Sturm: Should the Cowboys dump the 3-4 defense?

[sbk92]

Bob Sturm / Contributor


"Should the cowboys stay in a 3-4 scheme?"

You know, this is a very good conversation and one that I suppose will depend on who the coach of this thing is. Scheme is something you don't want to jerk around too much in this league, and when you start to fill your roster with guys who are good in the 3-4, you better make sure you no longer believe it is viable before you shut it down.

I am as concerned as anyone about the way the 3-4 has looked for the most part for the last several years. Last year things fell into place, but for the most part, the 3-4 has been plenty of DeMarcus Ware success, and otherwise, it just doesn't seem to showcase the skills of many of the other defenders. Not enough pressure on the QB from the other flank, not enough takeaways. No DEs have separated themselves from the pack, and the middle LBs (Aydele, Thomas, Brooking) always look exposed.

I guess it comes down to the coaching decision. 3-4 is a nice concept, and many teams in the NFL use it very well. But, in Dallas, I can't say I am married to it. I guess I would ask 2 questions: 1) could Ware be as successful in the 4-3? and 2) how can I get the most out of Jay Ratliff? DE in the 3-4? DT in the 4-3? I need him to be special, not pretty good.

 

[Plymkr]

I don't like the 3-4, I think Ware can play both. He is that type of player. I don't think he can be a dominant player in either scheme. With the way the players have been sucking in the 3-4, I don't see a huge drop off if they were to go to the 4-3, Some players are gonna be gone anyhow, and I don't see the master Lebeau leaving Pissburgh anytime soon.

 

[Cythim]

Both schemes work, it just depends on personnel and coaching to make it work well. To switch to a 4-3 we need an entirely new corps of LBs plus depth at DE. I'd prefer to get the right coach for the 3-4 and fill in the holes we have instead of creating new holes with the 4-3.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I don't like the 3-4, I think Ware can play both. He is that type of player. I don't think he can be a dominant player in either scheme. With the way the players have been sucking in the 3-4, I don't see a huge drop off if they were to go to the 4-3, Some players are gonna be gone anyhow, and I don't see the master Lebeau leaving Pissburgh anytime soon.

Well I like the 3-4, and I agree that Ware can play in both. However, I would be in favor of scrapping the 3-4.

And I assume the bolded portion is a typo, and that you mean is that, "I DO think he can be a dominant player in either scheme."

 

[Plymkr]

I didn't see Ware being dominant this season. Not really last season either. So, I was correct in my saying. I think he is good and could be good in both, just not dominant.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I didn't see Ware being dominant this season. Not really last season either. So, I was correct in my saying. I think he is good and could be good in both, just not dominant.

And you came to this conclusion after "ONE DOWN YEAR" for Ware, which mind you he's tied for second in sacks, has his fifth consecutive double-digit sack season. Yeah, he's not dominant. And are you saying that he's not dominant because he only had 11 sacks last year after going the first 5 games without a sack? He did lead the league in QB pressures. In the past 3 years, nobody has more sacks than Ware. If he's not a domiant OLB, then there is none.



Your stupidity is approaching sbk92-like.