We all know the obvious ones....

RT: Martin vs Murtha
RG: Hicks vs Jerry

WR: Hartline and Bess vs everyone

QB: three way

Two starting safety spots. I won't distinguish between FS and SS since they are supposed to be interchangeable this year.

Reshard Jones, Chris Clemons, Tyrell Johnson, Tyrone Culver, Jimmy Wilson...who are the best two? Only time will tell that one.

Strong side pass rusher...Vernon, Misi (where will Misi end up? position change? bench?)

But what about....The one I am wondering about is Sean Smith. He didn't play very well last year according to PFF anyway and we signed Richard Marshall who some say will play the slot. Some sports web sites have him down as starting CB. Not sure who else could play the nickle.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

who are our LBs in the 4-3 and 3-4?

in the 4-3, Dansby is one for sure, but at which spot, and who are defintely the others? Misi? Burnett?

Same for the 3-4---Wake, Dansby, Burnett, Misi? Not sure all 4 are set, particularly Misi who sucks and may be in jail by the time Sept rolls around. Isn't Vernon a DE in that scheme?

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

I think the most interesting ones are:

1. QB
2. WR
3. TE
4. RG / RT

I think we did a lot to enhance competition at these positions too.

Vernon is too small (6'2 260) to be a 3-4 DE. He will be an OLB in a 3-4 and DE in a 4-3.

I wouldn't say Misi sucks. He hasn't exploded but he is a good player. He is still our second best OLB at this point until someone beats him out. He saw less time last year because Jason Taylor played well...again.

Not sure Westerman can beat Misi out. Lets see how the rookie does. The FO says he sets the edge well so we'll see.

Yes...we will have much competition this year.

I liked what I saw out of Daniel Thomas last year before he got hurt. I look for him to step up this year but we may have a tripple threat RB squad and carries will be fewer for everyone.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Well I would have to say the rb position will be interesting to watch.

the rb position is the least of my worries if you cut out whats his name the rookie a year ago and his injuries. If they can stay healthy we are going to make some noise at the rb position.


All depends who plays the guard position and how good are they.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> who are our LBs in the 4-3 and 3-4?
>
> in the 4-3, Dansby is one for sure, but at which
> spot, and who are defintely the others? Misi?
> Burnett?
>
> Same for the 3-4---Wake, Dansby, Burnett, Misi?
> Not sure all 4 are set, particularly Misi who
> sucks and may be in jail by the time Sept rolls
> around. Isn't Vernon a DE in that scheme?

I have serious doubts about Misi, considering his run-in with the law. I could see:

Wake, Dansby, Burnett, Vernon

Question is, when we shift to a 3-4, who takes MLB? I'd anticipate Wake moving to DE, but does that mean Dansby is the OLB and Burnett the MLB, or would they just swap places?

I assume you meant 4-3 defense Monte.

SDE Odrick
DT Starks
DT Soliai (McDaniel on passing downs)
WDE Wake

I think Vernon is going to have a tough time getting on the field. I expect big things from Odrick this year. First round DE's have a hard enough time making an impact, let alone a 3rd round talent with limited experience and an average college career. Ireland liked his ability to set the edge but he has limited pass rush moves and will need work on his tecnique from most reports.

I really don't know why people are so concerned about a pass rusher on the strong side. Odrick is going to be a good one. He had 6 sacks in a limited role last year and coaches say he has the athletic ability to transition to 4-3 DE. He is bigger than a typical 43 DE but there are a few his size.

That gives us Penn State bookends.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
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> I assume you meant 4-3 defense Monte.
>
Yes. That's what I meant.


> I think Vernon is going to have a tough time
> getting on the field. I expect big things from
> Odrick this year.
But can Odrick play OLB in a 3-4?

Ok I see what you're saying.

That position may dictate what fronts we use this year. Even though we ran a hybrid last year the majority of the snaps were with a 4 man from with Wake having his hand on the ground (from what I've read).

I would guess it's going to be determined by the evolvement of Misi, Vernon, Westerman, Freeny, Kaddu and Trusnik.

Here's hoping we found a gem in OV. We need a late round find like JT and Zach were.

It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if we ran a 4-3 predominantly IMO. We have the personnel and it allows us to put our best players on the field at the same time.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

I just read that Clemons is working at SS so that must mean Jones is staying at FS. Sounds a bit reversed doesn't it?

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just read that Clemons is working at SS so that
> must mean Jones is staying at FS. Sounds a bit
> reversed doesn't it?

The new defense has interchangable safties, so it is just a matter of naming really...

monte, why does odrick need to play OLB in a 3-4? He played DE in a 34 last year and played it well

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The beatings will continue until morale improves.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> monte, why does odrick need to play OLB in a 3-4?
> He played DE in a 34 last year and played it well

DE in a 3-4 and DE in a 4-3 are very different positions. JT played OLB in the 3-4 and DE in the 4-3. So did Cam Wake. 3-4 DEs typically play DT in a 4-3. That's because 4-3 DEs are usually lean and quick, while DTs are stocky and hard to move. DEs in 3-4s are built like 4-3 DTs (stocky, big, not quick).

If Odrick can play DE in both offensive sets, then he will be the exception to the rule.

Another guy around the same size (6'6 310) who played 3-4 DE and 4-3 DE quite successfully...Richard Seymour.

Odrick is 6'5 301.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

montequi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> berkeley223 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > monte, why does odrick need to play OLB in a
> 3-4?
> > He played DE in a 34 last year and played it
> well
>
> DE in a 3-4 and DE in a 4-3 are very different
> positions. JT played OLB in the 3-4 and DE in the
> 4-3. So did Cam Wake. 3-4 DEs typically play DT
> in a 4-3. That's because 4-3 DEs are usually lean
> and quick, while DTs are stocky and hard to move.
> DEs in 3-4s are built like 4-3 DTs (stocky, big,
> not quick).
>
> If Odrick can play DE in both offensive sets, then
> he will be the exception to the rule.

I believe the game plan is to Play Odrick at DE in the 4-3 on running downs and slide him inside to DT with Starks on passing downs.

I don't believe he will be used as a traditional 4-3 DE exclusively.

In theory but that all depends on O-Vernon. He has to show he can get on the field as a rookie. It would be pretty rare. Even JT had only 5 sacks in 13 games as a rookie.

If he doesn't make it JO may be a full time 43 DE.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

montequi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> berkeley223 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > monte, why does odrick need to play OLB in a
> 3-4?
> > He played DE in a 34 last year and played it
> well
>
> DE in a 3-4 and DE in a 4-3 are very different
> positions. JT played OLB in the 3-4 and DE in the
> 4-3. So did Cam Wake. 3-4 DEs typically play DT
> in a 4-3. That's because 4-3 DEs are usually lean
> and quick, while DTs are stocky and hard to move.
> DEs in 3-4s are built like 4-3 DTs (stocky, big,
> not quick).
>
> If Odrick can play DE in both offensive sets, then
> he will be the exception to the rule.

but he's already shown he can play DE in a 3-4, he did it last year. and I think he was a 4-3 DE at Penn State, though I could be mistaken, maybe he was at DT. was your question really "can he play OLB in a 43"? I tend to doubt he could

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> montequi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > berkeley223 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > monte, why does odrick need to play OLB in a
> > 3-4?
> > > He played DE in a 34 last year and played it
> > well
> >
> > DE in a 3-4 and DE in a 4-3 are very different
> > positions. JT played OLB in the 3-4 and DE in
> the
> > 4-3. So did Cam Wake. 3-4 DEs typically play
> DT
> > in a 4-3. That's because 4-3 DEs are usually
> lean
> > and quick, while DTs are stocky and hard to
> move.
> > DEs in 3-4s are built like 4-3 DTs (stocky,
> big,
> > not quick).
> >
> > If Odrick can play DE in both offensive sets,
> then
> > he will be the exception to the rule.
>
> but he's already shown he can play DE in a 3-4, he
> did it last year. and I think he was a 4-3 DE at
> Penn State, though I could be mistaken, maybe he
> was at DT. was your question really "can he play
> OLB in a 43"? I tend to doubt he could

He was a DT at Penn State. He's never played DE in a 4-3 as far as I know.

Montequi-
Odrick started his college career playing DE for Penn State as a true freshman, then switched to DT his sophmore year...

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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche