Here We Go Again

Sigh.  I suppose I can appreciate Chud wanting people he's familiar with.  I know that John Pagano (brother of the Colts' Head Coach) is known to be a really good defensive coordinator.

But Dick Jauron was doing a great job, and most of the personnel for a 4-3 just got here...

And here we go again.

Well, wait a minute.  Pagano has been an assistant on 4-3 teams, does understand the 4-3, and if he was mentally impaired, somebody on NFL Radio would have mentioned it by now.

Bill Belichick was a "3-4 guy", but in his first season as a Browns' Head Coach, he ran the 4-3 he'd inherited.  For a 3-4 coach, the 4-3 is pretty simple.

A note here: Chud talked about an "attacking" defense.

Well, there are different types of 3-4.  The basic type has the three defensive linemen playing two-gap, trying to monopolize the five offensive linemen and force the tight end to chip.  Another type sends one of more linemen into gaps, going for penetration.

I think that's the type we're talking about here.  It's high risk, high reward because the uneven penetration opens gaps for cutbacks, and can allow mobile quarterbacks to scramble for gains and buy time.

But the penetrators still often require double-team blocking.  A guard or center often will bypass the lineman to target a linebacker, but this is only because the defensive linemen has deliberately lined up where he can't get at him without running right through the pocket.

This type of 3-4 surrenders some big plays, but also blows a lot of stuff up in the backfield.  And it's coordinated to minimize the damage, as on every down at least one linebacker is also coming, and both are assigned to containment.

This much I like, and it's why I like the 3-4 better (although I for sure would have kept Jauron here--but this is reality so let's make the most of it).

A few of the pieces are here: Frostee Rucker can play 3-4 DE, Rubin and Taylor nose tackle...Taylor at DE?  I don't know.  Sheard can play outside linebacker, but I just don't know how well.  At that position, he'd be somewhat on the slow side, and I cringe when I think about him trying to stay with a tight end.

There are no shortage of inside linebackers on this roster.  In fact, along with nose tackle, that's a huge bright spot.  Along with Jackson, the Browns have three rookies who should be a little bigger and stronger next season, and who are very good pure linebackers.

Austin English might come back from his injury, and he'll have a shot both outside and inside.  He's highly underrated.  He came out of college at 6'3", 252 but could well be closer to 260 when he returns, so he'll be tried outside first.

If Chris Gocong can return from injury, now there's a 3-4 outside linebacker!  Or inside, for that matter!

James Micheal Johnson might be the favorite to go with Jackson inside, because he has more bulk than the other guys rookies, and isn't as good a prospect outside.

...Yes Taylor could be tried at left defensive end, because he matches up well with most right tackles, and does have unusual quickness and range for his size.  This is possible because in a 3-4 linebackers often have containment responsibilities.

Billy Winn might actually be a pretty GOOD 3-4 defensive end!  Wow, I'm starting to get excited here!  Winn can really run!

And Kitchen might be a good nose tackle!

There.  I've talked myself into thinking that they're a couple free agents or draft picks away from a 3-4.  I feel better now don't say anything bye.