Heading into the 2014 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons have to change their defensive game plan. They're going to stay in the 4-3 defensive scheme, but things have to change.
While discussing the new approach to the defensive game plan, it's not a surprise that head coach Mike Smith did not reveal too much considering that's the way he's always been.
"I think we're going to be what we've been much like in the last couple of years: very multiple," Smith said this week at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. "When you start talking about 3-4, 4-3, they're very similar in principles. You line up on a 4-3 in a base down, you slide your tackle in and under and over defense. You line up in a 3-4 and slide your tackle over you're in an over defense. You slide him under, you're in an under defense."
Last year, the Falcons defense was terrible giving up 6,070 total offensive yards throughout the entire season, 379.4 offensive yards per game, 243.6 passing yards per game, 135.8 rushing yards per game and also allowing a horrific 27.7 points per game.
The Falcons have the personnel to run a 3-4 defensive scheme, but the most convenient technique for them to run is a 4-3 defense, which is run by defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
"Nolan has been successful with doing that (3-4). And I'm sure, with the players that we've got and are getting, we'll be all right."
"Well, if you talk to Mike Nolan, our defensive coordinator, he wouldn't answer the question," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said about the 3-4, "but I'm not sure if I can, but it appears to me that we're moving towards a 3-4 based on the players that we've picked up."
One of the biggest reason why the Falcons most likely aren't switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme is that barely any of the players have any experience in that type of defense. Falcons safety William Moore repeats that statement.
"I've never been in a 3-4 defense," said Moore. "With the players that we got [in free agency], I think we're capable of running it. You want to use the players to their strengths. But at the same time, you want to use the coach to his strength, too. That's what Nolan does."
While discussing the new approach to the defensive game plan, it's not a surprise that head coach Mike Smith did not reveal too much considering that's the way he's always been.
"I think we're going to be what we've been much like in the last couple of years: very multiple," Smith said this week at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. "When you start talking about 3-4, 4-3, they're very similar in principles. You line up on a 4-3 in a base down, you slide your tackle in and under and over defense. You line up in a 3-4 and slide your tackle over you're in an over defense. You slide him under, you're in an under defense."
Last year, the Falcons defense was terrible giving up 6,070 total offensive yards throughout the entire season, 379.4 offensive yards per game, 243.6 passing yards per game, 135.8 rushing yards per game and also allowing a horrific 27.7 points per game.
The Falcons have the personnel to run a 3-4 defensive scheme, but the most convenient technique for them to run is a 4-3 defense, which is run by defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
"Nolan has been successful with doing that (3-4). And I'm sure, with the players that we've got and are getting, we'll be all right."
"Well, if you talk to Mike Nolan, our defensive coordinator, he wouldn't answer the question," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said about the 3-4, "but I'm not sure if I can, but it appears to me that we're moving towards a 3-4 based on the players that we've picked up."
One of the biggest reason why the Falcons most likely aren't switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme is that barely any of the players have any experience in that type of defense. Falcons safety William Moore repeats that statement.
"I've never been in a 3-4 defense," said Moore. "With the players that we got [in free agency], I think we're capable of running it. You want to use the players to their strengths. But at the same time, you want to use the coach to his strength, too. That's what Nolan does."