Will Charlie be recruiting for the 3-4 or 4-3 next year?

[Axl Rose]

For instance if we do move to the 3-4 Charlie will probably have to recruit big NT's in the 320 to 340 range next year instead of the DT's in the 280 to 300 range. Also the outside linebackers and DE's would have to be bigger also. Personally I think the move to the 3-4 would be the better, so many good linebackers out there compared to DL, and you want to put your best athletes out there at all times. Richardson, Neal, and Wade can easily make the transition to OLB's from DE in a 3-4. Plus next year has a crop of very big and very fast OLB's like Brett Nagel, Jon Major, and Eric Legrand who we absolutely have to land because he has the ability to start from day 1.

 

[NYC DN CRO]

You're going to have to remember that we're recruiting 17 and 18 yr olds they will grow and will get bigger and stronger as they enter our system. I think Peters for instance would've been an excellent DE in our system. He's about 260 and could add another 10 to 20 lbs. I. Williams can add the same weight. Martez Wilson would've been a great pass rushing OLB. He's athletic and fast enough to be a real demon their. Hopefully Neal could fill into that pass rushing OLB role well.

Personally I don't like the switch to 3-4. It requires alot of athletic LB's and they're difficult to get in high school. Theirs only a precious few in the NFL their are even less in the High School ranks. I never thought our system was the problem with our defense it was talent and depth.

 

[irishfan81]

I'm not a big fan of it as well. The 3-4 you have to have 6-7 340lb DT and 6-7 300lb DE's your linebackers have to be 6-5 260 the size of a DE in a 4-3 and run a 4.5 to a 4.6 in the 40. Most of these linebackers are 6-2 220 that aren't athletic enough to make a impact. If we want success look for the players that are listed under athletes they can switch from DE to LB. And I don't see us getting those kinds of athletes every year.

 

[mat33]

Im sorry there is a clear misconception on this board that NT have to be 6'7 340, name me one NT that has that size in the NFL. Most NT are in the 6'2-6'3 range and are about 320lbs, in college they could be in the 310 range and be fine. DE on the other hand, you want to be tall 6'5+ and 285+.

 

[patman1868]

Im sorry there is a clear misconception on this board that NT have to be 6'7 340, name me one NT that has that size in the NFL. Most NT are in the 6'2-6'3 range and are about 320lbs, in college they could be in the 310 range and be fine. DE on the other hand, you want to be tall 6'5+ and 285+.

yeah you are right a 6'7'' DT is not what you want in a 3-4 you want guys that are shorter like 6'2ish and can get leverage and hold their ground in the middle to take up blocks.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Well we lost another recruit to LSU. Jason Peters committed to LSU.

 

[gboroirish]

i know when the ravens ran the 3-4 a year or 2 ago greg kelly was their nose tackle at 6'0 about 290. The steelers have casey hampton who is what 6'1 320. I love this move because guys like neal and wade wont have to put on 40 pounds to play. Laws Hand Kuntz Mullen with williams coming in looks like a good 5 man rotation for a front 3

 

[GoshenGipper]

From what I've heard about Braxton Cave, a class of '08 recruit, it sounds like he would fit the DT roll quite nicely.

 

[bayernarsch]

Please recall that Notre Dame ran a variation on the 3-4 in the late 80's and early 90's with Chris Zorich, a converted linebacker, at nose guard. He was never near the size anyone here is discussing, yet was one of the finest lineman in the country. Size is nice, but is not a prerequisite for success.

 

[MightyK]

Please recall that Notre Dame ran a variation on the 3-4 in the late 80's and early 90's with Chris Zorich, a converted linebacker, at nose guard. He was never near the size anyone here is discussing, yet was one of the finest lineman in the country. Size is nice, but is not a prerequisite for success.

Especially in college, and even more importantly, not at 17.

 

[onenybrother]

Doesn't matter what size defense ends the recruit. If we don't have speed on the corners, it doesn't matters.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

In addition to Zorich, DL George Williams of the same class was a converted LB. To go further, Todd Lyght was switched from WR to CB where he was AA & went on to PRo Bowl career.

Weis needs to make similar switches w/ all the offensive talent he has to work with. even w/ Trattou, the def. side of the ball lacked depth. The odds of every defensive recruit making an impact as a starter are not good. Injuries will occur &/or some won't live up to their promise.

I think I read in BGI, that the '92 class had 6 DL who were Mr Football in their respective states. After injuries, one transfer & grades filtered three of 'em out, 2 played as backups & one had a respectable career as a starter, Paul Grasmanis. So, depth, depth, & more depth...even if it means bringing in some 2 star diamonds in the rough.