3-4 Defense Specialist Roles

[Shamhat1915]

Couldn't really find any answers to this while looking, but I need some help in understanding the "specialist" roles in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Mainly when it comes to the RDT, RRE and RLE roles. What exactly are those roles in this scheme? Does it refer to the defensive end spots? Or is it the outside linebackers?
Either way it works, what "skills" or attributes should I be looking at for those positions. And for the sub linebacker spot. I would appreciate any help so I can try to better utilize my defensive players haha

[TheDominator273]

in a 3-4 Rush DT are the two players with their hand in the dirt in subpackages lined up at what you would consider DT if it was a 4 down lineman front. Rush LE/RE are the two OLB who are standup rushers, but placed where the DE would line up. Sub LB are the two interior linebackers as normal

[RogueHominid]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shamhat1915

Couldn't really find any answers to this while looking, but I need some help in understanding the "specialist" roles in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Mainly when it comes to the RDT, RRE and RLE roles. What exactly are those roles in this scheme? Does it refer to the defensive end spots? Or is it the outside linebackers? Either way it works, what "skills" or attributes should I be looking at for those positions. And for the sub linebacker spot. I would appreciate any help so I can try to better utilize my defensive players haha

Given how much time you spend in sub packages, you want to think these roles through, so kudos to you for that.

Here's what I do: I make sure I have 1 well-rounded rush DT and one well-rounded rush DE/OLB in those roles because pure pass rushers who can't defend the run at all will create problems for you when the CPU runs out of 11 personnel. The other DT and DE/OLB were more pass-rush-first types.

The sub LB were my coverage guys; I liked to have a mid-70s ZCV guy or higher there, coupled with one well-rounded MLB who could fill, tackle, and cover a little bit.

This balanced look was my Big Nickel set. In my Dime set, I'd go more extreme and focus on rush-first DL and cover-first LB.

Regarding how you use specific personnel in those RRE/RLE and RDT spots, I liked to run a 34, but I'd sometimes keep a classic 43 DE on the roster to throw into those spots (a guy who was 6-6 and 270 instead of a 6-2 and 245-250), and the other would be a rush backer. Conversely, if you're running a 43, maybe you put one lighter, more 34 OLB build out there for added speed and agility in the rush.

Hope some of that helps!

[Shamhat1915]

Quote: Originally Posted by lbj273

in a 3-4 Rush DT are the two players with their hand in the dirt in subpackages lined up at what you would consider DT if it was a 4 down lineman front. Rush LE/RE are the two OLB who are standup rushers, but placed where the DE would line up. Sub LB are the two interior linebackers as normal

Does that mean that the first two on the depth chart in that position will come on to the field? Am I understanding that correctly.
So say I'm running the Titans. I put Jurrell Casey 1st in the depth chart at RDT and Daquan Jones 2nd. Will only Casey be on the field or will both of them?

Quote: Originally Posted by Trojan Man

Given how much time you spend in sub packages, you want to think these roles through, so kudos to you for that. Here's what I do: I make sure I have 1 well-rounded rush DT and one well-rounded rush DE/OLB in those roles because pure pass rushers who can't defend the run at all will create problems for you when the CPU runs out of 11 personnel. The other DT and DE/OLB were more pass-rush-first types. The sub LB were my coverage guys; I liked to have a mid-70s ZCV guy or higher there, coupled with one well-rounded MLB who could fill, tackle, and cover a little bit. This balanced look was my Big Nickel set. In my Dime set, I'd go more extreme and focus on rush-first DL and cover-first LB. Regarding how you use specific personnel in those RRE/RLE and RDT spots, I liked to run a 34, but I'd sometimes keep a classic 43 DE on the roster to throw into those spots (a guy who was 6-6 and 270 instead of a 6-2 and 245-250), and the other would be a rush backer. Conversely, if you're running a 43, maybe you put one lighter, more 34 OLB build out there for added speed and agility in the rush. Hope some of that helps!

That does help some. But perhaps you could give me a little more help. Say you were to use the Lions base roster. How would you set up the depth chart?
I think I understand what you mean, but this may help me visualize it better lol

[Ueauvan]

my understanding is that RRE RLE and RDT are the pass rush crew. in the 3-4 normally (not madden) the NT takes double teams, the DEs are run stoppers (different to madden for the LE). madden wants to put the pass rush specialists in. however i prefer subs as i use different formations depending on the situation. I wouldnt play base 3-4 against 3 wide and 3rd and 15.

Its a gimmic imo which is a pain, as i want my best 11 on the field given my philosophy, madden puts these subs in when i dont want unless i do the depth chart my way. sub LB is when you might want a SS as MLB say in quarters normal.

why not let us have what was in HC09? another annoying thing is in some ST formations i cant use WRs or HBs as gunners, why not?

[stinkubus]

I really like the functionality, especially if you have "3-4" personnel on your team. This year the best DEs in the game are stud 3-4 OLBs, and if you have highly rated DEs they will naturally play well on the interior. What you lose in size you more than make up for with extra speed on the field.

I put my DEs at rush tackle, and my OLBs at rush end. So long as everyone has good BSH you are safe playing nickel all game.

You are free to leave a regular LB at sub LB if you wish, you'll just have to manually sub in that safety when you want. At least we have the option. It's been years and years since this has been possible. On many, many rosters SS2 or FS2 is going to be a far better option than MLB2 or any OLB for that last spot. They are generally faster and have better coverage ratings, but I don't notice much of a drop off in run D with them on the field.

[RogueHominid]

Shamhat, I wish I knew the DET personnel well. I never use them. I'm with Stinkubus in thinking that it's a particularly useful set of roles for a 34 team.

With OAK, I'll put Mack at one Rush DE, Irvin or Key at another, and I'll have 1 rush DT be a big guy like Ellis so I can stop the run out of sub packages, and I'll have the other be a Hurst or Vanderdoes. Vanderdoes in particular is a liability in run D because of his low shed rating, but he's got good speed and is a decent rusher. I'll also sometimes put Carradine inside at rush DT because he has high STR & shed and has just enough weight (280 or so) to hang tough inside.

For sub LB, I use Johnson and Whitehead, both of whom have high ZCV. They both also start in my base D, and both are versatile enough to play the run and the pass. If I didn't have 2 very good base defenders who could also cover, I'd put one light LB/S tweener in there and one of my base LBs in there.

[Shamhat1915]

Okay, I think I'm understanding how the depth chart sets it up. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but at the rush DT position it uses the first two players, just like it would when you're running a 4-3 defense. Is that correct?
And when it comes to the sub LB, since I'd be running a 3-4, will it use the first two players? Or would it take from the normal depth chart and take one of the OLB's as well to put out there?
I'll have to dive more into formation subs and everything else as well to really get this going the way I'd like haha