Originally Posted by 1960Pats

You need to pick your mediot sources better. That seems to be where most of the negativity is coming from.

Originally Posted by patsinthesnow

Does anyone else think Ebner should be getting more time at S? (I'm aware he was part of getting torched on the bomb to Rice play) He's played sparingly, mostly in garbage time, but he looks fast and quick on the field. He made a great coverage play in the Rams game, and wouldn't it be nice to have two athletic safeties for once in Mccourty and Ebner; instead of these borderline-FCS athetic stiffs in Gregory/Ihedigbo.

Originally Posted by VrabelJr

This team has depth and skill at the LB spots to play the 3-4. We're one LB and a 5 tech DT away from being able to do it. Here's a quick rundown in my opinion:

Certainties:

Hightower is definitely a SAM in the 4-3 and 3-4. He's probably a better SAM in the 3-4 once he learns not to try and shoulder-bump tackle every one.

Spikes is as much of a Mike 3-4 ILB as there possibly could ever be.

Chandler Jones is perfect as a 3-4 ROLB.

Where we could improve:

I used to think Mayo could play either 3-4 ILB spot but he looks a lot more like a Mike than a Will. He's average to below average in coverage. Bruschi is always ranting and raving about his speed and coverage but I just don't see it. He's good enough in coverage to be a 3-down player but we need a coverage LB next to him badly in passing situations.

This defense is missing two things to go from below average to elite:

1. A LB with coverage skills that can come on the field in lieu of Spikes in passing situations. We would then slide Mayo over to the Mike and this coverage LB to the Will.
2. A DT that can play the 5 technique

If we get that then it doesn't matter who's in our Secondary.

edit: Before I get flamed for leaving Ninkovich out of this, his contract expires at the end of next season. I imagine a role sharing between him and Hightower in the future. Unless the plans are to let Spikes go and move Hightower inside. Then we need to extend Ninkovich again.

Originally Posted by patsinthesnow

Does anyone else think Ebner should be getting more time at S? (I'm aware he was part of getting torched on the bomb to Rice play) He's played sparingly, mostly in garbage time, but he looks fast and quick on the field. He made a great coverage play in the Rams game, and wouldn't it be nice to have two athletic safeties for once in Mccourty and Ebner; instead of these borderline-FCS athetic stiffs in Gregory/Ihedigbo.

Originally Posted by AndyJohnson

The LBs are going to gave the same coverage responsibilities in a 34 or a 43. Alignment isn't going to change that.
And we played a lot of 34 vs the Bills.
Finally, LB coverage in the base D isn't the issue, its the sub packages that are critical.

This defense is missing more than a DT and a coverage LB to be elite.