3-4 Switch Transition: What to expect

RunMickeyRun02

RunMickeyRun02

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So I've been sitting on this awhile hoping someone else would start this. I'm finally pulling the trigger.

Both times in my life time when Nebraska switched from what we had to a more pro style offense the end result was a losing season the first year. What can be expected of a transition to the 3-4 as a base defense? I don't recall much of an issue when we switched to a 4-3 but I was a lot younger then so perhaps my memory is incorrect.

I'm concerned about Sr's next year who will have had 3 DCs in their years here. And I heard rumblings of those loyal to Bo being unwilling to adopt the last guys system. Should I worry about guys not buying in? From what little I've heard, the new guy had me buying in pretty quickly, but I'm a pretty open minded guy.

School me in the 3-4. If I'm a DT recruited here to a base 4-3 should I be concerned? What about a LB? How hard are their transitions? What about the DB's I thought I read somewhere this will be their 7th DB coach in 8 seasons or something crazy.

I guess, what I'm asking for is what to expect scheme, personnel and end result wise. I know no one has a crystal ball but figure some out their are way more knowledgeable about the 3-4 than I. Coach me up. Thanks.

 
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Biggest change for the players would be the DL. Looks like we'll be running a two-gap system where they're expected to control blockers and control two gaps. That would be a significant change. Especially for guys who have been playing DE who are now more interior linemen.

I wouldn't think there would be a huge change for the ILBs. Obviously the scheme will be different but it would be one of the easier transitions.

OLBs will be somewhat different, especially for guys who have played DE. Sounds like one OLB will be closer to a traditional DE role while the other would be closer to a Nickel role so that may help find fits for guys.

Doesn't sound like the DBs will change much at all other than running some Cover 2. Still using the same Boundary/Field CB setup that Banker used and a lot of Cover 3.

My biggest hope is the 3-4 has been known to be able to bring a wider variety of pressure without "blitzing" - that is, you can rush one LB as still only have a traditional four-man rush so it's not really a blitz but the offense wouldn't know which one of the four would be blitzing so they can't prepare for it as much pre-snap.

 
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Thanks for the info guys +1s all around. I thought I remember complaints about Pelini using two gap up front am I correct about that?

I hadn't thought of the recruiting angle that's interesting.

 
I found Diaco's press conference around the 10 minute mark start talking x's and o's to be very helpful. Also I thought what Riley said about recruiting athletes and more linebackers means more help on special teams to be interesting.



Sorry I don't know how to properly tag youtubes.

 
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So are there NCAA restrictions on how often the coaching staff can meet with the players between now and the start of Spring ball? I am thinking the defense will need as much classroom time as they can get with Diaco and the rest of the coaches to talk through the 3-4 scheme.

 
RunMickeyRun02 said:
Thanks for the info guys +1s all around. I thought I remember complaints about Pelini using two gap up front am I correct about that?

I hadn't thought of the recruiting angle that's interesting.
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Pelini did. And it was genius. When he had Suh, Crick, Stein etc (and Carl/Sanders).... and great talent on the back end... Without those athletes, our DL got over matched and couldnt control the LOS.

Per recruiting, you need elite DE's in the 4-3.....We are hitting on like none. IMO, easier to recruit athletes and get them where we need them than elite DE's. Safeties to LB's, LB as rush ends etc.... I agree, a lot more flexibility in the ability to plug guys in and work.

 
Diaco said that he learned the 3-4 from Al Groh and that coaching tree but also mentioned running some Gary Patterson 4-2-5. He said that they mesh well and you can use the same personal for both.

I could see our OLBs and Safeties switching it up some. Antonio Reed is an ideal guy for that role.

 
bnilhome said:
So are there NCAA restrictions on how often the coaching staff can meet with the players between now and the start of Spring ball? I am thinking the defense will need as much classroom time as they can get with Diaco and the rest of the coaches to talk through the 3-4 scheme.
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I was just following up on this question to see if anyone knew what the coaching staff can do between now and the start of spring practice?

 
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