4-3 vs. 3-4

[infantrycak]

Interesting article on the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.

In the 1980’s, the Raiders and Giants won Super Bowls with a 3-4 defense (Lawrence Taylor terrorized quarterbacks as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme). But the crushing Bears defense of the mid-1980’s was a 4-3, and it inspired many imitators. By the mid-1990’s, only a few teams used a 3-4 defense, most notably the Bills and Steelers. But the Patriots have now won three Super Bowls using a version of the 3-4, so the alignment is back in style.

Which leaves casual fans begging the question: what’s the difference?

 

[YodAa]

I think the 3-4 gives the D more control just because they got one more guy standing up and the O never knows which of the 4 LBs will be rushing and also because you got one more guy for the QB to look out for and have to throw over.

 

[aj.]

the crushing Bears defense of the mid-1980’s was a 4-3

Not really.

 

[Big B Texan Fan]

You should run the best D that fits your player personnel.

 

[Davis37]

Didnt the Bears run alot of 4-6 def

 

[royce1054]

Didnt the Bears run alot of 4-6 def

They did run the 46. I think they switched when Ryan left to go to Philly though.

 

[aj.]

The 46 wasn't really a 4-6. The term 46 came from Bears SS Doug Plank (who wore that number) and played a key role when Buddy first created that defense, lining up on the LOS and either dropping into coverage or blitzing from there. One of the most common 46 fronts resembles a 6-4-1.

 

[nunusguy]

This years Texans' 3-4 could finally be what the fans like - lot of speed
with sideline-to-sideline pursuit by the backers. If Peek can get his head screwed on right and not park his freegin Caddy (or whatever he's drivin
these days), in the wrong place, gonna have a lot of speed behind the
downlineman. And for that reason, from a fan standpoint, prefer the 3-4
because I like D and pure 3-4 D with personnel that have raw speed is more entertaining than 4-3 D.