Time for the 4-3 defense?

[AngryAsian]

Re: Time for the 4-3 defense?

Both trenches need immediate addressing in the offseason. The schemes we throw at people are mostly hybrid and I like the diversity we are able to employ with our current system. I see your reasoning about our special player in Aaron Smith, but he's not irreplaceable, ever... and certainly not reason to change the entire scheme of a defense that was built to play this particular alignment. Aaron had a humongous tackle out in the flat (while in pursuit mind you) on the Giants RB Ward. So his responsibilities aren't only to stuff the gap. On that particular play he was a 4-3 DE. I'm not saying you don't have validity to your contention. But to say that our entire defense will unravel if he were to go out... I just don't agree with.

[Chadman]

Re: Time for the 4-3 defense?

Chadman has found himself agreeing with The Big O very often, and this is another occasion.

Ok- right now, the Steelers 3-4 is going great. So yeah, while it's working, why change anything?

BUT- Hampton, Smith, Kirschke, Roye & Hoke are all over 30 years old, and Keisel is right on the border.

That leaves Nick Eason as 'the future' on the DL!!

Chadman has taken a precursory look at the upcoming draft class & has noted that there is a distinct lack of quality NT's in this draft class. Perhaps the guy from Boston College is an option, but other than that, most DT's are of the 4-3 variety. While Casey will give the Steelers another couple of years service, all things going well, he's only a knee injury away from being done. And Hoke is older than Casey! So future NT's are required for the Steelers 3-4 to remain elite. Do we all remember the year Steed retired? How the Steelers did with Kimo at NT? QUALITY 3-4 NT's are not easy to come by.

Also- at DE, we have a problem creeping up on us. Aaron Smith can't go on forever, and Keisel, as has been pointed out often, is not an 'ideal' 3-4 DE. Realistically, 3-4 DE's are 4-3 DT's...so the Steelers will likely look at DT's to fill those spots for the future. Of course, it's not very often that a rookie DT that played 4-3 in college can switch to 3-4 DE in the NFL without teething problems.

So here's the DL problem- while they are good now, they won't be good for long. And 3-4 DL depth in this year's draft looks.....uninspiring.

The 4-3 DL depth in this draft looks better.

But it's not simply an issue of 3-4 vs 4-3 DL is it?

You must factor in the LB's.

Woodley would look good (you'd think) as a 4-3 DE- hey, he did in college. There's no doubt Woodley is a good pass rushing LB in the 3-4, but his pass COVERAGE is not so strong. As a DE, that area of his game is no longer an issue. Bruce Davis could also be a factor as a pass rushing specialist- he did alright at college doing that!

So that's 2 LB's that can convert to a 4-3.

Farrior will fit as a 4-3 LB, but he's aging. Foote could fit as well- in fact, it's possible that 4-3 would suit Foote better as he won't be asked to take on OL as much as he is as a 3-4 ILB. Timmons would no doubt benefit- he's Derrick Brooks in a younger body. He's a perfect fit as your coverage OLB in a 4-3. Harrison could be best suited to ILB in a 4-3.

Ok- so there's no RUSH to switch to a 4-3...BUT....the Steelers need to look at the future. If there isn't enough talent on the DL in this years draft- it might be worth at least entertaining the idea of switching to a 4-3.

One last thing- the Steelers defence is aging in a few positions, and with these players being around the same age, it's possible that the Steelers will need to look at replacing Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke, James Farrior, James Harrison, Travis Kirshcke & even Brett Keisel all within a year or two of eachother. That's a lot of personel to lose in quick time. So rookies will need to contribute early. It could be argued that if they are not asked to learn a new role (3-4 defence), they could be fast tracked into the starting line-up easier than if they had to relearn how to play defence....

[Oviedo]

Re: Time for the 4-3 defense?

Chadman--you broke the code. The concern is not how the 3-4 is doing now it is restocking the DL. The 3-4 DL is harder to rebuild because you are looking for unique skill sets. As I havementioned in the past you have to essentailly ignore most of the college DEs because they are too small to plat a 3-4 DE. Not sure it is wise to reduce you potential resource pool that far.

The reason we have so many over 30 DL is because it is so hard to find someone to fit the LeBeau 3-4. Obviously we haven't hit on anyone in the last three years. Can we really afford to keep missing while our DL ages.

My point has always been we can restock and reload faster in the 4-3 as opposed to the 3-4. The talent pool is bigger.

[sd steel]

Re: Time for the 4-3 defense?

Chadman--you broke the code. The concern is not how the 3-4 is doing now it is restocking the DL. The 3-4 DL is harder to rebuild because you are looking for unique skill sets. As I havementioned in the past you have to essentailly ignore most of the college DEs because they are too small to plat a 3-4 DE. Not sure it is wise to reduce you potential resource pool that far.

The reason we have so many over 30 DL is because it is so hard to find someone to fit the LeBeau 3-4. Obviously we haven't hit on anyone in the last three years. Can we really afford to keep missing while our DL ages.

My point has always been we can restock and reload faster in the 4-3 as opposed to the 3-4. The talent pool is bigger.

I think your post is well thought out, but the talent pool isn't that different. Yes LeBeau is looking for athletes like Keisel and Aaron, but truth be told, are 2 tackles are not that similar to one another. Smith fills gaps and helps Casey or Hoke shut down the run, and Keisel has become a hybrid, where he can roam and cover yet can be stout against the run because of his athleticism. Right now they need to find a young backup for Aaron, and another 350 lb bowling ball who has leverage to play nose. To find a player to backup Aaron will be a feat, because he is a guy who for his size is an overacheiver, and he has the biggest heart and the best technique on the team. Technique can be taught, but its hard to find guys with that heart. Really it should be easier than revamping to a 4-3 because week really only need 2 guys, because we already have youth in the LB corp.

It is hard to expect a rookie draft choice to come in and not have a drop off behind Smith, but how long did it take Smith to become the player he has? Look for the Steelers to draft what they think will be a Smith clone in the first or second round of this draft, and to find a big boy to backup the nose. If the scouting is good, and I bet they already know who they are taking, we will be fine.