FWST: Ex-Bucs discuss Cowboys transition to Tampa 2

[WoodysGirl]

-- Charean Williams

The key to Kiffin's Tampa 2 is the 3-technique, the defensive tackle position Warren Sapp made famous in his nine years with the Bucs.

"They’re about to turn a 3-4 team back into what?" Sapp said. "Now who is the motor in that 3-4? Because it’s got to be the 3-technique."

Jason Hatcher would have to play the part of Sapp, one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The top 3-technique in the draft is Utah's Starlite Lotulelei, according to CBS Sports draft analyst Dane Brugler.

"[Derrick] Brooks and I always joke about it," former Bucs safety John Lynch said. "We tell the story where Tony [Dungy] once told us, 'I want to make something very clear: You and Derrick are wonderful players. I think you're Hall of Fame players. But this defense doesn’t work without this guy [Sapp]. This is where it all starts.' He went back to the roots of the defense with Mean Joe Greene. I think that’s where it all starts on that defense. When you have a guy in that particular system who is wreaking havoc, it’s tough to deal with."

After the 3-technique, it's the WILL and the strong safety who are most important in Kiffin's defense. That was Brooks and Lynch. In Dallas, it will be Bruce Carter and Barry Church as it stands now.

"It starts at the ball and works right down the middle," Dungy said. "They’re all important, but in order, I think it would be the 3-technique, that dominating weakside linebacker and the safety. That’s what you have to put in place to have that system be great. So to me that’s where if they do want to do that, they’re probably a couple of drafts away. They’ve got some dominating players. They’ve got two corners who are going to be big-time players. They’ve got two outside linebackers who are tremendous. But they don’t have what this system takes. That’s why I will be curious to see what they end up doing."

One thing the ex Bucs agree on is: DeMarcus Ware will be fine with whatever system he is in. He currently is an outside linebacker but would be an end with his hand on the ground in a 4-3. Brooks said Ware's job will be simple: Rush the passer. Ware no longer will be asked to drop into coverage.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...technique.html

[NorthTexan95]

A few thoughts ...

* I'm surprised they list the WLB as more important than the MLB who has to cover the deep middle.

* If the 3 DT is so important then it makes me think that may be the top of their FA/Draft list if the right guy is there.

* I'd hope the 4-3 will keep Carter/Lee from having to take on so many interior linemen and hopefully help keep them healthy.

[kmp77]

Sweet....so we need a great tackle and a great safety....which we don't have

[Woods]

Originally Posted by kmp77

Sweet....so we need a great tackle and a great safety....which we don't have

But even if we stayed in the 34 we would have needed that.

[CowboysYanksLakers]

Wouldn't Ratliff play the role of Sapp though?

[Woods]

Originally Posted by CowboysYanksLakers

Wouldn't Ratliff play the role of Sapp though?

Current media speculation is that Ratliff plays the 1-technique and Hatcher would be the 3-technique.

We would probably have to dip into FA and/or draft the 3-technique to make it work. According to Dungy, etc.

[junk]

Originally Posted by CowboysYanksLakers

Wouldn't Ratliff play the role of Sapp though?

That's what I think. I'm not sure why everyone is saying Hatcher in that role.

[jobberone]

I think Rat can play the 3 or the 1. I think Hatcher can play the 3. I suspect Crawford might do well at the 3 and I also think Lissi can play the 3 some. There's a rotation. I think Crawford can play the 5 or the 3 as can Hatcher.

[Phoenix]

An excellent time to revisit this most excellent reference.

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/...l_idpguide.php

[ajk23az]

Hatcher is 30 years old. He is getting up there in age , we have no depth the way it is along the defensive line the way it is. Just connect the dots, we will be drafting a 3 tech defensive lineman in the first round.

Sheldon Richardson, Shariff Floyd, Jesse Williams, John Jenkins. I'm not sure which fits the 3 tech the best but one of them will be a Cowboys come April. My guess is Shariff Floyd.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Originally Posted by jobberone

I think Rat can play the 3 or the 1. I think Hatcher can play the 3. I suspect Crawford might do well at the 3 and I also think Lissi can play the 3 some. There's a rotation. I think Crawford can play the 5 or the 3 as can Hatcher.

I always end up finding I have similar takes as yours. This is spot on.

[a_minimalist]

I still think Brent will be back.

[ABQcowboyJR]

Originally Posted by ajk23az

Hatcher is 30 years old. He is getting up there in age , we have no depth the way it is along the defensive line the way it is. Just connect the dots, we will be drafting a 3 tech defensive lineman in the first round.

Sheldon Richardson, Shariff Floyd, Jesse Williams, John Jenkins. I'm not sure which fits the 3 tech the best but one of them will be a Cowboys come April. My guess is Shariff Floyd.

I don't the Jon Jenkins can 3 tech. IMO Richardson is the.best 3 tech DT in the draft. I still don't see why everyone is putting rat at the 1 tech. He was born to play the 3 tech.

[JoeyBoy718]

This makes me think the first 3 rounds are gonna be 3 tech DT, strong safety, and O-lineman.

[proline]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

An excellent time to revisit this most excellent reference.

http://subscribers.footballguys.com/...l_idpguide.php

Based on that, Dungy is probably right about needing a couple of drafts to pull off the transition.

Interesting to see Ernie Sims' name called out as a perfect WLB in the Tampa-2.