Should Ravens Switch to a 4-3 Defense?

**wickedsolo** · 01-26-2012, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

They don't currently have the linebackers to successfully run the 4-3 full-time.

I disagree with that.

I think they are 1 LB away from being a decent 4-3 unit, but I think they're a LB shy of being a good 3-4 unit as well.

I actually think that JJ would be a good weakside OLB. McClain isn't the greatest in coverage, but he's not terrible. He'd be my choice for the strong side. Ellerbe would be my #2 Mike behind Ray Lewis. Also, with the way the draft is shaping up the Ravens could easily take a guy like Lavonte David, Zach Brown, or Terrell Manning.

Stephen Tulloch, Dan Connor, EJ Henderson, Kirk Morrison, Joe Mays, Wesley Woodyard, and Barrett Ruud are all FA's and all have functioned well in a 4-3.

It's entirely possible.

Kruger is obviously really great as a pass rushing DE, but in coverage he's just not quick enough to be effective at it. Pernell McPhee is also someone who could play LE in a 4-3.

Honestly though, it doesn't matter because offenses are still going to try and double Suggs until the Ravens get someone who can legitimately rush the passer from the opposite side and be an every down OLB/DE. Hopefully that's Kruger or Kindle.

**mommathurgoesthatman** · 01-26-2012, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I disagree with that.

I think they are 1 LB away from being a decent 4-3 unit, but I think they're a LB shy of being a good 3-4 unit as well.

I actually think that JJ would be a good weakside OLB. McClain isn't the greatest in coverage, but he's not terrible. He'd be my choice for the strong side. Ellerbe would be my #2 Mike behind Ray Lewis.

JJ would make a great weakside LB but Ellebre is not a MLB. He looks lost out there and gets hurt a lot. He has speed and great lateral movement but he doesnt read play and his awareness sucks. McClain would be my #2 behind lewis and Raves could draft a strong side LB. We have everything else in place.

**UKRavenGordon** · 01-26-2012, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by mommathurgoesthatman

I think the OP is talking about running a traditional Base 4-3 not hybrid like we run

We haven't ran a true hybrid D since Rex Ryan left.

**UKRavenGordon** · 01-26-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I disagree with that.

I think they are 1 LB away from being a decent 4-3 unit, but I think they're a LB shy of being a good 3-4 unit as well.

I actually think that JJ would be a good weakside OLB. McClain isn't the greatest in coverage, but he's not terrible. He'd be my choice for the strong side. Ellerbe would be my #2 Mike behind Ray Lewis. Also, with the way the draft is shaping up the Ravens could easily take a guy like Lavonte David, Zach Brown, or Terrell Manning.

Stephen Tulloch, Dan Connor, EJ Henderson, Kirk Morrison, Joe Mays, Wesley Woodyard, and Barrett Ruud are all FA's and all have functioned well in a 4-3.

It's entirely possible.

Kruger is obviously really great as a pass rushing DE, but in coverage he's just not quick enough to be effective at it. Pernell McPhee is also someone who could play LE in a 4-3.

Honestly though, it doesn't matter because offenses are still going to try and double Suggs until the Ravens get someone who can legitimately rush the passer from the opposite side and be an every down OLB/DE. Hopefully that's Kruger or Kindle.

Full agree with you on McPhee, but I think we'll see him be used as (and be effective) a 4-3 pass rusher next season - similar to Geno Atkins in Cincy.

**Boulderraven** · 01-26-2012, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremiah W

3-4 vs 4-3 base is over rated. As long as we stop the run, most of the big games will be played in a nickle base anyway. The Ravens have always used a variety of formations.
IMO defense is much more about the players than the scheme. Can your front 4 ge pressure, can your CBs cover 1 on 1, do you need both safties deep or can one be a box player and still match up? If you have a hole in your defensive personel the scheme is almost always going to be trying to cover that up and not mixing it up and keeping the OC guessing.

Yep. In the new NFL, they rarely call holding. Plus, the most important thing is having good cover corners and Lb's who can cover as well. It's becoming 7-7 drills.
Stop the run, anyway you can. Then cover your arse off.

**Teavo** · 01-27-2012, 08:00 AM

Does JJ have the speed and quickness to play 4-3 WLB? I thought a 4-3 WLB should be able to play well in open space. It's not that JJ would be bad at it, but I can't see him being an ideal fit there either. Wouldn't he be better as the SLB, which is pretty much what he does now, where he works in traffic and can square up against blockers and set the edge? He does that well already.

Do we really have a proper 4-3 WLB type on the team? If I had to pick one I'd say it's Ayanbadejo but I can see that most of you are thinking with different criteria so I'm wondering why you're thinking JJ.

**GOTA** · 01-27-2012, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Teavo

Does JJ have the speed and quickness to play 4-3 WLB? I thought a 4-3 WLB should be able to play well in open space. It's not that JJ would be bad at it, but I can't see him being an ideal fit there either. Wouldn't he be better as the SLB, which is pretty much what he does now, where he works in traffic and can square up against blockers and set the edge? He does that well already.

Do we really have a proper 4-3 WLB type on the team? If I had to pick one I'd say it's Ayanbadejo but I can see that most of you are thinking with different criteria so I'm wondering why you're thinking JJ.

JJ is a free agent. If they went 4-3 they wouldn't look to resign him. Even if they stay 3-4 JJ is probably just 50/50 at coming back.

**mommathurgoesthatman** · 01-27-2012, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

JJ is a free agent. If they went 4-3 they wouldn't look to resign him. Even if they stay 3-4 JJ is probably just 50/50 at coming back.

JJ IMO is not really needed on our team. yes he does a good job setting the edge but i know our defense will get faster without him. If he come back i hope he has smaller role and takes a pay cut.

**The Excellector** · 01-27-2012, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by blah3

So how does running a 3-4 help with the LB situation?

They can play games with Suggs' versatility in the 3-4. In the 4-3, he would be a full-time DE, likely rushing from one side. You need a more athletic MLB in the 4-3, which is why Ray would not be able to do it full time. There is less space for him to cover in the 3-4, so they don't run the 4-3 full-time.