I've seen the words in print, "The Arizona Cardinals do not have the personnel to run a 3-4 D." I found that interesting, so I did a little comparison.  Hit the jump to see some numbers.

Defense #1) 

RDE = 6'5", 285# (33 TKL, 3 SCK, 2 FF, 1 INT) NT = 6'1", 325# (20 TKL, 1 SCK, 1 FF) LDE = 6'5", 298# (15 TKL)

ROLB = 6', 242# (100 TKL, 11 SCK, 6 FF, 2 INT) RILB = 6'1", 234# (132 TKL, 3 SCK, 2 FF, 2 INT) LILB = 6'2", 243# (109 TKL, 6 SCK, 1 FF) LOLB = 6'2", 265# (50 TKL, 10 SCK, 3 FF, 2 INT)

3 down linemen = 68 TKL, 4 SCK, 3 FF, 1 INT

Backers = 391 TKL, 30 SCK, 12 FF, 6 INT

Total: 459 TKL, 34 SCK, 15 FF, 7 INT

Defense #2) 

RDE = 6'8", 300# (60 TKL, 6 SCK,) NT = 6'3", 327# (38 TKL) LDE = 6'4", 290# (52 TKL, 5 SCK, 1 FF)

ROLB = 6'3", 248# (50 TKL, 5 SCK, 2 FF) RILB = 6'2", 240# (125 TKL, 2 SCK, 1 FF, 2 INT) LILB = 6'2", 230# (75 TKL, 1 SCK, 1 FF, 1 INT) LOLB = 6'4", 243# (47 TKL, 5 SCK, 1 FF)

3 down linemen = 150 TKL, 11 SCK, 1 FF

Backers = 297 TKL, 13 SCK, 5 FF, 3 INT

Total: 447 TKL, 24 SCK, 6 FF, 1 INT

Team 1 is the Pittsburgh Steelers:

3 down linemen: Brett Keisel, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith

Backers: James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley

Which makes the Arizona Cardinals team 2 by default:

3 down linemen: Calais Campbell, Dan Williams, Darnell Dockett

Backers: Joey Porter, Paris Lenon, Daryl Washington, Clark Haggans

The stats show that the Cards get better performance out of their down three than the Steelers do. On the flip side, the Steelers backers unit walks away with the trophy, easily outperforming the Cards unit in every stat. I've also heard that,  "The Cards are better staffed to run a 4-3 D." I can say that the Steelers are able to generate a pass rush presence from either edge just through athletic ability, which allows a D coordinator to scheme. The Cards, not so much.

My question is this, are the Cards better suited to run a 4-3 D, or are 2010 #'s for the Cards linebacker unit due to poor 3-4 scheme and/or poor D coordinator game management rather than a lack of athleticism? BTW, the Steelers were 1st in rush D, 12th in pass D, and 2nd in total D for YPG season 2010. The Cards are 30th in rush D, 23rd in pass D, and 29th in total D for YPG season 2010.

Tell me in the poll below.