<![CDATA[Browns to 4-4]]>Not sure if it is posted anywhere else in the forums but just in case it's not I will get it started here.

At his introduction Shurmur mentioned that he may switch Cleveland from a 3-4 defense to a 4-4. I don't see this as working in the AFC North where Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are equally dangerous passing and running the ball. I believe a 4-4 would work with two lockdown CBs, Haden on one side and maybe Peterson or Prince (both possible 1st round picks) on the other plus an amazing safety with tremendous speed to cover the entire field. Without those DBs a 4-4 defense is prone to anyone with a passing game which is Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati (on a good day).

I personally would like to see a 4-3 defense. This would give additional pressure on the QB and help control the line of scrimmage during running plays. We would need to upgrade our DL, especially at DE. Our LB core is set if they stay healthy with Jackson, Fujita, Roth/Bowens. Like I said before, by picking up Peterson or Prince in the draft we could potentially have lockdown corners for years to come.

Overall I think no to 4-4 but I would like to see a change to a 4-3.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/18651/browns-to-4-4RSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 06:52:09 GMTFri, 21 Jan 2011 03:21:47 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:30:58 GMT]]>

@sheepdog said:

I guess with Jauron as our DC we are going to the 4-3.

Not necessarily, he's run the 4-3, 3-4 and the 2-4-5 or modern variation of the 4-3. That's why I like this hire.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225819https://brownsboard.com/post/225819Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:30:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:25:20 GMT]]>I dont recall Shurmur ever discussing a 4-4 d, which is not even run in the nfl! A 4-6 which Buddy Ryan created is ran in different variations throughout the nfl off 3-4 bases. However, i've never seen a base 4-4-3 in the nfl, labeled as so, there are nickel packs we've ran that are exactly that scheme, but nothing that you base you're defense on and call a 4-4. Shurmur never discussed this ever anyway and this thread is way off base. With Jauron being hired we can look to have a base 4-3 defense like the one you see in NYG or in Philly.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225818https://brownsboard.com/post/225818Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:25:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:07:03 GMT]]>A 4-4 alignment doesn't have to mean 4 linemen and 4 LB's. It depends on how it is manned and schemed. It can mean there are 4 linemen, 2 LB's and 2 DB's or a multitude of combo's. What matters is WHO is aligned in those postions, what the defensive play call is against a given play, and what plays can get you the best matchup's against the opposition. The 4-4 provides some great opportunities for hiding blitzs, dropping linemen back in coverage etc. It all depends on the coverage on a given play (man, zone, combo, etc). It does not dictate you must have shutdown corners. An alignment is not a defense, it is simply an alignment.

Jet aircraft fly in formation, but their tactics in a given dogfight are what determines how each battle is fought.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225812https://brownsboard.com/post/225812Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:07:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 01:51:56 GMT]]>I guess with Jauron as our DC we are going to the 4-3.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225810https://brownsboard.com/post/225810Sat, 22 Jan 2011 01:51:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:02:25 GMT]]>I always thought you looked like a corner.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225644https://brownsboard.com/post/225644Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:02:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:19:06 GMT]]>I remember when I was younger playing bantam football, we use to run a 5-4, because most youth teams couldn't pass worth a shit (or at least back then, late 70's, they couldn't). I played CB/OLB and we matched up with the receiver at the line, jammed him, looked for run first and if the QB faded back, we beat-it back into coverage. Those were the good ole days.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225631https://brownsboard.com/post/225631Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:19:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:25:00 GMT]]>I actually played in a 4-4 in high school. Way more fun than a 4-3 but I don't think it would work great in the afc north unless we get some lockdown corners.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225619https://brownsboard.com/post/225619Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:25:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:15:55 GMT]]>Let's just go ahead and assume that we are going 4-3. I agree do it now. I'm getting tired of saying , well you gotta start sometime, when it comes to this football team.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225617https://brownsboard.com/post/225617Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:15:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:27:05 GMT]]>

@dawgtracker said:

Just my opinion but I don't think our linebackers can play the 4/3 except maybe fujita

Our current LBs minus fujita and roth cant play in the 3-4 right either, i am anticipating a front 7 rebuild regardless of if we stay 34 or go 43...

Going 4-3 now would be as painless as it gets from a who we keep personnel standpoint because re-tweaking the front 7 of our 3-4 and making it younger may be just as painful..

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225595https://brownsboard.com/post/225595Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:27:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:53:16 GMT]]>Just my opinion but I don't think our linebackers can play the 4/3 except maybe fujita

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225593https://brownsboard.com/post/225593Fri, 21 Jan 2011 07:53:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:00:52 GMT]]>That defense would get crushed in real life. Teams would just spread us out and throw all day. You know 4 4 would be 4 lineman and 4 lbs.. tell me how a lb would fair against a wr?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225580https://brownsboard.com/post/225580Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:00:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:53:39 GMT]]>I heard we were going to the 5-6 D?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225579https://brownsboard.com/post/225579Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:53:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:48:03 GMT]]>The 4–4 defense is based around speed, athleticism and intelligence rather than relying too heavily on size and strength as many other defenses do. Versatility is a key as every player can have a variety of roles from one play to the next. It is an attacking defense stocked with multiple blitz packages that can be easily concealed and altered. The top priority of the 4–4 defense is stopping the run and with 8 men in the box (around the line of scrimmage) on every snap, it puts a defense in a very good position to do just that. In addition, with 8 men in the box, it is difficult for the offense to pin point exactly where the pressure will be coming from when the defense blitzes. One final significant advantage of the 4–4 defense is that it can easily adjust to the offense. The 4–4 can shift into a nickel or dime coverage simply and effectively.

The major drawback to the 4–4 defense is the potential to give up the big play, both through the air and on the ground. Speed backs with breakaway speed are most successful against the 4–4. If they can cut their way through the layer of linebackers, they will likely only have one or two men to beat in the secondary and depending on their coverage assignments; they may not even be in position to make a tackle anyway. The other way the defense is exposed is on the deep pass. The cornerbacks are often left on an island (without help from the Safety), either in man coverage or playing in a 3 deep zone. If a speedy receiver gets past his defender, there likely is nothing between him and the end zone. The hope, however, is that even if a receiver opens up deep, the quarterback won’t have time to deliver the ball because of the pressure.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225578https://brownsboard.com/post/225578Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:48:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:21:46 GMT]]>WTF??? 😳 :blink:]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225575https://brownsboard.com/post/225575Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:21:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:19:06 GMT]]>I didn't know 4-4 was a kind of defense

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225573https://brownsboard.com/post/225573Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:19:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:04:22 GMT]]>I know I rant and get off subject rather easily. I guess I am just asking everyone if they think the 4-4 will work in Cleveland and in the AFC North?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225572https://brownsboard.com/post/225572Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:04:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Browns to 4-4 on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:55:21 GMT]]>

@sheepdog said:

Not sure if it is posted anywhere else in the forums but just in case it's not I will get it started here.

At his introduction Shurmur mentioned that he may switch Cleveland from a 3-4 defense to a 4-4. I don't see this as working in the AFC North where Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Baltimore are equally dangerous passing and running the ball. I believe a 4-4 would work with two lockdown CBs, Haden on one side and maybe Peterson or Prince (both possible 1st round picks) on the other plus an amazing safety with tremendous speed to cover the entire field. Without those DBs a 4-4 defense is prone to anyone with a passing game which is Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cincinnati (on a good day).

I personally would like to see a 4-3 defense. This would give additional pressure on the QB and help control the line of scrimmage during running plays. We would need to upgrade our DL, especially at DE. Our LB core is set if they stay healthy with Jackson, Fujita, Roth/Bowens. Like I said before, by picking up Peterson or Prince in the draft we could potentially have lockdown corners for years to come.

Overall I think no to 4-4 but I would like to see a change to a 4-3.

what? 😵

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/225570https://brownsboard.com/post/225570Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:55:21 GMT