Trendy scheme only as good as its personnel

[1niksder]

Trendy scheme only as good as its personnel

The Pittsburgh Steelers have successfully employed a 3-4 defensive scheme for more than a decade, but it wasn't until Bill Belichick's Patriots started racking up Super Bowl rings that the rest of the league took notice. Now, as teams prepare their rosters for the 2005 season, there could be as many as 10 of 32 defenses that utilize the 3-4 scheme exclusively, or feature a hybrid of it.
The Steelers and Patriots have been members of the "3-4 club" for several years now. The Jets, Chargers, Raiders and Texans are recent additions, while the Cowboys, 49ers, Browns and Dolphins are potential newcomers.

Two teams swimming against the current are the Falcons and Ravens, who made wise decisions to transition back to a 4-3 scheme because of personnel. There also was talk of the Broncos switching to a 3-4 scheme this fall. That, of course, was before they re-signed DE Trevor Pryce and added the entire 2004 Cleveland Browns defensive line during the offseason. With 10 defensive linemen boasting NFL starting experience, Denver would be crazy to make the switch now.
That brings us to the most crucial lesson of this discussion: The 3-4 defense isn't for everyone.

The 3-4 can be an extremely effective scheme, but only with the correct personnel in place. Not all teams that have the 3-4 alignment use a two-gap technique along the defensive front, but most do, including the standard-setting duo of the Patriots and Steelers.

Within that philosophy, the job of the interior defensive linemen is to clog up two gaps at the line of scrimmage. Instead of working to get up the field in order to disrupt, the two-gap player's role is to control blockers in order to close up running lanes. These linemen typically emphasize size and strength over speed and athletic. Ideally, the nose tackle will be a 330-pound behemoth. The two defensive ends have to be more athletic, but ideally will weigh in around 300 pounds and will look a lot more like DTs than DEs.
The inside linebackers can vary. Often, teams will have one bigger inside linebacker capable of stacking up over an offensive guard and one smaller, more athletic inside man who can cover more ground against the run and in coverage. The outside linebacker is more of a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. He must be big enough (ideally around 6-foot-3, 260 pounds) to hold his ground against the run, but also athletic enough to rush the quarterback and drop in coverage on passing downs.

Getting an interior pass rush is the only true disadvantage when comparing the 3-4 to the 4-3, because defensive linemen in the 3-4 aren't typically built for penetration purposes. Otherwise, for teams with the appropriate personnel and the experienced staff to coach it, the 3-4 is absolutely the route to take in the NFL right now.

The NFL is a copycat league, which is one reason the 3-4 has become the trendy alignment. But a better question might be, "Why has the 3-4 been so successful the past few seasons?"

Here are the three most prominent reasons:
Hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers: Thanks in large part to Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, the trend over the last decade or so in college football has been to trade size for speed. Safeties are playing outside linebacker, outside linebackers are playing defensive end, and defensive ends are moving inside to defensive tackle. As a result, there are many more tweener DE/OLB types coming out of college than there are true 4-3 defensive ends.

Case in point: The 2005 NFL draft.
Demarcus Ware (Cowboys), Shawne Merriman (Chargers), David Pollack (Bengals), Erasmus James (Vikings), Dan Cody (Ravens), Justin Tuck (Giants) and Darryl Blackstock (Cardinals) all were first-day picks who fit the profile of tweener DE/OLB types. In comparison, Marcus Spears (297 pounds) and Matt Roth (278 pounds) were the only day-one selections we would consider traditional 4-3 defensive ends. That's a 7-2 ratio in favor of the hybrid rush end/linebacker. With less than a third of NFL teams using the 3-4 alignment, the odds of finding the right personnel at that critical outside linebacker spot are stacked heavily in those teams' favor.

Versatility: Having hybrid types at defensive tackle and outside linebacker gives defensive coordinators a lot more flexibility. Outside linebackers who can blitz off the edge just as easily as drop into coverage can create a real headache for offensive linemen and quarterbacks.
As frustrating as it can be for offenses to game plan against the 3-4 in the passing game, it can be even more daunting vs. the run. Five of the top eight run defenses in the NFL last season employed the 3-4 scheme. With a massive nose tackle typically drawing double-team attention in the middle and two-gap defensive tackles flanking him to either side, the 3-4 alignment is much tougher up the middle than the 4-3, which has only two run-stuffers in a similar space. Additionally, the two outside linebackers in a 3-4 alignment essentially become extra defensive linemen versus the run. Outside linebackers in the 3-4 might be undersized compared to traditional 4-3 ends, but they're not small (typically weighing 250-270 pounds) and are athletic enough to overcome mismatches on the perimeter versus bigger offensive tackles.

Everyone refers to the scheme as a 3-4, but most often it looks like a 5-2. With essentially five defensive linemen occupying blocks up front, inside linebackers such as the Patriots' Tedy Bruschi and the Steelers' James Farrior have the space they need to pursue ball carriers from sideline to sideline. Furthermore, that 5-2 front makes it easier to cheat a safety such as the Patriots' Rodney Harrison or the Steelers' Troy Polamalu up to create an eight-man front on obvious running downs.

Finance friendly: Quite simply, the 3-4 scheme devalues the interior defensive line. Teams that employ this scheme don't need great athletes up front, which make the three interior positions a lot easier to fill with blue-collar types who hold their ground and play with discipline but aren't required to make many plays. For example, it's a lot cheaper to find a nose tackle like the Raiders' Ted Washington or defensive end like the Steelers' Kimo von Oelhoffen than it is a one-gap, athletic defensive tackle such as the Eagles' Corey Simon or a play-making defensive end with prototypical size such as Julius Peppers of the Panthers.

Because this scheme typically gives the inside linebackers lots of help from the three gap-plugging interior linemen up front, it's easier to plug undersized guys in at the position. Hence Larry Foote's emergence in place of injured standout Kendrell Bell in Pittsburgh last season. Foote's ability to fill in for the more accomplished Bell potentially saved the team big bucks that it might have dished out for Bell this offseason. Instead, Bell was allowed to leave in free agency to the Cardinals.

Going against the trend
While a number of teams have been moving toward the 3-4 scheme, the Atlanta Falcons, who finished dead last in the NFL in total defense during the 2003 season, realized they didn't have the right personnel to fit the system and moved back to a 4-3 alignment in 2004.

The 4-3 is much better suited for DEs Patrick Kerney and Brady Smith -- both of whom weigh less than 275 pounds. The result was a re-energized unit that finished in the top half of the league, not to mention a combined 19 sacks for Smith and Kerney -- nine more than their 2003 total.

This year, the Baltimore Ravens are moving back to a 4-3 scheme after running the 3-4 the last few seasons. While they didn't need to make the move as badly as the Falcons did, it's the right move nonetheless. By switching back to the 4-3, the Ravens can get Kelly Gregg and Dwan Edwards (second-round pick in 2004) on the field at the same time and still have enough depth to keep a DT rotation with Ma'ake Kemoeatu and Aubrayo Franklin. It also eases the loss of ILB Ed Hartwell (Falcons) and gives Ray Lewis more room to roam at middle linebacker than he had when sharing space with Hartwell as one of two OLBs in the 3-4.

Terrell Suggs is the perfect fit as a pass-rushing "wide end" on the right side, as is Anthony Weaver at the "power end" position on the left side. There have been rumors the team plans to cut Peter Boulware after June 1, and that makes sense given the scheme change, because the team has Adalius Thomas at strong-side LB and added Tommy Polley to take over at WLB. – Todd McShay

These four teams, ranked in order from most to least successful, have integrated the 3-4 scheme, either full-time or part-time:

San Diego Chargers: First-round pick Luis Castillo has the size, quickness and power to provide an upgrade over Jacques Cesaire as an interior pass rusher at the left defensive end position, which is exactly what the Chargers needed from this year's draft. If Shawne Merriman (the team's other first-round selection) is as good as advertised, the team finally will have the explosiveness it needs at the outside linebacker spot opposite Steve Foley. Nose tackle Jamal Williams is a great fit, as is Igor Olshansky (last year's second-round selection) at right defensive end. Linebackers Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey are getting older, but they complement one another well inside.

New York Jets: The Jets made major strides under first-year coordinator Donnie Henderson in 2004, finishing seventh in the league in total defense. The team flirted with the 3-4 scheme last season and should continue to integrate even more of it into the 2005 game plan. John Abraham is a key cog and returns for at least one more season as the hybrid DE/OLB. The additions of defensive tackle Lance Legree and inside linebacker Barry Gardner went largely unnoticed, but were key. Legree is a below-average starter, but at least he's an upgrade in terms of a pure nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. Gardner provides depth and versatility. If inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma continues to develop and if second-round pick Justin Miller can provide some play-making ability as a sub-package cover corner, the unit will be even stronger this year.

BabinHouston Texans : Houston was in need of a young run plugger in the middle of its 3-4 defensive line, and that's exactly what first-round pick Travis Johnson should provide. With Gary Walker, Seth Payne and Robaire Smith already in-house, the team should have the four-man wave it needs up front to successfully operate out of the 3-4 alignment. The lack of impact linebackers is what currently sets the Texans back, but Jason Babin should improve in his second year, and Morlon Greenwood was added inside. If the team can find an impact pass rusher opposite Babin within the next year, this group could be dangerous in 2006. For now, however, it is at least a solid front seven on the rise.

Oakland Raiders: Coordinator Rob Ryan eventually will get it right, but it's going to take some time. The addition of defensive end Derrick Burgess and nose tackle Kenny Smith will help. Burgess will improve the perimeter pass rush and Smith can offer situation help as an interior run stopper. However, Washington and Warren Sapp must improve on their 2004 performances, and the unit also will miss its best linebacker, Napoleon Harris (Vikings). The foursome of linebackers Danny Clark, Travian Smith, Sam Williams and Tim Johnson leaves much to be desired.

Newcomer outlook

These four teams are transitioning to the 3-4 defensive alignment to some degree this season. They are ranked from best to worst in terms of the shape each is in to make the switch:

Dallas Cowboys: It took a miserably disappointing 2004 season to force a face-lift, but the Cowboys finally have the feel of a Bill Parcells team. The free agency additions of nose tackle Jason Ferguson and defensive back Anthony Henry were helpful, and the top three draft selections of defensive end Marcus Spears and outside linebackers Demarcus Ware and Kevin Burnett should expedite the process. Don't expect miracles until 2006, but at least the unit has the right personnel blend to start the 3-4 transition in 2005.

Cleveland Browns: New general manager Phil Savage made the wise decision to unload dead weight from the former regime, but rebuilding a defensive line that had been waiting for the emergence of former first-round picks Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren won't be quick. Few in the league have a better grasp on the 3-4 scheme than new head coach Romeo Crennel, but the bottom line is he needs more talent to recreate the success he had with the Patriots. Orpheus Roye and Alvin McKinley will be fine at the two defensive end spots, but Jason Fisk isn't the right fit at nose tackle. The linebacker corps is deep with Kenard Lang, Andra Davis, Ben Taylor, Matt Stewart, Chaun Thompson and Brant Boyer, but the overall talent level is mediocre, and most lack experience in the new scheme.

San Francisco 49ers: If the 49ers can stay healthy, they have enough talent to make a big improvement defensively in 2005. The big question is whether Anthony Adams has the size to handle the nose tackle position. If he can be to this group what Kelly Gregg has been to the Ravens the past few seasons, the 49ers' defense could be one of the surprise units in the NFL next season. Isaac Sopoaga and rookie Ronald Fields provide good depth behind Adams. Bryant Young, Marques Douglas (free agent from Baltimore) and John Engelberger should be solid as a three-man rotation at the two defensive end positions. Furthermore, the strength of this defense will be at linebacker, where Julian Peterson, Andre Carter and Jamie Winborn are all great fits at outside linebacker, and Jeff Ulbrich, Derek Smith and Saleem Rasheed round out a solid trio at inside linebacker.

Miami Dolphins : Miami finished eighth in the NFL in total defense last season and has enough returning talent to be more than respectable in 2005. However, of the four teams moving to the 3-4 scheme this year, the Dolphins are the least equipped from a personnel standpoint. Coach Nick Saban is a Belichick disciple with intentions of moving to a 3-4 in due time, but he won a national championship at LSU with a four-man defensive front, and must realize that his current personnel is better suited to operate out of a similar look.

Vonnie Holliday's best days are behind him, but he provides an upgrade opposite right defensive end Jason Taylor. The addition of Kevin Carter helps, but more so if the unit stays with the 4-3 scheme, because Carter can rotate with Tim Bowens, Larry Chester and Jeff Zgonina at the two defensive tackle positions. If the unit moves to a 3-4 in 2005, Bowens and Chester will play the nose, while Carter, Zgonina and David Bowens will rotate at the two defensive end spots. In that scenario, Taylor, Holliday, Junior Seau and Eddie Moore will play the two outside linebacker positions, and Zach Thomas, Donnie Spragan and rookie Channing Crowder will handle things at the two inside linebacker positions.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/ ... id=2056146

[hkHog]

Finance friendly: Quite simply, the 3-4 scheme devalues the interior defensive line.

I kind of disagree with this. There are very few guys in the NFL who can play NT and this is becoming a premium position. Guys that can fill this position will get paid a lot! He cites Ted Washington as an example. Well he is a case in point, his salary is huge considering the fact that he is almost 40 years old (he was 36 when he signed the deal)! He still gets paid a lot because he is one of the rare individuals who can play that position at this level. Guys like that are very valuable in today's game.

What's more, elementary economics would teach you that if the 3-4 is becoming so popular, the players who can play in these schemes are going to become much more expensive (especially the NTs). Demand is going through the roof!

As the writer states, in this year's draft, there was a

7-2 ratio in favor of the hybrid rush end/linebacker

over the traditional DEs. Obviously, first day picks are going to get a lot of money so the 3-4 interior lineman's value is definately going up. The Cowboys spent their entire draft trying to switch to a 3-4. That's a HUGE investment.

If this had been written two years ago I would have to agree with the fact that this formation is financially friendly but now that this has become a trend this is not the case anymore.