Q. Will you switch to 3-4 defense?

A. It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players and not the other way around. What has been built there is a very solid foundation on a 4-3 defense. In my 25 years in the NFL, 14 years as a coordinator, seven of them have been in a 4-3 and seven have been in a 3-4. I’m very familiar with both. When I’ve been in a 4-3 I’ve frequently used the 3-4 as part of it. It would appear to me that is what is best for that football team.

It really is pretty much just the way they line up. That and personal is different in a 4-3 you got 4 lineman and 3 LB’s and in a 3-4 its the opposite. Other differences from their just go to different responsibilities for those LB’ers and DE’s.

3-4:
Stops run with 3 huge down linemen clogging up the o-line and big linebackers getting after ball carrier. D-line typically responsible for 2 gaps.
Generates pressure against the pass with athletic outside linebackers rushing the passer and/or through creative blitz schemes.

4-3:
Stops run with smaller, penetrating d-line and smaller (relatively speaking), faster linebackers filling in gaps.
Generates pressure utilizing quick, athletic defensive line with DE’s as primary pass rushers.

4-3 personnel works best with premier inside and outside pass rushing linemen and an overall smaller, faster defense to rally to ball carrier.

3-4 caters to huge linemen and dominant outside backers.

All depends on your personnel.