3-4 Defense - How often?

[lloydman]

To start 2004, our defense came out in the 3-4 formation. Due to D'Andrea's injury, I don't think OSU ran it again all season (maybe a few plays?). While the DL is coming along, OSU has 4 great linebackers and Kerr in reserve. How often will OSU use the 3-4 in 2005? I imagine it could be very effective against Texas in the right situations.

 

[jwinslow]

No, we ran the 3-4 a little at the beginning of the season. However, while D'Andrea was still healthy it was not our main formation. Unless we cannot field a solid 4 man front, we will not see the 3-4 very often this year.

On paper it works, but I don't see us using a formation we are not going to run all year. There's a possibility we'd switch to it if we cannot contain Young, but don't expect to see it much.

Keep in mind that a 3-4 also changes how easily we can blitz from the secondary, especially the corner.

 

[DA-Bucks]

I doubt we'll see it often, only on teams that cannot run the ball what-so-ever. Additionally, I don't see what all the hype is about on John Kerr. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he transferred, but I have *never* heard anything fantastic about him out of practice or camp.

He was an awesome tackler for Indy, but how much of that was because Indy's defense was on the field 85% of the game and he was the MLB. It's just hard for me to give any props to a guy who we've never seen on the field and hardly ever hear any great praise about him. Freeman, on the other hand has been lighting up practices - I feel more comfortable with him as a reserve.

 

[Zurp]

The Bucks have four awesome linebackers - no doubt about that. It's hard to pick one of the guys to sit on any play. What if they lined one of them up on the D-Line? With the amount of zone blitzes the Bucks use, I'd guess it can be pretty effective.

 

[osugrad21]

The Bucks have four awesome linebackers

If you did not count Marcus Freeman in that foursome, you need to change your assessment. Word has it he will push for PT this year...rumblings of Carp possibly getting some reps at MLB in case of emergency...or if Freeman is too good to keep on the sideline.

 

[Zurp]

If you did not count Marcus Freeman in that foursome, you need to change your assessment. Word has it he will push for PT this year...rumblings of Carp possibly getting some reps at MLB in case of emergency...or if Freeman is too good to keep on the sideline.

My point was that they have enough linebackers that having only three on the field seems like a waste of talent sitting on the sidelines. (Ok - "waste" is the wrong word. How about "unused" talent?) Having a fourth LB lining up at DL might be a creative idea. It might be a HORRIBLE idea - it's for Tressel and Snyder and other defensive coaches to decide. But its a fun thing for me to think about.

 

[exhawg]

My point was that they have enough linebackers that having only three on the field seems like a waste of talent sitting on the sidelines. (Ok - "waste" is the wrong word. How about "unused" talent?) Having a fourth LB lining up at DL might be a creative idea. It might be a HORRIBLE idea - it's for Tressel and Snyder and other defensive coaches to decide. But its a fun thing for me to think about.

To get all of the talent on the field you would have to increase the number of players from 11 to 15 (or so). I can just imagine the 5-5-5 defense.

 

[osugrad21]

My point was that they have enough linebackers that having only three on the field seems like a waste of talent sitting on the sidelines.

Agreed but it is a good problem to have. Not sure where you saw these zone blitzes, but they were rare last year compared to years past.

Carp and MDA probably have the size to play some DE, but would you really want to limit their effectiveness in space by sticking them on the end?

 

[Zurp]

Agreed but it is a good problem to have. Not sure where you saw these zone blitzes, but they were rare last year compared to years past.

This problem is like a problem I wish I had: I wish I had TOO MUCH money. And I saw some zone blitzes. Can't remember how many or how often (mainly, I remember Kudla dropping a pass that was right too him in The Game - but you can't blame a DL for not getting an INT). You're probably right that it wasn't as many as in previous years.

Carp and MDA probably have the size to play some DE, but would you really want to limit their effectiveness in space by sticking them on the end?

I think their effectiveness on the line is better than their effectiveness on the sideline. But these guys probably aren't as effective on the line as the guys who have been on the D-line for years. So, it's probably better to not put these LBs on the line. I was just being creative with my ideas. I'd be surprised if 2% of my "creative" ideas are actually good ideas.