with the personnel they have. If Notre Dame starts to run a 3-4 then they better blitz alot. Thats what the 3-4 is basically intended for isnt it?

Navy is undersized by default. And they don't play the level of competition that ND does.

You're right that the 3-4 allows for more variety of blitzing, but that can be done out of the 4-3 as well.

I'm not against running some 3-4. I just don't see it working full time. It would be great if some of these De/OLB tweeners could play both from one play to another. For example, I could see Richardson standing up or putting his hand down on any given play.

New England goes from 3-4 to 4-3 and back. Keep that in mind.

 

[lattedatte]

I'd say that may be accurate in the NFL, but in college, you could possibly get away with having smaller DEs in the 260-275 range. I don't care either way, really... all I know is we need more speed on defense and guys that can make plays on the ball.

I played DE/OLB(joey porter) in the 3-4 in college, I love the 3/4 and I think we are getting the components in place to run it in the future. If anybody wants proof that I played let me know.

Why do I love it, becuase it can be multi-dimensional. In general, it is read and react defense not a penetrating defense. But if you want you can run blitzes/stunts/twists to make in a penetrating/reek havoc D.

Suscessful 3/4's though do have a stud inside "Sam" backer and a pure speed inside "will" backer. If we get donald he could play Sam and any number could play the "Will". Toryan would be a fine Sam as well. And most important a stud nose tackle that requires double team on nearly every play. Hand would have to develop into that.

The steelers have proven that the DT position can be interchangable and the most important thing is to just take on blockers so you LB's run free. A perfect candidate would have Landri, he's gone right?

I hope they make that switch becuase it is a great defense.

 

[guff]

Does anyone else think Chris Stewart would make a good DT? From everything I've heard, he's quick, athletic, agile etc. He has great size. Why do I picture him having Warren Sapp like abilities?

 

[lattedatte]

Does anyone else think Chris Stewart would make a good DT? From everything I've heard, he's quick, athletic, agile etc. He has great size. Why do I picture him having Warren Sapp like abilities?

I think he would make a good goalie in hockey, that freakin kid can do a split!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PatND3]

Stewart switching to NT in a 3-4 is very interesting. Even if we got the necessary personnel the blitzing advantages in the 3-4 would not be put to good use under Minter...sorry. The man's packages just haven't been successful....at all.

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

With the talk of moving to a 3-4 I just can't think of a player we have now that we can insert in at NT. I know when playing the 3-4 you need a big, wait HUGE body at NT hopefully good enough to accquire 2 bodies to block. Stewart is an interesting thought at DT/NT, how does he compair to the other people that could take his place on OL? Is he in the lead to start next year at OL or would it be worth experiencing in the spring?

 

[gboroirish]

maybe moving stewart to DT would replace moving one of the new OL recruits like nuss or nwanko to DT?

 

[jiggafini19]

Two words for you: TAMPA TWO.

 

[njuneardave]

wow...i just had a great idea. Chris Stewart into a jumbo package as a fullback in goaline/4 and short situations... ala The Fridge

 

[Clotho]

Tampa Two is fine if you've got Urlacher/Briggs on one level, Harris/Ogunleye/Brown on another, Brown/Tillman/Vasher on the third. We don't. Honestly we don't have the personnel to run any defense particularly well right now.

Once the talent is there, I'd prefer the Tampa Two, but Weis has never been a guy from that particular coaching tree.