Offense better, Defense worse.

[theman]

From the moment we hired Christensen I predicted the offense would get bettter and the defense would get worse. Instead of 20-17 type games, we'd be looking at 40-37 type games. The first year doesn't really count. This year I expect to start seeing this trend. First of all, going back to the 4-3 defense scares the hell out of me. When Joe Glenn went to the 3-4 it was a brilliant move. Why? Because its much easier to recruit difference makers in the linebacker position than at the Dline. So why not get more of your better players on the field? It worked very well. Now we go back to the 4-3. I expect the run defense to give up big running yards in the years to come. On the flipside, I expect the offense to continually get better. They will score more points, but they will also turn the ball over more! This is not the style of football I like to watch. I'd rather watch a good controlled defensive game, than a high scoring mistake filled game.
It would sure be nice if WYO could get good on both sides of the ball.

 

[CowboyFan]

Whoa, a soothsayer! When will the market turn positive on a sustained basis? :lol: I'm just kidding. I understand your concern but I have a lot of faith in Coach Christensen and believe he fully appreciates the need for a stellar defense. He doesn't want to be in stressful, whoever scores last, shoot-outs. He knows that he needs a strong defense to have the success he wants. Time will tell but I believe all three parts of the game are getting a lot of attention.

 

[TheRealUW]

I have to disagree with you on the switch to the 4-3. I would actually argue that the defensive lineman are MORE important in a 3-4 defense even though there are less of them. A 3-4 defense requires a big nose guard, as that position is responsible for both A gaps and eating up blocks. I don't see a nose guard on our roster other than the JC transfer Sumter, and he hasn't shown he is ready to play. The other two down lineman in a 3-4 are usually similar in size to the DT's we are staring this year in the 4-3. They have to be big because, once again, their main job is to eat up blocks so that the linebackers can run free and make plays. Recall how big both Fletcher and Unrein were. Thus, sticking with the 3-4 defense this year would have likely resulted in a starting defensive line of Sumter, Purcell, and Mertens. That is just as unproven as the line we are starting this year in the 4-3, if not more-so.

Also, it is generally accepted that a 4-3 defense does a BETTER job against the run as compared to the 3-4 defense. Really, the only advantage to a 3-4 defense is that it allows for a lot of different ways to bring pressure and blitzes. However, it wasn't exactly like we were getting tons of pressure on the opposing QB's last year with the 3-4.

I'll say this...I think the switch to the 3-4 was a good move at the time it was done, but I also think the switch back to the 4-3 this year is a good move. It is all about the current personnel, and our roster dictates we run a 4-3 this year.