DL recruiting for a 3-4

[hazey]

So how would you go about recruiting dline for a 3-4? Just look for big bodied guys that have high strength?

Would you be better off looking for DT's with high strength and then changing them to DE's and taking the rating hit?

What's the difference of skillset between RDE and LDE? Are their other attributes that would fit them, like block shedding or power move?

I could use some feedback on how to recruit that position in this game, thanks.

[darbsau53]

Fast DEs a strong DT and fast LBs. The reason to play a 3-4 is for more speed and athleticism on the field so I recruit it. Just my own opinion.

[ZanderK35]

My choice is to go with fast LB, i prefer anything above a B for speed. As for the DL i just recruit DT and convert them to DE. I like 300 plus guys at all 3 DL spots with strength. I always have a least 1-2 guys blitzing out of the 3-4. Also for me having a big DL helps get pentration and it up space so the LB can get in and make plays.

[hazey]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZanderK35

My choice is to go with fast LB, i prefer anything above a B for speed. As for the DL i just recruit DT and convert them to DE. I like 300 plus guys at all 3 DL spots with strength. I always have a least 1-2 guys blitzing out of the 3-4. Also for me having a big DL helps get pentration and it up space so the LB can get in and make plays.

That's kind of how I was looking at it. They take a huge ratings hit when you convert a DT to a DE, but at the same time you aren't looking for them to really be a huge pas rusher. I know the other poster said he wanted fast DE's, but I was always under the impression that the 3 DL in a 3-4 were big strong guys that were used to create space for the LB's.

[BoxCar20]

If you think you should have fast DE's in a 3-4, you know nothing about football.

[feedthehorse28]

Quote: Originally Posted by BoxCar20

If you think you should have fast DE's in a 3-4, you know nothing about football.

yeah youre outside linebackers are pretty much your DEs in the system

[jlneste]

You want a monster for your nose tackle. Someone who can clog the middle. Your DE's could be taller DT's. I look for guys 6'3" 270+. They need to have good strength to help clog the line as well, but be able to push the pocket and play the rush. I think middle linebackers are especially important to a 3-4. I go for bigger stronger middle linebackers, 6'2" 240+. They need to be strong, because they are going to be getting blocked by offensive guards one-on-ine quite a bit if your line is small. Your outside linbackers need to have speed and strength, because once again they will see alot of one-on-one blocks from the offensive tackles. I look for a outside linbackers to have a defensive ends size. 6'2" 240+. Those are just my thoughts on the matter.

[BlyGilmore]

At DT you're looking for a big guy with good strength. His job is to control the C to G part of the offensive line and make it hard for the offense to pound the ball straight up the middle on you (the biggest weakness of the 3-4), while also keep offensive lineman off your MLBs so they can roam and make plays.

Your DEs really need to be almost like standard DTs in a 4-3. They don't have to be quite so big, but you're still looking for 250 to 275. None of those 220 pound speed rushing DEs (and honestly they're never going to get wide enough to speed rush the QB like they might in the 4-3). Again you're looking for strength. And more so than the DTs you need these guys to also put pressure on the QB, but be able to do so more based on power than speed.

Your outside LBs need to be good pass rushers. Here you can focus a bit more on speed to augment the power of your DL. These guys will get wide enough to try and go around the offensive line and take out the QB.

At least one of these LBs needs to also be able to cover TEs and RBs in pass coverage. If you can find an OLB that's a straight pass rusher you can call plays with this in mind. But two straight pass rushers and you might have issues covering the pass. Depending on your style also keep in mind these guys might end up covering the occasional slot receiver.

MLBs are pretty much the focal point of your defense. They'll slide and move to make plays. Good all round MLBs are best since they'll be doing everything from plugging up the run to playing zone and covering TEs and backs.