New 4-3 for Huskers

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kramer

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New alignment will take me some getting used to. I think at times it will look like a 5-2, but in functionality it is more like a 3-4. They will be putting the "base end" over the offensive tackle on the tight end side, and the next closest player will be the defensive tackle lined up over the center.

This will invite, big time, teams to run on the strong side of formations over the guard.

The "open end" lines up 2 yards wide of the weakside tackle. His job is basically to fly in quickly to the backfield.

The "base end" will primarily have run stopping responsibilities on his whole side of the line, while the "open end" will be a speed rusher against the pass.

They have been working Ndamukong Suh (6-4, 300) at the base end lately, who is currently listed as a tackle. Carriker (6-6, 280) will start there.

So in reality, we will have three tackles (base end, two tackles) and four linebackers (three linebackers and fast, smaller open end) out there, which makes it function more like a 3-4.

I have some concerns about how this will do against power running teams, but there are much fewer of those now then there used to be.

 
I disagree as to its effectiveness against the run. The formation is set up to confuse blocking assignments, especially on running plays. Rarely will you see a straight rush from this formation, but instead alot of stunting and blitzing, and probably alot of zone blitzing, so the guard who is uncovered will have a difficult time picking up the stunting defensive tackle, or the blitzing mike backer, sam backer, safety, or any combination of the said players. Even if he does manage to pick up one of these players, the full back is going to have to pin one of the linebackers to the outside or the inside. The tight end will make no difference because he is going to have to block down on Carriker or he will probably blow the whole play up, and they have to hope that their runningback can hit the hole fast enough or that the uncovered linebacker makes a mistake. You will probably see more teams actually trying to run away from the strong side, because the open guard is free to pull and blocking assignments are much simpler to the weak side due to the more inflexible nature of that side of the defense. I also forgot to mention the will backer chasing from the backside, and believe me, both Octavien and Ruud are very fast.

 
I guess we will have to find out, but I have my suspicions that it will not be too effective, as it will cut down the speed of the defense, (adding a DT and taking out a LB).

Maybe it would work in the slow B1i1g, but there is too much speed in the upper echelon of college football (Big 12, SEC, ACC, USC)

 
This is the defense that a majority of nfl teams run, and there is more speed there than in college, and no, you dont take out an end and replace him with tackle, you give a linebacker a better shot to run unhindered by blockers and make your blitzes alot more effective. This set up give you a ton more versatility rushing the passer, and is more confusing for the offense.

 
This sounds an awful lot like a 4-3 version of a double eagle, and if that's how they're gonna run it then it should have no problem stopping the run and it shouldn't be nearly as open to the pass as a normal 46 would be.

My guess is that they switched to this because it will be so much easier to put pressure on the QB because of how many options you have to blitz out of a 46, even if it does have one less LB.

 
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