Tech switches from a base 4-3 defense to the 3-4.  What is a 3-4 and why the change? A 3-4 ironically enough originated in a place where the old wishbone option flourished, Oklahoma. You can click on the image to see it’s basic alignment and gap responsibilities.  The name or numbers really are not that important, in fact the 3-4 is nothing much different than an old 5-2, it’s all about gap responsibility.  And it all starts up front with the defensive line. A 4-3 defense looks for quick, one-gap penetrating linemen who can get into the backfield and disrupt plays. A 3-4 defense looks for much bigger linemen who can engage offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage and keep blockers off the linebackers as they work down the line of scrimmage. Linemen in the 3-4 want to command a double-team block; 4-3 linemen want to beat a single block every time.

So why are there so many teams going to the 3-4?  In large part I believe it represents the changes in the way the game is played and the caliber of athletes that now exist.  A 3-4 in theory is weaker than a 4-3 against the rush, yet that has all but been proven false with the use of the modern lineman and linebacker. So if you can stop the rush with 3 down instead of 4, you give yourself, in theory, greater flexibility against both the rush and pass.  In today’s game almost every offense uses multiple formations and spread the ball the around in some fashion, therefore the need for flexibility on defense has become paramount.  Defensive schemes like the 3-4 and its many hybrids (The Tampa, The 55, etc.) are in large part adjustments to today’s offensive schemes.  But at the end of the day is boils down to athleticism and violence as the key to stopping any offense, be it The Wreckbone or 5 wide.  Thus, a 235 lb specimen of an athlete with a mean streak the size of Darth Vader is the absolute key to this defense.   This opposed to another 350 behemoth in the 4-3, which Tech struggles to recruit.  Outside linebacker play is huge in the 3-4, they have to be willing and able to do many things well, shed blocks from big offensive lineman, fill a gap, drop back into pass protection, rush the passer.  No outside linebacker has been more prototypical in the 3-4 than was Lawrence Taylor.  He in large part changed how defensive football is played. If there is a prototypical lineman for the 3-4 it would be Richard Seymour (THWG).

Why is this good for Tech? I already hinted at this, not many 350lb lineman are interested in Tech, I won’t speculate why but Tech has been very successful in recruiting NFL caliber talent at linebacker and it’s current roster is full of some great talent there.  Furthermore, Al Groh is the DC/mastmind and perhaps the greatest linebacker coach in the history of the game.

Who is Al Groh? Let’s let DolphinMix.com tell you, as the Miami Dolphins desired Groh for themselves.

Al Groh is a former colleague of The Godfather (Parcells.) He coached under him for more than ten years dating back to Parcells’ tenure with the Giants, Jets and Patriots. During this time, Al occupied the position of assistant, defensive coordinator and was appointed by Bill himself to be his successor as head coach with the Jets, which led to a 9-7 record with Groh at the helm.

He then parted ways with Parcells and spent nine seasons as the head coach for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. Groh led UV to four straight winning seasons and three bowl victories. He was named ACC Coach of the year in 2002 and again in 2007. Groh, too, is currently unemployed. However, he is already in negotiations with Georgia Tech. A cynic like me would like to think that the Pasqualoni move came out of the blue precisely because Bill Parcells is going to try to snatch Mr. Groh from Georgia Tech’s claws. If he were successful, I would absolutely love this move by the front office for two reasons: First, Al Groh is a mastermind in his own right regarding the 3-4 defense, and what better time for him to join the Dolphins than when they are getting ready to bring in a huge nose tackle and a pass rush specialist. Second, and perhaps most importantly, Al Groh is the ultimate Parcell’s guy. I’ve been saying this for a couple of weeks now: Bill Parcells is doing a wonderful job building this franchise from scratch through free agency and the draft. However, we are reaching a point where we need him to get more involved in coaching and convert the Dolphins’ defense into a Parcells defense. Realistically speaking, we all know this is not going to happen because he won’t get involved or interfere with coaching. Therefore, what better way to get the full “Parcells experience” than by bringing in his most trusted confidant to take care of the job.