4-3 vs 3-4 Defenses

Really runs the traditional alignments anymore. Its all about sub packages, down and distance, matchups, coverages etc. In the BASE 3-4 the nose tackle is the most important position. They assume 3 gap responsibility as well as double team pressure from the guards. Acquiring a dominant NT is key, and historically all the best true 3-4 defenses have great NTs. If they can maintain gap control it gives the other players more freedom to read and react, blitz, or provide support in coverage. But again in todays game the two alignments are often indistinguishable.

need to understand that the 3-4 defense that they tend to be most familiar with.. those of the LT, Banks Carsons, Reason era.. is different than the 3-4 defense that Bettcher runs.. As I understand it his is more of a one gap system while the traditional 3-4 that most of us understand is a two gap system.

Here is a good primer from BigBlueView
Defense - ( New Window )

Have been running 3-4 for decades and year in and year out are one of the best teams at stopping the run.

The base set is used infrequently regardless due to sub packages. Neither scheme is necessarily better then the other as primarily they feature 7 in the box and how the align and attack make or break them.

The mid 80s version of the 3-4 was designed for the linemen to occupy blockers so the LBs could make the plays. In theory that's still the concept but the modern 3-4 calls for varioations and you will see plenty of linemen make plays.

The biggest thing a 3-4 allows for is more aggressive blitz packages.

I am still stuck in the 80s

My image of a 3/4 was the linemen holding the point of attach and freeing the linebackers to make plays.

It appears that the linebackers have more gap responsibility in the 3/4.

In the 4/3 you see the middle linebacker running sideline to sideline and having to flow to the action. They have multiple gap responsibilities.

It appears that in a 3/4 is more of a one gap scheme.

Use a 1-gap 3-4 defense.

Nolan also saw that Strahan’s ability to stop the run made him a good LDE.

It was getting harder and harder to find great 4-3 DE's and LB especially the MLB that can run sideline to sideline and stay on the field for 3rd down. The college game is loaded with undersized DE and OLB so drafting players that fit the 3-4 is a little easier. The key to the 3-4 is the NT and you need 2 ( 1 starter and a back up ).

I love the move to the 3-4 and I am hopeful that Lorenzo Carter can develop into a pass rushing stud. I think OV will do very well in his new OLB since he had success at Miami with it.

that the 3-4 was stronger against the run and the 4-3 was stronger against the pass.

But clearly if you have a LT rushing the passer in a 3-4, you are going to be strong against the pass. On the other hand, if you have mediocrities at DE in a 4-3, you're going to be vulnerable to the pass.

As said above, the traditional labels don't really apply anymore. Modern defenses are hybrids that combine "4-3" and "3-4" concepts with stuff that wouldn't be inherent in either scheme from 30 years ago.