Moving to the 3-4

[Randy Watson]

As stated in the PC yesterday, our new "base" defense will be the 3-4. Obviously this means we will be recruiting a slightly different type of athlete in some cases, but until we're able to do that, how does our current personnel fit into this scheme? Here are my thoughts:

NT - This is really, IMO, where it all starts for the 3-4. For all the praise Copeland and Curry got (and yes, they were very good), one of the keys to our defenses in the early '90's was often the fact that we had an "immovable" nose tackle that occupied more than one blocker on many plays. See Robert Stewart. Who do we have on the team that could fill this slot? I honestly don't know. JP Adams, to me, seems like the best bet right now.

DE (2) - I think we're OK here, with Saunders, Greenwood, and Gilberry leading the charge. Wazhington, Fanney, and Deaderick to me are all "natural" DE's, but one of them may have to play the nose.

ILB (2) - Thin here. Hall will be good, and Collins OK, but depth is missing. Will Mustin be able to help us?

OLB (2) - Waldrop, Schreiber, Stamps. Need help here. Maybe Woodall moves down?

DB (4) - Plenty to choose from. Castille, Gray, Carter, Woodall, Reamer, Mitchell, R. Johnson, M. Johnson

Looking at this, I'd have to say that we may see some safeties slide down to LB and a DE or two bulk up to play the nose. We also may see some folks coming over from offense to help out. Everybody thinks Johns would make a great LB, but he's also a really good RB, so what do you do with him? Also, do we ask one of our big TEs or offensive linemen to move over? Brian Motley may be a wildcard here.

Other thoughts?

 

[rgw]

I'm hardly an X's and O's genius, but here is the basic - very basic - concept of the 3-4.

Yes, the immovable NT is very important to correctly executing this scheme. The hope is that since centers are not use to a guy lining up directly over the top of them that the center is not able to handle 300 pounds aggressively baring down on him thus forcing one of gaurds to double the NT. This opens up a one-on-one opportunities on the edges for the rusher. An overload (multiple blitzers from one side) will probably lead to a free rusher to the QB. The effectiveness of the 3-4's run defense also predicates on that double as it allows the ILBs to have an open gap to fill on the way to the RB.

I'd like to also add that like Kine's scheme, the DE's in the 3-4 aren't primarily rushers. Notice the Charger's 3-4, they field practically 3 defensive tackles on the line. That is probably why LSU had such a "big" defensive line in the Saban days. I wonder if an already small DE like Gillberry might be moved into an OLB role as primarily a rush LB.

 

[FortyYearFan]

The NT isn't gonna be JP. He's a senior, eligibility is finished.

 

[OldSchoolBamaFan]

Wasnt one of our big time OL recruits from last year (which was RS this year) able to play DT? Seems I remember him having the size to plug the middle.

 

[rgw]

The NT isn't gonna be JP. He's a senior, eligibility is finished.

Yeah, that is why I think Saban is going to aggressively pursue Murphy from Hoover. His NTs have to have a high motor shoving that center or double back into the QB's face and will need a blow regularly.

 

[Randy Watson]

You're right. My bad.

Who will it be then? Deaderick? Motley? Or do you move an OL (Britt) over there? Wouldn't it be something if Capps were moved to NT and became the anchor of our D? (<---I know, no chance).

Also, I forgot about Zeke Knight. I think he is tailor-made for the "rush" OLB position.

 

[rolltideas]

Woodall will probably be a safety. It sounded like he was getting much bigger and could hit the crap out of people. Might he end up at LB somewhere?

 

[TexasBammer]

Woodall will probably be a safety. It sounded like he was getting much bigger and could hit the crap out of people. Might he end up at LB somewhere?

How about Zeke Knight and Jimmy Johns as extra linebackers....? hmmmm....