Discuss: Are we better off switching to a 3-4 Next year?

REDandPEWTER · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 3783

Before many will criticize me for this analysis,

When you look at our roster, we have a bunch of big bodies right now.

DT: Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller, Gary Gibson
DE: Michael Bennett, Adrian Clayborn, Deqwan Bowers, Neo Teosheim.

I really cannot find one pure pass rusher on this squad right now and we've invested 3 high picks on McCoy, Bowers, and Clayborn.

From my perspective, Clayborn is a powerful DE that is a great run defender and can push the pocket, but lacks a pass rush technique to consistantly get to the QB. McCoy does a great job of taking on blockers and collapsing the middle, but no one else has given much help.

Bowers is still a complete mystery and in my opinion, needs to drop about 15 lbs as he looks heavier than last year.

From my prospective, why not implement a 3-4 defense? Line up Clayborn at RDE and McCoy at LDE. Have David and Foster on the inside LB positions. Both are very good in the nickel and are gaining experience. Then, with this draft class, go out and get a dynamic pass rusher. (Werner, Jordan, ) and pick up a NT in FA (Knighton).

This is very hypothetical I know, but think about this:

Think of a big NT plugging the Holes. With McCoy and Clayborn collapsing the outside, freeing up our LBs.

DLE: McCoy
NT: FA Option
RDE: Clayborn

SOLB: Bowers-if he can cut some weight/FA Addition or Draft Pick/ Watson
ILB: Foster
ILB: David
WOLB: Draft pick (Jordan, Werner, Mingo, Moore)?

I feel that Clayborn's strength is in a 3-4 defense and McCoy can excell in any defense, same with Foster and David.

Discuss.

RoeKG · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 4004 Location: PA

I posted something like this awhile ago and it wasn't well received, but I don't think it's the craziest idea.

That being said it's not where the majority of our players have experience, and we're putting some round pegs into oval holes, if that makes sense. Some guys could probably make it work, but aren't the best fits. McCoy could definitely be a 5 tech, but it's not the best use of his talent. We really don't have any good OLBs, either.

I do think it's the superior defensive base, though, at least with the way the league has gone.

EDIT - I especially wouldn't be opposed to switching with our lack of ability to rush the passer.
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bucsfan333 · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 7:20 pm Post subject:

We don't have the LBs for a 3/4, and considering how important that position is to the scheme I can't support a switch. Our LBs would have to be big guys that can constantly take on OL. We don't have that. Hell, we don't even have consistant pass rushers.

We don't have the personnel for a 3/4 defensive line either. We've got the size, but we don't have guys that can eat up blockers.
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REDandPEWTER · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 3783

I'm saying with this up-coming off-season, this draft is loaded with pass rushing talent.

Really, in hind-sight, we'd only need to add a NT and ROLB pass rusher.

RoeKG · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 4004 Location: PA

DaRealdeal · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject:

Switching to a 3-4 isn't going to fix our pass rush. Our DEs aren't producing and our LBs have been terrible blitzers this season. That isn't going to change in a new scheme, they will still have the same issues.

We need more pass-rushing talent. Not a change in scheme.
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tml_gogo · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 11700 Location: Montréal

REDandPEWTER · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 3783

ravishingone · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 1837 Location: Leola

I think David gets swallowed up playing inside LB in a 3-4 unfortunately.

bucsfan333 · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:02 pm Post subject:

I'd rather retain Bennett, to be honest. He's got some hustle when he's on a snap count.
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tml_gogo · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 11700 Location: Montréal

indifference · Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Posts: 1305

Won't happen. I'm all over for innovation but our head coach is a 4-3 guy all the way. Clayborn isn't getting much love here but he is most definitely a pass rush threat off the edge. You seen how much our defensive line masked our porous secondary when we dominated the Cowboys in the trenches. We need to get AC back 100% and this defense will be much better. How much, I dunno but it won't be as problematic as it is now. Tampa just needs to get more threats. Guys like DTG don't cut it. When FA starts we gotta go after Michael Johnson. Some LENGTH and speed off the edge is what we need.

Soul Glo · Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 2758 Location: FL

No no no. Our pass rush wouldn't change and it would just hurt our DEs and guys like David.

REDandPEWTER · Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 3783

Alright cool. Thanks for te insight.

DaRealdeal · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:44 am Post subject: