We always hear. Put your playmakers in position to make plays. So who on defense are our best players and what is the best combination and formation for them to be able to make plays?

Even with Raji I didn't think we have the right personel for the 3-4. We are much better suited for the 4-3. Keep DTs and DEs on the field to stop the run.

DE would be Peppers, and some combination of Neil,D.Jones and Perry.
DT Daniels and Boyd rotating with Guion and Pennel.
LBer I would put Lattimore on the front side, Clay in the middle, with AJ on the backside.
Secondary would remain pretty much the same.

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Nice post. I'm not so sure we'd be a better 4-3 team than a 3-4 one, but I don't have time to get into that right now.

I do wonder, though, why'd you want Clay on the inside?

I don't think he would fit as a DE, Out of the LBers we have clay is the best and I figured playing inside, gives him the best chance to impact as many plays as possible, up the gut run support and sideline to sideline hustle along with dropping back in the middle for pass defense and blitzing in the QB face. AJ is dependable. Always where he is supposed to be even if he isn't making a big splash. I want him protecting the backdoor to prevent the big runs when backs cut back.

3rd LBer is debatable, I gave it to Lattimore. I see the front side where a little discipline can be traded off for attacking against run plays.

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Although I think Rockmolder may be right - it is obvious that something has to change to improve.

Myself - I had unusual ideas recently when others were talking about Richardson. From what we have seen so far, we appear to be lacking at ILB. If he is as talented as some perceive him to be - maybe he could be helpful. Some have even said to convert him to ILB which brought me to this.

First idea is to do as others have said. Making him a LB with some coverage skills could give them some interesting schemes. If he can tackle - we have already improved in this scenario. If he is able to make a couple of picks or defend some short passes - extra bonus.

The other idea is based on similar thoughts. Run a 3-3 nickel (3 safety) with Richardson covering the middle. This gives many options for coverages or even run stuffing. Rather than dropping him into coverage - use him to pick up the RB on early downs. Our LBers often are too slow to make the tackle before it becomes a big gain - so maybe a guy that is a bit faster with tackling skills could be the answer. The other obvious advantage here is you have another guy on the field that can (should) be able to cover when needed.

This all could be complete madness - but fun to think about.