Operation Sports Forums - View Single Post - ImSkyKid's Guide to the 3-4/4-3 Debacle

imskykid · 09-07-2011, 05:15 PM

My Remedy to fix the 3-4/4-3 Debacle

There are two things that I think are necessary AND realistic:

Unique 3-4 and 4-3 depth charts
New positions (Stay with me...)

DEPTH CHARTS

In Madden, teams go off of a hybrid 4-3/3-4 depth chart. The other starting 3-4 MLB/ILB is listed as a backup. Same with the other starting 4-3 DT. There needs to be a depth chart for the 4-3 where there are TWO spots for DT and one for the 3-4 where there are TWO spots for MLB.

Here's a rough outline of what I'm talking about:

4-3 Depth Chart
LE DT/5T* NT RE LOLB MLB ROLB

3-4 Depth Chart
DT/5T* NT DT/5T* LOLB/DE MLB1 MLB2 ROLB/DE

New position of Nose Tackle
*New position of Defensive Tackle (4-3)/5 Technique (3-4)
New position of Hybrid Outside Linebacker/Defensive End

Having these separate depth charts will make so that player's ratings adjust appropriately for whatever scheme they are in. In other words, the OLBs in the 4-3 depth chart will have different attributes that make them successful than OLB/DE in the 3-4. If you try to put a 4-3 OLB at 3-4 OLB/DE, he will take a ratings hit based off his lack of pass rush skills. This also means that DE wont drop 15 points OVR when he moves to a 3-4 to play OLB.

New Positions

What if Madden switched players for you? What if you never had to worry about players playing out of scheme? These new positions make that possible.

NT - Nose Tackle

Nose Tackles are what make the 3-4 work. You need a big fatty in the middle, around 6'2" 320+lbs. Shoot 4-3 teams need them too. That's why there is a spot for NT on both depth charts. These run stuffers are not very sexy, but are hot commodities on the gridiron. It's about time they got their own position.

This also GUARANTEES that you wont have any smaller DTs trying to plug up the middle in your 3-4 (Jay Ratliff is the exception, not the rule).

DT/5T - Defensive Tackle/5 technique

Again, these fellas make their living in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, but play entirely different role. In the 4-3, the DT lines up at the 3 technique between the offensive guard and offensive tackle, while the 5T lines up head up or on the outside shade of the offensive tackle. Both have around the same build, 6'2"-6'6" 285-310lbs.

This GUARANTEES that if a 4-3 team signs one of these guys, they will line up inside next to the NT, and if a 3-4 team signs him he will like up at the 5 technique.

HYBRID OLB/DE

Demarcus Ware. Lamarr Woodley. Mario Williams. These are your athletic pass rushing nightmares. In the 4-3, they put their hand in the dirt, and in the 3-4 they stand up and confuse offenses on whether they're rushing or dropping back in coverage. In order to succeed on defense, you must get pressure on the quarterback.

This new position will allow these players to move freely between schemes and play where they are supposed to play. That stud 6'4" 262lb pass rusher that you plan to take in the first round will now default into whatever position is most appropriate for whatever scheme you run. Even more important, if a team trades their entire draft to jump up ahed of you and snag him before you can, he will default into whatever position he should play on that team!

With all these new positions, these players would default into their appropriate positions based on that team's depth chart. It would make for realistic movement in free agency and even more fun/logic on draft day.

09-07-2011, 05:15 PM	#2
imskykid Rookie OVR: 3 Join Date: Jan 2009	Re: ImSkyKid's Guide to the 3-4/4-3 Debacle My Remedy to fix the 3-4/4-3 Debacle There are two things that I think are necessary AND realistic: Unique 3-4 and 4-3 depth charts New positions (Stay with me...) DEPTH CHARTS In Madden, teams go off of a hybrid 4-3/3-4 depth chart. The other starting 3-4 MLB/ILB is listed as a backup. Same with the other starting 4-3 DT. There needs to be a depth chart for the 4-3 where there are TWO spots for DT and one for the 3-4 where there are TWO spots for MLB. Here's a rough outline of what I'm talking about: 4-3 Depth Chart LE DT/5T* NT RE LOLB MLB ROLB 3-4 Depth Chart DT/5T* NT DT/5T* LOLB/DE MLB1 MLB2 ROLB/DE New position of Nose Tackle New position of Defensive Tackle (4-3)/5 Technique (3-4) New position of Hybrid Outside Linebacker/Defensive End Having these separate depth charts will make so that player's ratings adjust appropriately for whatever scheme they are in. In other words, the OLBs in the 4-3 depth chart will have different attributes that make them successful than OLB/DE in the 3-4. If you try to put a 4-3 OLB at 3-4 OLB/DE, he will take a ratings hit based off his lack of pass rush skills. This also means that DE wont drop 15 points OVR when he moves to a 3-4 to play OLB. New Positions* What if Madden switched players for you? What if you never had to worry about players playing out of scheme? These new positions make that possible. NT - Nose Tackle Nose Tackles are what make the 3-4 work. You need a big fatty in the middle, around 6'2" 320+lbs. Shoot 4-3 teams need them too. That's why there is a spot for NT on both depth charts. These run stuffers are not very sexy, but are hot commodities on the gridiron. It's about time they got their own position. This also GUARANTEES that you wont have any smaller DTs trying to plug up the middle in your 3-4 (Jay Ratliff is the exception, not the rule). DT/5T - Defensive Tackle/5 technique Again, these fellas make their living in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, but play entirely different role. In the 4-3, the DT lines up at the 3 technique between the offensive guard and offensive tackle, while the 5T lines up head up or on the outside shade of the offensive tackle. Both have around the same build, 6'2"-6'6" 285-310lbs. This GUARANTEES that if a 4-3 team signs one of these guys, they will line up inside next to the NT, and if a 3-4 team signs him he will like up at the 5 technique. HYBRID OLB/DE Demarcus Ware. Lamarr Woodley. Mario Williams. These are your athletic pass rushing nightmares. In the 4-3, they put their hand in the dirt, and in the 3-4 they stand up and confuse offenses on whether they're rushing or dropping back in coverage. In order to succeed on defense, you must get pressure on the quarterback. This new position will allow these players to move freely between schemes and play where they are supposed to play. That stud 6'4" 262lb pass rusher that you plan to take in the first round will now default into whatever position is most appropriate for whatever scheme you run. Even more important, if a team trades their entire draft to jump up ahed of you and snag him before you can, he will default into whatever position he should play on that team! With all these new positions, these players would default into their appropriate positions based on that team's depth chart. It would make for realistic movement in free agency and even more fun/logic on draft day.