Trivia Question. The Cowboys, who have used the 4-3 since their inception in 1960, are one of three teams planning to switch to the 3-4 this season. The 49ers and Browns, who changed head coaches in the off-season, also are converting from the 4-3. That means at least eight teams will use the 3-4 -- three linemen and four linebackers -- as their primary defense this season. Other teams, including the New York Jets, the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins, will use the 3-4 on occasion this season. Now to the trivia....what was the first documented use of the 3-4?
I cheated and looked it up, but is this the answer? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bud Wilkenson devised the alignment at the University of Oklahoma in the late 1940s. The alignment features three down lineman and four linebackers in the front seven, thus the name 3-4.</div> I'd be curious to see which NFL team used it first?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>I cheated and looked it up, but is this the answer? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Bud Wilkenson devised the alignment at the University of Oklahoma in the late 1940s. The alignment features three down lineman and four linebackers in the front seven, thus the name 3-4.</div> I'd be curious to see which NFL team used it first?</div> I have your answer too, but I'll see if anyone knows. I have a feeling a couple people will get it.
Due to a lack of DL's, Shula used it early in his regime. I believe that the 72 Dolphins used the 3-4 as their base D.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'>Due to a lack of DL's, Shula used it early in his regime. I believe that the 72 Dolphins used the 3-4 as their base D.</div> I assumed that one of the DWO would get this one. Nice job. During the 1972 preseason, the Miami Dolphins had a run of injuries to their defensive ends, including starting left end Jim Riley. Bob Matheson, a linebacker at Duke, had played defensive end for the Cleveland Browns the previous season. So defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger moved Matheson to end but had him stand up like a linebacker. When Matheson responded with two sacks, the "53 Defense," named for Matheson's jersey number, was created. It also was the NFL's first documented use of the 3-4.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (hoodie7)</div><div class='quotemain'>got me i thought it was buddy ryan with the 85 bears...</div> The played a 46 defense
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>When Matheson responded with two sacks</div> TWO sacks? Is that a typo? Two sacks doesn't sound very impressive for a DE or Linebacker, regardless of the defensive scheme being played.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>When Matheson responded with two sacks</div> TWO sacks? Is that a typo? Two sacks doesn't sound very impressive for a DE or Linebacker, regardless of the defensive scheme being played.</div> So if your DE got 2 sacks in a game you would rate his performance as sub-par?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>Aha...in one GAME. Eh...must have been all of that cough syrup I had yesterday. </div> What kind of a name is "Ringer" anyway?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>What kind of a name is "Ringer" anyway?</div> Good eye!
