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OK, I've been reading a lot of "factual articles" all stating that they know what the Eagles have planned... The truth is nobody but Reid and JJ really know(and I'm not a 100% certain of that either)

That said here's my question, is Johnson smart enough or have enough tricks in the bag to create a new Defense??? The reason I was wondering is last yera against the Pats he ran that hybrid 3-4 throughout a majority of the game, and then they pretty much stopped. Is it possible that the reason the Eagles signed Samuel and haven't traded Lito, and seem to be adding LB's because Johnson has a plan to use a 3-4 style D and 3 CB's plus Dawk. There was a story after the draft about the DT's that the Eagles have are high motor quick off the snap guys, not cloggers that are usually put in that position.

I know it's a reach but that is part of why I'm posting the question, does JJ have what it takes to field the best team or is it close to the time for him to move on???

They can't run the 3-4 because they don't have the middle clogger inside- they'd have to have a guy capable of eating up two OL, but all they have are guys that are quick off the snap. They'd get run on up the middle all day long.

Yeah...they won't switch to a 3-4 permanently, but they'll dabble with it in passing situations. I think Gocong was very close to being a very good pass rusher off the edge last year and we'll see more of that this year.

Clemons, Parker, and Smith are also probably suited to play OLB in a 3-4, but I'm not sure Cole is and their D-line would be a sieve against the run.

In your opinion FD, how hard is it to find guys that can play that 3-4 NT as opposed to 4-3 ones?

There's got to be big strong fat slobs out there just waiting for a call, right?

They actually had 5 DB's on the field for a lot of that game, wasn't a 3-4

JJ ran a modified or version(s) of a 3-4 D last yr & you'll see plenty of that goin fwd.


DTs that play NG are getting rarer and rarer if you're thinking of the Gilbert Brown types.

Even guys designated for that assignment are trending towards somewhat sleeker models, yet still stout.

i think its more about versatility, an emphasis on athleticism and speed getting more important across the board on both sides of the field.

Brown was a bohemoth - a true "Slob NG" who clogged space.

They still exist, just not in abundance and its not whats being groomed in the college ranks.

Just look at the DT's in this past draft class.

The kid from Texas, Okam, was a potential 'NG' type, and Red Bryant outta Texas A&M, but not too many others.

By my count, of the top 10-12 DT's in the draft, the majority project to either DT in a 4-3 scheme, or a 3-4 end. They're usually taller and that means questionable leverage play- vital for a run stuffing DT. The weights seldom eclipsed 310 on a lot of them, and at 6'3, well, meh.

I think a lot of it also has to do with the recruiting process- and if GGB ever entered the Bleeds his take may be helpful. He's kinda up on that process.
But the kids these days don't wanna be 'run stuffers'- they wanna sack the QB- be it from the outside as DE or an OLB.

Guys who have the frame that coaches in college think can add weight and play inside in college after piling on some weight, and now the coaches have guys who can penetrate and get up after the QB as well as stop the run playin from the DT spot.

Other angle is that in college, those big pigs you see occasionally when watchin TV, dont project to the nfl, like MOST college players cos they simply lack athleticism.

With the cap, you have to get the most outta your roster spots and a Gilbert Brown who cant help anywhere else (lets not forget he was a rare athlete who could jump outta the gym and was apparently a very good hoops player-tho no Obama).

Tatoo,

Why did you ask if Johnson is smart enough? And then imply that he is only smart if he adopts a 3-4 like other teams.

I think he's smart enough to revamp the defense and he already has and will continue to go even further. Johnson already said that he will experiment more with a 3-4 this year.

But that's not the same thing as 'adopting' the 3-4, and that could prove him smarter than everybody else.

I think you could disagree with the "speed" philosophy without calling him stupid.

DTs that play NG are getting rarer and rarer if you're thinking of the Gilbert Brown types.

Even guys designated for that assignment are trending towards somewhat sleeker models, yet still stout.

Yeah, but is it that they aren't out there, or are they being bypassed for guys who look better shirtless? I never hear of teams like the Steelers having trouble finding players to fit their system.
In fact, it's almost like they can't miss year after year- is their scouting dept. that much better than everybody else's?

I think its that those who are covetted in college ball, dont fit that bill as much.

There are some, but I was using your question of the big slob run stuffer (ala Gilbert Brown).

Some guys make the transition better to the 3-4 scheme based on how they play and the guys recruited by that college team- think Texas for example.
They seem to cultivate the typical NT's moreso than maybe some schools.

You can see it in the write ups for lesser known guys as you're readin up on draft materials--- you'll see projections that state 'could be a NT in a 3-4 scheme with right attention to technique etc" .

"I never hear of teams like the Steelers having trouble finding players to fit their system."

That's because for several years, they were one of the only to run a 3-4. That left them all those "tweeners" that fit a 3-4 in the later rounds. That should change, now that the 3-4 is the "Flavor of the Month".

What teams currently run the 3-4?

Jets, Pats, Ravens, Steelers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Chargers...who else?

The Jets have Kris Jenkins playing the nose for them and he "grew" into the role, but was a former first round pick.

The Pats have Vince Wilfork, first round pick.

The Ravens have Ngata, who they selected with a first round pick.

The Steelers have Casey Hampton, who was a first round pick.

The Cowboys split time with Jay Ratliff and Tank Johnson last year. Ratliff was a 7th round pick and Tank a 2nd rounder.

The Dolphins have Jason Furgeson, who has played NT for just about every team in the league at this point. He was originally a 7th round pick.

The Chargers have Jamal Williams, who I think was undrafted.

If that cross sections tells you anything about NT's (and I don't think it does), you either take one in the first round of throw nothing at all in the position.

There has definitely been a trend of smaller guys (with the Cowboys, basically), but if you look at the list of players above, 5 of the 8 are still among the largest humans in the league.

In your opinion FD, how hard is it to find guys that can play that 3-4 NT as opposed to 4-3 ones?

There's got to be big strong fat slobs out there just waiting for a call, right?

I don't think it's impossible to find one by any means, but it's not easy, either. Jamal Williams is over 30, Kris Jenkins is over 30, Casey Hampton is over 30, Jason Furguson is 33 and was traded.

The problem with the Eagles is they've invested a 2 first round picks and a second round pick in 4-3 DTs over the past 4 years. That's a lot of sauce.

You could probably bulk Bunk up and stick him on the nose, but would he want to do the dirty, thankless job when 4-3 tackles who can rush the passer get mega-deals?

You could probably play any of the 3 as 3-4 DE's, too, but we're again looking at a pretty thankless job that doesn't lend itself to stats/money.

The final nail in the coffin is your best defensive player (Cole, unless Samuel is even better than advertised) is a 4-3 end. Despite the "undersized" label, I cannot see him playing off the line. He doesn't have the explosiveness of a Ware, Merriman, etc., but I think he's a lot stronger and better pass rushing in a phone booth.