What a Switch to a 3-4 Means for the Denver Broncos Defense

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms with Wade Phillips to be their defensive coordinator earlier this year, and with him will likely come a switch to a 3-4 defense.

Phillips has spent the last 31 years in the league as a defensive coordinator or a head coach. He previously served as Denver’s defensive coordinator from 1989-92 before taking over as the 11th head coach of the franchise from 1993-94. While he’s struggled as a head coach, Phillips is known as a quality coordinator.

As a coordinator or a head coach, Phillips has led 15 different top-10 defenses and worked with 24 Pro Bowl players. Included on that list are guys like Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive ends Reggie White and Bruce Smith, as well as linebacker Rickey Jackson.

Most recently, Phillips was the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans under head coach Gary Kubiak. During his first season with the team, Phillips took over the league’s 30th-ranked unit and transformed them, as they finished second in total defense (285.7 yards allowed per game). After that season, Phillips was named PFW/PFWA Assistant Coach of the Year.

So what does a switch to a 3-4 mean for the Broncos defense? Let’s take a look.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.

Postive: Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware

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The move to a 3-4 defense can been seen as a huge positive for pass-rushers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. In what should be a much more aggressive defense, these two players will be turned loose on opposing quarterbacks. The new defense is better suited for both players for multiple reasons, and both should be incredibly productive under Phillips.

Miller has experience working in a 3-4 defense from his days in college at Texas A&M. He’s looking forward to getting back to that style.

Miller told Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post about his excitement: “Everybody who has played in his system has been successful. I am looking to have some of that same success.”

Miller is custom fit for this style of defense. He’s proven to have multiple pass-rushing moves to get after the passer. He can get up the field in the blink of an eye with his elite burst and snap anticipation, but he can also bull rush a blocker. During his time in the NFL, Miller has also done a good job as a run defender from the edge.

Ware played in a 3-4 defense for nine seasons during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. He played four years under Phillips (2007-10) and compiled a whopping 60.5 sacks during that time. Going back to a 3-4 defense will be like going home for the veteran pass-rusher.

Denver’s dynamic duo wanted to post a total of about 30 sacks in 2014. They fell short of that goal, combining for a total of 23.5 sacks (Miller 13, Ware 10.5). In 2015, they could reach that 30-sack total they were striving for.

Negative: Sylvester Williams

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The defensive change could be a problem for defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. If the Broncos don’t re-sign impending free-agent defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, it could lead to a larger role for Williams, according to Jeff Legwold from ESPN.com. Williams was the Broncos' first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, and it would be a shame to wash away this pick so soon.

Coming out of North Carolina, Williams was known as a streaky player who could look dominant or lost from game-to-game—and sometimes snap-to-snap. In 2012, he finished with six sacks, but four of those came in games against Elon (two sacks), Idaho (one sack) and East Carolina (one sack). Those were hardly dominant opponents.

Williams is better suited penetrating as a run defender. He can control one gap at times, and if he gets off the snap quickly, he can be somewhat disruptive in the backfield; however, this has not happened that often during his pro career.

While taking care of one gap is within his skill set, controlling two gaps, as a nose tackle in a 3-4 must do, is outside of his comfort zone.

The nose tackle is arguably the most important position in a 3-4. The Broncos simply cannot afford to have an inferior player at the position. Williams has struggled as a 4-3 defensive tackle, and he could look even worse if placed in the middle of a 3-4.

Oh yeah, he’s an odd fit as a defensive end in a 3-4, too.

Positive: Brandon Marshall

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The Broncos found a star last year in linebacker Brandon Marshall. He filled in admirably for an injured Danny Trevathan in 2014, and Marshall became one of the leaders on the defense. Making the defensive play calls, Marshall was able to get his teammates in the correct position to make consistent plays on the ball.

With the Broncos moving to a 3-4, they need Marshall now more than ever. He’s shot out of a cannon as a run defender, and Marshall arrives at the ball with natural violence. Marshall is an impact player who does not shy away from contact, and this style is intimidating to opponents.

Inside linebackers in a 3-4 must be ferocious against the run. They must be able to evade or shed offensive linemen working to the second level to block them on most downs. Marshall is athletic and agile enough to make blockers miss so he can get to the football.

He may not be asked to cover that often in a 3-4, but Marshall proved last year that he could stay with tight ends over the middle of the field. Marshall is not a liability in coverage, and he rarely bites on play-action fakes.

Simply put, Marshall will find the ball-carrier and try to destroy him ASAP. This makes him a perfect fit for a 3-4 inside linebacker.

Negative: Danny Trevathan

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While Marshall could be a great fit for the 3-4, Trevathan could be an odd fit. Trevathan was a standout player as a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3, but nobody would ever mistake him for a thumper as a run defender.

Trevathan’s lack of ideal size for the position could wear him down as the season goes on. Inside linebackers in a 3-4 absorb a lot of punishment from offensive linemen or fullbacks sent to move them out of the way. They must be able to sustain this type of punishment while taking these opponents head on.

In 2014, Trevathan’s season was plagued by injuries. He initially injured his knee in training camp, and that forced him to miss the first four weeks of the season. Upon his return, Trevathan was injured in Week 6. This caused him to miss time until Week 15. He dislocated his knee cap and was done for the season.

Trevathan underwent surgery to repair his dislocated knee cap in early January. If Trevathan’s rehab goes well, he should be ready to go by the time training camp starts. After an injury-plagued season in 2014, Trevathan would have to prove his durability playing in a system in which he’ll face more collisions.

Positive: Chris Harris and Aqib Talib

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A 3-4 defense features plenty of one-on-one coverage on the outside. The Broncos have two of the best corners in the game today. Chris Harris and Aqib Talib were teammates with the Kansas Jayhawks in college, and they were reunited last year with the Broncos. This very potent duo should be even better as a tandem in the Broncos' new defense.

Harris played 939 snaps for the Broncos defense in 2014. He finished the year with 55 tackles, nine pass breakups and three interceptions. Harris was able to disrupt receivers on the outside, but he can also move inside to the slot when an opponent is utilizing a three-wide receiver set. Either way, Harris can shut down an opposing receiver and frustrate his quarterback.

Talib played 876 snaps for the Broncos defense in 2014. He finished with 64 tackles, nine pass breakups and four interceptions (plus, he scored two defensive touchdowns). Larger than Harris, Talib can take on big wide receivers and slow them down. With his wingspan and recovery speed, it’s difficult for quarterbacks to get the ball by him.

With more pressure likely from the linebackers in a new 3-4, Talib and Harris could see quite a few errant or misguided passes come their way in 2015. With their skill sets a better match for this defense, both Harris and Talib could best the numbers they posted last year.