Freeman Will Welcome 4-3 Defense

November 25th, 2011

You could hear the smile/relief in Josh Freeman’s voice on WDAE-AM 620 Wednesday night.

Host of The Josh Freeman Show, Steve Duemig, asked Freeman about facing so many 3-4 defenses during the Bucs’ latest struggles, and Freeman responded saying he was looking forward to seeing more 4-3 defenses starting Sunday in Tennessee.  

“It’s going to be nice to play a traditional defense,” Freeman said. “The teams that play these 3-4’s, I mean they’ll play it, and they all have a guy that’s kind of like a hybrid. So they can stand him up at end, slightly shade the nose, and you kinda gotta, you’re very front-aware with what defensive front their in, knowing what pressures they bring from up front, and at the same time watch the secondary and be aware of their coverages. So it has really been overdrive as far as preparation for IDing fronts, the run points, the protection calls.

“It is [easier against a 4-3] because you look at the variables. …Where I was Friday in the Packers gameplan, I’m there right now [on Wednesday.]” 

Obviously, Freeman was ready to play against the Packers and notched a strong day. But if he feels more confident entering Sunday’s game because of the Titans’ 4-3 defense, then all the better for the Bucs.

Maybe they’ll even manage a first-quarter touchdown.

9 Responses to “Freeman Will Welcome 4-3 Defense”

  1. Piratic Says:

    “Maybe they’ll even manage a first-quarter touchdown.”

    C’mon Joe, that’s crazy talk! 😉

    What I want to see is #27 run over, run through, run around, and generally embarrass our former #51. That might actually be THE game-plan this week. (Finally).

  2. Nick2 Says:

    Don’t jinx em Joe, Olson has alot of 2 yards and out plays that he is just dying to use again! First quarter touchdown??? Never!!

  3. Brain Says:

    So if 4-3 defenses are easier to prepare for, why do we run a 4-3?

  4. Mr. Lucky Says:

    Joe wrote, ‘Maybe they’ll even manage a first-quarter touchdown’!

    Been drinking before noon again joe?

  5. Nick Says:

    Ruud is officially ruled out. But, apparently the guy behind him is a beast. Where have we heard that before?

  6. 941-Bucs Says:

    4-3 are easier to read.. BUT … not always easy to beat. Monte Kiffin proved that point for a decade and the Bears continue to prove it today.

    3-4 is a lot of smoke and mirrors, it was designed to confuse people. More or less it is used to help create turn overs and make the QB hold the ball for a second longer in order to see what they are doing defensively. It requires very good Hybrid LB’s ( who can pass rush from standing up to hand in the dirt or drop back into coverage )and stout Linemen. you never know if they are going to rush anywhere from 2 -6 people at any giving time.

    the 4-3 is traditional, u know what is coming from where and what the tail end coverage is going to do. The key to making the 4-3 work is having the right talent in the right spots. Everyone know’s the weak spots on the 4-3 it trying to take advantage of those spots that becomes the hard part. It requires a rushing front 4, speed, and gang tackling(hence why the Super bowl Bucs D was so successful)

  7. Kryq Says:

    Just found out Ruud isn’t playing..

  8. j lynch Says:

    3/4 4/3 he will throw picks …

  9. 941-Bucs Says:

    @j lynch

    LOL