4-3 t0 3-4?

[joko4]

POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007


Just posted on Pro Football Talk

SWITCH TO 3-4 IN THE CARDS?

A league source tells us that the Arizona Cardinals are quietly plotting a switch from a 4-3 base defense to the 3-4 alignment used by the Steelers for more than a decade.

The only problem? Despite hiring former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and former Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm, there's no one from Coach Chin's former staff who can teach the Blitzburgh package to the assistant coaches or to the players.

The only guy on the defensive side of the ball with a link to Bill Cowher is linebackers coach Billy Davis, who was on the Steelers' staff for the first three years of Cowher's tenure -- 1992 through 1994. Most recently, Davis was the defensive coordinator in San Francisco. He was fired after the 2006 season.

I do no not think this is going to happen.

 

[JeffGollin]

PFT is not always a reliable source (and their own sources are often "vague" - i.e. the legendary "league source")

But that rumor has been floating around in the ether without attribution to any source (Sometimes erroneous or false stories can take on lives all their own).

But assuming there's some truth, the CW is that a conversion to a 3 - 4 wouldn't happen overnight because the Cardinals don't currently have the right personnel to play it.

There has also been parallel buzz on SIRIUS radio about two or three other NFL teams considering a switch to a 3 -4. Interestingly, you hear the same comments ("wrong personnel, the transition will be gradual and take a bit of time").

 

[BigWatson]

sounds great IMO


OLB Dansby----ILB Hayes----ILB Huff (?)----OLB Okeafor/Pace
-------DE Dockett------NT Watson------DE Berry------------

 

[BullheadCardFan]

We don't have the players to run it now .. but maybe by next year with some new players brought in I can see it happening ..

 

[Duckjake]

We don't have the players to run it now .. but maybe by next year with some new players brought in I can see it happening ..

One of the first things Green said when he came in was that he was surprised at how weak the Cards were at LB and that he was going to have to do something about it. Now, 3 years later, the Cards are extremely thin at LB.

 

[BigWatson]

We don't have the players to run it now .. but maybe by next year with some new players brought in I can see it happening ..

?

all we need is a rookie who can play ILB, thats it.

 

[BigRedRage]

?

all we need is a rookie who can play ILB, thats it.

and when someone gets injured? Id put beisel next to hayes, not a rookie

 

[lobo]

3/4/3

For those of you enamoured with the 3/4, why do you feel this is a better scheme for us? I fully believe we don't have 3/4 type people, however if we did, why is it better for us?

 

[BigWatson]

well we have a prototypical NT, thats the most important thing in a 3-4 defense. monty beisel played for the pats, so he's got some 3-4 ILB experience. dansby is big, a great pass rusher. so is okeafor and pace (OLB set). hayes is not the fastest guy so he might look even better as a 3-4 ILB. then we have dockett and berry at DE. two guys with great size who can stop the run and rush the passer. and gabe at NT, thats a nobrainer. with his size, he can take up to 3 guys. he can also rush the passer and make some plays behind the line of scrimmage because hes very quick and hes got great feet.

 

[abomb]

I dont think Chike can play LB with the frequency required in the 3-4.

If Whiz is committed to the switch, it will be very interesting to see if the Cardinals draft Patrick Willis.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

We don't have the players to run it now .. but maybe by next year with some new players brought in I can see it happening ..

I see us drafting 2 linebackers if we really want to switch to 3-4.

 

[Duckjake]

I see us drafting 2 linebackers if we really want to switch to 3-4.

Or they could do what the Patriots did and draft DE's and convert them to LB's.

I'll never forget the Pats game at SDS. Their LB's were huge, especially compared to our guys.

 

[Billy Flynt]

POSTED 9:22 a.m. EDT, March 28, 2007


Just posted on Pro Football Talk

SWITCH TO 3-4 IN THE CARDS?

A league source tells us that the Arizona Cardinals are quietly plotting a switch from a 4-3 base defense to the 3-4 alignment used by the Steelers for more than a decade.

The only problem?

This information came from PFT!!!

 

[ajcardfan]

I think the "league source" is an email from Mitch!

 

[kerouac9]

If we were really switching to a 3-4, then the only reason that Pendegast could possibly have been retained was because the front office meddled in the situation. The 3-4 transition is a terrible choice for a team that believes that it can compete immediately.

If this team actually uses a base 3-4 front next season, we'll have a very good idea following the draft. But if that's the case, then every single person on this board should feel deeply betrayed by the coaching staff and front office who told us that they didn't think this team was "that far away."

 

[BigWatson]

Cardinals | Team may alter defense

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:30:34 -0700
Kent Somers, of the Arizona Republic, reports the Arizona Cardinals may use more 3-4 defensive staples, including zone blitzing, during the 2007 season.

 

[Mitch]

sounds great IMO


OLB Dansby----ILB Hayes----ILB Huff (?)----OLB Okeafor/Pace
-------DE Dockett------NT Watson------DE Berry------------

OLB Dansby ILB Hayes ILB Beisel OLB Okeafor

NT Clancy (Watson)

DE Dockett, Berry, Cooper

 

[nathan]

If Whisenhunt really wants to do this, maybe the Cardinals will take a longer look at Gaines Adams.

 

[Mitch]

If Whisenhunt really wants to do this, maybe the Cardinals will take a longer look at Gaines Adams.

More like Jamal Anderson...made to order as a 3-4 DE.

 

[BigWatson]

OLB Dansby ILB Hayes ILB Beisel OLB Okeafor

NT Clancy (Watson)

DE Dockett, Berry, Cooper

i dont know about that. clancy is a solid 4-3 NT but i would much rather have watson in there as a 3-4 NT. and i think the LBs would prefer him over clancy as well

 

[cardsfanmd]

More like Jamal Anderson...made to order as a 3-4 DE.

Yeah J.A. would make a great DE, but I think what he was trying to say was that Adams would be an outstanding lb in the 3-4, and I agree.

 

[Mitch]

Yeah J.A. would make a great DE, but I think what he was trying to say was that Adams would be an outstanding lb in the 3-4, and I agree.

I can't imagine Adams being used in such a versatile role that includes pass coverage responsibilities.

 

[joeshmo]

I can't imagine Adams being used in such a versatile role that includes pass coverage responsibilities.

But you think Okeafer can?

 

[Mitch]

But you think Okeafer can?

I actually do...he's more athletic than people realize.

 

[joeshmo]

I actually do...he's more athletic than people realize.

So you think that Okeafer is a better athlete then Adams. At a minimum for Adams he is just as athletic as Okeafer.

Here is why the 3-4 will not work for us this year. There is always a learning curve as the front 7 learn brand new positions, will take at least a year. Then you have to not only get 4 starting quality LB's but you have to have at minimum of 3 good quality backups as well. We dont have the starters or the backups and will take a year to get there. Learn from the 49ers and Atlanta trying to push the 3-4 on a personel group that wasnt a 3-4 group.
We then have to get stout DE's and Berry is not a stout DE, stout for the 4-3 yes but not for the 3-4, same goes for Jamaal Anderson until he actually puts on some muscle to go with his WR type body he still has, heck he doesnt have very much experiance as a 4-3 DE let alone the 3-4 which are 2 completely different postions.

Now Okoye would be a good 3-4 DE.