Will the Steelers finally abandon the 3-4 defense next year?

Question

I think its a big reason teams can usually cut up the Steelers defense through the air -- only 3 guys on the line - and u need 4 all pro caliber linebackers and the Steelers barely have one

Answer 1

The 3-4 is better suited to the pass than the 4-3. What would you rather they use? It takes a lot of work to redesign the defense. All they need to do is make good adjustments. Just because you have a not so good half back doesn't mean you abandon the running game.

Answer 2

3-4's are usually better at taking out the pass protection schemes, and causes more pressure. in face the 3-4 is a better scheme against the pass than the 4-3 is

and no, you do not need 4 all pro caliber linebackers fora 3-4 scheme... 3-4 requires more speed thats it. teams that run 3-4 very well have at least one fast OLB (Demarcus Ware, Merriman) usually 3-4 centers around the OLBs and the 4-3 centers around the MLB, you just need good OLBs to run a good 3-4
he problem is that the steelers in the 4-3 will have some problems with the passing game (which is what you brought up). a 4-3 will make Porter more irrelivent and Farrior is now the primary stopper. you should blame the secondary for the lack of the passing game, not the scheme. Polamalu is not a great cover safety. and you corners are not fast, they are big guys (for that position anyways). the steelers should stick with the 3-4, because their personell is great for this scheme, espeically the lack of speed in the Conerback position, you need to really put pressure on the QB, which the 3-4 does a better job of it. (because it is tougher to pick up blitzs in a 3-4 scheme). running the ball up the middle is the 3-4's main weakness. (remember most passing teams have trouble against the 3-4...including the colts)

Answer 3

Pats and Steelers both played the 3-4 and won superbowls.
The defense brings speed and more athleticism out on the field.
The 4-3 defense is better vs the run to the inside because of more linemen but unless you can pass rush you are understood to be dead against the pass.
The 3-4 is better against the pass because even linebackers can get interceptions easily for the reason being that more zone coverage is used. You can blitz the safety when you play 3-4 because the linebackers are fast and can cover the wide recievers. Sometimes inside runs can gain more yards on the 3-4 rather than on the 4-3 because the lineman are not there to stuff the runningback so the runningback can get those extra 4 yds. The 3-4 is better against the pass and the 4-3 is better against the run.

Answer 4

they will stay with the 3-4 this year but they are setting the team up for the switch in a year or two. They need another d lineman and better cornerbacks before they go to the 4-3. They might try it a little this year to mix up the opposing offensive. The people they got in the draft can play both 3-4 and the 4-3 The Steelers will continue to get those type of players until they can completely switch to 4-3

Answer 5

The steelers have some solid playmakers at the LB position. Foote, Porter, Farrior, are you joking? Id take those guys in a second. The thing is, the reason they get beat through the air is because they have small slow cornerbacks, and they need another safety to go along with Troy back there. They have exactly what the 3-4 needs, some big lineman with the ends having some speed and some fast athletic linebackers. Noway they abandon that, its golden.

Answer 6

No the Steelers live and die by the 3-4 especially if Dick Labeau is running the offense. The 4-3 is over rated. Whats with the dissing of the Steelers D? Farrior , Porter, Polamalu , ring a bell? Polamalu and Hampton made the Pro Bowl this year?

Answer 7

Hell no! They have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Their DBs are still young. And barely one All-Pro LB, are you kidding me? Joey Porter, Larry Foote, James Farrior are all pro-bowl caliber. They had a first year starter on the defensive line. Once he's accustomed to the defense, they'll be unstoppable. It's kinda hard to stop anybody when they get the ball on the Steelers 35 yard line. Once Ben recovers and gets back to his old ways and can manage the game without all those damn turnovers I see them winning the AFC North again. Plus, with guys like Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward healthy, you can't teach heart and those boys have heart. And Santonio Holmes is only getting better. If they can find a good punt/kick returner in the draft, they'll be Super Bowl champs again.

Answer 8

Dick Le Beau is the best Defensive mind in football today
Look what we did to Payton last year ,do you know what he
put in for that playoff game you know how Manning is audible
izing and changing things at the line of Scrimmage Le Beau
showed him a defense that would shift as the play clock
was going down He never knew what defense we were in
that is why we sacked him so many times.
Deshea Townsend is the weak link in the secondary this
year ,+ Ike Taylor was not up to par we really took a hit
losing hoke to free agency last year to Tennessee He was
chemistry back there IT had nothing to do with the 3-4
we have the personnel for it.. There will not be any charges
next year on defense word from the top Dan Rooney..

Answer 9

I disagree. I think that overall Pittsburgh has personnel that fit the 3-4 scheme. I think the problem might be if Tomlin brings his old scheme from Minn. You would need to get atleast one new corner if not two. His scheme requires big time speed first DBs. He didn't have that in Minn. That's why he was last against the pass. I would stick with LeBeau's 3-4. Draft OL (for future), WR - it is a minor need now and a good draft class, and LBs - you can't have enough in a 3- 4. If Rburger doesn't throw a bunch of picks you will press the aging Ravens for the division championship or get a wildcard at worse. Last year was a fluke. Your team is good enough tomake the playoffs.

Answer 10

No. Because they have thrived in the 3-4 at defense, with Smith, Hampton, and Keisel on the line, and Foote, Farrior, Porter, and Haggans at LB. Don't forget that Mike Tomlin was hired as head coach, not defensive coordinator. As long as Dick LeBeau is there with his amazing defensive mind, the Steelers will stay with the 3-4