Our Defense is a Base 4-3 not a 3-4

[LostInPatsLand]

One common mistake I see on this board and with the media is the assumtion that we're predominantly a 3-4 defense or we'll be slowly switching over. Yeah, we have incorporated aspects of the 3-4 in our defense (JT having more coverage responsibilities, etc...), but this does not mean we are evolving into a primarily 3-4 defense. Thus, there is no need to think we need to draft a massive NT to fit into our defense or that Zach is simply too small to be eventually of any use.

Edit: Drafting a Ngata type isn't a bad idea; I'm just saying it's not a necessity in our defense.

 

[DolfanCole]

One common mistake I see on this board and with the media is the assumtion that we're predominantly a 3-4 defense or we'll be slowly switching over. Yeah, we have incorporated aspects of the 3-4 in our defense (JT having more coverage responsibilities, etc...), but this does not mean we are evolving into a primarily 3-4 defense. Thus, there is no need to think we need to draft a massive NT to fit into our defense or that Zach is simply too small to be eventually of any use.

Edit: Drafting a Ngata type isn't a bad idea; I'm just saying it's not a necessity in our defense.

Here we go ...

:jt0323:

 

[kizzaboo]

For now..

 

[Disgustipate]

One common mistake I see on this board and with the media is the assumtion that we're predominantly a 3-4 defense or we'll be slowly switching over. Yeah, we have incorporated aspects of the 3-4 in our defense (JT having more coverage responsibilities, etc...), but this does not mean we are evolving into a primarily 3-4 defense. Thus, there is no need to think we need to draft a massive NT to fit into our defense or that Zach is simply too small to be eventually of any use.

Edit: Drafting a Ngata type isn't a bad idea; I'm just saying it's not a necessity in our defense.

Our base defense lines up exactly like a 3-4, with players in nearly the same positions with nearly the same responsibilities. For all intents and purposes, the teams personnel and the duties asked of them are nearly completely that of a 3-4. I'd estimate the Dolphins use a straight 4-3 base defense about 30% of the time. The rest of the time it is a 3-4 or 4-3 Over/Under.

A 4-3 Over/Under is virtually the same as the 3-4. You've still got a big run defender lined up over Center. You've still got two big DE/DT guys lined up over Tackle. You still have two "middle" linebackers lined up over the Guards. You still have bigger linebackers/DEs lined up close to the line over/near the TE. The only difference is that JT might have his hand down, or someone might be shaded a little bit differently.

You're right about Zach being useful to the defense still. He was having a career season in the new system. And there is no such thing as too small for the 3-4. The people suggesting Zach is too small for the 4-3 are completely ignorant that MANY successful 3-4 defenses have had a smaller interior ILB. Nick Buonoconti, for ****s sake. Sam Mills. Hell, Donnie Edwards is lighter and less suited towards fighting off blockers, and he is doing a fine job.

I disagree pretty strongly about not needing a Nose Tackle.

 

[Joneal7]

how about we install a 5-2

Taylor, Holliday, Traylor, Zgonina, Carter
Crowder, Thomas

or put Carter in at Zgoninas spot and put Roth at the other End....now this sounds interesting

 

[ckparrothead]

Nonetheless, we may not run a BASE 3-4, but 99% of the personnel issues that apply to the 3-4 defense, apply to our defense...including finding a big massive NT to take over when Keith Traylor no longer has anything left in the tank.

 

[LostInPatsLand]

Nonetheless, we may not run a BASE 3-4, but 99% of the personnel issues that apply to the 3-4 defense, apply to our defense...including finding a big massive NT to take over when Keith Traylor no longer has anything left in the tank.

Yeah, but didn't Saban run a similar defense in LSU? His DTs weren't the massive type but were more the one gap quick tackle types like Chad Lavalais and Claude Wroten?

 

[Shouright]

Our base defense lines up exactly like a 3-4, with players in nearly the same positions with nearly the same responsibilities. For all intents and purposes, the teams personnel and the duties asked of them are nearly completely that of a 3-4. I'd estimate the Dolphins use a straight 4-3 base defense about 30% of the time. The rest of the time it is a 3-4 or 4-3 Over/Under.

A 4-3 Over/Under is virtually the same as the 3-4. You've still got a big run defender lined up over Center. You've still got two big DE/DT guys lined up over Tackle. You still have two "middle" linebackers lined up over the Guards. You still have bigger linebackers/DEs lined up close to the line over/near the TE. The only difference is that JT might have his hand down, or someone might be shaded a little bit differently.

You're right about Zach being useful to the defense still. He was having a career season in the new system. And there is no such thing as too small for the 3-4. The people suggesting Zach is too small for the 4-3 are completely ignorant that MANY successful 3-4 defenses have had a smaller interior ILB. Nick Buonoconti, for ****s sake. Sam Mills. Hell, Donnie Edwards is lighter and less suited towards fighting off blockers, and he is doing a fine job.

I disagree pretty strongly about not needing a Nose Tackle.

Read this and then look at my sig and you'll have my opinion on the matter....

 

[Disgustipate]

Read this and then look at my sig and you'll have my opinion on the matter....

You and me both, I'd love to see the Dolphins draft Ngata.

 

[CVass]

Nonetheless, we may not run a BASE 3-4, but 99% of the personnel issues that apply to the 3-4 defense, apply to our defense...including finding a big massive NT to take over when Keith Traylor no longer has anything left in the tank.

Exactly! We need a 0 Technique Tackle and Truck only has so much gas left...

 

[LostInPatsLand]

You don't have to have a huge NT to have a good run defense. Look at the Broncos.

 

[Maynard the Hammer]

You don't have to have a huge NT to have a good run defense. Look at the Broncos.

true, but its irrelevant to the fins.

 

[CVass]

You don't have to have a huge NT to have a good run defense. Look at the Broncos.

Yeah, but we don't play the Broncos' system..

 

[Shouright]

You don't have to have a huge NT to have a good run defense. Look at the Broncos.

And look at us with Chester and Bowens -- we were pretty good then too. But that's not what we're running right now.

 

[Disgustipate]

You don't have to have a huge NT to have a good run defense. Look at the Broncos.

You do have to have a huge NT for the Dolphins system to work, however. You've got someone playing 2-gap over Center or thereabouts the vast majority of the time.