Chiefs switching to 3-4 – is it a mistake?
Under new defensive coaches Gary Gibbs and Clancy Pendergast, the Chiefs are planning to move to a 3-4 defense, which is a scheme new GM Scott Pioli is used to coming over from New England.
But considering the Chiefs’ personnel on defense, is the move wise?
Kansas City’s best linebacker is Derrick Johnson, who operates best in space and when given the opportunity to run around and make plays. In a 3-4, he’s more likely to stay put and allow the action to come to him, which may or may not be something he can excel at.
The Chiefs also drafted defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey with their first round pick last year and it’s uncertain at this point how he fits into a 3-4 front. He’s probably not big enough to play nose in a 3-4 and lacks ideal size to be an end in the scheme as well. At LSU, he excelled as a three-technique pass rusher and someone that is better when he reads and reacts. By implementing a 3-4 scheme, KC is really playing away from Dorsey’s strengths.
There is no arguing that the 3-4 can be an effective scheme. Baltimore, New England and Pittsburgh have been running the front for years and have been incredibly successful in doing so, but they also have the personnel to pull it off. Granted, Pioli has an entire offseason to get players that fit his scheme, but it’s unclear at this point how some of the better KC defenders will fit in.
I think it depends on what type of
3-4 they play. A ravens or steelers?
Or chargers? New England and Dallas play similar.
Dorsey still could be awesome at a 3-4 if its a Ravens/Steelers blend. He may even do okay at DT/DE like the Chargers run.
Chiefs dont have 2 good linebackers so where 4 will come from would concern me.
Personally I like the 3-4 hybrid stuff that the Ravens and Steelers play
I think Dorsey will have problems in that kind of system.
Dorsey needs to lose weight and shift to a different position on the field. He is a little small to dominate the gaps in either a 3-4 or a 4-3… how did the coaches miss this?
He has run a sub 5s 40yd and a 4.95 20yd shuttle @ 310 lbs, He is very strong, fast and plays with amazing explosion. He plays in KC at 300 lbs. If he could get down to about 260 lbs, he would DOMINATE as a MLB in a 3-4 as a run stuffer, or on offense as a FB.
I think KC’s (possibly) moving to a 3-4 has something to do with the realization that Dorsey is currently horribly miscast. He has loads of talent and as you know, build the system around the talent.