Schefter: "Skins NOT shopping Big Al"

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Well one of my other assumptions is that not a single of our 11 starters from 2009 has ever played on a team that uses a 3-4 base defense. Last year we complained about Orakpo and Landry playing out of position. Well in 2010, everyone is going to be playing out of position. It will take time for everyone to adjust. There's going to be a huge learning curve for our defense in 2010 and I don't expect the defense to be very good at all - with or without Haynesworth.

I think you're making too big of a deal about a transition to the 3-4. It might only be half our defense in 2010, we still might spend a lot of plays in the 4-3. Secondly, there's not much in the way of schematic difference for the defensive line or the corners. For the defensive line, you simply adjust from a gap control style or to an attacking style. There's not a lot of read and recognition that goes on for the defensive line. For the corners, it comes down to playing man vs zones, again not a lot of read and recognition. It's the safeties and the LBs that do the reading and reacting, they'd be the ones affected by the 3-4 transition.

I'd argue that given the LBs will be getting acquainted with new responsibilities, there would be a greater need for a dominant force along the defensive line to occupy blockers and allow the LBs to make plays.