Could the Vikings move to a 3-4 defense in 2014?

[Eli]

Jared Allen, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen and Kevin Williams are all free agents after 2013. Only Griffen is under 30. They have just one good linebacker on the roster, and he's also over 30.

If the Vikings have ever considered switching to a 3-4, there will be few opportunities like this one. Kevin Williams, if re-signed, can play DE in a 3-4. Everson Griffen will be a priority to re-sign in any case, and is arguably better suited as a pass-rushing 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE. There's a good chance Jared Allen won't be re-signed, IMO. Brian Robison would be on the fence. He'll demand a pretty hefty salary and may not have a natural fit in a 3-4.

Going into the draft, I wonder if the Vikings are thinking ahead to the possibility, because it would almost certainly affect their choices at two key spots where they have needs: DT and LB. Guys like Ogletree or Okafor might be more important to nail down than an MLB like Te'o. A big nose tackle would probably be more important than finding a 3-technique replacement for Kevin Williams.

Interesting times.

[Mothman]

Oh no! It's the dreaded annual "switch to a 3-4" thread.

Unless they plan to fire Leslie Frazier and they know that now, I doubt they will be drafting with a 3-4 defense in mind and I doubt a switch to a 3-4 is coming anytime soon. I think Frazier is pretty committed to the 4-3.

However, if they were going to make switch, the next two seasons would probably be the time to do it.

[Eli]

However, if they were going to make switch, the next two seasons would probably be the time to do it.

That's exactly the point. Arguments in the past have always been that the roster isn't well suited to play a 3-4, so the coaching staff would never even consider it. And it was impossible to argue that simple fact. Now, the players most skilled in a 4-3 are likely to be moving on or retiring very shortly.

I'm not so sure Leslie Frazier is so conservative that he's committed to either the Tampa-2 or the 4-3. I think he has a better defensive mind than that.

[Demi]

I think you give him a bit too much credit. It's what he knows. It's what his DC knows. Every time it comes up he seems to mention "the system".

The only way we go 3-4 is if we get a new coach.

And with all the teams using 3-4 now it's not like you can really sneak those previously less valued 3-4 players into your draft like you used to when 3-4 made more sense. There's plenty of teams targeting those same players.

[Eli]

And with all the teams using 3-4 now it's not like you can really sneak those previously less valued 3-4 players into your draft like you used to when 3-4 made more sense. There's plenty of teams targeting those same players.

That's a new one on me... Which players were those? You think guys like Von Miller or DeMarcus Ware wouldn't be studs in a 4-3?

[MV711]

Only with a new coach and personell that could play the system. We don't have the personell which would have to be drafted or obtained which isn't going to happen and be sucessful in a year.

Chance of switching to a 3-4 is slim to none!!

[Mothman]

That's exactly the point. Arguments in the past have always been that the roster isn't well suited to play a 3-4, so the coaching staff would never even consider it. And it was impossible to argue that simple fact. Now, the players most skilled in a 4-3 are likely to be moving on or retiring very shortly.

I'm not so sure Leslie Frazier is so conservative that he's committed to either the Tampa-2 or the 4-3. I think he has a better defensive mind than that.

I think his defensive mind is just fine and it's not a question of being conservative. It's a question of preference and defensive philosophy and I think Frazier prefers the 4-3. Maybe I'm wrong but I wouldn't hold your breath in anticipation of a switch to the 3-4.