Time to make 4-3 our base defense?

I don't think it's a good idea for several reasons. One, I hope that the Jets find a trade partner and Richardson isn't on the team. Two, imo we'd never generate any pass rush with Williams and Mo as our DEs. No team might be able to run on us, but they wouldn't need to. They could simply drop back and pass every down. Neither is fast enough to generate consistent pressure from the outside. Now if you say replace Williams and Mo with Mauldin and Jenkins, and replace McClendon and Richardson with Mo and Williams, then I'd be more agreeable, but I don't think that either Mauldin or Jenkins is fast/agile enough to be a consistent threat rushing the passer from the DE spot.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, with so many youngsters on the team this year, they already have enough challenges. I think they have enough to worry about without making a wholesale change in defensive philosophy/approach/system. It would mean that the veterans on D would perhaps be struggling to learn their responsibilities and adapt, or at least would probably be thinking too much and would play slower and less effectively.

 

Mauldin is not a 4-3 linebacker.

 

1. Darron Lee is physically unfit to play MLB in 3-4? That's a news to me. Probably the Superbowl-bound SF 49ers as of late would agree with their selection of Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman as their MLBs. [Stop this idiocy.]

2. If Darron can't play MLB in Fairbanks/Bullough 3-4, then why don't we use different brand of 3-4? You know, the one made by Bum Phillips? I was told that, his son even won a Superbowl based on his knowledge of that defense.

3. It's not even like Jets D has this budding superstar DEs about to break out either. In fact, current Jets roster has NO ONE that can man the spot. Talk about brilliant suggestion. [Ok - that's an overstatement. With proper coaching, Mauldin might be a good fit, but that's it.]

4. Mauldin at MLB - that made me laugh. He was a DE in college all along. DE to OLB is pretty difficult change, but it is nothing like a change to MLB. I just have to wonder what kind of idiot comes up with this level of stupidity.

 

By height, or by weight?

Last time I checked, Lee is an inch taller than Bowman.

And he was a rookie that didn't have the chance to grow and condition at professional level yet - and both Bowman and Willis are full-fledged vets. Expecting Lee to gain 20 lbs might be an overstatement, but to say [he won't be effective at 230] is more than stupid. Okay? If anything, he has the frame to get more muscles on.

 

Right. But then, he will not add an ounce more of a muscle since his draft day, amirite?

Just to give you a glimpse, you won't find that many OLBs playing at that weight either.

Either Lee will have to gain muscle [so he needs to hit the gym] or he will be irrelevant. Period. It's not about whether he fits better at OLB or not. I am betting he will grow [like any growing kid will.]

 

Absolutely. It's not like we needed speed at ILB anyway.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000099381/Vereen-83-yard-TD-catch-and-run

 

Reading your posts, you seem to be very confused in terms of where Lee plays in a 3-4 vs a 4-3.

 

It's not about Bart Scott being garbage now, is it?

If ILB is slow, guess who will love that.

I think he wants Lee to rush the passer from the edge - and get mauled by OTs. All game long.

Or - play that OLB spot that doesn't rush in that hypothetical 4-3 defense we are all so scared about.

 

Bart Scott, fun while it lasted. My friend said a classic: "Bart Scott's best tackle was taking out Revis." Only the Jets man, only the Jets.

 

I was getting that impression also. I do hope one day the Jets can find a nice linebacker to play alongside Lee that can do some dirty work while Lee flies around and makes plays.

 

Lee is a fine fit as a Jack, but he won't make a long life as a Ted. [Only some people fail to see this - that's a wonder.]

P.S. Jordan Jenkins would have to gain minimum 10 lbs to play at DE.

If I had to pick - I'd keep Jenkins/Mauldin at OLB. They are right at where they should be, physical-wise and weight-wise [6' 3"+ and 240+ lbs] Jets ILB corp lacks a true Ted LB. That's about the only gripe I have with this linebacker corps.

Moreover - going 4-3 does not mean Lee fits better at OLB either. Remember Jonathan Vilma - he played at some 225+ for some time at MLB in 4-3. He excelled there, since he had good speed and some head to go with it. It's clear that having good speed at ILB is a necessity in today's NFL by the way.

 

This defense lacks the personnel to be a true full time 3-4 / 4-3. We will see a lot of nickel defenses with this line-up. Some formations we will see Jenkins and Maudlin at LB, some formations will have their hands in the ground. Jets definitely lack the "Ted" linebacker. Jets also lack a stud pass-rusher that can be lined up anywhere and make an impact, but that's another discussion for another time.

Lee did play a lot of weak-side linebacker at OSU, I hope one day Lee can be that versatile defender. Play inside or out. Needs to fill out his frame and also continue to be diligent in the film room, he's in position to make plays, but needs to start finishing them.

 

They do have more personnel fit for 3-4 than 4-3.

I think I covered this quite a while ago - why 4-3 with current Jets D personnel will be a total disaster. Jets D's strength lies in their DL and thus the front seven. Now Harris is gone, so they can't fill the Ted spot but even with that, Jets front 7 is not too bad as it is.

If they choose to go 4-3, they would have to field less of the current DL [3 -> 2] and find the two edge rushing DEs that Jets don't have. [They usually play at 260 lb - that's the minimum. Jets don't have anybody at this weight range at all.] Fielding Wilkerson and Leo at 4-3 DE would be a disaster. [I also elaborated why that is - it's all in the board.]

 

It seems a very strange use of this internet real estate to argue about the roles of four linebackers, when you know this team is going to spend much more time with four cornerbacks on the field.

 

They do based off the previous regimes, but the latest acquisitions the past 2 years seem to show a different tone. I think they are gearing towards building a really good nickel / dime defense.

I would never play Mo and Leonard full time as defensive ends, I would move them around and exploit the match-up. If I were to build a 4 man front, they are playing defensive tackle with Williams in the 3 Tech and Mo the 1 Technique. Jets still lack the speed to rusher the passer no matter the scheme. That to is along with the "Ted" linebacker are the last 2 pieces left for this defense. Safeties can cover the CB deficiencies, you don't need a super-star corner when you have 2 solid safeties. The 3-3-5 nickel intrigues me the most. You could have Leonard, Sheldon and Mo on the inside with Lee / 2nd linebacker and a 3rd to rush the passer. That could be Lorenzo, that could be Jenkins. Jets still lack an edge rusher that can finish the play.

Personally, I think Brady made the 3-4 a defense of the past. You can't beat Brady that way when he spreads everyone out. You saw what he did to Pittsburgh, the more prominent 3-4 team in the league today.