TitanInsider Board

I wouldn't be opposed to it, but consider some factors that may change you mind: (Or maybe not)

1. Youth: It is a fact that we are youthful in the front 7. Players that are within their first 3 yrs of the league just don't play as well......generally speaking. All 3 LB's are only a couple yrs old. Most of our better DT's are only a couple yrs old. Morgan has been in the league a little longer but hasn't played to gain experience. Wimbley has played, but at LB and not DE. So, literally the entire front 7 are young. Our safetys are likely more of a lack of talent and/or suffering from a poor front 7. Our CB's are young. So whatever defense we choose to run we need to take time to develop these guys and inject some starting talent and depth.

2. Coaching: With so much youth on defense it's hard to determine how much coaching is a factor. When Ayers is out of position again, takes a poor angle, or doesn't wrap up the tackler for the 15th time in a game.....it may not be a problem with coaching. Ayers has to grow up and develop as a player or end up taking a hike. Still coaching involves managing your talent and putting your players in a position to succeed. It is entirely possible that the coaching is ok given the lack of talent and youth, but its entirely possible that better coaching can change the defense entirely.

3. Changing from 4-3 to 3-4: If you think our defense is off now, start a change to a new defensive scheme. Despite possible poor coaching and lack of talent and experience, we are built to run the 4-3. Our defense could completely turn around and be a top 10 defense in 1-2 yrs if done correctly. There is no way that you can commit to change to a 3-4 and become a top 15 defense in 3-4 yrs. There would have to be a number of changes in personnel, coaching, etc.....way more than what we currently need.

4. Hard to find personnel: Finding a stud DE is tough, but you don't get one by neglecting the position. It was an absolute primary need throughout all of last yr. The front office did sign Wimbley (who has been playing LB for the last few yrs, not DE) but then let Jason Jones get away......and he was one of our better DE's the past 5 yrs. Then they didn't draft practically anyone. Despite the neglect, you can get better DE play through other avenues. Get a stud DT and the DE next to him will see his numbers spike. Put a good LB behind a DE and that DE will look better than he is. Get better CB's to allow more time to get to the QB and the DE will play better.

When Grey got here he talked about not being bound to only one scheme. I would agree at times we should play as a 3/4, Ayers and Brown coming of the edge would be hard to stop and provide a lot of speed in the pass rush. But a complete change of system is a bad idea, not sure how I feel about using the ruby. Seems a system better suited for a team that's strength is there db's.