3-4 vs 4-3

[Bornthrilla]

It's been no secret that since Small and Lee first arrived at A&T they've both wanted to run the 4-3 defense, but because of what they felt were personell limitations at the D-line position, begrugingly decided to run the 3-4 instead.

After speaking to Small this off-season, it appears to me that he now may be ready to make the move back to his bread and butter defense in 05. The question is- are the stars now all lined up and do we have the right guys and depth on the line to make the 4-3 work?

I guess you can pencil in Lewis as a starter at right end and Greeson at tackle, but besides those two cats who else really stands out?

I've always been a big fan of "Mr. Mean" Jermaine Brantley, but he was slowed by a knee injury last preseasoon and never really made an impact. Sleepy Goode performed admirabley in a reserve role and has gained some size, but I think it's too early to call him a D-line stalwart yet. Same goes for Brandon Reliford.

With Cousette and Hamiliton possibly off the team now, that doesn't bode well for our overall depth at that position. As of right now, we have only brought in three D-line prospects this signing period (Adam Beal & Tyre Glasper from Detriot King HS and Ken Griffith from Hinds JUCO), so while that is start it's not really a problem solver.

Personally, when I look at this roster I still don't see any true run stoppers to complement Greeson or a true pass rusher to complement Lewis.

[Aggie One]

I think 2 kids we are overlooking might be LeShawn McLean and Lionell Brown whom I both liked in the time that got to play late in the season. Both of them have size, speed, and height to have breakout years as R-Sophs.

[DOOMS]

Dare I say it?

What about the 4-4?

[da heretic]

Doomsday,

Good question. But would you wanna expose our corners in man to man coverage against a team that would run a Morgan punt formation offense that threw for 500+ yds back in 2k1?

I think we're probably better off in the 4-3. I think it's easier to find 4 down lineman than to find 4 quality linebackers; look at last season. That's why not too many pro teams run the 34.

[DOOMS]

Well, Morgan's success had just as much to do with our coaching staff's ineptness as it did the novelty of that offense they dared to run for one week. FAMU tried the same crap the following week and got done.

I ain't gonna lie, I was thinking the same thing about the weakness of the pass defense, especially considering more teams are chucking and ducking nowadays than in prior years. Acknowledging that I think we have to admit that no matter what defense we ran that day we were gonna give up crazy yards.

Except for the Morgan debacle, the Elon year one debacle, and the Youngstown debacle, the 4-4 was pretty stout. If your linebackers can run (and your d-coordinator can scheme) it seems to work.

[da heretic]

But remember, Doomsday, you still gotta find 4 linebackers; that's a tough chore cuz they also have to drop into pass coverage.

[DOOMS]

Yeah, I thought about that too. Just convert a couple of safeties to outside linebacker. That's all we did before anyway.

[DECKS]

I prefer the 4-4 but you must have a lot of team speed on the defensive side for it to work at it's best. DD, is correct in that the outside guys should probably be a couple of safeties. You also have to have players that are mentally sharp since it is a rather complex defense. The blitz packages make this defense worth the time.