Back in the day the bears ran the 46 defense, why dont teams run the defense as it was meant to be today?

Question

Or do you think teams would be successful if they used it as thier base defense. I know the ravens added to thier scheme but they still use the 3-4.

Answer 1

Because of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and other defense reading, fast release QB's in the league.

Answer 2

Actually, efficient passing offenses are a major reason the 46 isn't used often today. And contrary to what the previous answerer said, the 46 is generally effective against the run and can force a team to pass. But if a QB sees a defense lined up in a 46, all he has to do is dump it to the receiver running the short slant or some such quick-timing route. West Coast offenses shred the 46 to pieces. Plus, a speedy receiver (especially in the slot) can more easily burn his man deep due to the lineup formation of the 46. The Ravens are smart only to use it in certain game situations and not make it their base formation.

Answer 3

The 3-4 is a great defense as to the Ravens using it. They are in the division with the experts of it, the Steelers, and have been for awhile. They know how to play the 3-4 and to a degree have to be able to play it. As to alot of the other teams I'm not sure why they don't run it that way. They probably don't know how. Look at all the teams messing up the 3-4 now. They don't have the players for it and aren't drafting the players for it but think they can play it.

Answer 4

In order for the 4-6 to work you have to have the personnel to run it. The 4-6 is meant to pressure the quarterback and stuff the run. Teams that see the line of scrimmage being crowded will usually send out more wide receivers and try to create speed mismatches on the linebackers. In the 4-6 your linebackers usually blitz from all areas making it difficult on your offensive line to stop it but if your 4 down lineman aren't big and strong and and don't take up all the OL your linebackers will just get wiped out in the gaps. The 4-6 is still a great defense for stoping the run but is difficult to use as your base defense with the rule changes on touching the receivers. If you don't get pressure on the qb your asking alot out of your secondary to cover for very long. Especially smaller quicker receivers like Steve Smith.

Answer 5

The 46 is a very good type of defense,when your playing the run.Since there is only 1 saftey in the middle it often leaves 1 reciver on single coverage.It is also very good to use to pass rush.With 8 men in the box it can easily penatrate offensive lines causing the qb to hurry the pass.It is stilled used today,but only in rare situations.The 3-4 on the other hand is a very good pass defense and a decent run defense.With 4 linebackers they can either blitz or drop back ot help the safties and cornerbacks.

Answer 6

Defenses are always evolving and you see the emphasis on 3 man or 4 man fronts swing form time to time to counter whatever offense is in style at the time. Lately it has seen the shift to more 3-4 style defense because teams are becoming proficient at passing and linebackers are becoming much faster. Good, large, fast linemen are becoming difficult to find nowadays at all levels. I am guessing that fairly soon we will start to see more of the 43, 44 or 46 type defenses making appearances in playbooks as the emphasis on the running game comes back into style. Particularly with the more mobile QBs.

Answer 7

the 46 is really only good against passing teams that send 4 or more recievers out into the field. you are relying on 4 dl's and 1 middle linebacker to stop the run. If you have a team that has a good rb, you have 5 ol's a te and a fullback all blocking against small db's that come up to stop the run. you have to really have a talented front 4 dl's too pull it off as the bears did back in the 80's.