Should we go back to the 4-3?

[Teague31]

This whole defense needs to be blown up so it begs the question if we even have anything close to the right personnel to run a 3-4 the way it needs to be. I think ware would be just as good at end, rat is better as a 4-3 dt and lee would be a stud MLB.

 

[Risen Star]

No. We need to stay the course, upgrade the personnel and give Fat Rob an actual offseason to implement his scheme.

 

[ilovejerry]

This whole defense needs to be blown up so it begs the question if we even have anything close to the right personnel to run a 3-4 the way it needs to be. I think ware would be just as good at end, rat is better as a 4-3 dt and lee would be a stud MLB.

Do you really think that is our problem? What about the so called players executing? you could run have Tom laundry run the D and it would still stink. Face it, there not good.

 

[burmafrd]

Ware is too small for DE in the 4-3 and too big for OLB in the 4-3. He would be like Freeny in Indy; great against the pass but those 320 lb tackles lined right up on him would wear him down and he would be weak against the run. At OLB he would not be quick enough for covering backs.

 

[Bleu Star]

This whole defense needs to be blown up so it begs the question if we even have anything close to the right personnel to run a 3-4 the way it needs to be. I think ware would be just as good at end, rat is better as a 4-3 dt and lee would be a stud MLB.

I still think Rob is doing the best he can with the groceries provided to him. Give him an offseason to really place his stamp on the defense in terms of personnel along with the evolution of the defensive squad understanding the scheme. It will make a world of difference.

 

[Star Guard_31]

This whole defense needs to be blown up so it begs the question if we even have anything close to the right personnel to run a 3-4 the way it needs to be. I think ware would be just as good at end, rat is better as a 4-3 dt and lee would be a stud MLB.

I actually think Lee might be a better fit as a weak outside LB in a 4-3 but to answer your question; No, I don't think we should switch to a 4-3.

If OT wasn't such a glaring area of need and we would have been able to draft someone like an Aldon Smith or Ryan Kerrigan to play opposite Ware this wouldn't even be a discussion. If we can find a competent pass rusher to play OLB across from Ware our defense will take off.

 

[Star Guard_31]

Ware is too small for DE in the 4-3 and too big for OLB in the 4-3. He would be like Freeny in Indy; great against the pass but those 320 lb tackles lined right up on him would wear him down and he would be weak against the run. At OLB he would not be quick enough for covering backs.

The Broncos and Giants find a way to run 4-3 schemes with Von Miller and Mathias Kiwanuka respectively as OLB's in a 4-3. The Commanders also ran a 4-3 during Brian Orakpo's rookie campaign. I think Ware is just as athletic if not more athletic then those individuals. We could make it work, but it would require creative coaching, which is something that this team has not seen in a long time.

 

[Woods]

Adding one more legit pass rusher and one more quality CB opposite Jenkins would do wonders for this defense, imo.

Oh, and assuming B Carter turns out to be what he's projected to be (and he replaces Brooking in 2012).

 

[burmafrd]

The Broncos and Giants find a way to run 4-3 schemes with Von Miller and Mathias Kiwanuka respectively as OLB's in a 4-3. The Commanders also ran a 4-3 during Brian Orakpo's rookie campaign. I think Ware is just as athletic if not more athletic then those individuals. We could make it work, but it would require creative coaching, which is something that this team has not seen in a long time.

we could make it work as a hybrid; but not as a full time 4-3. Ware is just not big enough to take that pounding 50 plays a game

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Adding one more legit pass rusher and one more quality CB opposite Jenkins would do wonders for this defense, imo.

Oh, and assuming B Carter turns out to be what he's projected to be (and he replaces Brooking in 2012).

I wouldn't be suprised if Spencer is resigned.

That being said, I think Spencer is doing a better at his position than Coleman is doing at his.

Which means while I think another CB is pretty important, I think an all-around 3-4 DE, who can rush the pass and defend the run is more important at this point (than OLB IF they resign Spencer).

 

[Woods]

I wouldn't be suprised if Spencer is resigned.

That being said, I think Spencer is doing a better at his position than Coleman is doing at his.

Which means while I think another CB is pretty important, I think an all-around 3-4 DE, who can rush the pass and defend the run is more important at this point (than OLB IF they resign Spencer).

If I had it my way, I would re-sign Spencer, and in the draft I'd look to add another pass rusher.

As for CB, I'd let go of Newman, but I would spend a bit on a quality FA CB. I'd also take another CB in the first 3 rounds to give me 4 quality CBs for next season.

I'd also spend a premium pick on an interior OL.

So, I guess in no particular order, I'd go pass rusher (likely LB), CB, OC/OG.

For the remaining picks, I'd try to draft a hybrid TE/WR type who could stretch the field and create mis-matches, another Safety, and ILB.

Finally, in FA I'd look to upgrade the DL (i.e., Coleman) and re-sign Robinson as well.

 

[Jimz31]

I say whatever Rob wants...I used to continually say that I would like to see what he can do with a full off-season to do it....but then I think, "But how can Wade Phillips take that Houston defense to first from being worst in the same amount of time..."

It's one of two things with him....either he is better at teaching it or his defense is actually easier to learn, but as has been the case everywhere he has been, they fall of quickly as teams figure him out easily.

Give me an off-season with Rob being able to talk to his players in the off-season implementing it....

I'd like to see another stud pass-rusher on the other side of D-Ware....that's my first order of business. It will make our DB's better than they are as well since the QB will have to get rid of the ball quicker than he wants.

 

[BubbleScreen]

I don't want to hear excuses for Rob. A good coordinator adapts to what he has. Maybe Ryan is teaching PHD defense but most of these guys seem to be on a 6th grade level, especially in pass defense.

We have a talent shortage at CB, 1 ILB, and 1 OLB.

Also it looks like the league has figured out the Ryan 3-4. The jets who know the system and have good talent to fill it are little better than we are.

If we keep the 3-4, we'll need someone like Mike Nolan or someone from the Capers tree.

4-3 wise, Ware would be very good at end. Spencer might be better. Ratliff and Hatcher would project well to DT. We'd need a true Mike LB, but Carter should be good outside.

Main issue is getting a good coordinator who can adapt to his talent and filling a couple of holes, which we would do every year anyway.

 

[jblaze2004]

how is ware too smalll for the 4-3? He is the same size or bigger than freeney, trent cole, babin, and alot of other 4-3 ends. He will play the week side. He is about the same size as jared allen. If any thing he would have to gain what 5lbs.

 

[Eskimo]

We could run a 4-3 with Ware at RDE.

We would need a LDE as no one on this roster projects there.

Lee could play MLB, Carter could play WOLB. Spencer wouldn't fit and should not be re-signed. We would need someone to play SAM.

I don't really think we'd be any better off there.

Ryan wants to play multiple fronts and we are well suited to do it but we need another pass rusher and a better CB to replace Newman.

I'd re-sign Spencer for Oscan money but not more than that.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

SMH when will people realize whether we run the 4-3 or 3-4 is irrelevant? We simply lack talent on defense it doesn't matter whether we're running the 4-3 or 3-4.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

SMH when will people realize whether we run the 4-3 or 3-4 is irrelevant? We simply lack talent on defense it doesn't matter whether we're running the 4-3 or 3-4.

That's very true.

One defense or the other, the team is below average at several spots.

Upgrade the talent and the defense will improve.

It's no more complicated than that.

 

[Risen Star]

SMH when will people realize whether we run the 4-3 or 3-4 is irrelevant? We simply lack talent on defense it doesn't matter whether we're running the 4-3 or 3-4.

Too painful to admit your heroes on Sunday aren't good enough. Pretend it's the scheme holding back all our scary talent.

Oh, and ignore the fact that all the great defenses in the league pretty much run the same scheme we do. Tut tut! That isn't happening.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Too painful to admit your heroes on Sunday aren't good enough. Pretend it's the scheme holding back all our scary talent.

Over 1/3 of the guys starting on defense aren't good enough.

That is the problem.

Coleman
The James/Brooking combo
Newman
Elam

They simply aren't that good.

 

[Risen Star]

Over 1/3 of the guys starting on defense aren't good enough.

That is the problem.

Coleman
The James/Brooking combo
Newman
Elam

They simply aren't that good.

Ratliff isn't good enough at NT. Coleman, Hatcher, Spears....all JAGs. I don't mind them for depth but we need at least one DE capable of being disruptive.

Spencer is one of the biggest weaknesses on the team. His failure to bookend Ware on the pass rush really keeps this defense down. We are one dimensional in that regard and opposing offenses know it.

I don't want to make it sound all doom and gloom. Look around the league. We don't need a stout defense to contend. The #1 seeds in both conferences have the 31st and 32nd ranked defenses going into this week's games. I'd sooner shore up the offensive line and win that way than try a major overhaul of the defense in an offseason.

We are an effective offensive line away from being the Packers or Patriots. Add the Saints to that too. Their defense is awful.