4-3

[12isthenew18]

Should we consider the move? Werner would benefit and so would newsome because he was a DE. Jones could be a DT and Jackson and Freeman could play true positions and Mathis is a great DE. Plus a 4-3 is much much cheaper

[CR91]

we do play a 4-3 at times, its not always a 3-4 defense. we play a hybrid

[Derakynn]

Mathis had his greatest year in a 3-4, and it wasn't even close. We don't have the coaches for a 4-3, all of ours come from a 3-4 background and philosophy, and changing it isn't going to make our defense any better. If they are getting outplayed one on one, that is going to happen no matter what scheme is being used. 

[Colts_Fan12]

3-4 is the better D when done right any way just keep building ours

[RomanianColtsFan]

He, he, I remember the numerous threads about switching to 3-4 when Colts used 4-3. It's never perfect.

 

It's probably unrealistic but I am wondering if a strategy involving acquiring the best defensive players through draft and then deciding on the best scheme to best fit their abilities would work better. I am not sure this is exactly the case but I think Belichick does this every year and that's why he is one of the best coaches ever. 

[Jason_]

Should we consider the move? Werner would benefit and so would newsome because he was a DE. Jones could be a DT and Jackson and Freeman could play true positions and Mathis is a great DE. Plus a 4-3 is much much cheaper

How is a 43 much cheaper than a 34? Bill Parcells was once quoted as saying he preferred the 34 because it was cheaper than a 43.

[Michigan_Colts_Fan]

Every defense has its pluses and minuses.  The key is to find ways to minimize the holes in your preferred defense and not try to fit square pegs into round holes too often.  Certain players are better suited for one scheme over the other and others are able to play in multiple defensive schemes.  Vince Wilfork is one of the latter.  I think he is the key right now to the patriots being able to adapt between a 4-3 and a 3-4 depending on their other personnel.

[NewColtsFan]

Should we consider the move? Werner would benefit and so would newsome because he was a DE. Jones could be a DT and Jackson and Freeman could play true positions and Mathis is a great DE. Plus a 4-3 is much much cheaper

 

 

Where is it written that a 4-3 is much cheaper?

[Nesjan3]

didn't we just change 3 years ago? why would we consider a change back...unless the coaching staff changed, and we are a hybrid we play both although the majority is 3-4

[GoColts8818]

Pagano isn't just going to change his defensive philosophy. To make this kind of change is going to require a coaching change and I don't see that happening.

[RomanianColtsFan]

How is a 43 much cheaper than a 34? Bill Parcells was once quoted as saying he preferred the 34 because it was cheaper than a 43.

I think Tampa 2 variant may be cheaper as it uses fast but undersized players that majority of NFL teams doesn't need.

[rock8591]

I think Tampa 2 variant may be cheaper as it uses fast but undersized players that majority of NFL teams doesn't need.

 

Agreed.

 

Players like Cato June, Gilbert Gardner, Rob Morris, Raheem Brock, Montae Reagor, Kenyatta Dawson, Eric Foster, etc...None of them would even be 2nd string on a standard 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

[crazycolt1]

We play a hybrid so we do see a 4-3 sometimes. We need to just keep building the defense.

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

I don't think anyone here has a problem with scheme. I only remember people being upset about scheme when we had the Tampa 2

[Smonroe]

we do play a 4-3 at times, its not always a 3-4 defense. we play a hybrid

Probably 40% of the time? I'm sure someone has the stat.

[krunk]

I like the scheme.  Just need to add more talent in the front 7, and a couple DBs in the secondary.

Maybe tweak and add in a bit more zone coverage along with the man coverage we are doing now.

[BOTT]

Agreed.

 

Players like Cato June, Gilbert Gardner, Rob Morris, Raheem Brock, Montae Reagor, Kenyatta Dawson, Eric Foster, etc...None of them would even be 2nd string on a standard 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

Lol....and that's why the defense struggled to be mediocre. Good players get paid no matter the defensive scheme.

[chad72]

Lol....and that's why the defense struggled to be mediocre. Good players get paid no matter the defensive scheme.

 

Yep, DeMarcus Ware and Julius Peppers are clear examples of playing in different fronts and able to shine still.

[theanarchist]

Should we consider the move? Werner would benefit and so would newsome because he was a DE. Jones could be a DT and Jackson and Freeman could play true positions and Mathis is a great DE. Plus a 4-3 is much much cheaper

I like our defense. Add a couple of players and we'll have darn good one in my opinion. U might be right about it benefiting Werner and Newsome but as other point out we line up in a 4-3 at times. So, I think that it's very unlikely that we switch especially considering the head coach was a defensive coach in a hybrid 3-4 before becoming head coach. If we had a playmaking safety and another playmaker at DE or DT I think this defense will be much much improved.