Gettin' Ziggy With It-Training Camp Preview #1

July 27th, 2009 by SG

ziggy 1

Since 1983 when Coach Chuck Knoll instituted the 3-4 scheme and Dick LeBeau became God of the zone blitz, the Steelers have been known for their outstanding defense.  Year after year, the Steelers dominate nearly every category of measurement for great defenses.  Last year was no exception.  That defense, in many ways, led the Steelers to the Super Bowl.  So, what about mixing it up a little?

What if, though the 3-4 defense rocks, the Steelers added some flexibility and at times ran a 4-3 this season?

Why you ask? Well, Coach Tomlin ran a Tampa-2 for the first six years of his coaching career.  It would not be a surprise to see him mix in a little 4-3 with the 3-4, would it?

Yes, that would mean there would have to be another defensive end to fill the gap in the 4-3. But, what would happen if for example, you put Ziggy on the line, move Aaron Smith next to Big Snack and left Brett Kiesel where he is?

It could happen, no? Think about it.  Ziggy could certainly be the missing piece to the 4-3 puzzle.  And what if the Steelers ran a hybrid? At one moment they are 3-4 and in the very next a 4-3?

The intent: confuse the opposing offense. The Patriots have been able to run such a defensive scheme for a few years.  Coach Belichick is the master at switching between the 3-4 and 4-3 with no real problems.  This could happen in Pittsburgh. It really could.

Everyone knows defense wins championships, but no one has really said WHICH defense wins.  I know there’s a saying out there, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but I think it could be fun to watch a thoroughly confused offense get crushed by the Steelers dominating defense, whether its a 3-4 OR a 4-3.

Needless to say, I will be watching very closely at camp this weekend to see if I see any glimses of the Honorable Dick LeBeau and Coach Tomlin creating a new way to kill QBs. (My inner linebacker survived the offseason! It’s officially time for Steelers football!)

Thoughts on this possiblity?

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  1. Even More Monday Links:

    July 27th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    [...] has nothing to do with sports media or my Browns, but I promised Steelergurl I would link to her training camp preview if she would put me back in her blogroll after she redesigned her site. She did and thus I give you [...]

  2. WyoFan:

    July 29th, 2009 at 11:22 am

    I’m with you on this. I have thought for a long time they should be putting Hoke in with Big Snack, Keisel and Smith. But, what do you do with the linebackers?

  3. Jon:

    July 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    I think if they did run a 4-3 they would do so mostly in nickel and dime packages. This way they could move Harrison and Woodley to the DE positions and then put Hood and A Smith at DT. Farrior would stay a MLB, Timmons would be the weak side LB and Townsend would come in as the nickel CB.

  4. betelgeuse:

    July 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Great idea, and don’t forget Bruce Davis as a potential RE.
    My only concern about the 4-3 is whether Big Snack will be able to hustle onto the field before Manning gets the snap!

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