-----Poppinga/Hunter
Kampman
-----Bishop
Pickett
-----Barnett
Jenkins
-----Hawk

or maybe

-----Poppinga
Kampman
-----Bishop/Hawk
Pickett
-----Barnett
Jenkins
-----Hunter

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Base 3-4

ROLB - A.J. Hawk / Nick Barnett (If Scott is not signed.)
ILB - Desmond Bishop
ILB - Bart Scott (UFA, Baltimore) / Brandon Chillar (If Scott is not signed)
LOLB - Brady Poppinga

DE - Cullen Jenkins
NT - Ryan Pickett
DE - Johnny Jolly

PASSING SITUATION
ROLB - Brandon Chillar
ILB - Nick Barnett
ILB - A.J. Hawk
LOLB - Aaron Kampman

DE - Cullen Jenkins
NT - Ryan Pickett
DE - Johnny Jolly

4TH AND SHORT
ROLB - A.J. Hawk
ILB - Desmond Bishop
ILB - Nick Barnett
LOLB - Brady Poppinga

DE - Ryan Pickett
NT - Colin Cole / Justin Harrell
DE - Johnny Jolly

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I think it would be interesting if we got a true 3-4 DE and split Kampman out as a pass rusher like DeMarcus Ware.

Pickett
Jenkins
Kampman

Barnett
Hawk
Poppinga
Maualuga

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I can say with confidence that the depth charts of the starters posted here aren't going to right.
Ted Thompson has to go out and sign players experienced in the 3-4, and those FAs he does sign (believe me, he will) will have a leg up on all players because of their superior understanding of the 3-4 scheme.

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Hey now, what you trying to say willis? ;)


Personally... I think this COULD and would not be surprised to see it happen.

Kampman - Pickett - Peppers
Hawk - Barnett - Bishop - Poppinga


If theres a stud DT, I fear we will take him.

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Harris

---------Hawk--------------- Collins
Jenkins
---------------Bishop
Pickett
---------------Barnett---------Bigby/Rouse
Harrell/Kamp
--------Poppinga/Kamp/Draft

Woodson

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Hm, I should've worded myself better (I'm trying to type a few posts in the span of minutes, I'm really short on time).

It's a fun exercise, and really interesting to read. But I'm sure that Ted Thompson will bring in someone(s) familiar with a 3-4 to help ease the transition.

Edit - Yes, I know 'someones' isn't a word as I've intended for it to be used.

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Miami plays a 3-4. They tried to get Danny Lasanah off the practise squad. Seems like he must be a very good fit for a 3-4. Thompson was very high on him and got rid of White to keep him. His size is very similar to Harrison of the Steelers. Could be our future 3-4 OLB.

Maybe the 3-4 idea was in the works for a while and got some players who could play there. They picked Lasanah and Bledsoe up for the practise squad, Bledsoe is the right type for a NT. They got Anthony Toribio who was on the Miami practise squad, a 3-4 team! They brought in Rodney Allen who is the right size to play 3-4 DE. Everyone wondered why we got him from Intense football league. Apparently he has shown good ability to rush the passer. This is further evidence that they were stockpiling on players who could play 3-4.

In the draft, we traded up for Jeremy Thompson. He is perfect for the OLB in a 3-4. He is athletic and has long arms. He can rush the passer and i've read somewhere that in college that he was often asked to play in coverage too.

I know i'm probably reaching but when you look at these little things, it seems like that they've been thinking about changing the system for at least a year.

Looking at our players in the 53 man squad and practice squad i can see why McCarthy thinks we can convert to a 3-4.

The way i see it atm:

ROLB - Danny Lasanah/Jason Hunter
Sam ILB - AJ Hawk
Will ILB - Nick Barnett/Brandon Chillar/Desmond Bishop
LOLB - Aaron Kampman/Brady Poppinga/Jeremy Thompson

DE - Cullen Jenkins/Justin Harrell
NT - Ryan Pickett/Fred Bledsoe
DE - Johnny Jolly/Rodney Allen/Anthony Toribio

---

DE - Cullen Jenkins
NT - Ryan Pickett
DE - Aaron Kampman

ROLB - A.J. Hawk
ILB - Desmond Bishop
ILB - Nick Barnett
LOLB - Brady Poppinga

With the players we already have.. why put unproven guys into the scheme.

That's how I see our lineup.

The one thing I don't like about the 3-4 is that the some players that might be capable of starting like Johnny Jolly and Justin Harrell will have more limited playing time now. So if there is still something we're suppose to see from Harrell, he won't get as many opportunities as he would if we were in a 4-3.

I wanted orakpo (de/texas) in the draft.. this might change our draft outlook.. I still think we should work on lb/dl if not then O/L - main priorities

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Very good analysis of every situation. I can't believe I forgot about Lansanah. He was a stud last pre-season.

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I had to tilt my head to read this.

I don't like the idea of Kampman being "a blitzing LB" if you will. It also kinda sells out our play with Kampman not really being much of a pass defender. Bart Scott Would be a welcomed addition. Terrell Suggs as well. I actually want Suggs more but he'll most likely be locked up long term in Baltimore.

Maybe Bigby can be utilized as one of those OLB's.

I am VERY anxious to see how this works with this defense's roster.

Rouse might actually be a better fit at LB. He actually played the position a bit at V-Tech.

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Playing LB in the ACC is much different from playing it in the NFL. Although I see where his knowledge would benefit him.

Jenkins
Ryan Pickett/Fred Bledsoe
Kampman/Jolly

Danny Lansanah/AJ Hawk/Nick Barnett
Desmond Bishop
Nick Barnett/AJ Hawk
Brady Poppinga/Brandon Chillar

Note: this is just going by who we have on our 53/practice squad. Didn't include draft / FA.

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Johnny Jolly - Probably best suited to be a DE, but could work as a DT. I think a poor mans Haloti Ngata at best as he could alternate positions.

Ryan Pickett - I don't think he can play the nose tackle to a high level. I think he'd be average at best. Can he gain weight and stay in shape? I don't think so.

Cullen Jenkins - He'll need to get stronger to be a DE in the 3-4. He's more suited to be a cover 2 DT. None the less he has the size to do it. Again get stronger in the off season and he could do it.

Aaron Kampman - I think Kampman has the rare ability to learn just about anything that isn't unrealistic. With that said, he' has an uphill battle as he's a 4-3 DE. That's his best position. We'll see.

Jeremy Thompson - He's a raw player so with good coaching I could see him as a pass rushing outside linebacker. A project that could come out of know where in a year if this works.

A.J. Hawk - I think he could thrive as a 3-4 inside backer because he was able to penetrate in college so well and in the 3-4 he could be used to blitz properly through the middle, but he really needs to be taught how to blitz. He's awful at it right now and that's not good.

Nick Barnett - Think Jerod Mayo in New England at best, but in reality he's so undersized that at times he could get lit up. He'll need to be more disciplined. He's an inside backer obviously. I think he'll work as long as he's healthy.

Jason Hunter - An excellent fit for the 3-4 defense. Probably a favorite on paper to start at one of the outside linebacker spots or at least be a key pass rusher.

Brady Poppinga - Fits as an outside linebacker, but is awful at blitzing. He'll need to learn to blitz better and timing is key in the 3-4 and he doesn't have that when he blitzes.

Desmond Bishop - High motor player who could probably work as an inside linebacker in the 3-4.

Brandon Chller - Not much of a pass rusher and honestly I could see him playing either inside or outside. He has the size and skill set, but I see him as an odd man out right now.

Alfred Malone - Probably a DE in the 3-4. Honestly I haven't watched him play that much, but he might be strong enough to do it. Wish he had a taller frame.

Danny Lansanah - On paper he looks like an inside backer in the 3-4. Ideal size for it.

My guess is Ted Thompson already has a depth chart projected up in his office by now and it probably looks something like this.....

DE Johnny Jolly/Justin Harrell/Alfred Malone
DT Ryan Pickett/Johnny Jolly/Justin Harrell
DE Cullen Jenkins/Justin Harrell/Alfred Malone

OLB Aaron Kampman/Brandon Chiller/Jeremy Thompson
ILB A.J. Hawk/Desmond Bishop/Brandon Chiller
MLB Nick Barnett/Desmond Bishop/Danny Lansanah
OLB Jason Hunter/Brady Poppinga/Brandon Chiller

You're probably looking at a DE, OLB, and NT as your priorities this off season on the defensive side of the ball.

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Nice write up there (Above)

IMO we dont really have a guy that can pass rush that good. I like Barnett but like you said hes underweight.

I'd like it if they grabbed orakpo in the draft (that is if hes available since we get the 9th pick).
Or maybe getting suggs or both ;)

Then get some big NT and use our current DT to trade-off on the DEs of the new 3-4 scheme.

-------------------------OLB- Hawk

DE- Jenkins
-------------------------ILB- Bishop
DT- Pickett and Jolly
-------------------------MLB- Barnett
DE- Orakpo (if drafted)

-------------------------OLB- Kampman

sorry, it didn't turn out right the first time

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I still think Kampman can play some DE. He's big enough to do that IMO.

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I absolutely agree with you g.p.g
However, since Mike McCarthy decided to say he thinks Kampman will be excited, there is going to be a change for him.

Can I put something out there? You can slap me for saying this but does anyone think they should put Barnett out at OLB? I know he doesn't want to be there.

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