05-05-2010, 02:38 PM
|
#4
|
|
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 761
My Mood:
|
Re: What formations play to our strengths RIGHT NOW?
Really I think the only big questions are who's at LOLB and RDE in the 3-4. They can do a lot of different stuff in the 4-3 as we have a bunch of 4-3 DLs on the roster now. And with McCourty, the maturation of Butler/Chung/Wilhite, some consistency from Meriweather, another solid year from Bodden, our nickel/dime/quarters will be versatile and dangerous.
I don't think anyone gives any credit to young players improving as a way to better your team. Seems like the common theme of the off-season is that if they had a bad year they must be replaced, but I still have not given up on someone like Wilhite.
If you find a solid 5-tech who can stop the run (Wright/G. Warren/the dude from Carolina/Deadrick even?), and just one of the Woods/Crable/Cunningham/Ninkovich/Murrell group to make a jump as a starting quality OLB, I think we've got a pretty good defense that will be together for quite a few years.
Even if it doesn't all come together this year, you're looking at adding another potential top 10 impact defender with the Raiders pick next year. That could be the thing that puts this defense back into the elite conversation. And that could even happen this year.
|
|
|