The front 7 players in the 3-4 D are significantly different from their counterparts in the 4-3. In a nutshell, the DL in the 3-4 are bigger than the DL in the 4-3. The 3-4 OLBs are bigger than 4-3 OLBs because they have to match up against OTs.
3-4 NT is the toughest position to fill. The NT is head-up on the OC and is responsible for defending both A gaps in the running game. He faces constant double-teams and takes a pounding. He must have size, mental and physical toughness, stamina, durability, lateral quickness, and good technique in terms of playing with leverage. If the NT can not hold his ground, the defense is very vulnerable to runs between the tackles.
3-4 OLBs are the playmakers of the D. They get the glory of picking up sacks on the QB. They must have strong pass rush skills and be able to drop into coverage. If the 3-4 OLBs are unable to consistently apply pressure on the QB, the D is very vulnerable in the passing game. They tend to weigh around 245-270, and many are former 4-3 DE/OLB "tweeners". Many 4-3 DEs are not suited to playing 3-4 OLB because they lack the ability to play in space.
3-4 DEs tend to weigh around 290-310, and many are former 4-3 DT/DE "tweeners". They must be able to play the run well. The 3-4 DE is responsible for the B and C gaps in the running game and lines up in the 5-technique position, so he is head-up on the OT. It's tough for a 3-4 DE to pick up as many sacks as a 4-3 DE, because a 3-4 DE doesn't have the freedom to go willy nilly upfield. He has to protect the LBs in order for the 3-4 to work.
3-4 ILBs must be stout in run support. Because there are only 3 DL to match up against 5 OL, they must be able to stack and shed an unblocked offensive lineman in the running game.
The main reason I wanted to add this is because some people (such as myself) know what the alignment is for the 3-4, but not quite sure how it all is supposed to work. I know I had questions as to why Trever Laws who is a big agile guy was moved to end, but now I have a much better understanding.
My biggest question as far as this 3-4 front 7 go is the responsiblities and the consequences:
I have been watching Kuntz play (and struggle) at the NT position so far this year. I know it's a change of position for him and that he cut the mohawk into his head to sybolize the attitude he has leading to his position, but the fact of the matter is that he's been struggling. He is definitely getting better but the offensive lineman are continuously getting to our ILBs. I think that there needs to be more rotation with Kuntz and Williams as keeping one another fresh seems to be a key to the abuse that these guys routinely take.
The outside backers have been up and down so far in the first two games. I think we've got a solid OLB with Vernaglia who came into the second game showing more skill at shedding the blockers and getting to the ball. I was also impressed with Richardson who showed the ability to give them a speed-rush from the outside and put some pressure on the QB. We haven't had a solid speed rusher since Tuck a few years back. The only thing that worries me has been the ability for teams to ge to the edge and get 7-10 yards routinely. There was a big difference in how the D played the edge against Penn St., for the better, but they were just getting too tired from being on the field time and time again.
Most interesting so far have been the ILBs. Crum is a main stay and looks very solid playing the middle and taking on blocks while hitting the line of scrimmage with aggression. The other ILBs are definitely behind. I've seen a good mix of Brockington and Smith (Toryan) and they both seem to still be lacking the agressiveness to make big stops at the line of scrimmage. T. Smith started hitting holes very hard and smacking blockers as they came through starting in the 2nd half of the Penn St. game and that definitely made a difference. Brockington though remained hesitant and was constantly blocked about 5 yards off the ball or made tackles 5 yards back off the ball because he didn't step up. I know as a middle linebacker, your first step is forward. Corwin Brown has definitely been getting in the ears of these guys telling them to attack, attack, attack.
Overall, the new defense seems to be working for what we needed the most for last year, stopping the pass. Our pass defense is second to none right now. They are very confindent and fly to the football. It's taking our front 7 a little more time to get adjusted becuase they are the ones who are really taking in a new formation and a new way to play their positions. I wouldn't be surprised to see this defense start putting all parts together against the freshman Mallett from U of M this weekend to give their confidence a huge boost going into a big game against Michigan State (hiss, hiss, boo, boo) the following week, because that team is definitely going to try to shove the ball down their throat.
Ahhh. . .it's Thursday, that means college football is on the schedule for tonight! I'm getting excited already and have made the first round of my junk talk to my U of M buddies!
Posts
1 comment:
lol where did you steal those from??? hmmmm
Post a Comment