Moving back to 4-3 defense

[Rob219_CBMB]

I'm all for it. Also, you could cut Hicks and utilize Goldman and Nichols. Nichols would be a better fit for a 4-3.

lets see who the Bears hire to be the next DC. Moving on from Hicks might be a good idea.
I'm totally down with the 4-3 switch. can meant less depth problems besides for SAM and CBs

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

Who is the SAM? Me?

They could give someone like Raekwon McMillan a 1 year, prove-it type deal.

 

[circusboy666]

4-3 move seems more like a cap decision than a scheme decision to me

 

[Zvbxrpl]

Pretty fitting for the bears to go to an outdated defense...

Trevathan and Roquan both can't play Will, the position both would be best at. True Mikes don't really come around anymore, ever, so square peg in a round hole time. You'd need a Sam and that isn't anybody on the roster presently.

The secondary scheme would change, not for the better. Fuller especially, and JJ coming out of Utah/his rookie season are press/man guys, not that playing zone (likely cover 2) is impossible to learn but I recall Nnamdi Asomugah and how he went from a shutdown guy in a 34 in Oakland to incompetent/useless in Philly because he couldn't play 4-3 Cover 2 zone to save his life.

Biggest downside (or upside for our board's armchair GMs with a high draft pick) would be Erin Rodgers would gut this team as he did under Lovie and Tucker. Can't wait for opposing WRs to quick slant this scheme into submission with 3 yard quick passes that turn into 20+ because Danny Trevathan is the target to pick on.

Wade Phillips is 73 going on 74 in a couple of months. I'd try to throw as much $ as I could at him for the short term and stay with the scheme you actually have the personnel for...but why do the smart thing?

 

[northsiderbearcub]

Could the Bears Switch Back to a 4-3 Defense?

Bears have interviewed three 4-3 guys know so it's starting to look like a reality. So here's a breakdown of what may happen.

Khalil Mack: 4:3 position: Closed Defensive End

Robert Quinn: 4-3 Position: Open Defensive End

Roquan Smith: 4-3 Position: Weak Side (Will) Linebacker

Danny T: 4-3 Position: Middle (Mike) Linebacker

Nichols as the UT next to Goldman. May want to trade Hicks or rotate him in with Goldman keep him fresh since hes getting older. Nichols can excel in this defense. Probably need some scheme friendly LBs to pair with Roquan. Trevathan at WLB.

 

[northsiderbearcub]

I always liked the 4-3...I wondered why so many wanted the switch to the 3-4

Fangio runs a 3-4 thats why. John Fox has ran both defenses during his coaching career.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

It's a base defense, who cares they're hardly in a base defense as it is.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Pretty fitting for the bears to go to an outdated defense...

Trevathan and Roquan both can't play Will, the position both would be best at. True Mikes don't really come around anymore, ever, so square peg in a round hole time. You'd need a Sam and that isn't anybody on the roster presently.

The secondary scheme would change, not for the better. Fuller especially, and JJ coming out of Utah/his rookie season are press/man guys, not that playing zone (likely cover 2) is impossible to learn but I recall Nnamdi Asomugah and how he went from a shutdown guy in a 34 in Oakland to incompetent/useless in Philly because he couldn't play 4-3 Cover 2 zone to save his life.

Biggest downside (or upside for our board's armchair GMs with a high draft pick) would be Erin Rodgers would gut this team as he did under Lovie and Tucker. Can't wait for opposing WRs to quick slant this scheme into submission with 3 yard quick passes that turn into 20+ because Danny Trevathan is the target to pick on.

Wade Phillips is 73 going on 74 in a couple of months. I'd try to throw as much $ as I could at him for the short term and stay with the scheme you actually have the personnel for...but why do the smart thing?

A 4-3 doesnt mean you have to play zone or a cover 2. Lol

 

[bamainatlanta]

Everyone acting like finding a decent SAM is the hardest thing to do. Decent SAM's are usually found in the bargain bin in free agency along with FB's & Box SS's as it is usually not a 3 down player. Does no one remember Pisa Tinoisamoa?

 

[dennehy]

Mingo could play SAM. He played off the ball a fair amount this year. As mentioned he's probably only be one the field 1/3 of snaps.

Trevethan is way too slow to be a Will, he's not a perfect fit (not anywhere with his decline) but he would fit at MIKE.

You'd need another one gapping IDL for passing downs to go along with Nichols. I'd like one of those anyway no matter scheme.

 

[Bearly]

Who is the SAM? Me?

for a couple snaps.?

 

[Toast88]

Aren't the Bears rarely in base anyway? Don't they usually essentially have a four-man front and a non-inside linebacker falling back into coverage post-snap anyway? Will it actually make much of a difference?

 

[dabears70]

Kwik got 5 mill a year. It’s not as cheap as you think they are. ESP for depth.

Huh??

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

Pretty fitting for the bears to go to an outdated defense...

Trevathan and Roquan both can't play Will, the position both would be best at. True Mikes don't really come around anymore, ever, so square peg in a round hole time. You'd need a Sam and that isn't anybody on the roster presently.

They're a dime a dozen. You want bigger bodies at strong side and middle, so it frees up the weak side. That's your playmaker. Roquan, IMO would excel as weakside (he's a tad undersized for MLB). You need an equally talented linebacker in the middle.

The secondary scheme would change, not for the better. Fuller especially, and JJ coming out of Utah/his rookie season are press/man guys, not that playing zone (likely cover 2) is impossible to learn but I recall Nnamdi Asomugah and how he went from a shutdown guy in a 34 in Oakland to incompetent/useless in Philly because he couldn't play 4-3 Cover 2 zone to save his life.

Fuller is not press lol, he never has been. He's much better read/react. And as others have said, the base defense has no bearing on what type of coverage you're playing.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

If they do switch to a 4-3 man.. you could have:

Mack/Goldman/<draft pick Tyler Shelvin / Quinn
<some body> / DT and/or <draft> / Smith

That would be some beef up front.

 

[bamainatlanta]

If they do switch to a 4-3 man.. you could have:

Mack/Goldman/<draft pick Tyler Shelvin / Quinn
<some body> / DT and/or <draft> / Smith

That would be some beef up front.

Nichols would be that guy. I doubt they go DT 1st in the draft unless Hicks and Goldman are gone. OT is most likely unless they package the pick to get a QB or a QB falls to them(unlikely scenario).

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

Nichols would be that guy. I doubt they go DT 1st in the draft unless Hicks and Goldman are gone. OT is most likely unless they package the pick to get a QB or a QB falls to them(unlikely scenario).

Shelvin should be there in the 3rd

 

[RiDLer80]

Switching to a 4-3 would be best for both Mack and Quinn. No more wasting their talents by dropping them into coverage.

 

[wonky73]

As has been said in this thread. The best thing about 4-3 would be Mack and Quinn not going back into coverage.

 

[bamainatlanta]

Quinn's career numbers are much better in a 4-3 than 3-4. He needs to get healthy too