3-4 vs. 4-3

#1
VFL1800FPD

VFL1800FPD

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
367
Likes
95
#1
Now that it's all said and done and we've suffered through one of the worst (if not THE worst) defenses UT has ever had, do ya'll think that anything would have been different this season if we had remained a 4-3 instead of switching to the 3-4? Keep in mind that in 2011 we were 28th in total defense, and we returned most of our defense in 2012. I think that if we had had even a serviceable defense this season we would have been in the running for the East. Would staying in a 4-3 have helped us at all?

And also which defense do you think we will come out in in 2013?
 
#2
#2
VFL1800FPD said:
Now that it's all said and done and we've suffered through one of the worst (if not THE worst) defenses UT has ever had, do ya'll think that anything would have been different this season if we had remained a 4-3 instead of switching to the 3-4? Keep in mind that in 2011 we were 28th in total defense, and we returned most of our defense in 2012. I think that if we had had even a serviceable defense this season we would have been in the running for the East. Would staying in a 4-3 have helped us at all?

And also which defense do you think we will come out in in 2013?
Click to expand...

Cant say but i do know it showed how smart dooley was to switch to the 3-4 in a year he knew he had to win. I think eventually we should have switched just not this year.
 
#4
#4
In the long run, switching to the 3-4 is better because it creates a lot of opportunities to make big plays, but you need speed & talent all over the field. I say 4-3 next year.
 
#5
#5
One the can stop a run up the middle or can tackle the guy with the Punkin!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#8
#8
UNAVol89 said:
Wilcox being here wouldn't have made our painfully slow DBs any faster.
Click to expand...

I think he would have definitely hidden our deficiencies better

but if your question is 3-4 vs 4-3 regardless of who is coaching it then i don't think it would matter

if you don't play with discipline, don't play good gap defense, and can't set an edge then you can say any numbers you want but your not going to have a good defense
 
#11
#11
VFL1800FPD said:
Now that it's all said and done and we've suffered through one of the worst (if not THE worst) defenses UT has ever had, do ya'll think that anything would have been different this season if we had remained a 4-3 instead of switching to the 3-4? Keep in mind that in 2011 we were 28th in total defense, and we returned most of our defense in 2012. I think that if we had had even a serviceable defense this season we would have been in the running for the East. Would staying in a 4-3 have helped us at all?

And also which defense do you think we will come out in in 2013?
Click to expand...

It was the worst...
 
#13
#13
Whoever the next coach is or whichever the best formation is, we need to play the scheme that matches our players' skills and to the opponent's strengths. I am no expert to say what formation is for these players, but the next coach will have to decide.
 
#17
#17
We didn't just switch to a pure 3-4. We were "multiple" in our formations and showed some signs of a basic 3-4. I think the change in scheme and philosophy, coupled with the complexity of Sunseri's D, kept our D from understanding the assignments and playing fast.
 
#20
#20
One of the big problems with the 3-4/5-2 defense is that it's a larger/slower defense.

Although our biggest problem wasn't that, but instead Sunseri's desire to play man to man and send the house, with an atrocious secondary.
 
#21
#21
Well....the fact of the matter is we've recruited for a 4-3 scheme for the longest. In order to run the 3-4 you have to have certain body types to hold up in the trenches and defensive ends that can play in space yet set the edge when needed...not to mention grasping all the different situational assignments. Just because we have bodies that meet certain weight requirements doesn't mean that they can play those techniques and assignments. I think both defensives can be successful. More people are jumping on the 3-4 because of Sabin's success. Let's face it...it's a copy cat league. I honesty was surprised that Dooley switched gears in his most crucial year. Jmo.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#22
#22
volroadwarrior said:
Do you remember the calls for Wilcox' head when he was here? Well he left and those whiners see what they got.
Click to expand...

No, I don't. I remember a lot of homers trying to promote Sal as an improvement when Wilcox bailed, but I certainly don't remember Wilcox having his job called for.
Everyone knew UT had deficiencies in the roster. Wilcox managed to knit together a respectable defense. I remember people calling for the O-line coach's job. Even Chaney's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#23
#23
If Justin Wilcox had been here, I doubt that Derek Dooley would have been fired. With his defense, I believe we would have been no worse than 7-5. Sure, we need more speed in the backfield, but, look what his defense did with less experience. Players were in the right position to make plays without having to chase down opponents. In 2011, Tn. ranked 37th on defense and gave up 1952 yards passing and in 2012 thay gave up 3390 passing yards and only 15 teams ranked lower in overall defense. That shows the difference in the Wilcox defense and Sunseri defense.
 
#24
#24
VFL1800FPD said:
Now that it's all said and done and we've suffered through one of the worst (if not THE worst) defenses UT has ever had, do ya'll think that anything would have been different this season if we had remained a 4-3 instead of switching to the 3-4? Keep in mind that in 2011 we were 28th in total defense, and we returned most of our defense in 2012. I think that if we had had even a serviceable defense this season we would have been in the running for the East. Would staying in a 4-3 have helped us at all?

And also which defense do you think we will come out in in 2013?
Click to expand...
It appears that the better teams are going to the 3-4; Alabama and Georgia just played for the SEC championship and both play the 3-4. If the best teams use it, it must be a pretty good defense. f it takes 2-3 years to install, we have the time to do it and probably should stick with it. We are reruiting for it in this years class and if the new coaches can hang on and improve the defensive portion of the class, I say stay with it.
 
#25
#25
Vol8188 said:
One of the big problems with the 3-4/5-2 defense is that it's a larger/slower defense.

Although our biggest problem wasn't that, but instead Sunseri's desire to play man to man and send the house, with an atrocious secondary.
Click to expand...

With the lack of speed in the DBs, we had to play zone. When we went to the man, we gave up long TD passes like pouring water from a bucket.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top