Warrior General Games

Originally posted by San Diego Chargers
Originally posted by lawdawg95

Why would you run the 3-4 in running situations when you can set the AI to bring you into a 4-3 for those situations and go back to the 3-4 the rest of the time?

It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Because we only have 1 depth chart and the requirements for each position are very different.

You can still put a single player in at MLB and DT. I've got my roster set up for both.

Granted, I'm still adjusting and learning the 3-4 Defense, but I feel that the versatility this can provide should be a great asset. Not to mention, you're not "stuck" running one set defense, you just have a "base"

From what I've seen the strong DE's or DTs subbing in are really a must for 3-4. In 4-3 the powerful tackles are often both capable of drawing double or triple teams, and if ignored they become a large threat for sacks or tackling the runner. Their ability to draw attention and control the action at the snap is what gets the faster/agile DEs and LBs around them more freedom to get their tackles or reach the QB.

In a 3-4, if your linemen aren't strong enough they can be easily pancaked or blocked by the strong OL who were built for playing a 4-3. Blitzing linebackers out of 3-4 are supposed to be unpredictable, but if the tackles and ends can't draw the double teams they will just bounce of the line like a crash dummy.

When you can't put pressure on the QB, when your linebackers are getting pancaked by OL on run plays because the DE's aren't strong enough to take them, the 3-4 defense starts looking pretty weak.

Questions:

Alright, let's say I've got strong DTs with 70+ STR. One starting at DE and one at NT.

Common sense would tell me to put the strong, run oriented side of the defense in the LOLB/LDE/LILB part of the defense, correct?

Then that would leave the more agile, pass defense, blitzing oriented players to the right in the ROLB, RDE, RILB, correct?

However, with the ROLB subbing out in some defensive sets for that extra CB, that causes a problem with the LOLB now being in the pass defense. Is this still a good thing or should this be addressed?

Now, the LB blitzing needs to be unpredictable. Sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes none, etc., to keep the O-Line and QB off guard. I get that part. I've read the defensive thread (http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=751986) and I've got a few questions. When blitzing multiple LBs, Cover 0? When blitzing the LOLB, Cover 1/Cover 2?

Originally posted by StazNasty

However, with the ROLB subbing out in some defensive sets for that extra CB, that causes a problem with the LOLB now being in the pass defense. Is this still a good thing or should this be addressed?


This is why you usually put your best LB at LOLB.

Plain and simple, the 3-4 is a personel based defense. If you don't have the players to fit it, it won't work for you. If you do, it can be pretty effective. The 4-3 can cover up a weak player on the Dline, not the 3-4. We made the decision to move to it mid last season and planned our personel moves accordingly. My suggestion to anyone thinking about using it would be to make sure you 4-5 strong Dlinemen (tackles or ends, we use all DTs). If you don't leave it alone b/c it will not work for you. If anyone wants any further advise feel free to PM me anytime.

Run-stuffing DEs aren't too common because people who make DEs fall in love with the sack. My DE was built as a run stuffer from day one and has played his role at LDE in the 4-3 before this season. He has 4 tackles and a sack after two games this season. Not too shabby considering he faces a triple team of blockers on most plays.

On my team, the LBs make lots of plays as they're intended to in the 3-4 defense. My D-Lineman are all built for this defense though so that probably has a lot to do with it. I don't have DTs playing DE. I just have DEs that were designed to play the 3-4. Last season, I had issues since I had personnel in place before the tactics were available. I had stronger LBs playing the RDE spot while my RDE moved to DT. Not perfect and we had issue against strong running teams. I have no such problems in the 3-4 this season. We are better against the run than last year with everyone in their proper position, despite the boost to run blocking.

Originally posted by tpaterniti
Look at game film from the Silvery Moon Elves preseason game and first game of the season. The key is to have a really strong LDE and not the speed agility version most people build.

Most useful comment.

Nice to see the input, I've been waiting for some 3-4 threads to start up.

I personally am eager to try the 3-4; and as it would so happen just got invited to GM the defense for a level 13 cap team.

Anyone have a level 10-12 LB that would want to play in a 3-4?

I'm hoping to get myself a team in the next expansion round, and have made a crap ton of players to test a lot of things out. Hoping to run with a 3-4 Defence.

My philosophy is to get 3 almost O-Line type builds (sub Tackling for Blocking) with high strength for the NT and DEs to occupy the O-Line, then Power Rushing/Run Stuffing ILBs and Speed Rushing OLBs, blitz like crazy and use aggressive CBs.

Does this sound like the right approach?

Originally posted by chunky04
I'm hoping to get myself a team in the next expansion round, and have made a crap ton of players to test a lot of things out. Hoping to run with a 3-4 Defence.

My philosophy is to get 3 almost O-Line type builds (sub Tackling for Blocking) with high strength for the NT and DEs to occupy the O-Line, then Power Rushing/Run Stuffing ILBs and Speed Rushing OLBs, blitz like crazy and use aggressive CBs.

Does this sound like the right approach?

Kind of what I'm going to be doing. If I can....haha.

My 3-4 D works great, all 3 games this season they have been held to less than 100 yards rushing...

Originally posted by thepizza04
My 3-4 D works great, all 3 games this season they have been held to less than 100 yards rushing...

4-3 has limited rushing better, still. My D has given up <50 per game on the ground. We usually give a lot more to med completions in the air that stack up to anywhere from 100-150 yards, though.

3-4, from what I have seen in its' best cases in usefulness, has gotten more turnovers and big plays (sacks) in tradeoff for run defense. No real additional pass defense is given, since the receivers still split the LBs like they used to.

Originally posted by thepizza04
My 3-4 D works great, all 3 games this season they have been held to less than 100 yards rushing...

Not the best argument considering they might do even better with a 4-3. I expect my defense to always hold a team to less than 100 yards rushing, 3-4 or 4-3.

If you don't have a high STR defensive line, you won't really pull the double teams needed to free up the LBs. If the LBs are getting picked up, they will run with relative ease.

Originally posted by secondeye
Originally posted by thepizza04

My 3-4 D works great, all 3 games this season they have been held to less than 100 yards rushing...

Not the best argument considering they might do even better with a 4-3. I expect my defense to always hold a team to less than 100 yards rushing, 3-4 or 4-3.

I meant in 3 games, maybe I should have cleared it up.

less than 33 yrds per game is pretty nasty...