Schmo

Kind of a broad question, but what does our 3-4 rely on more? We picked up 3 DL and 1 LB today. Do we need DL's more, or are LB's harder to find? It has always been my impression that BB is the ultimate LB coach, yet we have 3 first rounders invested in our starting D-line.

I believe that our LB's ultimately play a larger/harder role in the defense, yet it is more difficult finding the prototypical NT or 5-tech DE (ala Jackson at #3 this year for KC). Perhaps, coaching a LB up in this system is more imperative than finding the raw tools in a college kid - and this is why Mayo is so special. In other words, BB's LB prospects~Dante's OL prospects.

Like I said, it's kind of a broad question, but what are your thoughts?

slash83

Good question, IMO LB's make a 34 go, but then again a 34 is kinda useless unless you have a good NT, lucky for us we got the best. So im not really sure maybe somebody else could give you a more clear cut answer.

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Madden ID for ps3- bradydabest

Fencer

NT is the most important, on the downs where the NT is in. No position seems to affect the performance of the defense as much.

I'd extrapolate from that to say that on running/generic downs, the DL is more important than the LBs.

On passing downs I have to think the LBs are more important than the DL. For one thing, only 1 or 2 traditional DL are typically in on, say, 3rd-and-long.

So basically, our DL has successfully been creating 3rd-and-long and then our LBs and DBs have been screwing it up when it arrived.

(That's mainly for last season, but I suddenly felt a need to vent.)

Schmo

So, from what you're saying, Fencer:

1) A Ted Johnson type run-stuffer is obsolete for our D - why Maualuga didn't catch BB's interest.

2) Subbing DL (especially NT) is inevitable. While Belichick covets versatility, he has to grit his teeth and get Wilfork off the field 1/3 of the time.

So, either we could have drafted Maualuga/Brinkley and changed the other 6 roles on the front 7, or we draft depth on DL to avoid that pathetic, heavy-breathing look on the faces of our fatties. (Oh God, the AFCC game against the Colts just popped in my head... GET IT OUT!)

AzPatsFan

DL by a country mile is more important. As BB says there are only so many 6-5 300# mobile and hostile athletes in the world. There are a heck of a lot more 6-2 - 6-5 240+ athletes to find for LBs. BB has two who weren't even drafted, but are starters. He has a reserve DL who wasn't drafted and is a good, but not great player, unlike the First Rounders.

Fencer

I'm not sure what chains of inference you're drawing, but I don't disagree with the substance of your conclusions.

If Brace can take some of Wilfork's snaps, then Wilfork can both reduce his snap count a bit and perhaps also take some snaps in lieu of DEs when the DL count goes below 3, and everybody stays a bit fresher.

As for the ILBs -- Johnson aside, most of BBs vet ILBs have been converted OLBs (e.g., Bruschi, Phifer, Seau, Thomas, Vrabel). Except, of course, when they're guys who resemble safeties (e.g. Don Davis, Rodney Harrison).

RayClay

It's nice to have both.

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dhamz

I wouldn't say one is more important than the other. Without very good players at both spots the Pats 3-4 isn't going to be effective.

From a draft perspective, there is more value in DL. DL is right there with QB and CB as the most expensive position in the league. If you hit on one in the draft you get a very cheap player for 4-5 years. Veteran LBs just don't cost as much as veteran DL.

Ricey

I dont think 1 is a priority over the other.

Dline= important to keep blockers away from LB

Lb= important cause they are the ones who makes the plays

But say u have a great DLINE but ur linebackers cant put any pressure on the QB and or Make plays against the run then it will be all for not and vice versa...If ur LBs are great but ur Dline cant keep them clean then ur screwed either way.

Gumby

Having HIGH Quality DL players is way more important than having high quality LB players. Various reasons why- but biggest is

1. Competition for them. Best DL are drafted in to 10-16 of 1st round. I remember years with 4 in top 10. You are lucky if you get 2 LBs in first round or top half of 1st.

In an attacking D the DL gets the sacks and stats. In the 3-4 the LBs are getting all the stats (sacks and tackles) and therefore the publicity. So when it comes to fans though they see the LBs as more important.

But as long as you have good quality guys the old rules stand firm; you build a team from the inside (Lines) out.