Haslett to accept Defensive Coordinator

[davy]

Originally Posted by 30gut

During a conference call Monday to discuss his first Pro Bowl appearance, Skins linebacker London Fletcher said he didn't think the transition would be a problem.

"Our main defense was basically an under front that was similar, really, to what Dallas did ... the way we aligned our front," said Fletcher. "The only difference was instead having a stand-up outside linebacker, Andre Carter just had his hand on the ground. You can imagine him standing up, we're pretty much Dallas."

FanFeedr | NFL | 25 Jan 10 | Fletcher’s OK with a 3-4 defense

Its not going to be a seamless transistion but i don't think its quite the round peg square hole you make it out to be.

The rest of that story is more along the lines I'm thinking...

"But I don't think it will be quite that simple for Fletcher and the Redskins. Brian Orakpo should be an excellent outside linebacker in a 3-4 but there's no guarantee that Carter makes an easy transition. And I think Fletcher may have the most difficult transition of any player for the Skins. In a 4-3, he could simply race to the football and make a ton of tackles. In a 3-4 scheme, he'll have to take on centers and guards that outweigh him by nearly 100 pounds on a regular basis.

Former Cowboys linebackers Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley were both smallish linebackers who tried to make the transition to Bill Parcells' favored 3-4. Coakley was soon playing for another team and Nguyen's career ended because of a neck injury. They had been highly effective players in Mike Zimmer's 4-3, but they were too small to excel in a 3-4 scheme.

Fletcher's an excellent linebacker, but I don't think he'll be as productive in a 3-4 scheme. The Redskins will start to look for larger inside linebackers in free agency and the draft."

[30gut]

Originally Posted by davy

The rest of that story is more along the lines I'm thinking...

"But I don't think it will be quite that simple for Fletcher and the Redskins. Brian Orakpo should be an excellent outside linebacker in a 3-4 but there's no guarantee that Carter makes an easy transition. And I think Fletcher may have the most difficult transition of any player for the Skins. In a 4-3, he could simply race to the football and make a ton of tackles. In a 3-4 scheme, he'll have to take on centers and guards that outweigh him by nearly 100 pounds on a regular basis.

Former Cowboys linebackers Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley were both smallish linebackers who tried to make the transition to Bill Parcells' favored 3-4. Coakley was soon playing for another team and Nguyen's career ended because of a neck injury. They had been highly effective players in Mike Zimmer's 4-3, but they were too small to excel in a 3-4 scheme.

Fletcher's an excellent linebacker, but I don't think he'll be as productive in a 3-4 scheme. The Redskins will start to look for larger inside linebackers in free agency and the draft."

I kinda addressed this earlier, but....

There are 2 ILB in a 3-4 scheme.
There is the 'buck' and the 'mack'.
The buck is usually a very stout player because they have to take on and shed blocks from fullbacks and OL.
The 'buck' is very similiar to a 4-3 SAM backer.

The uncovered or free hitter is the 'mack' he's the playmaker ILB his role is similiar to a 4-3 MIKE or WILL.

Here's a link that explains the roles a little:
Bishop captures attention - JSOnline

Both Rocky and Fletcher fit the 'mack' role much better then the buck role.
I think Blades is a better fit at the 'buck' position because he's actually played SAM backer and at 5'10 242 he's a sturdy dude.

The author of the article really didn't go into detail about which position he didn't think London was a fit for but right off the bat London (5'10 245) is bigger then either Coakley(5'10 230) or Nyugen (5'11 238) and he's been a more productive player then either Coakley or Nyugen. London's average tackles per season are higher then Coakley highest total and i think its higher then Nyugen's also.

Ray Lewis and A.J. Hawk are more similiar to London then Coakley or Nyugen and both have made successful transitions.
There is no question imo that a LB of Fletcher's ability can make the transition especially as the 'mack' ILB because his role won't change that much.
His 'numbers' might go down but i don't see any reason other then age or injury that he would be a less effective player.