POLL: Transitioning to a 4-3 - Likelihood and Specifics

I have been listening to a lot of stuff on this and the basics they said about why LeBeau may be out is he was reluctant to embrace the "sub-package" philosophy necessary in today's NFL. Of course it could just be that Butler has been waiting in the wings for so long that they need to make a move or lose him.

So the 3-4 vs. 4-3 really doesn't matter that much. The Steelers probably would not fully move to a new defense unless it was so bad or the team was so poor that making a dramatic move would not be that risky of a shift. The Steelers should again have a good offense next season - what they need is a defense that can be more supportive in creating more splash plays that will help give the offense better field position. So the bottom line is seeking out those players who can play multiple roles - being someone who can line up as a LB and put his hand down in the dirt to play D Line. The Steelers probably want to be more like the Packers with the way they use Julius Peppers and they are still considered a 3-4.

 

Yup!

 

I was thinking a similar thing.

 

Perhaps Tomlin wanted to make this change and DL didn't, so that is why he resigned, thoughts?

 

I don't disagree that in a 4-3, Timmons' best position might actually be SAM. But you have to get your best players out there, and that's not Williams or Spence. It's Timmons, Jones, and Shazier. And Timmons has to be the MLB. Plus, he's the field general, and although SAM might be his ideal position, I don't see much of a dropoff to MLB, if any. As long as he's been here, he's still only 28 and has his quickness and athleticism. He can get sideline to sideline.

Also, I don't think he's outgunned by just about any TE or RB in man coverage. He can't hang with the elite ones (who can?), but I think he's pretty damn good, as far as LBs go.

The more I think about our LBs, the more I get excited about the prospect of switching to a 4-3. But having half the puzzle pieces just isn't good enough.

What's the latest we could make the switch? Maybe we land a stud RDE in the draft, and can think about switching then, or at least instituting a different kind of nickel.

 

Another article came out yesterday that quoted Tomlin saying pretty much the same thing. No offense to anyone, but I just don't get the obsession with this 4/3 subject.

 

The obsession is the pass rush and the coverage you can play behind it . Stunts vs. blitzes press vs. zone , things of that nature. If a Team has LB'S who can cover TE'S and RB'S then you can stay in a base 4-3 more than you can a base 3-4.

This is a huge advantage to be able to play sub package football from base sets . Also an advantage to get more speed on the back end . For example I stunt the 4 DL and send 1 LB against a 2 TE set . If my LB'S can cover the 2 TE'S I can choose man coverage or zone coverage or man/zone coverage . When in a 3 -4 not as easily done because of motion and things of that nature . The bottom line is more DL mean simple football less thinking and more playing ..

 

2012

vs BYU might be a guy we can work with as a 4-3 DE in some sets and also be able to play some pass rush DE in some 3-4 sets. hemmer too kind of fits this mold. I just think he's a guy here already that we may be adding if indeed we do go to more of a 4-3 in certain situations.

 

I cheated and read Snack's post before I voted, but I agree we'll probably not switch.

 

Enough already with this 4/3 crap, the Steelers aren't changing defenses geez. Butler has been LB coach since 2003, and the whole time the Steelers ran a 3/4 defense. Why in the heck would they change to a 4/3 now?

 

Well, there are all those reasons that have been mentioned. Dick LeBeau had been here since 2004, and the whole time we ran a 3-4 defense. Why in the heck would they change DCs now?

They wanted a change, see? So this would be taking that further. Look at the poll results; most people (including me) agree we won't change. It's just a topic.

 

Or naming free agents to sign. I don't do a lot of that, but the "Sign him, sign everyone!" crowd is pretty annoying and condescending. I mean, a message board in the offseason free agency period is hardly the time or place to discuss free agents you'd like to discuss adding to the team.

 

Lol

 

I'm the lone vote for probably switch.

The reason, is now Butler has been named DC he's already said we'll play whichever scheme fits our player.

We've played both base schemes especially since Hampton final year. The 3-4 more so.

The draft will be impactful. We draft a true 4-3 DE or a hybrid 4-3 DE will tell alot.

Cajun

 

Some of the most terrible defenses in the league play the 4-3. There is no magic base defense that gives an advantage. Cincinnati only had 20 sacks this year and they have an established 4-3 base. Oakland runs a 4-3 as well and they suck. Alot of the top defenses run 3-4. You need the personnel to run each, but that doesn't alway mean it will work.

 

After reading Butlers press conference, He seems non comited to either the 34 or he 43. so i had to vote (I have no idea ) I'm just hoping Tomlin stay's out of his way, and lets him do it his way.. But i woudn't bet any money that he does ..

 

I'd like to see our nickel do more 3-3-5.

Tuitt - McLendon - Heyward
Jones - Timmons - Shazier
+5 DBs.

That seems like a good way to get your best players on the field, and be reasonably balanced against the run and pass. I really thought McLendon was going to see more time rushing the passer last year, and I was wrong. Maybe this year...?

 

I didn't see any difference between Butler's comments and anything Tomlin or LeBeau would have said any other year, so I wouldn't read anything into it.

 

I want him to put us in position to get off the field on 3rd downs. bottom line. even when DL had top defenses, we were never at the top in that category. that has to be right at the top of my list for KB in things to do.

 

how is putting 5 players of our secondary getting the best players on the field?


honest question.

because our secondary seems to be pretty bad.

 

I don't kno, seems like over the past few years ( since Cower was hired ) we knew what kind of dfence we were gona run ( Capers , DL) the 34) given that teams ran more back then, then now. It just seems like we have no idea what scheme we are gona run as of today. In my opinion we dont have the players to run both + it seems like a big learning curve for the players to learn both. after all we are only gona draft 8-9 players at the most, and a hhand full of UDA, this year...... As long as our d is in the top 10 and our o is in the top 5, I''ll be happy.... or im hoping i will be

 

Yes yes yes, I know, and that's too true. I mentioned specifically it was for when we are in nickel.