FanShot

Moving to a 4-3 Defensive Scheme

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Yes its been 10 years since a Tampa-2 defense won a Superbowl, but how about 4-3 teams? A brief analysis I did shows 4-3 schemes do not do as well overall - avg is 18th in total defense among 20 teams. However, these teams do get more Interceptions - ranking 15th average. Denver is the best 4-3 defense - ranking #2 in toal defense. Chicago ranks 5th but also #1 in Interceptions. 5 of the top 10 in total defense are using 4-3 schemes but 7 of the top 10 in Interceptions... seeing a trend? Top 16? 9 ranked in the top 16 in total defense while 12 ranked in the top 16 Interceptions. More importantly, does this system win superbowls? The Patriots and Giants have won 5 of the last 10 in this defense and add to that the Bucs Superbowl and you have a pretty promising formula. Who invented the 4-3, Flex and Dallas 4-3 anyway? It's about time we stopped playing a Dick Lebeau defense. Also didn't Bud Carson invent the Tampa-2 anyway? Not Dungy/Kiffin. Jack Lambert and Jack Ham combined for 7-8 Interceptions per season. That defense had 25-30 picks per season and Kiffin's D in the early 2000's had 3 seasons of dominance in that category - 25, 28 and 31 in 2000-2002. How many INTs did we have this year - 7? Is Kiffin too old? When he was in the NFL last - 2008 - the Bucs had 22 INTs - ranking 3rd in the NFL. They were only 10th overall but 4th in total yardage. Anyone remember the year that the Cowboy Middle Linebackers Howley, Jordan and Edwards combined for 9 picks? If you have a Jack Lambert, Brian Urlacher, Derrick Brooks or Sean Lee then it can be real difficult to play against, especially for an offense who likes to throw deep. Brian Broaddus explains the Tampa-2 well in this Film Room Session.