Here's a great article explaining the 3-4 in general, as well as the different schemes run by different teams.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2008/5/7/481970/mhr-university-modern-3-4 

I think we'd all be well served to refer back to this article, as well as the comments coach and Dom have made about fitting the scheme to the players rather than vice-versa when we talk about our guys "fitting the 3-4". (ie. Kampy can't play OLB, Harrell's not big enough for NT, etc.)

You only need a mammoth NT if you plan on running a 2 gap system along the line. Dallas, however, runs a 1 gap and gets by with a 305lb Jay Ratliff. Whether we'd be better off using Pickett as a 2 gap or Harrell as a 1 gap is the type of question Dom will be evaluating over the coming months.

The point is not what we should or shouldn't do, but simply understanding that whatever defensive scheme we ultimately decide on will be largely dictated by our current personnel rather than the other way around.

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Great read. I enjoyed a few of the comments as well.

Excllent post! That really clears somethings up and I definitely learned a few things i didn't know about the system 🙂

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Great article, nice find!

I haven't found anything that explained the 3-4 concept that thoroughly and succinctly. And the explanation of gaps and techniques was good, too. You can pick things up by reading them in context, but to have it laid out in front of you like that was pretty informative.

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Nice explanation. Blows the misconception that we need to go out an pick up monsters. I personally would rather not have the real bid guys and go with the smaller faster players.

Better able to switch up at the line, moving all players around to cause confusion. Looking forward to what the Pack ends up putting on the field.

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good article never understood,the schemes so it helped me a lot.

Thanks for this, Matt - we all need to brush up on our knowledge of this(these) scheme(s), and stuff like this helps immensely. :thumbright:

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Great read and info on the 3-4. What I dont understand is how going to the 3-4 is going to help us? Our biggest weakness is stopping the run - which is a negative to a 3-4 system. The only bright spots I see is that it should enable us to get more pressure on opposing QBs and have either Bigby or Collins hitting the snot out of people or picking off passes.

Only time will tell.

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run control as being con against the 3-4 is sort of a misnomer. the 3-4 is set up to stack 8 in the box and make matchup problems for the O. it's designed to make them beat you with the pass. and when you face the bears and vikings twice a year, that works out well.

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3-4 is usually better at stopping the run, as well as bringing a quicker pass rush. The vulnerabilities are if you don't mix up your coverages and zones and they pick on your secondary (If you are not strong in that area).

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