More competition

[dryheat44]

PFT is reporting that the Cardinals are planning on switching to the 3-4 this year.

It always bothers me when teams switch to the 3-4. For every one which does, the Soliais, Harrises and Harrells of the draft go about 10 spots too early.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Is Gabe Watson going to play Nose Tackle for them?
Listed at 6-3 340.

He had a questionable motor in college... Which is why he was picked so late.
Will he be in shape? Can he withstand double teams on an every down basis?

My money says hell no.

 

[dryheat44]

Is Gabe Watson going to play Nose Tackle for them?
Listed at 6-3 340.

He had a questionable motor in college... Which is why he was picked so late.
Will he be in shape? Can he withstand double teams on an every down basis?

My money says hell no.

I'm pencilling them in for Alan Branch.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

at 6"6 330 with a questionable character I wouldn't count on him for a NT.
Coming in out of shape for a pro-day etc.

Plus at 6"6 he will be quite easy to get under.
He could work out as a NT, I just think they are counting on Gabe Watson.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Branch would be perfect for them at NT with Watson as the backup.

With Carlos Dansby as an OLB, they have a really good blitzer and decent run stuffer. Hayes makes a great ILB run stuffer in the middle. And Wilson is a premier safety.

They have a bunch of the pieces. But still need CB help badly. Rolle is weak and Macklin isn't much better.

 

[cstjohn17]

With all these teams shifting to 3-4 it makes Wilfork worth even more as a FA. Luckily we don't have to worry about it for 3 more years. By that time he could be the best NT in the league (Williams - SD & Hampton - Pitt. could be retired or on a downward trend)

 

[captain stone]

Branch would be perfect for them at NT with Watson as the backup.

With Carlos Dansby as an OLB, they have a really good blitzer and decent run stuffer. Hayes makes a great ILB run stuffer in the middle. And Wilson is a premier safety.

They have a bunch of the pieces. But still need CB help badly. Rolle is weak and Macklin isn't much better.

They also have Darryl Blackstock as a rotational OLB/pass-rusher.

Arizona's DC Clancy Pendergast has never operated a 3-4. He must be getting marginalized by Whisenhunt.

Edit: Upon further review, Pendergast had previously worked in Houston, Dallas and Cleveland before becoming Arizona's DC for the 2004 season. Dom Capers ran a 3-4 in Houston; and if he worked for Parcells in Dallas, then he at least was exposed to, if not operated, more 3-4 technique.

 

[dryheat44]

Branch would be perfect for them at NT with Watson as the backup.

With Carlos Dansby as an OLB, they have a really good blitzer and decent run stuffer. Hayes makes a great ILB run stuffer in the middle. And Wilson is a premier safety.

They have a bunch of the pieces. But still need CB help badly. Rolle is weak and Macklin isn't much better.

I think Macklin moved on as a free agent recently.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

They have Terrance Holt now from the Lions (?), he played next to Wilson in NC State. If I recall correctly.

 

[ayjackson]

so that's:

Cardinals
Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
Chargers
49ers
Browns
Ravens

Is that right??

 

[SamBamsFan]

so that's:

Cardinals
Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
Chargers
49ers
Browns
Ravens

Is that right??

Are the Texans staying w/ the 3-4? I can't remember.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Are the Texans staying w/ the 3-4? I can't remember.

Kubiak has the Texans back in 4-3.

EDIT:

I'm pencilling them in for Alan Branch.

I didn't follow what Watson did or didn't do in AZ this season, so I can't speak to how he matches up with Branch. That said, if I was in Wisenhuts' (sp?) shoes I'd be looking at Okoye or Carriker before Branch. If you assume Watson was okay if uninspiring, then Okoye developing and even platooning with Watson is the better long term choice. Carriker has been compared to both Seymour and Warren by various draft sites, I'm sure Wis and Russ Grimm know how that kind of talent can impact an offense. Branch can take his disappearing act to someone else, preferably Miami.

 

[dryheat44]

so that's:

Cardinals
Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
Chargers
49ers
Browns
Ravens

Is that right??

The Ravens are back in a 4-3. And the Chargers may go that way.

 

[DaBruinz]

at 6"6 330 with a questionable character I wouldn't count on him for a NT.
Coming in out of shape for a pro-day etc.

Plus at 6"6 he will be quite easy to get under.
He could work out as a NT, I just think they are counting on Gabe Watson.

I suggest you do some homework. Ted Washington, arguably one of the BEST NTs of the modern era is 6'5 and change. Alan Branch is ACTUALLY 6'5 and 6/8 of an inch. Not much different than Washington. Why is it that Washington was successful, but Branch can't be?

 

[cstjohn17]

so that's:

Cardinals
Jets
Patriots
Cowboys
Chargers
49ers
Browns
Ravens

Is that right??

I think the Steelers will run mostly a 3-4 at least for the next year or so.