Very good read.
From the article:
Quote:
Advantages include -
* It is easier to obtain quality LBs than qualtiy DLs, and thus easier to build a 3-4.
* More "pure athletes" or on the field, since many would consider a LB to be more skilled than a DL.
* Increased reaction time for LBs. The LBs start further back than they would in a 4-3, so they have nearly .5 to a full second to read a play as it develops.
* Puts more men in the short zones to disrupt passes.
* Allows for a much larger play book, as LBs have more play uses than DLs. This also means more flexibility for the defense.
* Stops runs to the outside (wider spaced OLBs).
Disadvantages include -
* It is not as effective against the inside running game as the 4-3, and most of the League is "run first" and runs the middle.
* More often than not, a 3-4 can be more expensive to field (comparing the cost of LBs to DLs).
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Quote:
The Phillips
This is the system of choice for DAL, but also SD.
It is not the ideal system for SD in one sense. Denver (king of the offensive "zone block " system for runs) and oakland (newly switched to the zone block) are built to run over the 1 gap defenses, and they share the division with SD.
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I hope we start "running over" Dallas version of the Phillips 3-4
and the last bit:
Quote:
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I hope you've picked up a little about the 3-4s. A lot of teams run the formation, and teams can start running it with little notice (like, right at the start of the season). Keep in mind that all 4-3 teams have a few plays they'll run with a 3-4 here and there. 3-4 teams also frequently disguise plays by lining up in a 4-3 looking formation where "extra DL" is either going to play like a DL, or play like a LB in a shifted 3-4 (this is pretty common).
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I tend to believe that the quality of our D will be based solidly on how Haslett does as DCoord. We may not have the perfect group of D players, but before last year many said the same about the Saints, and GB. It's Haslett's job to put the players in position to make the play. For the most part, the players we have on D are up to the task.