So we've switched to the 3-4 and picked up some solid prospects in the draft. What do you think our starting defense will look like this season?

Since the transition to 3-4 will be a gradual one. I expect us to play about 40% 3-4 and 60% 4-3 (or Nickel and Dime Variation.P)

My projection.:

Base 3-4

Pickett, Raji, Jenkins
Matthews, Hawk, Barnett, Kampman
Woodson, Bigby, Collins, Harris

DL Rotation: NT: Pickett DE: Jolly, Harrell

Base 4-3

Kampman, Raji, Pickett, Jenkins
Matthews, Barnett, Hawk
Woodson, Bigby, Collins, Harris

Nickel

Kampman, Raji, Jenkins, Matthews
Barnett, Rouse
Woodson, Smith, Collins, Harris

My prediction is that our defense will be far more "situational" than either "hybridized" or "transitional".

Not only will we see the 3-4 and 4-3 interchanged due to down and distance, we will see it interchanged dependent upon various offensive schemes, our opponents and their capacity to play against a 3-4. (e.g. how many3-4's did the Vikes face last year? THERE is a trivia question...) and individual personnel match-ups.

The important thing to me right now is that "on paper" I saw MAJOR difficulties in transitioning to a 3-4 this year prior to this draft. Now I see so many options, again, "on paper", that I revel in the prospect of getting this defense on the field.

Dom is going to confuse US, much less our opponents. :thumbleft: :thumbleft: :thumbleft:

The defensive line is going to be rotating guys in and out for every type of look GB gives.

I think it'll look like this in the 3-4.

Jenkins/Raji/Pickett

I believe Raji, Jolly and Pickett all see time at NT and DE. These guys will be moving around a bit.

I feel that Jenkins, Harrell, and Montgomery will only see time at DE.

At linebacker I think it'll be something like this

Matthews/Hawk/Barnett/Kampman

On running downs I could see Matthews moving inside and playing along side Hawk as well as Poppinga and Bishop. Poppinga could move outside when Matthews is inside.

I believe firmly that Barnett will have a role on this defense. He would've been likely released or dealt by now. My guess is he'll start on the base defense, but be used more on passing downs and he'll drop into coverage more than blitz.

The secondary is clearly Woodson, Harris, Collins, and Bigby.

When they move to a 4-3 line and play nickel I think they'll line up

Kampman/Raji/Pickett/Jenkins

Hawk, Barnett, and Matthews will certainly compete for playing time at linebacker.

When they go to dime which is strictly a pass defense they'll line up

Kampman/Raji/Jenkins/Matthews

Barnett plays linebacker.

That for now is my view.

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It's been suggested that pickett and raji may trade off at NT so they wont always play at the same time; then again they also said pickett may line up at DE and raji at NT so both those big boys are on at the same time.

I'm hoping jenkins gets healthy (he's quite a play maker also). And Jolly too ... (I've pretty much written off harrell so if he gets healthy thats a bonus to me).

I have a feeling they will groom matthews as OLBer since they will be paying him a decent amount of cash (due to the pick). But will rotate others in their as well.

I think we need another good DE player so hoping one of these new guys pan out or someone that is already in our roster works out.

I am just fired up about the defense in general and how they can turn around from last year.

I know Jenkins got hurt and that hurt the defense but we have All Pro type players in Collins, Harris, Woodson, and Kampman. Look at the number of first round picks over there in Hawk, Barnett, Mathews, Pickett, Woodson, and Raji.

I cannot imgine the same frustrating results we saw last year when we line up Kampman, Pickett, Raji, and Jenkins when we go four down linemen.

I think this d is going to kick some butt this year.

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It is impossible to add anything constructive to the post above.

So I will just wonder along to the next thread.....

+1 for Warhawk

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To me Raji seems to be better suited for DE if the choice is between him and Pickett. I think both can hold the point of attack at NT, but I would rather have Raji gap shooting as a DE than Pickett.

I am hopeful that Harrell will actually be able to stay on the field and will add another option to the movement in the interior of the defense. A three way rotation between NT and one of the DE spots would be nice. Leaving Jolly to spell Jenkins.

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It's hard not to like the possibilities that our defense now has... Matthews was my favorite pick this year because Ted moved up lol and I've long viewed Poppinga as a great guy, but not so great at playing LB. I like Raji more as a DE in our system as well unless we bring a different natural 3-4 end in because Pickett is only a NT in a 3-4... Pickett and Raji make for a great duo, which is why I like our 4-3 just as much this year. Kampman,Raji,Pickett,Jenkins in front of Matthews, Barnett and Hawk could be hellacious

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I think Miller has it right, but I have a strong feeling we will see A LOT of rotations. Losing games in the 4th Q with exhausted defenders is no way to improve your job security. TT/MM will not make the mistakes in '08 again.

I can't wait. :thumbright:

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I don't care. We got some talent. We'll be in the top 10 for sure. I don't care if it's our first year in it. this is the first time we look good on paper.

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