Packers and the 3-4

[BananaMan]

I think they'll throw this in against the Bears. McCarthy has slightly hinted at this before. It's not something they'd do in the preseason though.

The definitely have the personel to run this, and run it well. I think that if they end up doing this, they should go with this lineup:



MLB Barnett MLB Hodge
OLB Poppinga OLB Hawk
DE Jenkins DT Pickett DE Kampman



Thoughts?

[gbgary]

that's interesting but i'd sure have liked to see them run it for a few games and just not spring it on someone. it might back-fire on them for lack of experience with it.

[]{ilr]3]

It would be interesting, exciting and scary all at the same time to see them come out in week 1 doing this. They have been in Don Hutson Center a lot here lately doing something they dont want the Bears to see!

[Lurker64]

Doesn't the 3-4 usually require a huge run eating DT to eat up as many blocks as possible? Do we have someone who could fill that role? Nothing I saw in the preseason from Pickett or Allen (probably the two best candidates for that spot) gave me great confidence in their ability to be 3-4 DTs.

[]{ilr]3]

Doesn't the 3-4 usually require a huge run eating DT to eat up as many blocks as possible? Do we have someone who could fill that role? Nothing I saw in the preseason from Pickett or Allen (probably the two best candidates for that spot) gave me great confidence in their ability to be 3-4 DTs.

I thought it was more dependant on lighter quicker DT's and the 4-3 was more with 2 middle run stuffers and 2 lighter ends.

[SD GB fan]

jamal williams small and light? cant imagine that. id surprised if packers do something like that against the bears. interesting tho

[gbpackfan]

I think some of you guys need to get over the idea of us going to 3-4 sets. There were no TC reports stating that they were practicing this formation and I have never seen them run it in a game. MAYBE, they bring in 4 LBs for one play or drop a DE back into coverage but that isn't a true 3-4 defense. We are a 4-3 defense, just accept it already.

[billy_oliver880]

This has been a topic that has been beaten to death...If we are going to do it then do it. Lets see if it works...if it doesn't then dump the idea.

[Lurker64]

{ilr]3]I thought it was more dependant on lighter quicker DT's and the 4-3 was more with 2 middle run stuffers and 2 lighter ends.

I don't think so.

From: Some Raiders site

* 3-4 NT is the toughest position to fill. The NT is head-up on the OC and is responsible for defending both A gaps in the running game. He faces constant double-teams and takes a pounding. He must be big, tough, durable, nasty, have stamina, and possess lateral quickness. If the NT can not hold his ground, the defense is very vulnerable to runs between the tackles. The prototypical 3-4 NT is the Raiders' Ted Washington, who is a massive 6-5 365. Washington was the key to the Patriots win over the Panthers in the 2004 Super Bowl. Stephen Davis ran for a meager 19 yards on his first 9 carries, because Washington effectively stuffed the middle of the line. Other quality NTs include the Steelers' Casey Hampton (6-1 320) and the Chargers' Jamal Williams (6-2 348)

[red]

i think we're better suited personal wise for the 3-4

our de's just aren't that great, and our LB's look to be solid and very deep

that being said, i also don't expect to see it anytime soon

[]{ilr]3]

I think some of you guys need to get over the idea of us going to 3-4 sets. There were no TC reports stating that they were practicing this formation and I have never seen them run it in a game. MAYBE, they bring in 4 LBs for one play or drop a DE back into coverage but that isn't a true 3-4 defense. We are a 4-3 defense, just accept it already.

More and more teams are going to a hybrid 4-3/3-4 Defense where they try and shake things up to confuse QB's. I believe this is something the Vikings started doing last year.

I have not heard nor read anything that GB would be doing this either, but its just interesting discussion since we have a great set of LB's to work with.

[NewsBruin]

No, the 3-4 requires big linemen and linebackers. From what I remember of his measurements, Hodge would be a decent 3-4, but Hawk would be smallish, and Nick Barnett would be completely undersized in such a defense.

Any 3-4 linebacker has to be able to rush the passer, and even full-sized 3-4 guys don't hold up over the course of a season. It' s not just about where you have the most personnel, it's about the type of personnel you have.

[Packers4Glory]

I mentioned this before. they have 4 possibly excellent LB's, and the 3-4 still kinda confuses most teams because they aren't used to seeing it.

I think the goal should be to get your best 11 guys on the field as much as possible...and it should would seem that Hodge fits into that best group. W/ talk about who will be the DT next to Pickett, that tells me right there all I need to know.

Kampan, Pickett,KGB

Hawk,Barnett,Hodge, Pop.

I'd be estatic to see all 4 on the field at once.

[RashanGary]

I could see it happening. Instead of Hodge, insert KGB and I'd imagine it works quite well.

[BobDobbs]

I would like to see some interesting blitz packages now that we have some backers that can bring it. I have to agree that you should play to the strength of your players. I remember reading that Fritz Shurmur sometimes used a 2-5 front seven with the Rams. However, we won't see a 3-4 because that is not the defense we have been building for the last two years.
For the 3-4 to work it is crucial to have a big run stuffer like Grady Jackson, Ted Washinton etc...
Also the other DEs have to be big, because with a three man line you have to be able to stack up the line of scrimmage against the run. So Goodbye KGB and Jason Hunter.
AND between Poppinga, Hawk, and Hodge we're looking at what, one NFL start. The strength of the 3-4 is the complexity of blitzes and coverages you can throw at the other team. They are still getting their basic assignments down, and Hodge will only see playing time via injury until he gets his pass coverage worked out.
I'm not bashing the LB corps they'll continue to get better this year and the next, but we'd get destroyed if we went to a base 3-4.