Why a 3-4?

I'll bite:
You'll need the right personel; a beast at NG (and prefereably the two DE positions as well) who can command double teams and keep the guards off the ILBs to be free to make plays.
That being said; you'll need four better than average LBs! The OLBs need to good pass rushers like a even front's DE and good enough in space like a true athletic OLB/SS for pass coverage (Not easy to find either).

It's positives: -Dick LeBeau always said he liked having an extra set of eyes above the line of scrimmage.
- Usually brings more speed than size to the field; good for stopping the short passing game?
- provides for multiple looks for pressure (which of the four LBs in coming in the charge?)
- adaptable:if your OLBs are athletic enough it's easy to cover a slot to either side and move to a four man front without changing personel.
- you can always bring the strong safety up to get tough asainst the run (but this isn't unique to the 3-4)
Again, if you have the right personnel this COULD be one size fits all defense; the key seems to be the OLBs; need to be able to rush like a DE and cover like a strong safety! (I guess the 3-3 guys call these bandits/spurs)

just my .002 (played an odd front in school and my beloved Steelers play it- maybe that's why I love it)

No offence taken Lou, just stating the obvious to get things started. Good input.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Oneback
One of my former players - James Farrior - calls the defenses from his ILB spot with the Steelers. Another of my former players - Darren Perry - started 9 years at F/S for the Steelers, & now coaches their Secondary.

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Not to hijack the thread, but have you been able to keep in contact with either of them?

I have to say I was quite disappointed in Farrior when he took an unsportmanlike penalty for kicking the lineman who had been cut blocking him ;-( You wouldn't thinka veteran would lose his cool that easy.
Boy it tough to watch a good team find away to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory every week.