The Jets run a variation of the 3-4 defense and we often have posters who don't understand the role of defensive linemen in a 3-4 defense. While there are a few variations of the 3-4, this article does a good job of explaining the basics. The article is from 2004, so you'll notice them referring to players on different teams than they are now. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=smith_michael&id=1946758
Maybe this will reduce the threads claiming our D-Line sucks at pass rushing from 5 a month to 3 month?
FYP........................ WSW, You think this will work? Are you going to move obvious threads or posts here, like a D-line cesspool thread. Maybe you should make a Dline TT thread where we can really teach them...............
Very good thread... the question about the DL should be: do they generate enough push and space for the LBs...?
The fact that this needed to be posted speaks volumes about the volume of idiots we have posting their ignorant crap here. Cesspool part deux?
The OLBs still need to engage blockers regardless of what kind of job the DL is doing occupying. Our OLBs are slow, and haven't been winning many battles at the LOS in passrush situations. I think our DL is solid as it is, but we could use depth and an eventual replacement for Ellis as his time is winding down.
Just because the 3-4 defensive lineman isn't the pass rusher does not mean that they have no responsibility for the success or failure of the team to rush the passer. As the biggest and strongest players on the defense, the defensive linemen are the only players that can potentially put an offensive lineman on his back. If they get no push, the LBs have a very small window to work with. Our DL is the weakest of our three defensive units and our failure to address this weakness will have dire consequences no matter how great an OLB we draft or sign next year.
Other than the Pats, I don't think there is a team on that list with worse OLB's than the Jets. At the very least the vast majority of that list have one dynamic game changing OLB.
Anyone who thinks the DEs aren't responsible for getting pressure on the QB should watch what Sean Ellis did to the Patriots in the divisional playoff. That's how you are supposed to play DE in a 3-4. If our DEs played like that all season we would be undefeated.
I doubt it. That was purely an exceptional game by Ellis. the ends job is to push the pocket, and fight through the double and triple teams whenever possible, but its not exactly expected to happen on a regular basis.
agreed, only the truly exceptional 3-4 DE's are able to do their job, AND get pressure on the QB. Richard Seymour is really the only guy I have seen be able to consistently get pressure from the 3-4 DE position. Want to know the second best 3-4 DE in the league at doing that? Shaun Fuckin Ellis baby.
I personally think the article is somewhat misleading, as classic Bullough-Fairbanks 3-4 is not the only flavor you will find in 3-4 schemes. If at all, if you have LBs that can close the gaps as soon as possible, that means one of the DEs can go hunt the QB. (And remember. I didn't say those DLs had to get two-gap responsibilities under any circumstances.) That's how Bum Phillips ran his 3-4, and that's how Bruce Smith became the terror that the entire NFL has come to know and fear. YES. Bruce Smith was a fearsome pass rusher, and he WAS 3-4 DE too. I understand where your logic comes from (Hell, I get frustrated by those idiots all the time too) but to introduce two-gapping 3-4 system as THE system would be, again wrong in my eyes.
Sean Ellis helped prove that 3-4 DEs can be very disruptive and still maintain their other responsibilities. While the OLBs are primarily responsible for the pass rush in a 3-4, it is foolish to give them all the blame if the team fails to rush the passer. If the DL is getting pushed around, there isn't much the OLBs can do.
But we must maintain the understanding that you don't draft a 3-4 DE to rush the passer. If he can push a pocket, good. But his main responsibility is not getting after the QB. Yes, when you rush 3 the 3-4 DEs have to get to the QB. But to think that's always their job is incorrect, and its foolish to put that type of pressure on them if they fail.
