what do you think is the better D, 3-4 or 4-3?

Question

To me the 3-4 is an inferior defense. Yeah, its tricky and yeah, you get better (or can get) better coverage downfield, but a team looses so much os it's pass rush strength and strength against the run in a 3-4.

I know there have been teams that have had success with the 3-4, but I think that is the result of some incredible athletes more than an indication of the strength of the system itself.

What do you think?

Answer 1

It definitely has to do with personnel. If you've got great D-lineman that can rush well and hard-hitting LB's that can stop the run, then your 3-4 is on its way. You also have to have good CB's and Safeties though since you won't get much coverage from your LB's. As you can see in New England, they have had a run on CB's and Safeties because those guys have to work harder. Bill does some voodoo up there where anyone can step in and succeed but the 3-4 is the basis for that dynamic.

Now, in the 4-3, the DL's and LB's are faster like Tampa's. Their 4-3 is probably the best since that Cover 2 scheme works so well. While the Bucs are getting older, da Bears are using it really well now. Dungy, Smith, Edwards and Kiffen are all from the same coaching tree so the Tampa 2 will see more use soon.

I think it's all about specialization nowadays. Way back and in the 90's it was about blitzing, especially in Pittsburgh. Look at the champs over the last 8 yrs though. Ravens, Pats, Bucs and Steelers. They all had more emphasis on guys being able to do specific jobs and interchanging them to keep the offense guessing.

Going forward, the Jets, 49ers, Saints, Bears, Cardinals, Chiefs, Rams, Pats, Browns, Bengals and Jags will be really good defenses. The personnel on and off the field will bear that out.

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of players you have.

A team like the Patriots does great with a 3-4 because they only have 3 GREAT defensive linemen. Also Belichick likes to do tricky things.

A Team like the Broncos, however does much better in a 4-3 as they have 3 fast linebackers and try and focus on stopping the run. Also they can bring John Lynch up enough to add extra support. really like a 4-4-3 most of the time.

They both have the good and bad points. 4-3 in theory should stuff the run up more... but elusive backs can sometimes have big breakaways is the linebackers arent fast.

3-4 Gets more sacks and try to focus on pressuring the QB.

If all players had equal talent you are right the 4-3 would be a lot more effective the only reason why it doesn't work as great is because its hard for teams to get 4 really good defensive linemen (the Ravens and Dolphins are the only ones that I think have 4 great players - but Taylor does he really count as a DE? or a LB?)

Answer 3

Both defenses have been successful. It depends on players and coaching.
In the 1970's the Pittsburgh Steelers were a defensive powerhouse and used the 4-3.
In the Bill Cower era, the Steelers used the 3-4, and won a Super Bowl with defensive players who were not Hall of Fame material.
Defenses are dictated by offenses. In the 1970's offenses were run oriented. The 4-3 works well against the run. Now offenses are more complex. The 3-4 is a more versatile defense. Big, outside linebackers can play run, rush the passer, or play pass defense.
I favor the 3-4 because of the versatility and the complex defenses you can throw at the offense.

Answer 4

Totally depends on your personnel. However, it does seem a bit easier for 3-4 defenses to shut down the run, and for 4-3 defenses (specifically Cover 2 defenses) to shut down the pass.

Answer 5

any idiot can coach the 4-3, but it takes a special coach to get the 3-4 to work. You need strong D-Line men who can go without help and Linebackers that are fast and strong .

I believe the better D is the 3-4, but finding players that can run it is a difficult task.

Answer 6

4-3

Answer 7

I agree.

The 3-4 is an inferior defense. What was Belichick thinking using it for 3 Super Bowl teams.

At least Cowher's Steelers didn't use it. (Oops, they did, bad example.)

Sorry, but only a idiotic idea t can be defeated by agreeing with it. It is called sarcasm.

Answer 8

I personally like the 3-4 because I'm a big fan of linebackers.

Answer 9

Depends on what players are good at what:

Steelers: Awesome at 3-4

Panthers: Awesome at 4-3

So I don't see any way of seeing whats best.

Answer 10

the 3-4 is superior in my mind. nowadays LB are much bigger and can create just as many problems for the oline. there are a lot more freakish LB's than DL.