With teams playing a lot more nickel and taking a LB off the field, you probably wouldn't be getting value there if you take one of those LBs off the field a lot.
Fans need to quit thinking about the Dallas Cowboys as a base 4-3 defense.
Nickel defense is the base coverage, the third CB is light years more important than the third LB.
I'm much more concerned about improving the Nickel and Dime units than the standard 4-3 group.
No doubt we need DBs especially if they can cover TEs.
It's just the way the league is now.
Granted, I don't want secondary players who are utter liabilities in run support, but we've got to find more defenders who can cover.
And it isn't just a discussion of size and speed, physicality and instincts are necessities, too.
If LB is your strength, you could just play a 3-3-5 and have at least one of the LBs blitzing every play.
I don't love it, unless Smith is effective on the edge, but you could.
The 3-3-5 works as a change-up but not as a base pass defense.
Item one is continuing to build the DL, a great defense must be able to consistently generate pressure on opposing QBs with a 4 man rush.
In a 3-3-5 look, all the LBs must be able play in coverage and we don't have that. Elite offenses will spread the field and take advantage of the LBs.
We need more corners and safeties that can play coverage.
