Last game our base was 34 with Wilfork walker Chris jones on the line and nink and chandler at OLB with HT and Collins at ilb so skinner was in fact a back up.
Chris white and jagaret Davis are also backups.
Given our issues vs the run so far we may stay big more often in the base more often except when we play passing teams where we may not hardly use a base and play nickel all day.
BEFORE MAYO'S INJURY
It seems that with Mayo out that we have had a major change of formation. Before, we almost always had 3 LB's on the field in the base: Mayo, Collins and Hightower. When there was an injury, Fleming (Game 1) or Skinner (after Game 1) played in the base.
In the base, we played 4 up front: Ninkovich, Jones and TWO defensive tackles. As we agreed at the time, it made little difference whether we called this a 3-4 or 4-3 since the same personnel were on the field in the base.
AFTER MAYO's INJURY
Now, it seems that we have only 2 LB's in the base or 4 LB's if we count Ninkovich and Jones. But the key is that there are THREE DT's, the essence of a pure 3-4. Easley is the smallest of the wide bodies when he plays.
I understand why we want to have our best 7 on the field. However, it does seem to be more than that. After all, Skinner played all the downs in the base in other games. On Thursday, he was not a starter in the base.
OPEN QUESTION
We have concluded several times that Easley, Walker and Chris Jones are not in their best scheme in the 3-4. Have we changed our minds? Have they gotten more used to the scheme? Obviously, if we continue, the players will need to play much better. But perhaps this is a matter of signal calling and experience.
A COMMENT
Will these players be fresh for the playoffs? The linebackers played ALL the down, except for Jones sitting for 3 plays. Is this sustainable? We have a 4 man DT rotation, with an occasional play from Moore in the sub. Even this seems a bit thin.
BOTTOM LINE
I'm more than fine with the 3-4 if we have the players for it. It seems that some of our DT's are more suited to the 4-3. Also, it seems that Moore will need to play lots more. Finally, it seems that we are back to Ninkovich and Jones playing 100% of the reps. It is difficult to be fresh for the playoffs when that is the case.