3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

What are the advantages and disadvantages in each scheme?

Which do you prefer to run and why?

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

The advantages of the 4-3 are that it plays like a 4-3 should in real life. It is a straight forward vanilla base defense where the offense knows who the four players rushing are 9 out of 10 times. That last statement would be a disadvantage in my eyes. Another issue is only three LBs covering the middle of the field.

The 3-4 allows you to bring heat from all over the field confusing the QB as he never knows where the pressure is coming from. The main disadvantage of the 3-4 is that it doesn't play as it would in real life. What I mean by this is undersized pass rushing DEs can still do quite well for you. In reality you would pretty much want 300+ lb guys across the line whereas in Madden it isn't necessary.

Overall I prefer the 3-4. I attempt to keep my offline franchises realistic in regards to personnel so I tend to draft DTs to play DE and go for very quick LBs. I think having a fast LB corps can really add to the pressure you put on the QB as well as attack the rush with your big DL taking up blockers.

All in all it is a personal preference with the 4-3 playing as it should, and the 3-4 less so. I just like the creativity behind calling plays from the 3-4. I have also read that the Nickel 1-5-5 is a good formation for passing downs as it again can bring pressure from anywhere.

Check out this thread about people's opinions of the importance of personnel.

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

I prefer the 4-3 because it actually works like it should. I've also found that I can get pressure from the 4-3 where in the 3-4 it is almost impossible to get sacks. In the 4-3 you can just rush the front 4 and the QB will hold onto the ball longer if no one is open, but in the 3-4 if you blitz someone to make up 4 rushers, the QB freaks out and throws the ball away a lot sooner. It's like the CPU QB is only seeing the LB/DB blitzing and not realizing that there are still only 4 pass rushers.

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

the 3-4 doesnt work like it should.
the 4-3 works when you controll the lineman

i personally find that the 1-5-5 is the best formation for everything.
i can stop the run and the pass with it and get sacks from everywhere not manually blitzing

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

I will use both (depending on the personnel on my team) but I tend to prefer the 4-3. The ability to have two speed rushing ends and my preference in having LB in coverage instead of blitzing causes me to prefer it.

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

I will look more into the 1-5-5. I normally run with the Packers and their default playbooks, but would be willing to change the defensive playbook to be more versatile. What is a good playbook utilizing the 1-5-5?

Re: 3-4 or 4-3 defense
 

Take the cheesey way out. Good job.

:lol: