3-4:
Fanene-Wilfork-Deaderick
Jones-Spikes-Mayo-Hightower
4-3:
Scott-Wilfork-Fanene-Jones
Mayo-Spikes-Hightower
Both look fairly solid and better than last year. Now for Janoris Jenkins tonight and the defense will be leaps & bounds better than last year.
I think Fanene is not a true 3-4 DE. Too small. I'm sure he could do it, but he's a natural 4-3 tackle.
I'm still working this out... think most everyone is still working it out... made more complicated since we don't know for sure how BB intends to use all his new players. But it seems pretty clear that BB is building a team that can transform itself into all kinds of exotic looks. He's got the variety of talent on the roster now to do some pretty crazy stuff.
Here's how I'm seeing it:
3-4, 2-gap, stuff the run
34 DE - 300+ lbs, 2-gap run stuffer
model: Ty Warren, Richard Seymour
current: Deaderick, Brace, Pryor
34 NT - 310+ lbs, widebody
model: Ted Washington, Vince Wilfork
current: Wilfork, Love
34 Elephant - 285# physical freak, can rush or drop into space
model: Willie McGinest, Adalius Thomas
current: Jones, Bequette
34 ILB - 260# run stuffer
model: Ted Johnson
current: Spikes, Hightower
34 ILB - 255# good in space
model: Teddy Bruschi
current: Mayo, Fletcher, Carpenter
34 OLB - 255# seal the edge, collapse the pocket
model: Mike Vrabel, Rosie Colvin
current: Scott, Cunningham, Ninkovich, Hightower
4-3, third down
43 DE - 260# quick twitch pass rusher
model: Mark Anderson, Andre Carter
current: Cunningham, Hightower, Scott
43 DT - 285# 1-gapper or 2-gap bullrush
model: Mike Wright, Jarvis Green
current: Fanene, Bequette, Jones
43 OLB - 255# chip the TE and drop into coverage
model: Roman Phifer
current: Ninkovich, Carpenter
43 MLB - 260# shut down the crossing routes and close on ball
model: Bryan Cox
current: Mayo, Fletcher, Hightower