3-4 Defense

What are everybodies thoughts on Casey as a 34 DE?

 

Fixed it for you.

 

1st Rd: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
2nd Rd: QB
4th Rd: NT
5th Rd: RB

f/u with a FA pickup of an ILB & NT depth

--- Casey ----- 4th/FA ----- Pito/Morgan ---
Barr ----- --Brown ----- FA ------------Ayers

I would be happy with that, I doubt Barr is available @ #11.

 

This biggest thing this defense if lacking is a true pass rusher. It seems very likely that we're switching to the 3-4. Here's the main 3-4 pass rushers right now:

Jadeveon Clowney
6'5 272 - South Carolina
Projected Top-5 pick

Anthony Barr
6'3 238 - UCLA
Projected Top-10 pick

Khalil Mack
6'2 244 - Buffalo
Projected Top-15 pick

Kony Ealy
6-5 275 - Mizzou
Projected Top-20 pick

Vic Beasley
6-2 235 - Clemson
Projected Late 1st

Jeremiah Attaochu
6-3 242 - Georgia Tech
Projected Mid 2nd

 

That is one reason I really think we can switch to the 3-4, because I think Casey can be a dominate LDE.

 

I think Ayers and Brown will be fine. McCarthy will be fine if he can stay healthy again. Morgan and Casey will do ok but other than those guys I'm a little worried. But I prefer change over doing the same thing over and over again.

 

I can totally see this happening, but that doesnt mean it will happen in Whiz's first year. It takes time to get a 3-4 going when you start out in a 4-3. Considering we have a big need at LB and not at Safety or CB. I do think this would be the BEST time to work toward switching over. We might take a step back next season only to be ahead every year after that.

 

I really want to see us make the switch and I think it will happen.

From a schematic standpoint a 3-4 is much harder on the OL and QB to decide where the extra man is coming from. The more decisions that you make them have make then the more likely they are to make a mistake.

I also think in the cap era it is tougher to have a great 4-3 because you either have to have shutdown CBs that give your DL time to get to the QB or you have to have a dominant pass rushing DE. Both of those positions are harder to find and costlier once you do find them.

If we do switch to the 3-4 then our #11 pick needs to be either an ILB or NT. We have to find our new defensive leader to build around and that starts by being stout up the middle. You can scheme the pressure when you need to, but if you can't stop the run inside then the 3-4 doesn't help you because you never put the other team in long yardage situations.

 

Really? I think it needs to be an OLB. Every 3-4 needs a dominant pass rusher to be successful, we do not have one. NT would be a need, but could be obtained easier in a later round or FA vs a dominant pass rusher.