Lets just say, 4-3

[supercowboy8]

Lets just say we switch to the 4-3 and sign Mario Williams and Brandon Carr.
Ryan will run multiple schemes but lets just say the 4-3 becomes our base.
What to do with Spencer? Thats still the question.

Switching to a 4-3 we would still need a 4-3 SOLB.
Spencer can play 4-3 SOLB and already does alot of the time. He is good vs tehe run and can cover the flat well. Has the speed to chase and tackle and can create fumbles.

Now I would drop the tag the day we agree with Williams but still try to get a long term deal done with Spencer. Chad Greenway contract is about where I woudl start. If we don't have the cap space then I guess you have to let him walk, which I'm fine with, but now you must find a 4-3 SOLB in the draft, which looks easy.

Two guys I like in the 2nd round that I think could come in and start right away at SOLB in a 4-3 are Bobby Wagner and Ronnell Leiws.

 

[21Savage]

If we sign Mario Williams, we would have to rescind the franchise tender give to Spencer and allow him to hit FA as the best 3-4 OLB.

There's no way we're going to keep both at those prices. Plus he's not a good fit as a 3-4 OLB. At that point he'll be a backup strong side DE.


I've always opposed this notion of a move back to a 4-3 but I have to admit, even though we'll likely still play a lot of 3-4 principles with Mario at SOLB, the idea of signing him and Carr and then drafting a LB like Luke Kueckly (or maybe Hightower) would make this defense a million times better, regardless of odd or even fronts.

 

[TheSport78]

Spencer is gone if we sign Super Mario.

DL: Demarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, Sean Lissemore/Jason Hatcher, Mario Williams

LB: Bruce Carter, Sean Lee, veteran FA or early round pick (Hightower)

CB: Mike Jenkins, Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, 3rd round pick

S: Gerald Sensabaugh, Mike Adams

 

[RastaRocket]

This is what I have been saying all day about this topic and I'm gonna stick with it. Keep the 3-4.


Ware - Lee - Carter - Spencer

Hatcher/Lissemore - Ratlif - Williams

 

[ddh33]

If the team went to a 4-3 with Mario Williams, I would have a ton of interest in the Boston College LB!

 

[Picksix]

I doubt Spencer would want to play OLB in a 4-3. He most likely won't sign his tender anyway, but faced with that I'd say there's no way. He's hold out and push for his release first. If we go to a 4-3, he's gone.

 

[SWG9]

Why do we have to switch to a 4-3 if we sign Williams? Wasn't Williams a productive player in the Phillips 3-4?

I know some will argue that we need a run stopping SOLB, but haven't we all been crying for additional pass rushers so that we can run a scheme like the NYG?

Give RR the pass rushers and HE WILL put a good defence on the field. Most teams use a 4-3/3-4 hybrid now anyway, so I don't see what the issue is.

 

[RastaRocket]

Spencer can stop the run. Put Williams at end in our 3-4 and let him loose.

The only problem I have with the theory of switching to a 4-3 in order to sign Williams is that Ware is our best player and he dominates in the 3-4. If anything, Demarcus Ware should be the focal point of how we line up the D.

Plus, I believe we have more talent on the field with Ware-Carter-Lee-Spencer at linebacker.

 

[cowboy_ron]

Watching the competitiveness in Ware and Williams would be awesome...the race for the sack leader

 

[xwalker]

There would be no reason to keep Spencer. He would be a DE in the 4-3 not a LB. He played 4-3 DE in college.

This is a good draft for 4-3 LBs.

I think Bruce Irvin could be used like Von Miller in Denver...a 4-3 LB that gets significant opportunities to rush the passer.

Another favorite for 4-3 LB or 3-4 ILB is Demario Davis.

Quick list of possible 4-3 LBs in the draft:

Luke Kuechly ILB, BC 6-3 237
Zach Brown OLB, North Carolina 6-2 230
Bruce Irvin OLB, West Virginia 6-3 245
Demario Davis OLB, Arkansas State 6-3 230
Lavonte David OLB, Nebraska 6-1 225
Miles Burris OLB, San Diego State 6-3 235
Mychal Kendricks ILB, California 6-0 240
Nigel Bradham ILB, Florida State 6-3 240
Sean Spence OLB, Miami 6-0 224
Tank Carder ILB, Texas Christian 6-3 237
Ronnell Lewis OLB, Oklahoma 6-2 244
Jerry Franklin ILB, Arkansas 6-1 245
Bobby Wagner ILB, Utah State 6-1 232
Emmanuel Acho ILB, Texas 6-2 245
Travis Lewis OLB, Oklahoma 6-2 227
James-Michael Johnson ILB, Nevada 6-2 240


Having said the above, I'm not really in favor of changing the scheme. I'm ok with either scheme, but 3 different schemes in 3 years is probably unnecessary change.

 

[BAT]

There would be no reason to keep Spencer. He would be a DE in the 4-3 not a LB. He played 4-3 DE in college.

This is a good draft for 4-3 LBs.

I think Bruce Irvin could be used like Von Miller in Denver...a 4-3 LB that gets significant opportunities to rush the passer.

Another favorite for 4-3 LB or 3-4 ILB is Demario Davis.

Quick list of possible 4-3 LBs in the draft:

Luke Kuechly ILB, BC 6-3 237
Zach Brown OLB, North Carolina 6-2 230
Bruce Irvin OLB, West Virginia 6-3 245
Demario Davis OLB, Arkansas State 6-3 230
Lavonte David OLB, Nebraska 6-1 225
Miles Burris OLB, San Diego State 6-3 235
Mychal Kendricks ILB, California 6-0 240
Nigel Bradham ILB, Florida State 6-3 240
Sean Spence OLB, Miami 6-0 224
Tank Carder ILB, Texas Christian 6-3 237
Ronnell Lewis OLB, Oklahoma 6-2 244
Jerry Franklin ILB, Arkansas 6-1 245
Bobby Wagner ILB, Utah State 6-1 232
Emmanuel Acho ILB, Texas 6-2 245
Travis Lewis OLB, Oklahoma 6-2 227
James-Michael Johnson ILB, Nevada 6-2 240


Having said the above, I'm not really in favor of changing the scheme. I'm ok with either scheme, but 3 different schemes in 3 years is probably unnecessary change.

I am a fan of this idea if Kuechly is not the first pick. Heck even if Kuechly is the first pick, adding another pass rusher is not a bad idea.

 

[CowboyMike]

This is the problem if we switch to a 4-3:

Do you want to shorten DeMarcus Ware's career by 2-3 years? Because that's what switching would do. He is on the lean side for a defensive end and taking on tackles face to face head on is going to take its toll. As a 3-4 OLB, he has the space and head start to gain momentum and speed. Having him line up inside and close to the tackle negates that.

DeMarcus has said himself that he wouldn't want to go back to being a 4-3 end. In fact he said it when he was talking about speaking with Mario Williams last year about it when the Texans switched to a 3-4. He was saying Mario would love it and not want to switch back.

The Cowboys may switch to 4-3 eventually, but I doubt they will full time while DWare is still here. Rob Ryan uses so many different looks and fronts that it really doesn't matter anyway.

 

[Beast_from_East]

This is the problem if we switch to a 4-3:

Do you want to shorten DeMarcus Ware's career by 2-3 years? Because that's what switching would do. He is on the lean side for a defensive end and taking on tackles face to face head on is going to take its toll. As a 3-4 OLB, he has the space and head start to gain momentum and speed. Having him line up inside and close to the tackle negates that.

DeMarcus has said himself that he wouldn't want to go back to being a 4-3 end. In fact he said it when he was talking about speaking with Mario Williams last year about it when the Texans switched to a 3-4. He was saying Mario would love it and not want to switch back.

The Cowboys may switch to 4-3 eventually, but I doubt they will full time while DWare is still here. Rob Ryan uses so many different looks and fronts that it really doesn't matter anyway.

Excellent points.

Guys, think of all the mismatches that RR can create with both Mario and Ware. He can move both around all over the place with them at DE in one formation and OLB in another formation or one as DE and the other as OLB in yet another formation.

It doesnt have to be a set position for each guy, they can be moved all over the place like chess pieces to get the most favorable matchups.