Just for fun- What would our defense look like if we ran a 3-4?

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 2:55 PM CDT

I've been thinking, since our new D-Coordinator Jerry Gray is going to run some sort of a 4-3 hybrid defense, I began to wonder if one day we would run a 3-4 defense. I've come up with an idea of what that might look like with using just players on the roster right now. Oh, if you're wondering if the lockout drove me to make this post you're absolutely right.

FS- Michael Griffin SS- Chris Hope

CB- Alterraun Verner CB- Finnegan

MLB- Akeem Ayers MLB- Stephen Tulloch

OLB- Will Witherspoon OLB- McRath

DE- Tony Brown NT- Jurrell Casey DE- Jason Jones

Sorry about how it doesn't line up like the 3-4 defense would exactly, this is the best I could do with it. It could be better but I'm working with just guys on that are on the roster. I'd like a better edge rusher than Gerald McRath and of course a better safety than Chris Hope. I've also added an interesting poll question. What do you think?

Poll

Assuming you have the right personnel, which base defense do you think is better?

4-3 Defense

18 votes

3-4 Defense

23 votes

It doesn't matter how you line up, the key to defense is having skilled players that are faster and stronger than the opposition.

25 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think the poll question is worded incorrectly given the subject of the post.

A better one might be “Given the proper personnel…” which base is better?

It’s all subjective of course, but we’re assuming here that straight-up a 34 is better as a base defense than a 43. Sure, it looks sexier due to high-profile teams using it to success in recent years (Packers, Steelers, Ravens to name a few) and the well-known linebackers the system has produced, but the key thing is all those teams had (or spent several seasons getting) the right personnel for the system.

I’m a little surprised at all these votes for the 34, is it cause of the number of teams that have gone to it?

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 30, 2011 3:57 PM CDT reply actions

I guess you're right about the personnel aspect.

That was implied in the question, but I guess I better clarify.

I'm not opinionated. I just have an ego that you can't handle.

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry if that sounded bitchy, didn't intend for it to.

As far as a hypothetical switch to a 3-4…Ayers has to be an OLB no matter the scheme; in fact, a lot of mocks had him going to a 3-4 as an OLB leading up to the draft.

The problem with the Titans going to a 3-4 with current personnel is that the defensive linemen have to be HUGE to take up space and let the LBs do their thing. We’re already pretty undersized as is for a 4-3, not sure any of them could handle the load of a 3-4 DL (which is why those guys are always a hot commodity in the draft and/or FA…gotta have that huge NT pluggin the middle).

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 30, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

You're fine, it wasn't bitchy at all.

I was thinking of what position Ayers will most likely play, Outside or Middle? what did he play most at UCLA?

I'm not opinionated. I just have an ego that you can't handle.

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Split between OLB and pass-rushing 4-3 end.

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 30, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Ayers would probably play OLB.

Swap him and witherspoon, with that current group, probably.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jun 30, 2011 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

I voted for the 3-4

because it causes a lot of confusion for opposing QBs. Obviously, the current trend of teams (successful ones) switching to the 3-4 may be swaying my opinion. For the Titans, however, we have enough trouble fielding 3 good Linebackers, let alone 4. With our personnel, we should stick with the 4-3.

by nvemvp23 on Jun 30, 2011 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

First, I don’t see Tully coming back…so, I would move McRath and Witherspoon to ILB spots. You have to put Ayers on the outside…that’s his natural position. As for the other OLB, I think you could see Morgan out there. He’s a big guy but he has some decent movement skills, a la Demarcus Ware for the Cowboys.

I think Gray will use this 3-4 / 4-3 hybrid alignment on passing downs. He can put Casey as a 1-gap penetrating NT with Brown/Jones rushing in the 5-techniques, while being able to bring either Ayers or Morgan on the edge (depending on the strongside of the formation). I think this will give him a lot more opportunity at being creative with the pass rush.

by shawneriksmith on Jun 30, 2011 4:17 PM CDT reply actions

Isn't that the plan

with Wade in charge?

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Jun 30, 2011 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

Wrong team buddy.

I'm not opinionated. I just have an ego that you can't handle.

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Fail

Fierce proponent of extending Chris Johnson's contract

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 30, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

You're thinking of the Houston Texans

Wade Phillips is their D Coordinator, and they’re frowned upon in this society.

I'm not opinionated. I just have an ego that you can't handle.

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

That's about as nice as I could put it without laughing my ass off.

But it looks everyone else is doing that for me. Hehe.

I'm not opinionated. I just have an ego that you can't handle.

by GoTitansGo on Jun 30, 2011 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

hahahaha

MAVS 2010-11 NBA CHAMPS!!!!!!

by trevor2013 on Jun 30, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Somebody boo this guy!

"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."

by MexicanTitanFreak on Jun 30, 2011 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Brick? Brick, is that you?!

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 30, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9kDT44DBXs&feature=related

MAVS 2010-11 NBA CHAMPS!!!!!!

by trevor2013 on Jun 30, 2011 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Are you ok Son?

do you know where you are?

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 30, 2011 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions

It's all fun and games until someone gets a concussion from a stray flying footbal. *cough* Kerry *cough*

by MikeGriffFan27 on Jul 10, 2011 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

peytonsthebest, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard.

At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

The Saint of MCM

by StPrattrick on Jun 30, 2011 5:18 PM CDT reply actions

...reply fail?

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 30, 2011 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions

... you weren't suppose to point that out!

The Saint of MCM

by StPrattrick on Jun 30, 2011 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions

too late

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 30, 2011 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions

I would switch out Robert Johnson with Chris Hope.

I have a feeling that guy is going to be the safety version of ATV. And i guess we swap Tully for Rennie since Tully is gone.

|TENNESSEE TITANS|PHILADELPHIA 76ERS|

by TitansJonne on Jun 30, 2011 10:47 PM CDT reply actions

I changed the defensive scheme for the Titans in madden to a 3-4.

Works pretty well. Then again its Madden lol.

Agreed.

But still.

by rsikes on Jul 1, 2011 3:19 PM CDT reply actions

Any defense works pretty well in Madden?

Oh wait, you must be playing against the computer…

by TennesseeTyrants on Jul 1, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

nope vs a online opponent

its like this
DE- Jason Jones NT- Tony Brown DE- Jason Babin
OLB- Witherspoon MLB- Tully MLB- Rennie OLB- McRath
CB- Finny FS- Griffin SS- Rojo/ Hope CB Verner

1-5-5

NT- JJ/ Brown
LB- Thorton LB- Ford LB- Witherspoon LB- Tully LB- Hayes
DB- Verner DB- Rojo DB- Griffin DB- Hope DB- Finnegan

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jul 4, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe with FOUR LBs.....

at least ONE of them will be able to cover a TE??

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

If you had to be perfect to do what we do, then nobody would be doing it. On the other hand, if everyone could do what we do.....then everyone would be doing it.

by titansfan4ever on Jul 2, 2011 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

you guys that freaked out to the Wade Phillips comment: congratulations, you’ve just been trolled the bejesus out of. well played peytonsthebest, well played.