Are The Steelers At A Disadvantage With 3-4 Defense?

The Steelers have used the 3-4 defense for a long time.

Since 1982, after some defensive tackle greats – LC Greenwood and Joe Greene – retired, the team moved their base to what we know it as today.

The 3-4 has surged and wained in popularity, most notably through the 80’s and 90’s. Numerous teams tried out the ‘fad’ as a new school of defensive coordinators began rotating through different teams.

By the 1990’s only a few teams used the 3-4, and they were always competitive in the playoffs – the Steelers and Bills to name a couple. In 2001, the Steelers were the only team in the entire NFL to use the 3-4.

Not coincidentally, they finished that season with the number one defense.

It was like the organization had this secret weapon that no one else knew how to use.

The team had a distinct advantage by using the 3-4 when no one else seemed interested. The scouts and coaches could look at several pools of players in college to fit the scheme rather than pigeon holed.

Not enough outside linebackers to go around? No problem. Just take a look at some solid defensive tackles who are too small to play that position in the NFL. Give them some time to develop at OLB in the 3-4 and violà.

It was like the organization had this secret weapon that no one else knew how to use. Once the offense was built up enough to put points on the board, that kind of defensive roster building and patience paved the way for the Steelers to reach and win the Super Bowl in 2005 and in 2008.

Nowadays, the 3-4 is used by many teams in the NFL. The 2014 season saw 18 of the NFL’s 32 teams (including the Steelers) heavily incorporate a 3-4 base. That’s more than half, and it appears to be putting a damper on the Steelers having something “special.”

It’s beginning to have a negative effect on how they evaluate and acquire talent, too.

Speed and agility are becoming the more sought out athletic traits for offenses. High powered scoring juggernauts are what offenses now aspire to in the NFL. The defenses must match tit for tat those traits. The 3-4 makes sense in many ways, and puts an emphasis on getting the fastest and best pass rushers one can find.

The evolution of the game has put a pinch on what the Steelers have at their disposal.

It means that they can’t acquire solid free agent pass rushers during free agency (not that they do that anyways) because with only three or four worth the trouble, at least a dozen other teams want them as well. That means breaking the bank to get one, and that is most certainly not how the Steelers roll.

Three OLB pass rushers (would have been four if Worilds didn’t retire) signed very healthy contracts – all of them with 3-4 defenses. Getting the picture here?

That puts and even larger emphasis on making sure you get young talent through the draft. The jury is still out on Jarvis Jones, but the needle is really pointing to the Steelers being a bit trigger happy with selecting this kid in the first round. Almost a panic induced move.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker

Brandon Graham

(55) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Now that they weren’t able to sign anyone other than James Harrison to a new contract, there is still pressure to go early with a rookie that can develop over a season or two. The backlog begins there since there are big needs at other positions, such as cornerback.

The final disadvantage comes during the actual games.

Teams with 3-4 defenses have offenses that practice against that base on a regular basis. There are only so many ‘looks’ a coordinator can come up with. Eventually, offensive coordinators have ‘seen it all.’ The element of surprise is gone, and it all becomes about player execution.

We’ve seen how well that’s been working with a Dick LeBeau defense for the last few seasons.

I’m not advocating that the Steelers change their base out of a 3-4. No way. It’s still the best option the Steelers have in getting to the quarterback and forcing pressure on the offense to make mistakes.

It’s just good to have this bit of perspective when seeing this team go through free agency and the draft and we all want to pull out what hair we have left….

Next: Is Jarvis Jones A Bust?

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