So does releasing Haynesworth mean the return to the 3-4?

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 8, 2011 4:00 PM EST

A few of us may think so.

Let me spew out some random thoughts on this:

Who will play the Ends? We have Wilfork in the middle, does this mean that Deadrick will be our LE/RE, and that Brace will see an increase in role at the other side? Or will Shaun Ellis do better as a 3-4 End? Is Gerard Warren up to the task?
Will Cunningham start? he was victim to having others in front of him on the 4-3 DE depth chart, and he will be a prime candidate at OLB in the 3-4. On the other side, Nink would be expected to start, or would it be Andre Carter (Don't know how his coverage skills are anyways)?
Would this increase our ability to cover, while sacrificing our ability to get pressure, or will our OLBs surprise us, and will BB produce more blitzes to help generate pressure?

Personally, this is just VERY early speculation. I like the idea of moving back to a 3-4, only because I think we would be utilising our speed from our LBs to make plays. But in all honesty, I highly doubt this will happen.

Kyle Love has been very good for us next to wilfork. While not nearly as much as producing as Hanyes would have, but he does well there. Deadrick looked great on the outside in the 4-3. Those are mainly my reasons. I don't think BB would change defensive scheme mid-season, despite most of our players on defense pretty much already know the 3-4 scheme anyways.

But I like the idea of it. It should increase coverage in the middle of the field, you can be more creative with blitzes. It should showcase Cunningham most likely fully healthy, When spikes is healthy he will be in the middle next to mayo, and Nink will be rotating on the other side with Carter and Maybe Anderson. While increasing coverage in the middle most likely, with Spikes next to Mayo our run defense in the middle should be fine. The only thing I may be worried about is our front 3. Warren and wilfork will be the likely candidates for the End and NT, and I suppose Deadrick/Brace will do fine on the other side. But what would the ultimate picture be?

I don't think BB would do it, but what do you think?

Poll

Would switching back to a 3-4 not be such a bad idea?

Yes

52 votes

No

35 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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Comments

Why I feel it'd be a bad idea;

We don’t have the personnel for it. It’s that simple. Especially right now with injuries to two of our best LBs, we’re far more loaded at the line than the second level.

Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick, Gerard Warren, Ron Brace, Shaun Ellis… those are six big guys who can’t play LB. Andre Carter and Mark Anderson belong at the line of scrimmage.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Nov 8, 2011 9:51 PM EST reply actions

I agree with your second part

but our LBs aren’t very injured. Mayo starting last game is a great sign, and spike’s injury should only take about a week according to greg(?).

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 9, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

I thought Spikes was week to week in his recovery

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Nov 10, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah he's week to week.

but it doesn’t seem too serious… at least as of now. He’ll definitely not be in sunday’s game.

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 10, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Of all the games to miss, too.

bah!

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 10, 2011 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

I believe

in guyton. lol

well… we’ll need him against Keller anyways. Has Dane Fletcher practiced today? If he comes in, that would be awesome.

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 10, 2011 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Nope, Fletcher sat out again today.

by wildcat61 on Nov 10, 2011 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

Same four out two days in a row

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Nov 10, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

damn..

by Jack'sAxe on Nov 11, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think we're returning, but we could see more of it.

I think Bill likes the idea of switching back and forth, and we’ve seen more of that in recent weeks. Something like having Carter – Love – Wilfork – Deaderick and Ninkovich – Guyton/Spikes/Fletcher – Mayo in the 4-3 and then subbing Cunningham/Anderson and Warren/Brace/Ellis for Carter and Love and going 3-4 on a whim. He likes that flexibility and I think it’s great to make offenses have to gameplan and beat both, and we can see what works.

I do think Anderson can play 3-4 OLB, but it’s concerning if he has to switch halfway through the season. He dropped into coverage a few times against the Giants and looked the part, but he doesn’t really have experience.

I think it could be fun to play around with the two, but I don’t think we are currently built to go 3-4 for the long-haul.

by wildcat61 on Nov 9, 2011 11:04 AM EST reply actions

Fletcher coming back is key

Hope it’s soon, they need him

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 9, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

that would be huge

Its funny how the preseason has had almost no baring on how things have gone in the regular season. Fletcher showed so flash out there and the defense was really attacking. Who can forget that TB game. Then the regular season starts and the defense goes vanilla and Fletcher disappears (obviously due to injury).

by Oughat on Nov 9, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

That might be one of the most confusing changes in philosophy.

Everyone was pumped up in the preseason – not just the fans, but the players were visibly happy playing freely and attacking. Now, it’s the complete opposite.

by wildcat61 on Nov 10, 2011 8:03 PM EST up reply actions