It really is amazing to me how poorly we are equipped to play the 3-4 defense, and how much better equipped we currently are to play a 4-3 as things stand today. Capers has made some really poor calls with our defense, and especially so when it mattered most over these past two seasons. He was the DC for the worst defense in NFL history.
In his defense, I will say Ted Thompson didn't get the job completely finished when it came to the personnel he has had to work with. Yes, we drafted 6 on his side of the ball last year. However, there was just so much more to do. A GM cannot continually count on first year players to turn one segment or group around. That is what he did with our pass rush, and he failed to adjust after losing his prize piece, Perry, for the season in week 4. He should have signed some insurance opposite Matthews, especially knowing that area of his defense is what hurt the secondary most the previous year.
We should make the switch to the 4-3, like, pronto!
Perry should flourish at DE. Make Matthews your WSLB, the playmaker. Hawk, opposite at SSLB with Bish in the middle. If Hawk proves unable to work out there as a starter, then we'll have a very high priced, experienced backup - but I think he'd be fine with this switch, maybe better. Draft another DE or two, and a good backup NT and we should be set.
If I were Ted, I would load up on both lines this draft, and allow for either a premiere WR or LB talent to be an early choice weighed against the line talent available should one fall.
3-4 defenses call for bigger players than we have, and faster players who are better in coverage as well. To me, Perry is no sure thing as a pass rushing LB in a 3-4 with the coverage responsibilities. Pickett won't last forever, especially if this staff refuses to get the players here for a reasonable rotation. Raji has no backup. None. And, what do we really have at DE?
3 years after winning SB XLV, maybe we will get a pass rush and a more stout defense. Switching to a 4-3 could really help. Can Capers do that effectively? Probably. Then again, maybe not. But, whoever's responsibility this winds up being is going to need more than what Ted gave Capers in 2011 and 2012.