Quote Originally Posted by wist43 View Post
More of this 4-3 subterfuge, lol...

They are not running a 4-3, what you are seeing is a 3-4 Elephant.

Pete Carroll said the Seahawks run a 4-3 with 3-4 principles... define the principles however you want, at least he's telling the truth about the alignment b/c he always has 4 DL with their hand in the dirt.

What Capers has been running is an Elephant with only 3 DL having their hand in the dirt - it is a 3-4 with 4-3 principles.
Quote Originally Posted by 3irty1 View Post
People calling it the 4-3 are following the lead of the JS writers. A 4-3 under best describes the positioning and responsibilities of the players but a 3-4 describes the actual number of down lineman and standing linebackers. 4-3 or 3-4 Elephant communicates it although sometimes it looks like there is more than one Elephant. I hope opposing offenses have as much trouble with the vernacular as this board does.
Funny, Pete Carroll doesn't agree with wist. http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/12/...-nfc-breakdown

More generally, as Pete Carroll put it:

"Our defense is a 4-3 scheme with 3-4 personnel. It's just utilizing the special talents of our guys."
And sbnation in same article:

Cliff Avril and Chris Clemons can rush the passer and cover in the flats and do so from multiple angles and platforms (i.e., two- or three-point stances). Bruce Irvin can be a pass rusher one play and a run-in-coverage linebacker on the next. Their linebackers too can blitz, stop the run, cover and tackle.
And Greg Cosell in same article:

"With Irvin, a returning Chris Clemons, and newly signed Cliff Avril, the Seahawks have three players who can align anywhere in their nickel sub-package. They all have what we call "Joker" ability, the talent to line up in either three-point or two-point stances and rush from different positions and angles.
And from FieldGulls, Seahawks blog:

How will they get the four best rushers on the field considering only one (Michael Bennett) is really suited for the inside over a guard? Look for Cliff Avril at left end, Bennett inside over the center or a guard, Clemons at the right end and Bruce Irvin playing the "spinner" role. The "spinner" stands up and moves during the snap count, meaning he could rush from anywhere.

As for JSO being the source of the 4-3 confusion, let me introduce you to their source on the matter, McCarthy's press conferences:

(On defense look) Whether three or four-man look. Lot of same concepts. Not trying to trick anybody. Just getting better at it. We practiced it in OTAs.
GBPressGazette is on board:

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod 2h
MM on 4-3: Schematically, it's a lot of the same concepts. We're not trying to trick anybody. We're utilizing personnel.
They are playing an under front almost all the time now, 3-4 or 4-3 personnel. Difference is who is OLB and role (backer or lineman). This is the less scheme, more personnel he was talking about.