Sean McDermott was at the top of my list or even Chuck Cecil from the Titans.
"Dubyajay87" wrote:
I say DC Williams (or what ever the guys name that went to the Saints) is the best 4-3 DC IMO in the NFL.... yeah he didn't get it working with the Jags but the Jags had problems and he got it done every where else.
Most others who I talked with also agreed at the time (before we hired Capers) that we were really built for a 43 scheme.
"Dubyajay87" wrote:
I'll disagree with that... I think other than Kampman, Barnett and Chillar most of the players fit in about the same with the 3-4 and some players fit better in the 3-4 like Harrell, Thompson and Bigby...
But the bonus of being able to draft 34 players in the latter rounds of the draft isn't going to happen anymore with seemingly every team switching over. It isn't like Pittsburgh, Dallas and the Bills are the only teams employing the set anymore. I think I read somewhere that there are 14 teams running it now?!
"Dubyajay87" wrote:
Ummm off the top of my head...
Pats
Dolphins
Jets
Browns
Ravens
Steelers
Chargers
Chiefs (new to it)
Broncos (new to it)
Cowboys
Cards (they're in both 3-4 and 4-3)
Packers (new to it)
49ers
and I'm pretty sure the Bills have been running the 4-3 the last couple of years.... not sure if they've changed or not.Also I disagree with the it's going to be harder to find guys because in the difference is in the 4-3 you need more talent which everyone is looking for. In the 3-4 you can be less talented and still make it work if you versatile...
There are a ton of more under size DEs (which is what you look for at 3-4 OLB) then right sized DEs (which you look at 4-3 DE).There are a ton more under sized DT (which is what you look for in the 3-4 DE) then right sized DT (which you look for in the 4-3 DT)
So the different is a lot bigger group for of DEs and OLBs to choose from... BUT the down side is you got to find a good/great healthy NT.
So four positions are easier to get but one is extremely harder.
Uh, ya ok...
I think you made my point for me. You listed 12 teams running the 34. I understand the fact that it is hard to find really good 43 front men in the draft. But your point of being able to find 34 guys who are less talented and just plug them in is ridiculous in my mind. Talent is talent. Yes the Bills run the 43, my point was back in the nineties when there were a handful of teams running the 34 (Pittsburgh, Dallas, and yes the Bills ran it then). The key to them being good now is they could find talent later on in the draft because players that they coveted were there. Now with (excuse me) 12 teams running the 34 or a hybrid, those players that hit the later rounds will be chosen earlier.
And just because a guy has prototypical size for a 5 technique, doesn't mean squat. There are guys who have ideal size like Peria Jerry for the slot, but he is more of a Tampa 2 design DT. So saying that there are more of them out there and anyone can just get thrown in there to me is a pretty crappy way of arguing a point. You do that and you end up with San Fran's Defense. Exactly - Who?
Anyhow, my original point is that I believed that we were a closer reflection of the 2007 defense than last years defense. Losing your staring DE (Jenkins), SS (Bigby), and having Harrell hurt I believe really took this unit from a great D, to a mediocre and sometimes abysmal D.
*Harrell will start at LDE this year, Book it!