I'd like to know why we have stuck with the 4-3 without so much as an occasional change-up to the 3-4 defense. can you enlighten me? is it too late to install? would it make any difference with our LB problem? seems like the LBs we have on the roster would be better suited to the 3-4. what do you think?
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haven't seen you post in awhile. but to your question, you can't really make that kind of wholesale change right before the season starts. I can only assume we favor the 4-3 because it plays to the strength of this team - which is the Dline depth. I can't see our LBs functioning better in a 3-4, the exception being Dion Jordan.
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You're right, IMO we have a front 7 composed of players who would be great fits in the 3-4 (assuming everyone is healthy and not suspended), plus R. Jones was a better fit when we ran that scheme too. However, Coyle is a 4-3 guy and thats what he's running. I think its that simple. Either way, our D should be really strong once we get past the BYE and get Jones and Jordan back.
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If Coyle somehow does return as the DC next year. The Dolphins should just trade Jordan, because it is a complete waste of time to play him at DE. -
The Dolphins do occasionally use 3-4 fronts, and make quite frequent use of the kind of Nickel/passing down formations you would see utilized by a 3-4 team- Which I think is more important personally.
In terms of them "switching", I think that's up in the air. I think the main value would be in being able to more easily negotiate some of the issues with Wake being a left-side defender and the team having loads of edge defenders without a clear "strong-side" type guy. However, if Dion Jordan continues his pre-season play in more of a 6-technique type role like he did then I think it's kind of a moot point.
If Dion Jordan does not play well in that role, and/or if Chris McCain and Terrence Fede develop into contributors, then I think there's grounds that a 1-gap 3-4 becomes a better use of your personnel on defense.
If/when the current coaching staff is blown out, I think it's certainly something that merits consideration.Larry Little and RoninFin4 like this. -
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I think there are also other issues besides the "edge rusher" component.
You're not really fixing the "true" linebacker component, you still don't have clear answers at the ILB positions.
You're also potentially raising as equally big an issue with the down linemen. You've got to have a Nose Tackle and three or four heavy contributors at defensive ends. If you're switching to a 2-gap 3-4, now you're potentially looking for a starting Nose Tackle, and then I'm a little skeptical if Fede and Shelby can be 2-gap guys.RoninFin4 likes this. -
It should be noted that Ellerbee made his bones as 3-4 LB with the Ravens. Wheeler pass rushing ability would be best fit in the 3-4.
However with a 350lb NT going to a 3-4 is a moot point. -
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Never been a fan of the 3-4 as a base defense. Personally I like hybrid defenses like Seattle is running and/or just mixing in 3-4 looks.
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I am still fond of the days with Taylor and Ogunleye coming off the edges and wreaking havoc on Brady and Manning. Remember that game when they broke his jaw. " They beat the s--t out of me!!!" Oh man, that was so beautiful. Of course, we had the man roaming the middle which we certainly don't have now, but hopefully one of the new guys steps up there. I'll take a player with half of Zach's talent right now.
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That said, they still have a veritable arsenal of pass-rushers with Avril, Bennett, Irvin, and Schofield. Brandon Mebane is still a god among men as far as 1-technique DTs go. Plus in addition to Irvin both K.J. Wright and Malcolm Smith are a lot more versatile than Philip Wheeler and Dannell Ellerbe at OLBs. Though I'd argue that Miami might really be on the right track with Chris McCain in that regard. -
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Personally I think this debate gets overblown. We run a hybrid anyway with plenty of 3-4 alignments. The only problem is the linebackers have not been good. It's not a scheme thing, IMO.
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Plus Miami has only two players who I would say might do better in a 3-4. That is Odrick and Dion Jordan. The rest of the players are either just as good in a 4-3 or a 3-4. Or they are players that are better in a 4-3. Plus Miami doesn't have the linebackers for a 3-4. You can't have a linebacker problem and run a 3-4.Rocky Raccoon likes this. -
I don't really get the idea that Dion Jordan should be a 3-4 OLB. It was his college position, sure, but he's not a finished player and he's got physical upside which suggests he could be asked to and succeed at different things.
He's being asked to play a bit of a different position than he did in college- But he's performed well, and it's beneficial to the defense. He's played more of a 6-technique position, and in some circumstances may end up sandwiched between a tackle and tight end. However, he ended up rated #6 overall among all 4-3 defensive ends on PFF for the preseason, and appears to have made strides in terms of run defense.
It's valuable in terms of the defense because the Dolphins don't line up with two wide rushers like a Tampa-2 or Wide-9 style defense. They've got a wide edge rusher and a guy closer, and they've had to come up with some interesting combinations. Last year they wanted Olivier Vernon to do it, but he got his *** kicked the first two weeks. When Cameron Wake went down, Derrick Shelby(whom is more of a run defender, psuedo 3-4 DE) came in to that spot and let Vernon play the edge rusher position, which he excelled at. When Cameron Wake came back, he started playing the more interior technique. He didn't miss a beat in terms of pass rush, but his run defense suffered. If Dion Jordan can play the position at 6'7" 275lbs, it lets Cameron Wake play his natural position and puts the alignment in a little bit more natural position.
It doesn't mean Jordan isn't going to cover, either. He's dropped into coverage in preseason, and done so in a fashion that is more than what the average 3-4 OLB is asked to do.eltos_lightfoot likes this. -
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Also, as it relates to Jared Odrick and the 3-4, but didn't he drastically shoot up PFF's rankings as a 4-3 DT, mostly playing 3-technique last year? I swore at at least one point in the season he and Starks were both in the top 10. -
Disgustipate likes this.
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Looking forward to seeing what Mr Earl can do this year. I expect to seeing him run some guys down.
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Not having Dion at Sam at 250 is making us a worse team.
You think he's going to be fine at 275 doing some of the other things, I don't believe he will be as effective.
My stance is about how to evolve the Player into his potential, you do not take a perfect specimen of a physique and do what they did, you sacrifice coordination, balance and speed...all of those things, to the detriment of Dion Jordan, were clearly on display in preseason..some positive things he did do is just a testament to his talent, I had much bigger expectations than having no sacks and playing the run better against 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stringers, and watching him stumble around.
I know what I seen, I know what y'all are saying, at what he is now, doesn't add up to what he could be at the weight I suggest..
The ultimate specimen should of been trained to gain 3 to 5 lbs of muscle while keeping the ratio the same, this way you increase the strength without sacrificing the speed or foot movement..the actual muscle gain on that type of plan would move the body around even quicker..hence the phrase, bigger, stronger, faster...RickyBobby likes this. -
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