Flores Switching Phins To 34 Likely… And Needed

M.J.

5 years ago

Flores is likely to run a 3-4 Defense of some persuasion

There has been no definitive statement as to what defensive scheme Brian Flores will use WHEN he takes over…

… But it is certain that a scheme change is coming.

When the official decree comes, the fans base should rejoice.

My bet is Flores moves the Phins not only out of the Wide 9 but from the 43 scheme totally and into a 34 of some kind.

Could I be wrong? Sure. But I’ll roll the dice anyway just to have something to talk about.

First, no scheme is a cure-all and any scheme can be effective with the right coach and …

… but given the talent on the Dolphins roster, the Wide 9 was THE wrong scheme.

“Evidence” that indicates a schematic shift

Brian Flores has spent his entire coaching career in the 3-4.
Reports were that Packers DC Mike Pettine was a primary option for Defensive Coordinator until Green Bay decided to retain him. BTW, the Packers run a 3-4 scheme.
Reports say Robert Quinn will be released.
Andre Branch’s contract will be cut short because his price is exorbitant compared to his production.
Charles Harris isn’t a quality 4-3 Defensive end… But he did have a positive impact as a 3-4 OLB in college.

The primary difference between the 3-4 and 4-3 scheme is the swapping of a ‘Defensive Linemen’ for a ‘Linebacker’.

A 34 Defense can be very exotic and creative

First, in a 34 Defense, names for positions are over the place. As an example, the “Jack” can be called the “Mike” and the “Mike” of the 4-3 is sometimes called the “Will” in the 3-4. So take all the proceeding position names with a grain of salt as rough approximations.

A 4-3 Scheme must have high-quality Defensive Ends…

… But Quinn and Branch will be released, Charles Harris can’t set the edge, Cameron Wake is a 37 yr old Free Agent, and William Hayes is also a Free Agent coming off a serious knee injury, so the DE cupboard is bare in Miami. Sticking with a 4-3 would demand a huge investment into the Defensive End position–again.

A 34 Scheme doesn’t demand Wake style D-Ends in the base package…

… But if Wake does return to finish his career in South Florida, he could be in Nickel and Dime packages or as an outside rush LB in the 34 base.

Miami’s roster is only missing one component in a 3-4 D-line

When Miami moves to a 3-4, Godchaux will play a D-End, or less likely the ‘nose’. It all depends on the flavor of the scheme. Godchaux is pretty stout against a double-team, although getting a ‘Wilfork’ type Nose Tackle might make for a more stable defense. But, if they run an agile front with a philosophy of gap penetration, then Godchaux could play NT… and a mammoth at the anchor wouldn’t be as crucial. This finesse type of 34 is run by the Rams… but they have Donald and Miami doesn’t– so there’s that.

Me, I’d prefer a ‘Ravens style’ 34 with a dinosaur anchoring the heart of the defense. Stopping the run is key to winning
consistently… even in this era.

Vincent Taylor would certainly be a DE and Charles Harris would go back to the 3-4 “Elephant” position he played in college where the primary responsibility is pass rush. Maybe the Phin could finally wring out some real juice from their former 1st Round Pick.

Akeem Spence doesn’t fit this scheme and he will likely be cut to save $2.5 Million.

How Flores will use the current Phins LBs in a 34 is a tougher question

In the 3-4, however you name them, one of the two inside LBs soaks up blocks allowing the other to make plays by being kept clean. Think Bart Scott and Ray Lewis.

Kiko Alonso had his best season in Buffalo as the ILB Will (Lewis’ role) and might find more consistency in a return to the 34…

Kiko in the 3-4

… But, he could just as easily be cut to save $5 Million for a $3.5 Million cap hit… or moved outside. His inconsistency is troubling and might not mesh with the type of players Flores likes: Smart. The OLB’s role is to set the edge and drop into coverage. Alonso could handle the edge part of his duties decently, but coverage and Kiko can be an ugly match.

The other problem: Kiko, Baker, and McMillan will likely be fighting for 2 ILB spots. This could leave Kiko out in the cold as a starter.

Raekwon McMillan is a good kid who posted good numbers…

… but when you add the context of his play in total to this, his ‘rookie’ season was a letdown. McMillan sheds blockers poorly, lacks instincts, is slow, and has trouble in coverage. He’ll never live up to his draft status as an MLB in the 4-3. That position in that scheme has too many responsibilities for him to handle effectively.

But, in the ‘Bart Scott’ role of soaking up blockers and securing limited range as the Mike in the 34, McMillan may find legitimate success on the field.

Chase Allen will play as the Strong Outside Linebacker in the 34. He takes on blocks well, can drop into coverage decently, and has solid instincts. Allen may just be a placeholder, but there is potential for him to be a long term starter. Either way, if Allen can stay healthy, he’s good enough to allow the position to be addressed after this season. Although, competition should be brought in to vie for the spot.

Jerome Baker is Miami’s best Linebacker, but where will he play in a 3-4 Defense?

Baker is the ‘hardest figure out’ of the bunch even with the best bookie software like AcePerHead.com.

At 6’2” 215-200 lbs, Baker is small. But his speed and physicality is a great equalizer… and I expect him to add 5 lbs in this offseason to minimize his weakness.

Baker is a potent , but only from the inside. As an outside rusher, he doesn’t have enough junk in the trunk to consistently fight off the power of O-linemen. But, in stunts, delays and just firing off inside on the snap, he can be potent harasser of Quarterbacks.

Flores could build this defense around Baker as the “Will” / “Mike” Ray Lewis type ILB. Baker would need to improve his reads and coverage, but there’s a chance that in the role of the ‘kept clean playmaker’ he could make a serious impact.

Still, I can’t say for certain where he’ll play in a 34 Defense. If we do indeed switch to a 34, this will be one interesting question. Go Phins!!!