D-Up!

But I voted 3-4 just because it has more versatility than the 4-3. Obviously, the two different sets emphasize certain positions more than others, but overall the 3-4 gives you more options in terms of disguising blitzes and coverages. If you ask any offensive linemen which scheme is harder to block, they’ll tell you the 3-4 simply because of the ability to hide where the rush is coming from/who’s dropping into coverage.

Ideally though, I think a hybrid defense is the best where you switch from 3-4 to 4-3 depending on the situation. Oh, what do you know, that’s what we have now :)

I think that 3-4 is wilder and keeps other teams on their toes. But I do think that our D as of right now( I need to see if player can play in new roles or not) would be better in a 4-3. Cam and Misi as DE’s so they don’t have to learn how to play standing up and be affective pass rushers. Starks and Odrick as DT. Anderson, Dansby as our OLB’s because an OLB in a 4-3 is about the same as a 3-4 MLB and Dansby knows how to rush. And then what ever MLB you want to play.

I believe the 3-4 is harder to gameplan against and I think the 3-4 is easier to draft.

because I believe it is a better scheme when you have the right personnel. The front 7 in a 3-4 is much bigger than in a 4-3, and that size difference leads it to being a better run defense IMO.

The size difference comes from the 3-4 having 1 player 320+lbs normally, 2 others at 290+, one around 260+, and 3 around 240+. Our front 7 this year, our smallest starter will be 250lb Cameron Wake.
In a 4-3, you probably have 1 guy at 300+, 1 at 280ish, 2 in the 250-260 range, 2 in the 240 range, and one at SS size about 225-230.

The 3-4 also allows for more dynamic blitzes (based on more LB’s) and a much tougher read for the OL on who’s coming. It lends itself to a more varied zone blitz scheme as well, because the OLB’s have an easier time dropping into coverage than does a 4-3 DE.

its just better

but for the personnel that we have on our team, for us, we should be a hybrid (mike nolan style)

     I like what they are trying to do actually… because it is not a crazy idea, but they seem to be getting all the right personnel to make it all work. The reason I have heard that they like the 3-4 more than the 4-3 is it allows you to have more LBs on your roster which are more useful on special teams than having extra D-lineman, that wouldn’t be able to contribute on special teams.
     I still hold to the belief that they saw something in Odrick and wanted him first. They also wanted Misi in the second and they expected Terrence Cody to drop to the 3rd because they felt like the teams that needed a NT would have already picked their guy. After day 1 of the draft Ireland wouldn’t elaborate on what the plan was for Odrick, he said that he could play NT or DE. I don’t think they counted on the Ravens picking up a NT when they had a young guy that they felt filled that position in Ngata. I think the idea was to possibly draft Odrick, and Misi who they felt were 3 down players and come back and draft Cody in the 3rd round since he is a 2 down player and they felt he was the guy they really wanted out of the NTs available.
     At the end of day 2 is when they came out with the plan for moving Starks to NT, which to me seemed more like an contingency plan instead of what they were hoping would happen. I definately think we still came out pretty well, but it would have been really nice to get that true NT that we are lacking. I also think that when they asked Sparano about Cody that he mentioned that he would have to lose some weight for him, he was lying just like he had been taught to….
     You can’t tell me that John Jerry was the plan for the 3rd round because now we essentially have 4 guys competing for those 2 starting spots. I think he was the best guy on the board and they made the move—good move. Now we have some depth in the interior line that we desperately needed and you can never have too many of those guys.
     You can’t really say that moving Starks in to NT is a bad move for Starks. If he suceeds, it means more money for him, because there is a premium on NTs and not really as much for 3-4 DEs. If we were running a 4-3 then the premium would be on a DE, but he would be moving over to play DT.
     While I don’t like not having the option of a big moose to play that NT spot, this defense could definately work pretty well, and I have to say I am excited to see what Nolan can throw at offenses…. we will have to see if the move works out…

Good thing we’re running the Hybrid…… With a master mind at the helm……. I’m sure we’re going to see tons of confusing set ups this season….. Base the scheme on what ever team you’re playing

I do miss the Zach days though……

I always have felt that at the NFL level it is much easier to be solid with a 4-3 defense, but a 3-4 defense has a much higher ceiling. In other words it takes much longer to rebuild a defense with a 3-4, but when you get there you have a better shot to reach the super bowl. A good 3-4 is completely unpredictable,and extremely versatile. Some of you guys whom have been demending 4-3 switch this offseason. To those I would say we are much closer to reaching that elite 3-4 defense than most of you think and Mike Nolan will only speed up the process. I think that we have found a 3-4 NT, two DEs,SSOLB,WOLB, one ILB, and two corners. The only missing pieces that we have as a 3-4 defense is maybe one ILB (not confident in Crowder or Dobbins as the starter), and a free safety.

I just saw this post. And I totally agree(no surprise) all the best Defenses in DOLPHIN HISTORY were 4-3 based. 1970’s ERA Superbowl championships ??? 4-3…. Best modern era defense ? Jimmie johnson’s 4-3 Bowens, Gardner, Taylor, armstrong upfront … Zach in the middle – surtain and Madison in the secondary…. It was the best defense we have fielded in a LONG time (while in their prime)

I remember screaming to change to the 4-3, and vise versa, I no longer have a preference, I truly appreciate both scheme’s, with the turn towards a more wide open passing game in the NFL I think the 3-4 has its advantages, if run properly it is a great blitz hide scheme, and the passrush can come from anywhere, which can really screw up a passing team.