Switch to 3-4 seems to be getting more official

[jah]

A 'hungry' Deatrich Wise appears to be fighting for a roster spot in a new role

They’re changing things up in 2019, and seem to be ready to run a 3-4 defense (and variations of it) rather than the 4-3 defense they ran in years prior. Because of that, the team asked Wise to put on weight, and he seems to have bulked up. That’s because he’s been playing closer to the guards — rather than the tackles — on the line of scrimmage. It’s a new position for him.

So, this tells me 2 things:

1) The switch to a 3-4 is real (although we know nickel is the true base)
2) The team sees Wise as a DE regardless of what kind of alignment we have

 

[Sicilian]

I may have the measurements wrong, but it doesn't feel like we have a lot of guys with NT size on this roster. So I wonder if this is going to be a very different type of 3-4 than we're used to seeing? Either way, I'm sure the "base" will be pretty amorphous week to week.

 

[signbabybrady]

I may have the measurements wrong, but it doesn't feel like we have a lot of guys with NT size on this roster. So I wonder if this is going to be a very different type of 3-4 than we're used to seeing? Either way, I'm sure the "base" will be pretty amorphous week to week.

Pennel is 6'4" 331 is that not enough size?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I may have the measurements wrong, but it doesn't feel like we have a lot of guys with NT size on this roster. So I wonder if this is going to be a very different type of 3-4 than we're used to seeing? Either way, I'm sure the "base" will be pretty amorphous week to week.

For a 3-4 to be successful, though, don’t you need an absolute stud at NT?

 

[jah]

I may have the measurements wrong, but it doesn't feel like we have a lot of guys with NT size on this roster. So I wonder if this is going to be a very different type of 3-4 than we're used to seeing? Either way, I'm sure the "base" will be pretty amorphous week to week.

Pennel is 6'4" 331 is that not enough size?

For a 3-4 to be successful, though, don’t you need an absolute stud at NT?

Maybe this is the way for Shelton to be best utilized.

 

[signbabybrady]

Maybe this is the way for Shelton to be best utilized.

Shelton has the size for it too but Pennel is much better.

 

[Sicilian]

Pennel is 6'4" 331 is that not enough size?

I honestly didn't realize he was that big. For some reason I had him pegged as closer to a Ty Warren sized guy, who would be a DE in a 3-4 but a DT in a 4-3. Thank you for the correction!

 

[Joey007]

So does Michael Bennett keep his hand in the dirt in a 3-4 situation? Would seem a little out of place in an OLB role.

 

[Sicilian]

So does Michael Bennett keep his hand in the dirt in a 3-4 situation? Would seem a little out of place in an OLB role.

I'm guessing he would be a DE in the 3-4, but kick inside on passing downs.

 

[signbabybrady]

I honestly didn't realize he was that big. For some reason I had him pegged as closer to a Ty Warren sized guy, who would be a DE in a 3-4 but a DT in a 4-3. Thank you for the correction!

My nephew got an autograph from him at camp this year and I've never seen anyone with bigger hands. Think Andre the Giant hands.

 

[Kontradiction]

For a 3-4 to be successful, though, don’t you need an absolute stud at NT?

Not an absolute stud, but you do need one that can eat up two blockers on a consistent basis in this system. That’s not Shelton. We would be hoping that it is Pennell. That said, I see us back in the Nickel as a base.

 

[jah]

So does Michael Bennett keep his hand in the dirt in a 3-4 situation? Would seem a little out of place in an OLB role.

That's my guess.

 

[50-yard-line]

Might be just Pennell, Shelton, and Guy as DTs (Pats Picker list), with Cowart, Parry, and Wise fighting for the 4th spot.

But there are 6 listed as DEs who look I'd like to see them keep (five if Rivers doesn't continue to show he's got the chops).

 

[mgteich]

starter and backup, with Guy in various roles

The open question is whether we keep Parry or acquire different backup.

Shelton has the size for it too but Pennel is much better.

 

[mgteich]

Wise does seem to be the odd man out. Rivers can play outside in a 34.

Might be just Pennell, Shelton, and Guy as DTs (Pats Picker list), with Cowart, Parry, and Wise fighting for the 4th spot.

But there are 6 listed as DEs who look I'd like to see them keep (five if Rivers doesn't continue to show he's got the chops).

 

[203Pat]

I'm guessing he would be a DE in the 3-4, but kick inside on passing downs.

I’d assume him and Guy start on the ends with either Shelton or Pennell in the middle.

 

[Brick27]

NT - Pennell, Shelton
DE - Bennett, Guy, Wise, Butler

ILB - Hightower, Bentley, Roberts
OLB - Collins, Van Noy, Winovich, Simon, Rivers/Calhoun

Guess maybe it’d be something along those lines, with a few of the LBs being able to play inside or out.

 

[203Pat]

NT - Pennell, Shelton
DE - Bennett, Guy, Wise, Butler

ILB - Hightower, Bentley, Roberts
OLB - Collins, Van Noy, Winovich, Simon, Rivers

Guess maybe it’d be something along those lines, with a few of the LBs moving inside or out.

Wise would get demolished as a 3-4 DE.

 

[Brick27]

Wise would get demolished as a 3-4 DE.

Agreed. Don’t see a fit for him as a 3-4 OLB either though

 

[PatsFan2]

Not going to lie I hope Bennett transitions is smooth in this he's a real terror in 4-3.