It's a matter of supply and demand. Until enough college teams switch over to the 3-4 to meet NFL needs, teams will be forced to convert defensive ends to OLBs. I seem to recall the Patriots realizing this problem a few years ago and switched back to a 4-3 to avoid it.

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra 

I've never understood why so many Packers fans accept the mediocrity we have at inside linebacker. And then to compound the problem, we try filling the outside linebacker position with defensive ends. It doesn't make any sense.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

It isn't about supply and demand, it's about athleticism. Guys like Peppers and Matthews can play both positions, guys like Neal and Perry can't. Drafting Perry to play OLB was a mistake, but I really think the Packers would have taken Shae McClellan but Chicago snagged the OLB to play DE.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

You never said anything about athleticism in your first post, just complained about converting college DEs to OLB. And as the article I linked pointed out, most defensive ends at college start out as athletic LBs in high school before being converted in college. If you want athletic OLBs, you're gonna have to convert them as DEs coming out of college because that's where they're playing until there's enough programs running 3-4 to have a big enough crop to go around for the league.

Originally Posted by: Mucky Tundra 

One issue that some feel has hurt Jones is being a tweener between defensive tackle and defensive end. His best fit could come as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He has the length and strength to set the edge. If Jones is drafted into a 4-3 defense, he would be best as a base left end on running downs and moving inside to defensive tackle in passing situations. He looks like a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Mucky, I don't care what position they play in college, an OLB is a very difficult position to play in the NFL because he has to flip his hips quickly and run with the rbs and tight ends. A much more difficult position to find players than for a 4-3 defensive front. I'm skeptical we made the right decision 5 years ago.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT