Build the Saints' 3-4 Defense (14 Viewers)

[Shotgunred]

Harold Landry would be a great free agent pickup to start our move into a 3-4 defense.

 

[Rouxble]

I think we may be jumping the gun on the whole 3-4 thing. I believe odds are we will be more “multiple,” while playing the majority of the game in a 4-2-5 alignment.

The idea of a 3-4 is nice, but hardly anyone is playing base defense much these days.

I don’t know if I see us going all-in on creating a traditional 3-4 and acquiring the requisite personnel other than maybe one flexible pass rusher and a fat DT, which we needed regardless of the type of base defense we were to use.

I feel like we can install a lot of the concepts from the Fangio scheme without going out and completely changing the front seven, mostly because Fangio himself plays a lot of 4-2-5.

DT is really the biggest need, having a couple of guys that can clog up running lanes and push the pocket will be a big factor in whether our edge defenders have success. I don’t think it matters so much whether they are a traditional 4-3 end or a prototypical 3-4 OLB if our interior DL aren’t good enough.

 

[Geldo]

I feel like we can install a lot of the concepts from the Fangio scheme without going out and completely changing the front seven, mostly because Fangio himself plays a lot of 4-2-5.

DT is really the biggest need, having a couple of guys that can clog up running lanes and push the pocket will be a big factor in whether our edge defenders have success. I don’t think it matters so much whether they are a traditional 4-3 end or a prototypical 3-4 OLB if our interior DL aren’t good enough.

Some mock drafts have Walter Nolen fallling into rd 2. Would be a perfect nt for us

 

[AARPSaint]

I feel like we can install a lot of the concepts from the Fangio scheme without going out and completely changing the front seven, mostly because Fangio himself plays a lot of 4-2-5.

DT is really the biggest need, having a couple of guys that can clog up running lanes and push the pocket will be a big factor in whether our edge defenders have success. I don’t think it matters so much whether they are a traditional 4-3 end or a prototypical 3-4 OLB if our interior DL aren’t good enough.

Yes, irrespective of whether it’s going to be 3-4 or 4-3, the interior DL needs improvement.

 

[meily]

Former Saints linebacker on converting from a 4-3 base to Brandon Staley's 3-4 scheme

Scott Shanle had to move from a 4-3 to a 3-4 when he was with the Cowboys. He details how this switch under Brandon Staley forces the Saints to change

saintswire.usatoday.com

I think James Pearce Jr. will be our pick at 9.

I think if we switch to a hybrid 3-4 scheme, then some of these players could be up for trade like Granderson.

 

[David Robbins]

According to nick and Mike we actually will run a gap and a half system

 

[TruSaint]

Former Saints linebacker on converting from a 4-3 base to Brandon Staley's 3-4 scheme

Scott Shanle had to move from a 4-3 to a 3-4 when he was with the Cowboys. He details how this switch under Brandon Staley forces the Saints to change

saintswire.usatoday.com

I think James Pearce Jr. will be our pick at 9.

Pearce is an absolute menace and will be a game changer, but his character issues tell me he’s a no for us and we address edge in the second round

 

[Snakehead]

I stumbled on this article about Staley's Gap and a Half defense. This article, especially under the gap and half section explains really well what to expect from Staley and would give a good indication of the players needed.

One, One-and-a-Half, and Two-Gap—A Simplified Explanation

By John Turney Last year we mentioned Brandon Staley's "gap-and-a-half" front but we never really gave an explanation as to what it is. S...

nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com

 

[meily]

I stumbled on this article about Staley's Gap and a Half defense. This article, especially under the gap and half section explains really well what to expect from Staley and would give a good indication of the players needed.

One, One-and-a-Half, and Two-Gap—A Simplified Explanation

By John Turney Last year we mentioned Brandon Staley's "gap-and-a-half" front but we never really gave an explanation as to what it is. S...

nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com

He knows defense the same way Chicago believes that DA at least knows defense, so despite their HC tenure, their production as a DC is why the Saints and Bears should be excited about their respective DC hires.

 

[MikeyF]

Pearce is an absolute menace and will be a game changer, but his character issues tell me he’s a no for us and we address edge in the second round

A former teammate from high school calling him a "lil crazy" should be taken with a grain of salt...





I would be okay with us trading back some to get him but I don't see him falling past 20.

Former Tennessee QB pushes back on ‘character concerns’ surrounding James Pearce Jr. | Sporting News

Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback pushes back on 'character concerns' for potential first-round pick James Pearce Jr.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[JackDiesel]

I think if we switch to a hybrid 3-4 scheme, then some of these players could be up for trade like Granderson.

I dunno Granderson makes a ton of sense to keep. He could drop the weight DA made him add and get back down to 260 lbs. Play faster and more explosive.

DA's defense sucked for DE's since he wanted them to play so heavy yet somehow still be able to rush the passer. You'd basically have to find athletic freaks that couldn't do what the human body was capable of so they were always hurt.

 

[TruSaint]

A former teammate from high school calling him a "lil crazy" should be taken with a grain of salt...





I would be okay with us trading back some to get him but I don't see him falling past 20.

Former Tennessee QB pushes back on ‘character concerns’ surrounding James Pearce Jr. | Sporting News

Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback pushes back on 'character concerns' for potential first-round pick James Pearce Jr.

www.sportingnews.com

Agreed. He is going to be a special special player

 

[TruSaint]

I dunno Granderson makes a ton of sense to keep. He could drop the weight DA made him add and get back down to 260 lbs. Play faster and more explosive.

DA's defense sucked for DE's since he wanted them to play so heavy yet somehow still be able to rush the passer. You'd basically have to find athletic freaks that couldn't do what the human body was capable of so they were always hurt.

Granderson should fit just fine in the josh sweat weak side pass rusher role, I see no issues there at all. But we do need a SOLB/edge badly.

 

[meily]

I dunno Granderson makes a ton of sense to keep. He could drop the weight DA made him add and get back down to 260 lbs. Play faster and more explosive.

DA's defense sucked for DE's since he wanted them to play so heavy yet somehow still be able to rush the passer. You'd basically have to find athletic freaks that couldn't do what the human body was capable of so they were always hurt.

The defensive ends (DEs) currently on the team do not fit the new scheme, and simply dropping weight will not make them suitable for it.

Staley will make the best of the players he has inherited, but significant signings on the defensive side are expected this offseason to bring in players that align with the new scheme.

In my opinion, the draft will have a similar focus. While the offense will be addressed, acquiring impactful players for the defense is essential. With a hybrid 3-4 scheme potentially being implemented, prioritizing hybrid linebacker-edge rushers will be crucial.