If the team really wants to run a 3-4, hopefully when everyone is healthy (would be nice to see everyone against an inept Raiders team) then surely the best option for the 3 would be a combination of: Wilfork, Siliga, Chris Jones & Easley.
Chandler Jones & Rob Ninkovich at OLB with Hightower, Collins & Buchanan all being able to rotate to play on the outside to give Jones/Nink a rest.
I think the point is that we aren't really playing a 3-4 in the traditional sense. We're playing a very sophisticated predominant 3-4 variation as part of a multi-front hybrid defense in which BB is deliberately sacrificing some size and length in favor of versatility, quickness, pass rush capability. The 2 features that Andy has identified based on Sunday's game are:
(1) The use of a lighter 5-tech, either Chandler Jones or Rob Ninkovich
(2) The ability to switch each of these guys between the 5-tech and OLB positions.
I would add the ability to switch the number of players on the line, and to switch the spacing on the line.
Assuming Mayo and Collins as LBs, without changing personnel (very important against up-tempo offenses) the Pats should be able to do the following:
- Easley/Chris Jones (5-tech) - Wilfork/Siliga (NT) - Chandler Jones (5-tech), with Hightower and Ninkovich as the OLBs
- Ninkovich (5-tech) - Wilfork/Siliga (NT) - Easley/Chris Jones (5-tech), with Chandler Jones and Hightower as the OLBs
- Easley/Chris Jones (5-tech) - Wilfork/Siliga (NT) - Chandler Jones (3-Tech) - Ninkovich (5- or 7-tech), with Hightower as the SAM LB.
- Ninkovich (5- or 7- tech) - Wilfork/Siliga (NT) - Easley/Chris Jones (3-Tech) - Chandler Jones (5- or 7-tech), with Hightower as the SAM LB
- Ninkovich (5-, 7- or 9-tech) - Easley/Siliga (3-Tech) - Wilfork/Siliga (NT) - Chandler Jones (3-Tech) - Hightower (5-, 7- or 9-tech)
The Pats can certainly rotate in a bigger player at the other 5-tech, but they are giving up some pass rush capability in doing so. They appear to consciously be using a smaller, quicker line that they can vary to create confusion and different match ups.