4-3 defense help

[jimrac]

hi all ..i have a questions about the 4-3... Ive seen here a lot talked about the 3-4 but i don't see much about the 4-3..as Ive seen discussed here how you need a strong pass rusher at the wlb and strong run support at wilb and so one..i was wondering what is the criteria for the 4-3 ....is it just big red bars where it comes down to just having good ratings...or does the game allow for the quirks of the 3-4 such as the wlb blitzing almost every play..in the 4-3 does mlb have to only stop the run to be effective? ...should your safety's just be good at zone coverage.. what do you really need at the slb spot?..should you rde be you top pass rusher... does your dts have to be outstanding to stop the run...the reason i ask is sometime this game as it is a game engine does not think in football terms sometimes.and its probably my own fault but after reading about the 3-4 i was just wondering about the 4-3..any thoughts would be appreciated :banghead:

[QuikSand]

A few quick thoughts:

4-3 is more intuitive overall, I think. DE are your primary pass rushers, the LB are used to Run D, coverage, and blitzing.

One thing to be aware of is the order in which your LB are removed from the game in each formation, as you shift toward extra DB:

In the 4-3, moving to the nickel package drops the WLB, the dime drops a DT. Many gameplanners (me included) take this to mean that the WLB can (as the cap/roster situation warrants) be something of a run-stopping specialist, as he will get pulled in many pass situations.

I find the best way to think about the SLB slot is that he is (1) on the field all the time, and (2) the first guy in line to cover the TE in most situations. If I have "role players" at LB with one guy a run stuffer and one guy a better coverage man, I'll usually put my better coverage guy at SLB.

[stevew]

I have played hundreds of hours of FOF and never messed around with the 4/3 at all. I'd be interested in hearing about it, but I've dismissed it so much because it requires many more expensive players IMO(2nd DT, Elite DE's). My views on the 3/4 may be oversimplified, but it seems like I can throw almost anyone in at WLB with a high PR Technique and he'd be highly effective.

[jimrac]

I have played hundreds of hours of FOF and never messed around with the 4/3 at all. I'd be interested in hearing about it, but I've dismissed it so much because it requires many more expensive players IMO(2nd DT, Elite DE's). My views on the 3/4 may be oversimplified, but it seems like I can throw almost anyone in at WLB with a high PR Technique and he'd be highly effective.
you see that is my dilemma.if it was just football you can just use common football sense but the game does not always work that way..quicksand makes some obvious but very good points about tackles and linebackers being removed in nickle and dime situations that sometimes you just take for granted...i have a team with good DTS and good LBS running a 4-3 fore 4 seasons...on paper thy look good but i just don't know if iam optimizing them to there fullest..its so frustrating

[bighouserulez]

The 3-4 and 4-3 are totally different in how you set up your personel.

The 3-4 you have to start with a stud WLB that can severly rush the passer. A 60+ prs and PRT guy is what you really look for.

You can almost ignore one of the Des but you needs two ILBs that can stop the run. As a real 3-4 can be beat up is right up the middle if the defense cannot stop the run.

I prefer a 4-3 if possible. The only reason i prefer it is when i can get 4 stud defensive lineman. In the 4-3 you do not have to blitz as much and linebackers can really be held back and not blitz if you can get pressure with the front four.

You always need to look at your team and talent level before you make a choice on what defense to play. If you only have 1 good DE and 1 good DT but 3 good linebackers the it is worth looking at a 3-4. If you have 4 good lineman it is easier to stick with the 4-3.

Also someone else can add to the timetable of when to switch defenses. If you do it in the middle of the season i remember reading there was a drop for your defense for some reason.

[stevew]

I'm starting a career here...
Do I have these roles correct?
LDE-Obvious stud Rusher DE position. Much like the 3/4
LDT-Run stop, if you get a pass rusher, even better
RDT-Primarily run stop
RDE-Stud DE as well, probably want this guy to be a better run stopper than LDE

SLB-Coverage and all around(probably the guy that you would play at SILB in 3/4)
MLB-Run stuffer, coverage is nice too
WLB-Run stuffer but he doesn't play as many snaps

I'd assume the secondary is just collecting the best bars you can find?

[stevew]

Dola-I'm looking at this exclusively from an FOF perspective, RL experiences are basically irrelevant.

[jimrac]

Dola-I'm looking at this exclusively from an FOF perspective, RL experiences are basically irrelevant.
amen to that....that's my whole issue with this defense...trying to find out what works best inside this game engine....i love this game but i would enjoy myself more if i could figure out how some of these basic things work.

[imdashep]

I run a 4-3 in one league and a 3-4 in the other. In the 4-3 league, I just have sick dline depth, and I think when possible, it might be the best defense to run. But the 3-4 allows you to spend a lot less at WLB (since you just need a pass rusher), and wilb (since he is in only on base, and has limited responsibilities). I also think you can cover for weaker LBs a bit more easily by having a stud DT.

[GridGlory]

I'm starting a career here...
Do I have these roles correct?
LDE-Obvious stud Rusher DE position. Much like the 3/4
LDT-Run stop, if you get a pass rusher, even better
RDT-Primarily run stop
RDE-Stud DE as well, probably want this guy to be a better run stopper than LDE

SLB-Coverage and all around(probably the guy that you would play at SILB in 3/4)
MLB-Run stuffer, coverage is nice too
WLB-Run stuffer but he doesn't play as many snaps

I'd assume the secondary is just collecting the best bars you can find?

I'd love to hear more opinions on this one

[QuikSand]

Do I have these roles correct?
LDE-Obvious stud Rusher DE position. Much like the 3/4
LDT-Run stop, if you get a pass rusher, even better
RDT-Primarily run stop
RDE-Stud DE as well, probably want this guy to be a better run stopper than LDE

SLB-Coverage and all around(probably the guy that you would play at SILB in 3/4)
MLB-Run stuffer, coverage is nice too
WLB-Run stuffer but he doesn't play as many snaps

I pretty much endorse everything above, and I play 4-3 fronts nearly exclusively. My teams are better than mediocre.

[aston217]

Pass rush everywhere. Run stop optional. You'll get a decent run stopper or two somewhere in your defense if you have any good players at all.

The key point in my opinion is that the 3-4 and the 4-3 work the exact same way in this game, except some positions are named differently.

The 3-4 WLB = 4-3 RDE

So it follows that 34 RDE = 43 RDT, 34 NT = 43 LDT, 34 SILB = 43 MLB, 34 WILB = 43 WLB, 34 SLB = 43 SLB (same).

[Darren29]

I've had a good bit of success with the 4-3 in the RDFL - 4 of the top 6 seasons in fewest points conceded and 3 of the top 8 seasons in yardage allowed (league has been going for 22 seasons).

I always look for run-stoppers right across the D-line for my base defensive starters and look for pass rushers to plug in in nickel and dime. I don't blitz that much as I prefer to play coverage and this combination seems to work for me.

As others have said you only need 2 good LB's in the 4-3 and a good secondary always helps of course, but with good gameplanning you can get by with a bunch of 40-50 rated players rather than having to have big red bars everywhere.