We are primed to switch back to 4-3

i think one of the more interesting arguments i've heard for switching is value for pick. when we were one of the only 3-4 defenses around tweeners slid farther in the draft. now tweeners are quite in vogue. still not sold on the switch unless we're cleaning house more than i think.

 

That article certainly makes a good case. I think the guy that would've struggled the MOST with a transition to 4-3 is James Harrison, who may be done with us. It could make Heyward and Ziggy stars...

However I'd have serious doubts about 2/3 of our linebackers counting on Spence and Worilds. It also would never happen under Dick Lebeau.

 

i think the D did ok this year so I'm ok with staying in the 3-4

 

i actually think Harrison might be ok at MLB . I recall Cowher saying he was a better middle than a outside when he was the coach. I know it's been a while but I think he could do it. He probably only has a couple years left in him anyway. Just something to consider.

 

it's not necessarily who i think needs to go but we've only talked about starters. all of our backups are tweeners at OLB. thats a lot to sort out. also i think timmons stays in the middle or moves to the strong side covering tight ends with spence a better fit on the weakside. not real sure about who the third backer is or where the depth comes from, might not be on the roster.

 

In a way I've always thought why not be able to switch from 3-4 to 4-3 depending on the play/down/etc?!?! However the bad thing now about more teams doing more no huddle and faster paced/etc...that may not work AS good anymore (not having time to sub players/etc). Theres always going to be the debate about this team moving to the 4-3...in my eyes it would look something like...(I'm including current FA/UFA's in this too just for discussions sake)

DE - Wood, Heyward (for certain plays), Worilds could possibly play here some too as he was a DE in college, McLendon could play some DE too I think,
DT - Hood, McLendon, Ta'Amu, Heyward, Woods, Fangupo
OLB - Timmons, Worilds, B. Johnson, Carter, Sylvester (was a college OLB)
MLB - Spence, Carter (I think he could play MLB just fine), Sylvester

In reality in a 4-3, re-signing either Johnson or Sylvester would be important for at least depth. And besides S I would think DE would be the biggest need in a move to the 4-3...DEPENDING on where exactly Heyward would fit. If he can be a DE in a 4-3 then the need isnt there...I see him more of a DT in a 4-3 with the ability to play some DE if needed. The next need after that could be MLB.

 

as of now leabau is staying ,do you think he would make the switch ?

 

I don't believe the Steelers have the push rushing DE's on the roster to make the 4-3 work.

 

Yeah, I don't see it happening while he is still here. I bet Tomlin would like to though.

 

mentioning lebeau, what did he play in with the lions? we view him as an exclusive 3-4 guy but i'm sure he is pretty knowledgeable in 4-3 as well. as to GP, we may actually have pretty good roster for some sort of hybrid system especially in nickel situations where we drop the nose out. for the record i thought spence was a will at miami.

 

I also like Worilds. How would McLendon do in this system? If Casey goes I would almost be money that McLendon is his replacement. Wouldn't you?

 

Timmons was a product of the 4-3 and I've always wondered if that's why he's been sorta under the radar until this year. Maybe he would welcome the change.

 

good read....makes you wonder

 

Good read but I don't see it happening in it's entirety in the DL regime.

I feel he's chosen his way at this point of his career.

 

i believe timmons and spence were both wills, timmons may have been a sam but was outside in a 4-3. the interesting thing is that he seems to do better in the middle here than the outside. that's why i think he is a sam in a 4-3. only he does better taking angles on a run play than coming straight at him like a sam gets.

 

We just changed to a new offense and I suspect we didn't cover all of Haleys system last season, and probably will still be learning more of it this season. I'm not ready to make the switch on the D side as well just yet. Could be an ugly season of confusion. :???:

 

I would like to see in camp if Harrison could play in the middle in Foote's spot. I think he would be good at it. Then have Worilds or the next best player on the outside. That's of course if we stay in the 3-4 defense.

 

Also blountfocetrauma has raved about him as well. He is a BEAST!!!

 

I don't see them switching, but it was a good article with some intriguing posts about current personnel.

 

I just wonder if this was the early 90's and most people run a 4-3, would a guy like JJ Watt or Justin SMith slide in the draft to us?