Evaluation Time

[papabear]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

I don't get this.

What about our personnel is strictly 4-3?

Mario is your prototype 3-4 DE. Bulman, Cochran, and Weaver are as well. DelJuan is a legitimate NT. Ryans is a star LB in any system. Adibi and Thompson are legit 3-4 OLB. The only question I have about a hypothetical transition is Okoye and (1) he's been underperforming in the 4-3 as it is and (2) LZ thinks he's a great fit for a 3-4 for what that's worth.

Mario would be fine as a 3-4 End...I just don't know why you want to take our only pass rush threat and put at him a position that, by design, doesn't get many sacks or chances to make big plays. He's also the only end we have that I see even having a shot as a 3-4 OLB. I don't want to take a guy who has become a dominant end and start having him do something that he has never done before by playing with his hand off the ground and dropping back into coverage.

The key to a 3-4 is the NT. If you don't have a good one, then nothing else will work. We don't have one who can play that position right now, even in the much less demanding 4-3 version. All of our DT's are better as penetrating 1 gap players...even though Smith doesn't always let them do that. 3-4 NT's are not easy to find either. A rookie is going to need quite a bit of time to grow into it and 3-4 teams aren't going to let a good one go.

Okoye, Bullman, Robinson, and Weaver would all be fine in a 3-4 at end. I don't think any of them can handle NT. I think all of our LB's are undersized for a 3-4, and I don't see any of them as a big threat pass rushing from the OLB position except Mario. I don't feel comfortable moving him there.

We've already got one Dominant end for the 4-3. A great MLB, and a young LB in Adibi who should continue to Develop. Okoye played much better over the last few games, and I hope that the light started to come on for him this year and we will start to get some ROI from him next year. We need a big hog to anchor the middle, a speed rusher specialist, and maybe one more LB. That's much easier than the major overhaul that I think we would need for a 3-4, not to mention the painful transition period. We've got a good base for a good 4-3 defense right now, and I see no reason not to build our front 7 around what we already have.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by papabear

Mario would be fine as a 3-4 End...I just don't know why you want to take our only pass rush threat and put at him a position that, by design, doesn't get many sacks or chances to make big plays. He's also the only end we have that I see even having a shot as a 3-4 OLB. I don't want to take a guy who has become a dominant end and start having him do something that he has never done before by playing with his hand off the ground and dropping back into coverage.

The key to a 3-4 is the NT. If you don't have a good one, then nothing else will work. We don't have one who can play that position right now, even in the much less demanding 4-3 version. All of our DT's are better as penetrating 1 gap players...even though Smith doesn't always let them do that. 3-4 NT's are not easy to find either. A rookie is going to need quite a bit of time to grow into it and 3-4 teams aren't going to let a good one go.

Okoye, Bullman, Robinson, and Weaver would all be fine in a 3-4 at end. I don't think any of them can handle NT. I think all of our LB's are undersized for a 3-4, and I don't see any of them as a big threat pass rushing from the OLB position except Mario. I don't feel comfortable moving him there.

We've already got one Dominant end for the 4-3. A great MLB, and a young LB in Adibi who should continue to Develop. Okoye played much better over the last few games, and I hope that the light started to come on for him this year and we will start to get some ROI from him next year. We need a big hog to anchor the middle, a speed rusher specialist, and maybe one more LB. That's much easier than the major overhaul that I think we would need for a 3-4, not to mention the painful transition period. We've got a good base for a good 4-3 defense right now, and I see no reason not to build our front 7 around what we already have.

I should have read to the end of the thread to see that you already answered the post with a better version of what I was saying.

[Nconroe]

I guess for this week my analysis is I'd keep as many guys as I could who were starting at end of the year, try to keep some consistency and let the young guys grow together, both in players and coaches into the 2009 season, they showed a lot of teamwork, hard work, got a lot done. And draft heavy on the defensive side, atleast first three rounds.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by papabear

Mario would be fine as a 3-4 End...I just don't know why you want to take our only pass rush threat and put at him a position that, by design, doesn't get many sacks or chances to make big plays. He's also the only end we have that I see even having a shot as a 3-4 OLB. I don't want to take a guy who has become a dominant end and start having him do something that he has never done before by playing with his hand off the ground and dropping back into coverage.

The key to a 3-4 is the NT. If you don't have a good one, then nothing else will work. We don't have one who can play that position right now, even in the much less demanding 4-3 version. All of our DT's are better as penetrating 1 gap players...even though Smith doesn't always let them do that. 3-4 NT's are not easy to find either. A rookie is going to need quite a bit of time to grow into it and 3-4 teams aren't going to let a good one go.

Okoye, Bullman, Robinson, and Weaver would all be fine in a 3-4 at end. I don't think any of them can handle NT. I think all of our LB's are undersized for a 3-4, and I don't see any of them as a big threat pass rushing from the OLB position except Mario. I don't feel comfortable moving him there.

We've already got one Dominant end for the 4-3. A great MLB, and a young LB in Adibi who should continue to Develop. Okoye played much better over the last few games, and I hope that the light started to come on for him this year and we will start to get some ROI from him next year. We need a big hog to anchor the middle, a speed rusher specialist, and maybe one more LB. That's much easier than the major overhaul that I think we would need for a 3-4, not to mention the painful transition period. We've got a good base for a good 4-3 defense right now, and I see no reason not to build our front 7 around what we already have.

Can't argue with that.

[NBT]

I don't think Weaver will ever be FINE in any defense again.

[Bigtinylittle]

Originally Posted by NBT

I don't think Weaver will ever be FINE in any defense again.

If I recall correctly, Weaver was quoted earlier in the year saying that he isn't 100% physically and may never be again. Wish I could remember where I hard it. Maybe a radio interview.