Bolts From The Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Sean Keeley's Week 12 College Football Buffet

Why Not? 4-3 Defense

Since the Chargers' front 3 in 3-4 aren't good enough after the loss of Jamal Williams. Basically three teams: Baltimore, Miami, and Pittsburgh have found the way to move the ball against us: Run the ball. Defeat us one on one in the front 3.  All our guys do is get pushed back. and the secondary does not look good because they couldn't stop the run. If they line up 4-3 they would have two NT in Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Alfonso Boone. It will make it easier in goal line situations

Why not?

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

1 recs  |  Comment 34 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

LB is a strength

I’m not sure much is gained by taking a relatively strong LB off the field for a relatively weak DL.

by CoastalBronco on Oct 5, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Things may change

as players get healthier or adjustments are made, but nothing about the Chargers front seven on DE is strong right now. Currently I believe they are playing at the lowest level of any front seven in the NFL.
I am not in favor of trying to make a mid stream change to the 4-3, but it is not because of any so called strength that we (as charger fans) may want to believe that we currently have.

by JeromeB on Oct 6, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We've sort of been doing that

Putting one of the OLBs in a 3 point is how we stopped Oakland’s rush.

Last night against the Steelers we tried it again. But their O Line just dominated us with double teams, blocking schemes and most of the head to head contests. Our front seven on D is just not as big, not as strong, not as talented at stuffing the run as their front six. Then you mix in a FB in at full speed, and you have gigantic holes to run through.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 5, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

On 3rd down against the Steelers

Merriman didn’t come in as a LB. He always lined up as a DE. It wasn’t a 4-3 most of the time because they were in Nickel (Actually, they are in Nickel a lot, so it’s hard to even call the D a 3-4 at this point).

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 5, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Running a 4-3 would not work right now...

So we have two nosetackles, and…Two undersized DE’s in English, Merriman, or an oversized 4-3 DE in Martin…

In my opinion this would not work…

Formerly, thats a no-go.

I apologize for my ignorant and blatant lack of refinement in terms of my cursage. I did not know much of this Tuel feller so I accidentally used another innocent mans picture. Believe me, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!

by CaDuck on Oct 5, 2009 4:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So....

3-4 would work better against the run?

by BFTB_zach on Oct 5, 2009 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think it would work better against the run than having 2 woefully undersized DE's

and only 3 linebackers to stop a halfback once he inevitably breaks through our D-line

I hate knee injuries.

The masses have spoken, Kevin Prince it is!

by CaDuck on Oct 7, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We'll have Martin,Boone,Merriman,and Castillo line up with their hands in the dirt,

and English,Coop,and Phillips at backer,no?

Chance favors the prepared mind.......

by Gorditoe1 on Oct 5, 2009 6:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

With the current injuries

I would have Castillo and Nwagbuo at DTs and English and Merriman as DEs. Phillips, Cooper and Burnett would be the LBs with Burnett becoming an OLB. Tucker and Cesaire would be backups DEs (although I think Cesaire may be too big and slow to play the position effectively these days). Applewhite, Siler and Dobbins would be the backup LBs. Although, I’m not sure Siler really fits any position in the 4-3 and Applewhite is more of a passrusher so injuries to the LB corps would really cause problems (but maybe not worse than our current injuries to the DL).

It’s all moot though. You can’t make a change like that in-season.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 6, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Chargers ran 21 plays on Sunday where they had 4 defenders playing with their hand on the ground. We made a stop on 33% of those plays. On the 48 plays with 3 down lineman? 42%. 2? 100%. 5? 0%.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Oct 6, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

It was only one play.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Oct 8, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly!

I think you should take a post somewhere in Government, you would be perfect.
Oh wait, I hear Enron has a new job opening!

I hate knee injuries.

The masses have spoken, Kevin Prince it is!

by CaDuck on Oct 8, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Silly.

We don’t have any good DTs, though we have a couple oversized DEs for the 3-4. We have too many LBs, none of whom are true standouts but all worth keeping. So the solution is to drop off an LB in favor of a DT? Sorry, no. This is a 3-man front. Is it going to be weak against the run? Maybe. What’s the solution? Get the opponent out of running situations. Stop trying to come from behind. Play better offense in the first half. Worked for the ’06 Colts.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Oct 7, 2009 12:11 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

3-4 defense

is all about the nose tackle he need to take on two player at a time and we don’t really have anyone like that

by BFTB_zach on Oct 7, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Understood.

There are ways to cope. Denver’s nose tackle is only the same size as Travis Johnson or OG Nwagbuo. I’m not saying we can go back to 2006 up front, but if we solve a couple of momentum issues on offense and continue to play good pass defense, we can manage our run-D issues fairly well anyways.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Oct 12, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

As AJ said and I've stated before

The Chargers are soft. The LBs, with Merriman nowhere near back and English still young, are vastly overrated. Phillips and Cooper talk way too fricking much for being average NFL players. Weddle and Castillo are smart players but there is no intimidation or physicality, just like the LBs sans a healthy Merriman. I like the 4-3 idea since Rivera has plenty of experience and as I’ve said before, we’ve had no plan B for Jamal even though he’s been wearing out for the past 3 seasons.

At least Al Davis isn't running my team's drafts.

by bringbackbuddytrees on Oct 7, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

PLAN B

is draft a canadian player

by BFTB_zach on Oct 7, 2009 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Doug Flutie?

I hate knee injuries.

The masses have spoken, Kevin Prince it is!

by CaDuck on Oct 7, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know,

I was just kidding

I hate knee injuries.

The masses have spoken, Kevin Prince it is!

by CaDuck on Oct 8, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The problem with going to the 43 is that you’re further away from having from having a competent 43 defense than you are a 34.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Oct 7, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

The problem with 3-4

is that ron rivera is a 4-3 defense thats is running a 3-4

by BFTB_zach on Oct 8, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The problem with going with either one

is that our front seven are getting their collective asses handed to them. Unless they decide to man up and stop getting blown off the ball we could go with a 4 – 4, play 12 men on DE and still not get the job done.

by JeromeB on Oct 8, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about a

0-0-11 defense! It will have just as good of a pass rush (or lack thereof) as our defense has now, and will be just as effective at stopping the run (by which I of course mean we cannot stop a run) Plus 11 people defending the pass!

I hate knee injuries.

The masses have spoken, Kevin Prince it is!

by CaDuck on Oct 8, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

i read DE as “defensive end.” like the pirate captain said of the steering wheel attached to his nards," it’s driving me nuts!"

by BORTZ on Oct 8, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but we're already running a 4-3

when four guys have thier hands in the dirt that’s a 4-3 line up. 3-4 means you are deep enough at LB, you can move them around, to attack the weak points in the O-line. and maintain a rush with 3 linemen. this is exactly what isn’t happening. we are lining up OLB on the outside, and ILB on the inside. Wade lined the up the LB’s where he needed them, not according to thier title.

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on Oct 8, 2009 8:06 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I know what a 4-3 is

I just rec’d it becuz we have a 4-3 specialist DC

by BFTB_zach on Oct 8, 2009 9:26 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

sorry , replying to JeromeB

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on Oct 9, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure what your reply was about

but thanks I guess. All I said was that our front seven are playing terrible so far this season. Unless they improve the level of their play it really will not matter how they line up. My mention of a 4-4 defense was meant to be a joke. The joke part was that we are playing so bad even an extra player would not help. Perhaps it was not funny.

by JeromeB on Oct 11, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

34 d, but mix it up

The Chargers have to rush 5 to put any heat on the passer, but not the same 5 every time. how about a corner or a safety or a nickle? And the linebacker doesn’t need to scream out “Hey I’m comin in” by lining up in the nuetral zone. He’d have a better chance if he’d let the o line engage ,then find a hole; especially the way teams like Pittsburg like to trap block. And although this is off the subject Hey Cromartie, your a freakin corner not a safety. Read your reciever, Not the quarterback like a safety does. We are not counting your INT’s . We are counting your god damn holding penalties.

by RTChargerfan on Oct 10, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

delayed blitz , cross over, loading gaps, stacking to one side, etc. as long as we contiue to rush, 4 guys. the same 4 guys, in the same positions. the offense knows who to block. we don’t create any confusion or guess work, with our D.

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on Oct 10, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A community for fans of the San Diego Chargers to get the latest news, stats and opinions from die-hard fans. Join the community to voice your own opinion and debate with other Bolts fans.
Start posting about the Chargers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Dontpanic_small
Why the Broncos Losing to the Redskins is Even More Important
Briandawkins2_small
Ask a Bronco fan!
Small
My Time with Philip: How I Went from Skeptic to Man-Crush in 5 Years
Tn_small
Week 9 Review. Chargers at New York Giants. Final 21-20 Chargers.
Jerseyred_200x150_small
Chargers v. Giants - Clip Show's Perspective

Recent FanPosts

Avatar1_1_small
Broncos’ Orton Will Play Despite Ankle Injury
Zoo_080_small
SD-DEN PART2
Playing_outside_012_small
Josh McDaniel Has a Plan, Maybe....
34_adenhart_2x2_small
Dumbest Coaching Moves of All Time...
Avatar_small
Kyle Orton Looks Done for the Season
Small
Rivers Post Game Interview PHI vs. SD
The-three-stooges-football_small
Chargers Getting Into a Winning Groove

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Mobile Live
Eagles shuffle linebackers again
Mobile Live
The VRR: Redskins (3-6) @ Cowboys (6-3)
Mobile Live
Antonio Pierce out indefinitely

Managing Editor

Chargershorse_small John (obviousman)

Contributing Editors

Cromartiechargers_small Brian (DaBolts)

Pomeranian_of_war_small Richard Wade