NFL's best: Clay Matthews and the top 10 outside LBs of 2011
Think of them as chaos-causing, counter-punching spread defenders with the versatility to drop into coverage or stop the run when they're not harassing, hurrying and pummeling signal callers in an increasingly pass-heavy, wide-open game.
Exotic zone blitzes are built on the backs of whirlwind outside linebackers who run like deer and keep offensive coordinators up nights plotting ways to block the relentless disruptors ESPN analyst and former quarterback Trent Dilfer calls game-plan wreckers.
Many of these human wrecking balls play in the 3-4 defensive alignment favored by roughly half of the league's 32 teams. The linebacker-heavy scheme exploits their speed and disguises where they are coming from on any given pass play.
PHOTOS: Top 10 outside linebackers of 2011 SAFETIES: Top 10 safeties of the NFL in 2011The league's top five outside linebackers (as voted by USA TODAY's NFL panel) — Dallas Cowboys five-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware , the Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison (the 2008 defensive player of the year) and LaMarr Woodley , the Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews (runner-up for 2010 defensive player of the year honors) and Baltimore Ravens four-time Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs — play in the 3-4.
All reached double-digit sacks in 2010 and led their teams in the category except Woodley, who trailed Harrison by a half-sack.
Four of the next five players on USA TODAY's rankings also operate out of the 3-4 and led their respective teams in sacks: the Kansas City Chiefs' Tamba Hali, the Miami Dolphins' Cameron Wake, the San Diego Chargers' Shaun Phillips and the Washington Redskins' Brian Orakpo.
"The college game now is giving us more players tailored to a 3-4 than fit the 4-3 scheme," NFL Network and CBS analyst Solomon Wilcots says.
Lance Briggs , who toils in the Chicago Bears' Cover 2 defense, was the only 4-3 outside linebacker in USA TODAY's top 10.
"The premium outside linebackers are hybrids," Wilcots says. "The 3-4 defense is more flexible, so the players who fit it are more athletic. ... Is Clay Matthews III getting as many sacks (23 1/2) his first two seasons in the league if he's playing in a 4-3? The answer is no."
Why is the 3-4 so effective at accentuating these explosive pass rushers?
4-3 Defensive Alignment - News
As Washburn often preferred to have his ends attack from wide alignments, Babin could develop into a dangerous speed rusher for the Browns defense. Babin uses strength and relentless energy to pressure the pocket. He plays much bigger than his 260
Many of these human wrecking balls play in the 3-4 defensive alignment favored by roughly half of the league's 32 teams. The linebacker-heavy scheme exploits their speed and disguises where they are coming from on any given pass play.
Schematically, the defense will see some changes this year. The most noticeable will be the front-seven's alignment. After running a traditional 4-3 defense that utilizes two interior tackles, two ends and three linebackers, the Jags will move to a 3-4
The 3-tech in the Seahawks' defense will typically be faced with a lot of one-on-one matchups due to the alignments and will only be responsible for the B gap- and ideally be able to pressure the quarterback through his gap on every passing down.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — At 6-4 and 275 pounds, Matt Roth seems an ideal fit for the Browns at defensive end in their new 4-3 defense. He played the position at Iowa before converting to linebacker. Mean and nasty on the field and stout against the run,
Bringing Back DT Thomas a Priority for the Broncos » Broncos Gab
With reports circulating that unsigned NFL players with four or more years of service will become unrestricted free agent under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Broncos now face a bigger risk of losing DT Marcus Thomas. We hear the team remains hopeful of bringing Thomas back for the 2011 campaign, but it might have to pay more than expected for the 25-year-old. Thomas played in all 16 games last season, making two starts in the Broncos’ 3-4 defensive alignment, and could see more opportunities as the franchise switches to a 4-3 scheme.
The team released DTs Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan prior to the lockout, leaving Kevin Vickerson as the lone defensive tackle on the roster with legitimate playing experience. With an added need for more D-line help as the Broncos switch to a four-man front, and the fact that the team failed to address the need through the draft, one PFW insider predicts that the Broncos could sign multiple free-agent defensive tackles, including Thomas, as soon as the lockout is lifted.
4-3 Defensive Alignment - Bookshelf
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3-4 Defensive Alignment Returns To Prominence | TBO.com
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be undersized defensive tackles.