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A few weeks ago, I wrote this article saying how I believe Washington has the personnel to fit better into a base 4-3 rather than a 3-4. Yesterday both Adam Peters and Dan Quinn spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine, and although neither would come out and say that new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones would be implementing his version of the 3-4, Quinn did talk about the versatility of veteran defensive tackle Daron Payne, mentioning him being able to play both as a 3-4 defensive end and a nose tackle.
This raised a lot of eyebrows within Washington Twitter, where folks have guessed for weeks what new scheme Jones would bring to D.C. Did Dan Quinn just let the cat out of the bag?
If Jones is adamant about implementing a 3-4 defense, or at least principles of a base 3-4, a lot will need to change to make that happen. First, let’s take a look at each defensive scheme in some more detail.
4-3 Base:
This front uses the more traditional 3-technique defensive tackles, and the “hand-in-the-dirt, edge-setting” defensive ends. First, let’s take a look at the defensive tackles needed to run this defensive effectively.
The 3-technique defensive tackle is usually lined up over the offensive guard or shaded to the inside or outside eye. Sometimes (in certain packages) they can be asked to be a two-gapper, and kick into the A gap to a 1-technique. What sets these players apart from a 3-4 defensive tackle, is that they are asked to penetrate the line of scrimmage, opposed to occupying blockers. In a traditional 3-4 base, the defensive tackles have gap responsibility, meaning they are usually asked to plug a gap, while occupying more than one blocker. The 4-3 defensive tackle is usually a quicker, more agile playmaker, who has the ability to beat a one-on-one block, and make plays in the opposition’s backfield.
The defensive end is the most important linemen in a 4-3 defense. These players are usually 6’ 3” or taller, and weigh between 260-275 pounds. Two decades ago, the defensive ends in an odd-front were bigger, run-stuffing humans, who looked like defensive tackles, but played with the agility and quickness of a linebacker. Reggie White and Howie Long were two defensive ends that fit this description. Over the last 10-15 years, the position has changed quite a bit. Today’s defensive ends in a 4-3 base have to be multi-dimensional athletes, who are strong enough to set the edge against the run, but are also agile enough to use their quickness, body lean, and flexion to beat offensive tackles on their way to the quarterback.
The 4-3 base defense uses three linebackers. The middle linebacker is referred to as the MIKE. He is the player normally tasked with making the defensive calls and gets the defensive linemen and other linebackers in the right position. This player is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense. He must be multi-dimensional, as he is often asked to take on centers, guards and H-backs at the point of attack but also must be able to drop back into high-hole coverage, cover a back out of the backfield, or even spy a quarterback. The weak side linebacker is called the WILL. This is usually the team’s most athletic linebacker who excels in coverage. The WILL is asked to be versatile as well, as they are often used in a variety of blitz packages, but could also be responsible for leverage coverage on slot receivers, and hook-curl/flat coverage in zone defenses. The strong side linebacker is called the SAM. He may be a good pass rusher but also needs to be able to come up and set the edge on stretch or tosses, or when there is a defensive line stunt where the defensive end is asked to pinch or slant inside. The SAM is also asked to jam, and cover in-line tight ends in passing situations. SAMs are usually the linebacker subbed out in nickel.
- Pros: Tough defensive to run against if defensive ends are playing their role correctly. Linebackers are huge in their responsibility against heavy passing teams. Allows a more evenly distributed zone defense with each linebacker having a defined area. Defensive ends don’t have to read and react as much. Defensive linemen are able to pin their ears back and just play football.
- Cons: Not as easy to disguise fronts and blitz packages. Takes the element of “confusion” away from some defensive coordinators. Relies heavily on defensive tackles ability to generate pressure on quarterbacks (if you don’t have good 3-techniques, this defense can become a liability).
3-4 Base:
This defensive front uses three defensive tackles, and four linebackers (two inside and two outside). The role of the players changes drastically compared to the 4-3.
The nose tackle is an important part of any 3-4 defense. This player is normally a “space-eater”, who plays over the nose of the center, or shaded to either A-gap (although many teams are now going for a quicker, lighter more agile gap-penetrator). The nose tackle is asked to absorb double teams from the center and play-side guard, and like the defensive tackles, he often goes unnoticed, as his job is to free up the inside linebackers to make plays in the run game.
The 3-4 defensive end is a much different position than the 4-3 defensive end. These players are usually larger, slower space-eaters, who again, are asked to absorb more blockers than to create havoc in opposing backfields. The main difference between a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 defensive end is that the defender does not have contain responsibilities. All three of the defensive linemen in a 3-4 are usually tasked with gap responsibilities. They are asked to occupy an area on the line of scrimmage and control that area with their size and strength, often absorbing multiple blockers. This allows the middle linebackers more freedom to play sideline to sideline.
The outside linebackers in a 3-4 are more like defensive ends in a 4-3. They are the players who set the edge against the run and also rush the passer. Unlike their counterparts, the 3-4 outside linebackers are required to play in space, as they must have the ability to match-up against tight ends, and drop into flat or seam coverage when asked. These players are often labeled as “tweeners” and have become more prevalent in the college game due to the popularity of the spread offense. The 3-4 outside linebacker is usually lighter and more agile than the 4-3 defensive end but also needs to have the strength to anchor the play side against the run. These guys were usually the pass-rushing linebackers or under-sized defensive ends in college.
Finally the two inside linebackers in a 3-4 are the field generals. They are very similar to the WILL and MIKE in a 4-3, and are very instrumental in both stopping the run, and setting up in high and low-hole zone coverage against the pass. They are sometimes called the MIKE and JACK if they are viewed as more interchangeable pieces.
- Pros: The 3-4 allows more versatile blitz packages and exotic defensive fronts designed to confuse offenses. If the proper personnel is in place, it can be a tough defensive to run inside against. This defense can generate a lot of quarterback sacks and hurries from the outside linebacker position.
- Cons: Outside zone, stretch and tosses can exploit this defense if the outside linebackers are not disciplined. Teams who run a zone blocking scheme are often successful running the ball against 3-4 teams, as there are often cutback lanes along the line. Linebackers are more susceptible to play-action passes. Tight ends can exploit weaknesses in coverages. Outside linebackers NEED to be able to drop into coverage, or the offense can easily find mismatches in the passing game. It is very hard to find players who excel at both rushing the passer and playing coverage.
Currently, Washington lacks a true nose tackle, a true 3-4 defensive end, two outside linebackers and a MIKE linebacker. On top of that, there are also players who really don’t fit well into what a 3-4 typically asks players to do.
- Jer’Zhan Newton – much better suited as a one-gapping defensive linemen who can play over a guard.
- Dorance Armstrong – not a player you want playing in space and having to cover.
- Javontae Jean-Baptiste – too stiff to effectively play in space and cover.
- Frankie Luvu – too slow to be a true 3-4 off-the-ball linebacker, and not big or strong enough to play as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Lacks good pass-rushing skills.
To get this defense ready to switch to a base 3-4 defense, Adam Peters will need to take advantage of both free agency and the draft to fill the many holes that exist.
3-4 defense free agent wish list:
- Benito Jones (29) MIA – 3-4 NT
- Neville Gallimore (29) IND – 3-4 NT
- Naquan Jones (28) HOU – 3-4 NT
- John Franklin-Myers (30) DEN – 3-4 DE
- Logan Hall (26) TB – 3-4 DE
- Da’Shawn Hand (30)LAC – 3-4 DE
- Bradley Chubb (30) MIA – 3-4 OLB
- Malcolm Koonce (28) LV – 3-4 OLB
- K’Lavon Chaisson (26) NE – 3-4 OLB
- Arnold Ebiketie (27) ATL – 3-4 OLB
- Azeez Ojulari (26) PHI – 3-4 OLB
NFL draft prospects at pick 7:
- David Bailey EDGE 6’3” 250
- Arvell Reese EDGE 6’3” 245
- Sonny Styles LB 6’3” 242