Will a 3-4 scheme work in Kansas City?

The Kansas City Chiefs have endured a bevy of changes over this offseason. A new General Manager, a new head coach, a new quarterback, and a drastically changed coaching staff. One more difference is coming in the form of our defense. The Chiefs have been running a 4-3 scheme for years, but with a new coaching staff comes a new scheme and now we will be running a 3-4. The question is, will this work?

Before we go into that, I'll explain, for those who don't, what exactly is a 3-4 scheme. Instead of four downed linemen, there are three, with usually four linebackers or four cornerbacks. This scheme is mostly commonly used in a normal 3-4, a dime defense, or a dollar defense.

Now that we've gotten passed that, we'll go back to the original question. I think with the right talent and a coach who knows what he's doing, the transition could go really smooth. Now, do the Chiefs have either? Well, that remains to be seen. Our defense struggled last season, giving up record numbers in passing and rushing. It was pretty obvious that a change needed to be made. I think this scheme could answer a lot of issues that needed to be addressed last season.

A 3-4 scheme can provide us with extra pass rushers. Anyone who watched the team last season knows that we simply could not get to the Quarterback. We were in the bottom of the league in sacks and we getting absolutely no pressure on gunslingers (except for Tom Brady). This new scheme allows us to use some of our talented defensive linemen, as well as send some linebackers or cornerbacks to go in on the blitz. Plus, with extra presure on the Quarterback, our coverage will improve and can provide more turnovers for the defense in general.

A 3-4 also can provide extra help down field in coverage. Our coverage team was atrocious last year. Teams were passing on us left and right, and blown coverages were the norm during most games. It's pretty safe to say that cornerbacks were a main achilles heel to this squad. A 3-4 can change that. Either with a blitz package or putting extram men in coverage, this scheme can be a headache for Quarterbacks. In a blitz package, a Quarterback will more focused on getting the ball out than taking a sack, which could lead to turnovers. With more cover men on the field, it gives Quarterbacks fewer options to throw to and could make a team one deminsional.

Now, with all the good reasons to switch, there are some cons. Do we have the personel to run a 3-4? As far as the front seven, there is a possiblity. Tamba Hali, Glen Dorsey, and Alphonso Boone are all excellent linemen, but I believe that their positions are wrong. Boone as a defensive end isn't working out. His too big and not enough quickness to get off the line against a tackle. I think if we switched Dorsey and Boone and make Dorsey a rusher off the edge he would benefit from the change. Plus, he's a younger guy, smaller build, and quicker off the snap than Boone. Have him and Hali play the ends and move Boone back to defensive tackle and I think the line will be set.

As far as the linebackers go, we got some life support in Mike Vrabel. An excellent hitter and pass rusher, he will give the shot in the arm that our defense is desperately needing. Add in Derrick Johnson and a resurging Demorrio Williams and we have three linebackers that would fit our scheme. But who will play the fourth? I think this is when our 3rd round pick will be influential. I see two possible candidates that be beneficial for us, Brian Orakpo and Aaron Curry. Orakpo would be excelent because he knows the 3-4 scheme as he ran it in college. Plus, this guy has a motor that you wouldn't believe and would be another great pass rusher to add to the fold. Aaron Curry is perhaps the best all around defensive player in the draft. Great speed, intelligent player, he would be a day one starter. Plus, gaining knowledge from Johnson and Vrabel would be equally beneficial for him and us.

Now we get to the cornerbacks. Here is where I think our problems lie. We released Surtain, and with good reason as lasty year wasn't exactly a shining one for him. However, that leaves us with Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr, who were mere rookies last season and couldn't adjust quick enough to our 4-3. I think picking up a veteran CB, such as McFadden or possibly even Leigh Bodden, could definitely be a benefit for us. It gives Carr a veteran to help him teach the mechanics of the game and gives both a veteran who could help prepare them for the 3-4. Our safties could also benefit from a veteran as it gives them a little extra confidence in the corners.

Overall, I do believe that this switch has more pros than cons. Gunther Cunningham's system was beginning to get out-dated and teams were recognizing how to work around it. We are now swaying from that and trying something different, which something this team has needed for a while.