NFL  > Chicago Bears  > Let's switch to a 3-4 defense
June 18, 2009, 03:43 PM
Since the Bears weakness on defense is really the front four...how would they fare switching to a 3-4....with the absolute stregnth of this defense being the line backers? That could be very interesting...
June 18, 2009  04:03 PM ET

I think it would be a very interested concept. Lance Briggs and Mark Anderson as the two OLB's rushing the passer (assuming Mark Anderson can figure out how to get to the QB like he used to) would give us a significant upgrade in our pass rush. However other than Tillman I don't think we have any corners who can play physical enough for the man to man coverage often employed in the 3-4. We are also missing a solid, space consuming, run clogging nose tackle. As long as Lovie is here it wont happen because he is very sold on his 4-3 defense. I don't knock Lovie, I think the cover-2 is a good defense when used right, but the last two years we have not gotten enough consistent pressure from the front four for it to work. We've also had a well documented problem with our free safeties giving up big plays on a mental lapse. I have an idea for this though, instead of moving our free safety to 13 different positions during the course of a 16 game season lets just let him play free safety for the whole season and maybe we will get alot better at it. I read the other day that Corey Graham was working at the nickel back position... What the ****???? How is he going to learn FS if he is moving around, this is the exact same mistake they made with Danial Manning that ruined his development at the FS spot. I wish we would quit experimenting so much with our backfield, put players in the position that best suits their skill set, and let them learn the damn position without getting moved around.... Anyway now that I am done with my rant, I think as far as our LB's go we could be very successful in a 3-4. But we are missing another physical corner and a nose tackle at this point.

June 18, 2009  04:05 PM ET

who would play in the middle up front?

June 18, 2009  04:14 PM ET

Great BLOG by our old buddy BruceS1G on the pro's and cons of the 3-4.

[url]http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/265696-the-3-4-defense-a-primer[/ url]

According to the roster on NFL.com, Chicago has a number of DEs in the 250-270 # range. The two guys over the nose are 303 and 307. The Defensive tackles are all hovering in the 300# range.

In other words, the current roster is built for the 4-3 with the emphasis on speed up front. Asking 3 guys on the current roster to handle 5 lineman is probably asking too much.

June 18, 2009  06:01 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

In other words, the current roster is built for the 4-3 with the emphasis on speed up front. Asking 3 guys on the current roster to handle 5 lineman is probably asking too much.

that was kind of what i was hinting at as well but i don't profess to know the ins and outs of the full bears roster.

June 18, 2009  06:11 PM ET

The Bears have FIVE linebackers that could start for other teams...and ONE defensive lineman that could start for somebody else...we need to get the linebackers that we have on the field...and Tommie Harris would have to play Nose Tackle...it is just a thought, but the Bears can not afford to blitz every play to get pressure on the QB...

June 20, 2009  08:59 AM ET

Actually, with the personnel we have, I think including occasional variations on the 46 would be rather effective, particularly against passers who need a comfotable pocket to step up into. I definintely think we have the linemen, linebackers and strong safeties to execute this well, the only worrisome spot to me would be FS, unless one of the young guys really steps it up this year.

thoughts?

June 20, 2009  10:30 AM ET

Yea, go ahead and copy what the Packers are doing. Ha Ha, Bears can't come up with any moves on their own. They just copy everything the Packers do.

What losers their fans and organization are.

June 20, 2009  11:19 AM ET

I just can't see them swicthing to a 3-4. They don't have a massive 320 plus pound two gap tackle. Mark Anderson could be an effective outside linebacker coming off the edge but he had trouble playing with his hand down on the line of scrimmage in a 4-3 now you have to play him in space at linebacker and give him more responsibility, I can't see it.

Comment #9 has been removed
Comment #10 has been removed
June 22, 2009  09:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

The Bears have FIVE linebackers that could start for other teams...and ONE defensive lineman that could start for somebody else...we need to get the linebackers that we have on the field...and Tommie Harris would have to play Nose Tackle...it is just a thought, but the Bears can not afford to blitz every play to get pressure on the QB...

Tommie Harris is far too small to play the nose tackle in a 3-4. Marcus Harrison is better suited for this position but still not big enough. If we went to a 3-4 Tommie Harris would move to DE with Alex Brown at the other DE position.

June 22, 2009  12:14 PM ET

The cover two is fine. Don`t change the defense, change the personnel.

June 22, 2009  02:05 PM ET

BRING BACK THE 4-6

June 22, 2009  02:39 PM ET

The 46 was so dominant that the offensive coordinators had to develop an offense that the QB got rid of the ball quick (west coast offense)...this was done to keep QB alive...they were killing them...Buddy Ryan is the man

June 23, 2009  10:28 AM ET

Yet another dumb conversation topic - I wish I could block particular comments from even showing up on my screen, especially the constant idiot rants about plaxico burress. You obviously live in the NFC East - all this talk of wasting money on overpaying free agents and taking some comfort in thinking you have the best team on paper before the pre-season starts sounds a lot like the Redskins and Cowboys to me.

June 23, 2009  04:33 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Yet another dumb conversation topic - I wish I could block particular comments from even showing up on my screen, especially the constant idiot rants about plaxico burress. You obviously live in the NFC East - all this talk of wasting money on overpaying free agents and taking some comfort in thinking you have the best team on paper before the pre-season starts sounds a lot like the Redskins and Cowboys to me.

This is from Kyle Orton's biggest fan...lol

June 23, 2009  04:37 PM ET

They could put Marcus Harrison at NT, he is the big boy that you would want there...Tommie Harris, and Ogunleye at the DE's...this would let you put four linebaskers on the field at the same time, and let them create havoc...You never would know who was coming...

June 23, 2009  04:40 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Yet another dumb conversation topic - I wish I could block particular comments from even showing up on my screen, especially the constant idiot rants about plaxico burress. You obviously live in the NFC East - all this talk of wasting money on overpaying free agents and taking some comfort in thinking you have the best team on paper before the pre-season starts sounds a lot like the Redskins and Cowboys to me.

Is this all you have to do, is post behind me, since you have no brains...thread after thread...you so stupid you even use your real name Derek Bergen...if they made the personnel decisions that yo want, you would get the first pick in the draft evey year...keep it going, you are hilarious...

June 24, 2009  10:04 AM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Is this all you have to do, is post behind me, since you have no brains...thread after thread...you so stupid you even use your real name Derek Bergen...if they made the personnel decisions that yo want, you would get the first pick in the draft evey year...keep it going, you are hilarious...

So, you would prefer if I made up an identity, so I could just spew garbage on here without any accountability? If those kind of thoughts even cross your mind, I really have to question your motives here.

Oh - and regarding your last comment on the 3-4, you realize that teams adjust pretty quickly right? There is a reason why scouts place a premium on backs that can pick up a blitz behind the line of scrimmage, and it effectively counters whatever benefit you would get from having a LB blitz. Seeing how fewer and fewer teams are using the Tampa 2, I think I like our position of getting the guys we want to make the system work, especially in later rounds now.

 
June 24, 2009  11:59 AM ET
QUOTE(#15):

Yet another dumb conversation topic - I wish I could block particular comments from even showing up on my screen, especially the constant idiot rants about plaxico burress. You obviously live in the NFC East - all this talk of wasting money on overpaying free agents and taking some comfort in thinking you have the best team on paper before the pre-season starts sounds a lot like the Redskins and Cowboys to me.

Y'know, I've been chatting here for over a week and have yet to say anything derogatory about the Bears. I'm not going to start. I'll let my comments on the other blog speak for themselves. If you're thinking bgduece is a Cowboys fan, he's not. He's Bears all the way. I think I'm the only 'Boys fan that's been here.

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