The 3-4 defense needs to go, now.

[yoshukai]

I am not sure why I have to explain this. It is form, not function.

Have you ever had a family member play big time sports? A son? If I have to explain further, it probably is not worth the attempt. Explaining how to show respect is something that probably cannot be accomplished in a message board post for some one who does not understand.

This is big time sports. Players will be both praised and criticized more than they should. If I had a family member that played big time sports and my skin was too thin to handle the criticism ( it is ) , then I would not read message boards . Especially after they played like crap .

 

[shutzhund]

In some defense of Elam he was a four star on one source and a two star on others. We fans and, so it seems coaches, expected him to play like a four. He didn't, he can't, although, contrary to appearances I think he tries.

Brooks rated the need for offensive and defensive linemen higher than Stoops. This staff seems to gravitate more towards skill players. Speaking of which Elam is getting most of the negative comments but I'm pretty sure Barker should be sharing a few for his second half performance.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Mark Stoops has never had to coach with average to less than average talent. Ergo, he has never had to coach and it's blatantly obvious he doesn't know how.

Arizona is a recruiter's dream.

 

[Beatle Bum]

That's the problem…inexplicably, I think this is what he's been coach to do. It looks like all of our defensive lineman just want to stand up and hold ground instead of fire forward, I can only assume, that after this amount of time has passed, that "style" is what they're being told to do.

If you listened in the preseason, the coaches talked about Matt's need to keep low. Elam is still learning. He was a huge man in a boys league in HS. He seems like a great kid who is really trying now. But, he is still learning the discipline of life and football. People criticize his pursuit. He pursued on Saturday better than he did at any time last year. He also played more snaps. He is getting into that shape he needs.

He will see more great centers this year. He needs to continue to develop technique.

 

[Beatle Bum]

This is big time sports. Players will be both praised and criticized more than they should. If I had a family member that played big time sports and my skin was too thin to handle the criticism ( it is ) , then I would not read message boards . Especially after they played like crap .

No doubt. Idiots post on message boards. It is where they find their puny glory. But, sensible and smart people can express their disappointment and criticism in a away that does not belittle college young men who supposedly play for the posters' school. It is the balance between the two that idiots don't realize. My post is for those who can comprehend that.

Because the idiots cannot comprehend. For them, I agree, smart posters and family members need thick skin.

 

[Blue Decade]

Will be more effective in a 4-3 than 3-4,even with "our" talent.

So how do you know this? We are not really 3-4. We play multiple look defense, 3 man front most of the time. Sometimes we are in a 4 man front, but to my eye that hasn't been effective. Stoops has been here since 2013, and he has recruited for this multiple look defense. That's our current personnel. Our defense is still our weak link. No argument there. Defensive end is the weakest position on the field right now, which makes it difficult to play 4 men with hand on the ground. We don't have enough defensive tackles either. Stoops has spent the last 2 years developing Denzel Ware as an edge linebacker. At this point, Ware is probably the best player on our defense. So now, you want to ask him to play with his hand on the ground? Uh uh. I get the argument for playing 4-3 in a conference where running games are so physical. That part makes sense. But we don't have 4-3 personnel. If the defensive system was changed now, it would take another 3-4 years to recruit for it. At this point, Stoops knows his neck is exposed. He won't change systems. That would be suicide.

 

[billoliver40]

I do not understand the shift from Elliott and stoops to the 3-4. They made their name with the 4-3.

As for blaming the offense.....If you want a break, stop the other team. Three and out. Just stop them.

 

[ScrewDuke1]

Sure you can, they use the 4-3 at times.
You put Ware and Bell at DE, backed by Daniel and T J Carter, then you go with Miggins and Middleton at DT, backed by Elam and Hyde, then you go with Love at MLB, with D Laster actually sharing time, and Allen and Jones (19 tackles vs USM) at OLB, backed by Eli Brown and K Walker. This would give you the best talent and backups actually in a scheme that may work.

I agree the 3-4 should be scrapped. But its not as easy to switch as you say it is. The 3-4 and 4-3 have two totally different philosophies and responsibilities especially for the front 7. It would take about a whole offseason to fully put it in place. You couldn't do that during the season. We can show more 4 man fronts though, my guess we will probably have too at some points, but you can't change the entire thing right now.

 

[WildCard]

I do not understand the shift from Elliott and stoops to the 3-4. They made their name with the 4-3.

As for blaming the offense.....If you want a break, stop the other team. Three and out. Just stop them.

Yep, they did. But the growth of the spread offense (whether a running or passing version) mandates more speedy, "in-space" defenders on the field just about all of the time. So a big man or a LB must come off the field in favor of another SS type player.

Peace

 

[K_TIME]

Yep, they did. But the growth of the spread offense (whether a running or passing version) mandates more speedy, "in-space" defenders on the field just about all of the time. So a big man or a LB must come off the field in favor of another SS type player.

Peace

But most teams are just running as much as they ever did while in the spread....and a ton more running QBs are being used than 20 years ago. So again...why not stay with a base 4 DL set and if you want more speed...sub out a WLB for a safety in the box kind of kid (4-2-5 look) when teams go 3 and 4 wide?

UK trying to recruit and depth up for 3 bigger DL (along with backups that play quite a bit as well) is just goofy when in a 4-3 DL...you really just need bigger body kids at the 2 DT spots (and backups). The DE in college can easily play at 250-260 with a 6'1 to 6'3 frame. Elvis Dummervil was a nightmare in college and he wasn't big as a 4-3 DE.

 

[WildCard]

But most teams are just running as much as they ever did while in the spread....and a ton more running QBs are being used than 20 years ago. So again...why not stay with a base 4 DL set and if you want more speed...sub out a WLB for a safety in the box kind of kid (4-2-5 look) when teams go 3 and 4 wide?

UK trying to recruit and depth up for 3 bigger DL (along with backups that play quite a bit as well) is just goofy when in a 4-3 DL...you really just need bigger body kids at the 2 DT spots (and backups). The DE in college can easily play at 250-260 with a 6'1 to 6'3 frame. Elvis Dummervil was a nightmare in college and he wasn't big as a 4-3 DE.

No reason at all. However, a "base" 4-2-5 is not exactly the same as a 4-3 nickel. The "base" 4-2-5 usually lines up with 2 ILB and presents a 6 in the box front. Your base look is that around which you build the rest of your defense (i.e., blitz package, stunt package, covers and contains, etc.).

I have always liked the 4-2-5 scheme before 5 man secondaries became the norm. I really don't understand why more teams do not embrace that fundamental scheme.

And I totally agree about the personnel of 4 down vs 3 down. I have always thought the "advantages" of a 4 man line is that it only requires 2 DTs (the hardest of all positions to recruit) and you can get away with a truly smallish defender at the W/S DE. All JMO.

Peace