Monday, August 30, 2010

My 3-4 Defense Fear For The Dawgs

Monday morning seems a little bit sweeter than usual today. I got to watch some quality high school football Friday night in the Gainesville versus Buford match-up. As I watched Buford man-handle a quality Gainesville team, I couldn't help but worry about how the Dawgs will implement the 3-4.

Gainesville is in their 3rd year running the 3-4 defense, and Friday night proved that you better have 3 studs on the D-line if you plan to stop a power team like Buford. That, and your coaches better have a plan to adapt to a hardnose running game. I couldn't help but sit in the stands in shock as Gainesville lined up 3 guys on the defensive line of scrimmage with huge 3-5 foot splits, and linebackers that were a good 3-4 yards behind the line. How in the heck any team plans to stop a power running game with that alignment is beyond me. On a positive note, the Freshman quarterback (Deshaun Watson) from Gainesville is going to be a STUD.

How does this relate to the Dawgs you ask? Well, I fear the way our 3-4 is going to perform against a power running team such as Alabama, South Carolina, etc. The good thing is that I have faith in Todd Grantham, and I think he will adapt to the situation or team at hand, unlike the Gainesville coaches did last Friday night.

Go Dawgs!

11 comments:

  1. The Pats and Cowboys seem to do okay.

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  2. Anon,
    Don't get me wrong..with the right personnel, the 3-4 can be deadly! My point is that you better have 3 guys up front that can bring it! And, when you play a smash mouth team, coaches better ADAPT the scheme. I feel strongly that Grantham will do just that!

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  3. I'm a little concerned myself. If Bean/Geathers can hold down the nose position I think we'll be okay. Ideal scenario would be Tyson, Anderson, Jones, IMO.

    If we line up with Dobbs, Tyson, Jones, there will be trouble against several teams. I don't think Tyson can handle double teams, and Dobbs is easily controlled by one blocker. I noticed several games last year where teams almost ignored Dobbs because he couldn't cover enough ground to get to the play. That situation will create big headaches in a 3-4 when the other side of the line gets completely overwhelmed.

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  4. Auburn runs the spread no huddle, how are they a power running team?

    Anyways, to the point. If you position your outside backers up near the line then the offense will not have numbers on you up front. Key is getting your guys in the right position. Could be the reason why Gainesville hasn't won the big, coaches don't know how to put there kids in position to stop power offenses. Just saying.

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  5. should have been the "big one"

    Probably why I never made it at as a blogger, can't put my words in the right position ; )

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  6. Anon 11:44,

    You're right about Auburn's offense. I must have had my head stuck in the past! Or my A$$. I'll edit it asap! I think you're right about GHS too.

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  7. I remember back in the late 70s when the 3-4 was taking over the NFL reading an article in either SI or Sport magazine and the focus was on the 3-4 as a defense that was coming in vogue because it was hard to run against with four linebackers plugging holes. The Falcons ran the 3-4 in the late 70's and early 80's and they were tough against the run. They used to shut down good backs regularly. It can be done with the rich personnel and scheme. We'll see but I sure like what I hear from Grantham.

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  8. This is the overused 3-4 cliche #1. Where is it written in the law that a team running 3-4 defense MUST employ 3 down linemen at all times? Keep in mind that the 3-4 is the BASE defense. Against a power running team, there is always the option of lining up with 4 down linemen if Grantham feels its necessary.

    As I've said before, there's nothing magical or mystical about the 3-4. Its still all boils down to talent, speed and tackling.

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  9. Anon 5pm,

    You're right on, and I am sure that Grantham has enough smarts to see that. I have been screaming at GHS for three years now to employ a 5-2 against power running teams. Then, you can bring the strong safety up to act as a linebacker, and you are essentially in a base 5-3. My personal favorite run defense for high school football.

    Lord knows the college game is much more complex, and Todd Grantham has forgotten more than I will ever know about defense!

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  10. Can't argue with the comments here. The scheme will dictate the positive or negative outcomes. Could be great, could be not so great. I just hope that Grantham can make adjustments at halftime. Willie didn't seem to be able to do it at all. I also think a 3-4 offers the defense a chance to throw different looks at an offense better than a 4-3. It is going to help that UGA's linebackers are usually the best athletes on the field, and their safeties are always making big plays except for that one (who I will not name) whiffing on the sideline against Tech a couple years ago.

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  11. Hey Anon, do you now believe me that Auburn is a "power running team"? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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