Does it seem reasonable to scrap the 4-3 and all of a sudden expect to be sucesssful running a 3-4 scheme with players unacustomed to it and coaches who, aside from Parcels, have, at best, just started tinkering with it. That leaves just training camp to work on becoming proficient at a very complex scheme. Perhaps it will be a watered down version at first until it can be fully installed over the course of the season? Your thoughts?
Ask yourself this: "Does the 3-4 defense put our seven most talented players on the field?" If the answer is "yes," then you have to see it as a good thing. I assume Dallas's linebacking corps is really solid, or Parcells wouldn't make the switch. He's not the kind of coach whoe does something "just to do it."
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pack Attack)</div><div class='quotemain'>Ask yourself this: "Does the 3-4 defense put our seven most talented players on the field?" If the answer is "yes," then you have to see it as a good thing. I assume Dallas's linebacking corps is really solid, or Parcells wouldn't make the switch. He's not the kind of coach whoe does something "just to do it."</div> I agree with what Pack says...but I think it will be a hybrid form for at least half the season...there is no way they come out running the 3-4 the way the Pats or Steelers can....Who is the nose on Dallas anyways..I'm drawing a blank...cus thats probably the toughest position to fill in the 3-4.
I don't think you can go w/ a scheme just because its trendy like it appears Denver is doing. If you have a history of it (like Parcells) then so be it. However, he was fairly successful w/ the 4-3 in his first season. I had heard that in the time between Bruschi's struggles & signing Chad Brown that Belichick may have gone back to the 4-3. It seems that the gradual transition New England made is the way to go especially if you have versatile personnel. If the coach is flexible enough to adapt (not Wannstedt) & believes this is the best way to succeed then go for it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pats37)</div><div class='quotemain'>Who is the nose on Dallas anyways..I'm drawing a blank...cus thats probably the toughest position to fill in the 3-4.</div> Dallas signed former jet Jason Ferguson. Additionally, I believe La'roi Glover is still in Big D.
Dallas will be running 3-4 and the 4-3 this year and has enough defensive components to really dominate next year, Come on when you have Jason Ferguson and La'Roi Glover standing next to eachother something is gonna happen in the COwboys' favor.
With the depth of the DL this year because of the aquisition of Ferguson and the two high draft choices on the defense there should be a good rotation to keep everyone rested and ready to go in the fourth quarter where we lost several close games last year. LB's at this time are, Bradie James, Dat Nguyen, Keith Oneal, Scott Shanel, Al Singleton, Kalen Thornton, maybe Demarcus Ware. O.k Dat isn,t big enough, if you listen to the "experts", to be any good in the 3-4. Al is marginal at 236 and 6' 2. Sorry, I just don't see enough quality, proven talent at LB to chance a switch to the 3-4 where the LB's have to be big AND run fast. Surely Parcels doesn't know where to find another LT before opening day.
They drafted spefically for the 3-4....they drafted Ware to be a rush LB....they drafted Spears to play DE....they drafted Canty to play DE....they drafted Burnett to play LB....they didnt have a good personel fit, but they do now....Canty and Spears are both in the 280-295 range, exactly what you want for the DEs in a 3-4.....Dat is small player, but I wouldn't write him off just like that....people have liekly been doing that to him his whole life and he always plays well....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheBeef)</div><div class='quotemain'>Dat is small player, but I wouldn't write him off just like that....people have liekly been doing that to him his whole life and he always plays well....</div> IMO, you can add Dat Nguyen to a rather small list (pun intended?) of LB's that player bigger than they are. Of course, I refer to Bruschi, Zach Thomas, & Mike Singletary.
I think the 3-4 look for the Cowboys is being over-exaggerated. They opened mini-camp with the 3-4 because it was new. However, I would still expect a lot of 4-3, and don't be surprised to see the 3-4 morph into a 4-6 on occasion with Roy Williams sneaking up a little closer. Development of the players, particularly the rookies, will be a big part of this. Troy tried a little 3-4 with Ware but backed out when he wasn't as comfortable. Of course, his studies forced him to miss some meeting, so that was part of it. The youth thing will be a concern, particularly if the 3-4 gets played a lot. Ellis and Glover can play 3-4 ends, but they are not ideal. Spears and Canty are. Ultimately, it appears Ware can cover relatively well, so I expect that the 4-3 gets used more on early downs, or on long conversions. Give them a 3rd and 5, and you will see 10 different looks. Zimmer is the DC, but I think Parcells will be pushing a lot more of the buttons. I wonder if he is wishing he took that Nebraska job.
