from a 4-3 to a 3-4. I read somewhere that they were considering it and it actually does make a lot of sense. We have several pieces that work.. - Paul Soliai moved back to NT. - Jared Odrick and Randy Starks back to the DE's. - Cameron Wake back to rush linebacker with Oliver Vernon being able to play OLB as well. - Having Dannell Ellerbe who has a lot of experience in a 3-4. - Vaugh Martin has played several years in a 3-4 defense in San Diego. - Kheeston Randall can play 3-4 DE as well. I mean, don't roast me for this please. It's just a question that I started to think about and it made sense even with a lot of the pieces we added in free agency. The only question mark would be where Phillip Wheeler would fit as I'm not sure if he would fit in a 3-4. Any positive, informative feedback would be MUCH appreciated.
Yeah a source would be appreciated. I don't think switching back is a smart move. Cameron Wake flourished last year in the 4-3, and I think the players can adjust to the scheme with more time and training.
I think this is his idea, or just something that is being speculated on. While we have some pieces, I like us more in the 4-3 personally.
I think a formal switch would be unnecessary, because the Dolphins personnel packages and tendencies already have elements of a 3-4 defense. I hate the term "hybrid" defense, but the Dolphins defense is pretty much running your typical 3-4 personnel splitting between "normal" 4-3 packages and more 3-4 influenced packages. Formally switching wouldn't have a lot of advantages, because they should be able to do whatever 3-4 type thing they want to do in the current defense. I don't think you really need to pre-apologize for this either, there's way dumber stuff that is posted all the time here that gets taken pretty seriously.
Yeah, until you cite a reputable source that confirms that the Phins are actually considering a switch back to a 3-4, speculating on it is pretty pointless.
I'm not in favor of this, but to answer your question about Wheeler he could play opposite Wake at outside or play inside. There is talk that he might be the mike in the 4-3. Wheeler was the 2nd best rush LB per rush attempt last year so he would have no problem playing OLB position. Misi is the one I think would be out of a job, but then again I think he might be out of a job if we stay in the 4-3 also. We would have to draft two more LBs in the draft to make this work. While in Cincy I think our DC was mostly using 4-3. I know he was not the DC over there, but that seems to be his back ground. It would seem HIGHLY unlikely that a DC would come in and change a 3-4 to a 4-3 and then the very next year change it back again. That would make me lose all faith that this staff had a clue about what they were trying to accomplish. Philbin an company have shown there is a plan in place and they have stuck to it, for better or worse. This idea would not fit that mold IMHO. I do like the "thinking out of the box" though. Just not this time.
Isn't Wake No1 at his position in 4-3? That's instant degrade for our best Defensive player if we go 3-4. Plus our 2 inside lineman are 2 of the best imo. Makes little sense weakening a strength.
While we do have the pieces in some players, Wake is a beast as a 4-3 DE and I would not like to change that. Also, correct me if I am wrong, but isn't our Defensive coordinator more used to and better with the 4-3 defense, hence te change in the first place?
Sure. However, speculation without reason or rhyme is pretty pointless. Why not speculate about the Phins going to a Tampa 2? Or a 46? How about if they go to a pistol offense, or bring back the wishbone? You want to speculate about how Tank Carradine might look in our 3-4 that we'll likely never play? Hey, man... knock yourself out. I just want a link before I waste my time on it.
To me, it's simpler to find college guys who can step into the 4-3 and play at a higher level. Plus, as has been pointed out, the base defense thing is highly overrated.
Sorry guys, I don't have a link. I came across it probably like a week or so ago but I read ridiculous amounts of NFL related stuff and a ton on us so I'm not sure where I read it. I've been digging trying to find the link and it wasn't an article that was dedicated to this, it was just a sentence in an article where either the author said it'd be a solid idea to switch back or the author said that the Dolphins had considered it. I have no idea, I apologize... I just got to thinking about it earlier today and I just thought I'd ask what you guys thought of it. We take a dominate 4-3 end in Wake and put him in a 3-4 where he isn't AS comfortable. The only reason I contemplated it was due to guys like Odrick and Soliai seeming to be in the wrong scheme. I may be off but I just thought I'd ask your guy's input. I'll keep looking for the link! Sorry about that fellas!
http://nfl.si.com/2013/03/12/dannell-ellerbe-to-sign-with-miami-dolphins/ This might be it fellas.. It mentions that unless the Dolphins moved back to a 3-4 (which is possible) that Ellerbe would have to play strong side linebacker but this was before Dansby was released. I might have read that and something clicked to make me think we might be switching back and over the past week my mind created something that wasn't there. My fault.
I hope they do switch back. Im a very big proponent of the 3-4. The fact is that it keeps qb's guessing more and as a result they take an extra second to decide what to do with the ball. In the NFL thats a completion or an interception. It keeps an extra LB on the field which is typically a more athletic position then DT. Finding the players for it can be tough, particularly good Open Ends like Justin Smith, Richard Seymour, Aaron Smith (when he was playing) and the right LB's for that type of D but I love the 34 as a base D.
To me, for the 4-3 to function really well, you need a Tiger/Joker etc, that way you have the benefit of both systems without the real need to find really talented Lb's. I'd hoped that Misi would have developed into such a player but he just hasn't.
After enduring the suggestion of moving Zach Thomas to strong safety, no idea or speculation seems bad in comparison. Oh where have you gone Fishy Pete?
I think it's worth mentioning the team already runs a 3-4 defense at times. It isn't that frequent(I'd imagine < 10% total snaps), but they do it. It seems like they typically are doing pretty aggressive 1-gap fronts. I need to take a better look at the personnel but it seems like they do it when they substitute players out. What they do even more is run Nickel defenses that are typically associated with a 3-4 personnel packages. Mostly a 3-3 defense with a stand-up edge rusher who is not infrequently dropping back into coverage.
For me, it's Dion Jordan, and to a lesser extent Mingo. Could be Mingo is a Aldalius Thomas type of player, this is one of the reasons why he intrigues me a bit.
Agreed on Jordan, disagreed on Mingo.. I'll say this Pod, in watching lsu games, I started watching stuff after the play, his leadership, confidence, awareness..I came to the conclusion that opponents he faced, as in the whole offensive team, talked about roughing this boy up leading up to the game..and they did...he got purposely pushed around after the whistle, coaches saw something, and imo he didn't respond the way I would of wanted him too.. I don't see him being able to put his hand on the ground...he"ll get run at this level.
I think this thread should probably be bumped, because I think the question if the Dolphins will play a 3-4 or more 3-4 oriented defense is now a lot more pertinent with Dion Jordan.
Yep and now we have bookends who can play with their hand on or off the ground. I like it. Gives this thread some serious legs.
