farn

Regardless of BB's comments regarding the media created 4-3 vs 3-4, I have a few questions regarding the linebackers if in fact NE uses a 4-3 more than in previous years...

Can I assume that our three linebackers in this situation would primarily be Mayo, Guyton, Spikes ? If so, who are then the reserves ? I would guess Fletcher, as it seems Ninko, Cunningham, and Moore would be on the line. Finally, what is the primary change in responsabilities for the linebackers if indeed there is a shift to the 4-3 ?

Thanks in advance.

Jared

Depends on the game plan and match ups. Mayo will always be there, Spikes seems like he'll always be in on first down unless it is against a pass first team. Guyton and Nink are probably interchangeable depending on game plan.

Cunningham is probably going to mostly be seen in sub packages.

LesPaul

Cuningham, Moore, and Nink will be playing DE in the 4-3. Spikes will be MLB and Mayo on the right, with Guyton on the left side.

Sciz

Ninkovich strikes me as a possible OLB in the 4-3. He has iffy top speed, but is pretty good in space and is not a quality every-down pass rusher at DE.

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patsfan13

Fletcher will play a lot against the pass as will Guyton. Cunningham can play either DE of OLB depending on a 3 or 4 man front, Cunningham and Mayo will be 3 down players IMO, or passing downs if you want 3 LB I would guess Mayo Guyton Fletcher. However most o fht e time in passing situations we will be in a nickle or dime package.

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Jared

Nink reminds me of a younger Bruschi. Remember Tedy was only serviceable for some time, and came into the league as an undersized, slow edge rusher transitioning to LB. He eventually played OLB in a 4-3, before moving inside.

I don't know that Nink will have the same career path (and certainly can't guarantee the same level of success), but I merely note that it isn't crazy.

AndyJohnson

If we play a 43, we are likely to use the same personell as in the 34. That is, we would have one 260lb or so DE, but we certainly won't have 2.
Think of it this way:
Take your 34
Shift the DL to strength, now over ST, SG, WG.
Shift your LBs to weak, putting the WOLB in a 3 point stance.
Your LBs are now over TE, C, T, TEarea

So, Cunningham becomes a DE, probably Moore as well. Ninkovich is still an OLB.
We will still have 3 300lb DL, because we will not abandon run defense.

ay-yo

This is what I envision. This personel allows to easily switch between the 3-4 and 4-3 on any given play. The deception is returning to our defense. I see Mayo, Spikes, Cunningham, Wilfork and Haynesworth as locks. The "oversized DE" and the Sam are up for grabs IMO.

I could see somebody like Wright playing as the over sized DE instead of a Brace / Ty Warren type player. I also see Fletcher and Nink competing for the 3rd linebacker spot. Guyton has an outside shot as well.

Thoughts?

farn

Thanks for responses - in the end I suppose there'll be so much situational subbing that it'll be difficult to "list a starting lineup" since sub packages will be used often.

I wonder who will have the most planning time on D. I enjoy it when Reiss breaks it down after the weekend. I'd have to guess Mayo and McCourty will be in on almost every play. Maybe Bodden and Chung get a high percentage of plays in too...

DaBruinz

Bruschi came in as an Undersized DE who played DE and DT in college and was a top sack leader at one point.. He was not considered "slow" by any stretch of the imagination... He didn't transition to OLB until 1998 when he replaced the injured Todd Collins.. Bruschi didn't move inside until 2002, playing MLB in the 4-3. He moved to ILB in 2003 when the Pats went to the 3-4 full-time.

Ninkovich compares more to Vrabel than to Bruschi. Ninkovich is 6'3 1/8" tall and is in the 250 range. Bruschi is 6'0 and 5/8" and 245-255 lbs.