Which unit is the most important in a 4-3 defense?

[Kaylore]

List each unit of the 4-3 defense in order from greatest importance to least.

I'm not saying one isn't valued, or that one is worthless. Just curious if some of you think if one unit's ability is more critical to a team's success than another.

[SureShot]

Tough question. I would say DL. The best 4-3s have had great DL.

[Garcia Bronco]

I would say it's the 3 linemen and their ability to get doubles

[CHANGSTER]

Defensive line, secondary, linebackers.

My thinkings simple. Watching a 4-3 unit, the most big plays seem to come from that order. Even on the broncos with a crap DL and good LB's, the DL still seems to make more plays that the LB's in my view.

[listopencil]

I picked D-Line first because I think that is the most important unit on the D. After that...?

[CoBear23]

A 4-3 defense is alot like the U.S. government, it works best with checks and balances. There is not a single unit on the defensive side of the ball in a 4-3 that does not have a impact on the others.

If the d-line is doing there job then the LB's can support the run and the secondary can worry about receivers, If not than every time you bring the safety(s) or LB's to the LOS to stop the run it's a gamble in the pass game.

If your have excellent LB's you can mask the deficency's on your d-line. Becoming too reliant on your LB's to generate QB pressure will become a problem. Over time will limit your gameplaning choices when you play against a Rro-Bowl TE or a Pro-Bowl RB.

The secondary has the least amount of impact on the responsibility's of the other positions. If your corners and safety coverage are inadequte a smart HC or QB can neutralize the front seven's pass rush by utilizing quick passes. An ideal secondary in the 4-3 is one that has safetys that can cover/fill/blitz and recognize offensive patterns, this is all contigent on having skill and depth at the CB position however since the popularity of the "Tampa Two" ensures that safety's will continue to act like out-fielders waiting for their ball.

[broncocalijohn]

I said DL is the important. You are commiting one more player to stop the run or get to the passer. If that fails, there is extreme pressure on the linebackers or secondary. If you rush a line backer, you are now down to 2 LB and 4 secondary. Let us not have any weaknesses. Santa Claus and Easter Bunny is real.

[BroncoBuff]

Imo, other than in the presence of that rarest of running backs .... the lines are always the most important units on the field.

[Sir Mawn]

Imo, other than in the presence of that rarest of running backs .... the lines are always the most important units on the field.

and QB's...

[Rohirrim]

Since the dawn of football it hasn't changed. It's the lines. There's a reason they call the secondary, the "secondary." ;D And the linebackers, the line "backers."

[alkemical]

Linebackers, secondary, defensive line - that's my vote.

I think you can (like any System) build with what you got. But in the 4-3 - i went with the linebackers - because if at worst your DL can just tie up blockers - your LB's have to cover that zone that can dink/dunk you to death.

[HEAV]

De,de,de,de,de,de,de,de,de,de,de,...............

[alkemical]

da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da,da....

[Rascal]

Further away you get from the LOS the less important it becomes IMO.

Doesn't matter if your secondary is all world if your LB and D-line suck ass.

Doesn't matter if your LB's are all world if your D-line sucks ass.

Just like it is on offense. Doesn't matter if you have a great QB, RB, or WR. If your line can't block it won't matter.

[Drek]

DL, DB, LB.

The DL first and foremost because its at the immediate point of attack and in the 4-3 is where pass rush and run containment needs to start.

The secondary next because without a capable secondary your DL doesn't have the time they need to generate a good rush and you also become very vulnerable to the big play.

The LB last because in a truely great 4-3 defense their job is simple, finish off running plays that the DL doesn't, and cover short passing routes that the DB doesn't. They back up both units but don't lead the way on either end.

A great LB crew does not generate pass rush. It does not create excellent coverage. Its an augmenting position where they turn a good pass rush into a great pass rush or good pass coverage into great pass coverage.

A league average LB corps teamed with a good secondary and DL will produce an all around good defense. A great LB crew with league average players at either DL or DB will give you a one sided, league avearge defense.

[NW Bolt Fan]

How anyone could vote the D-line isn't the MOST important to ANY defense is beyond me. If you can't stop the run...

[NW Bolt Fan]

You know Kaylore, your poll question and opening thread line are in conflict.

[HEAV]

How anyone could vote the D-line isn't the MOST important to ANY defense is beyond me. If you can't stop the run...

To qoute Bill Cowher "I want you to Rush the quarterback"

[SonOfLe-loLang]

How anyone could vote the D-line isn't the MOST important to ANY defense is beyond me. If you can't stop the run...

Agreed. As i've said a number of times on this board, everything starts with the DL. If the DL is solid, your linebackers and secondary will be much better

[Popcorn Sutton]

It is imperative to pressure up the middle and have speed to collapse the pocket from the outside. It all starts with the D Line. IMO of course.

[TUG]

With the 4-3 the DL and MLB are the core of this Defense. With the 3-4 the LBs and NT are the core. Without the pass rush from your DL in the 4-3 it doesn't matter how good of a secondary you have they can only cover for so long until somebody comes open and if the DL can't shield your LBs they are not going to be free to make plays against the running game. Look at the Ravens and Bears two teams with arguably the best 4-3 teams in the NFL they have good to great DLs that allow the LBs like Lewis and Urlacher to make plays.

[Willynowei]

D-line, secondary, backers.

Its a no brainer for me, I don't think you need sueprstars at linebacker to be successful at any level of football. If you have two guys who are both hustling to the ball and one takes away the outside, and the other gets cutback, they should be able to bring down anybody in the league.

That position is all about discipline, the other two require a lot more athleticism. You almost require a big talent @ D-line, and its closest to the ball.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

A 4-3 defense is alot like the U.S. government, it works best with checks and balances. There is not a single unit on the defensive side of the ball in a 4-3 that does not have a impact on the others.

If the d-line is doing there job then the LB's can support the run and the secondary can worry about receivers, If not than every time you bring the safety(s) or LB's to the LOS to stop the run it's a gamble in the pass game.

If your have excellent LB's you can mask the deficency's on your d-line. Becoming too reliant on your LB's to generate QB pressure will become a problem. Over time will limit your gameplaning choices when you play against a Rro-Bowl TE or a Pro-Bowl RB.

The secondary has the least amount of impact on the responsibility's of the other positions. If your corners and safety coverage are inadequte a smart HC or QB can neutralize the front seven's pass rush by utilizing quick passes. An ideal secondary in the 4-3 is one that has safetys that can cover/fill/blitz and recognize offensive patterns, this is all contigent on having skill and depth at the CB position however since the popularity of the "Tampa Two" ensures that safety's will continue to act like out-fielders waiting for their ball.

Agree and not copping out.

It is a team game - the offense will find the weakness, where ever it is, and exploit it. See my signature

[Kaylore]

I've seen a lot of things that are interesting. First, my poll question and thread line are not in conflict, NW.

Second, a 4-3 defensive line in it's concept is not designed to "just take up blockers". The whole point of a 4-3 is that you have more talent in that unit so you put more of those players in the game to make an impact.

A 3-4 D-line is designed to hold blocks because the primary playmakers are the linebackers. In a 4-3 that is not so.

I chose D-line, secondary, and then linebackers because the secondary and D-line are so co-dependent in the passing game. Then if you just have some good safeties that can play the run well, your linebackers aren't as critical to your success provided they just keep their assignments.

A good example is the World Champion Colts. None of their linebackers are that great but the core of their defense is built around a dynamic front four and their safeties stopping the run.

When we won the Superbowl, we had a similar model. Allen Aldridge wasn't a world beater. Glenn Cadrez? Romo had pass rushing ability and he was good, but our safeties and D-linemen were the real playmakers on the team.

And remember there is a difference between most important and unimportant. I never said any of them are not important in a defense.

[broncocalijohn]

Seems everyone is voting for the opposite. Kaylore asked Least to greatest yet I am the only one who put secondary, linebackers then DL. It seems most voted the opposite. I look like a moron but in reality, I am the one who followed the poll question correctly. Kaylore, why would you put least to greatest instead of the normal greatest to least?

[Triplelefthook]

great thread/poll. I voted that the LBs are least, then secondary, and D-Line first. It is the 3-4 defense where the LBs are most important.

do you guys think if Mobley had been able to come back healthy we woudl have made the much talked about switch to 3-4 with Mobley, Wilson, Gold and DJ and signed a couple behemoths to rotate and play NT?

[-Slap-]

great thread/poll. I voted that the LBs are least, then secondary, and D-Line first. It is the 3-4 defense where the LBs are most important.

do you guys think if Mobley had been able to come back healthy we woudl have made the much talked about switch to 3-4 with Mobley, Wilson, Gold and DJ and signed a couple behemoths to rotate and play NT?

No, you need big LBs to play a 3-4, not pipsqueaks.

[-Slap-]

They've been playing this game for a long time and some pretty sharp guys are breaking down film every week. If you're deficient somewhere, the opposition will find and exploit the weaknesses. Once one team finds your soft spot, the rest of the League will show all the restraint of a school of piranhas.

The way the game is played and officiated these days, the worst place to be weak on defense is at cornerback. Lots of people can name the 1985 Bears front seven and safeties, but few people know Mike Richardson and a combination of Shaun Gayle and Leslie Frazier manned the cornerback positions for that team. Fortunately for Buddy Ryan, he came around 20 years ago. The way the game is called now, he wouldn't have Otis Wilson knocking the opposing quarterback out of the game every other weak. Nowadays, bad cornerbacks spell certain doom, no matter who you have rushing the quarterback.

[watermock]

I'm not diminishing the DL at all, but considering our arch enemys that shall reamain obvious yet anonymouse, with the new rules or newer I guess, a team without a secondary without glue will get toasted. This is why I want Griffin. I've heard he's not a cover safety, but I've seen enough. The Big 12 is run orientated, he can learn more cover techniques.

I think Denver's glaring needs at DL is tilting the poll.

I was watching an older video that Atlas sent me and wouldn't accept money for it. It just showed up and I have no idea how he got my address. heh. Blackout I guess.

Anyway, I'm watching this 20 year old DVD (not the DVD, the game..heh), and you saw late hits on QB's, RB's and Recievers that all would of drawn PF's today.

Like it or not, without a secondary that is able to stick like glue but not ruffle a feather, MellonHead and Tom Terrific will continue to light us up.

Get Griffin then spend the rest of the draft mostly for DL. At least three picks. We made the mistake of taking Ms. Lilly instead of Ed Reed and are still paying the price...let's not make the same mistake.

[Tredici]

Which ever one we don't have....

[Northman]

Without a doubt, it starts up front. We've all seen first hand without pressure everything else begins to have issues.

[watermock]

Geez...Football 101. Some posters just don't understand that the team is built around a 4-3, not only that, if Wilson is moved...we are down to a 4-2-5 evidently.

Not only that, Bates, like Coyer is a 4-3 guy, but likes to play tighter. I don't care if Champ plays off...he can do whatever he wants for all I care.

[Kaylore]

It's interesting how barely anyone picked secondary as the most important and that's our best unit.

[broncocalijohn]

It's interesting how barely anyone picked secondary as the most important and that's our best unit.

You asked what is the most important by our 4 3 set up. You didnt ask importance based on the players we have. If you asked where we have the biggest strengths, then you would have your answer.

[Mediator12]

Football 101 states the effectiveness of each play is dictated by the first players to contact each other. Any mistakes there or any severe defeats there destroy the rest of the play. That would simply be OL v DL in a 4-3 and DL+LB v OL in a 3-4.

After that, it depends if the offense chooses a running or passing play. Since the NFL passes on 55% of the downs, the coverage of the LB's and secondary becomes the second most important element and the units can not truly be seperated in coverage. Coverage is about taking away the QB's options as he reads them in order. That takes gameplanning, individual preparation, proper reads, instinct, and execution of all of the above.

On the running plays, the LB's are more important as they fill the lanes that the offense is attempting to open for the runner. The secondary fills the gaps not covered by the DL and LB's based on the play design, Defeats, and scheme.

While it is easy to classify the roles of these positions relative to their importance on any given play, the overall importance is based on how the scheme covers their weaknesses. If the first level (DL) is defeated more often than not, the next level (LB) has to be that much better and play almost perfectly in order for the Defense to be effective. Also, the secondary has to cover much better and longer than other secondary's.

This is easily what happened to DEN the last few years. The back seven wore down late in the games and was even worse as the season progressed. They played longer downs per game and per season. By the playoffs, they were regressing instead of peaking like the juggernaut teams defenses were. The DL had to rely on mass substitutions to remain effective as well, and the better offenses played hurry up style to keep them gassed and ineffective. Until they address this with more everydown type personnel, continue to expect the same results defensively.

[alkemical]

good post