We all know we are most likely going to be getting a new Head Coach. How much of a churning of our defense would it take if the new coach decides he wants to run a 4-3?
We could switch to 4-3. For starters, Wake goes to DE. Misi could either play OLB or inside. But in the offseason if we can add a bigger thumper at MLB, and add another hard rushing DE it would fill in some missing pieces. But switching to 4-3 seems a strong possibility. Then lets add a ball hawking Safety that impacts and controls the flow as well. And updgrade our nickle DB. We really are struggling getting any pressure to upset the timing of the opposing offenses. The pressure is hurting our CB/S play, and our CB/S play is hurting our LB/DL play. Its a vicious cycle that needs to be solved.
I think Odrick, Starks, and Wake could transition to a 4-3 very well. Hell I feel Wake and Odrick would be better in a 4-3. Dansby, Burnett, and Misi should do fine as 4-3 OLB's, especially Dansby, who I feel would be even better. All we'd really need in the front 7 is MLB/DE which we could fine in FA/draft. Perhaps look in to trading one of Langford/Soliai and one of Burnett/Misi to try and fill one of those positions.
I'm not sure about Langford, but Soliai is going to be a Free agent next year unless we sign him to a long term deal.
I always believed that being able to disguise that 4th pass rusher was something that can really help help confuse a QB and help a D. In a 4-3 the 4 rushers are fairly easy to recognize but in a 3-4 not so much. SO while some churning of the roster would be necessary, I hope we stay with a 3-4 anyway.
I like the 3-4better for that reason also, but there are line stunts and whatnot you can do to disguise the rush, or just cause general confusion on the blocking assignments.
Well, it obviously depends on who the coach is, and who is on his staff. If it's Gruden, he's probably bringing in Jim Leavitt, which probably means a switch to the 4-3. Personally, I prefer the 3-4. However, based on this season, it appears there's a slew of guys who are miscast in their present roles. Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, and Jared Odrick, immediately come to mind. Paul Soliai and Kendall Langford can both probably command top dollar in free agency this year as well, so if you lose one or both of them, that takes away a lot from the base 3-4 package. I think this defense really needs another pass-rusher opposite Cameron Wake. Courtney Upshaw would be my choice. The D could also stand to use someone like Vontaze Burfict playing where Karlos Dansby currently is, which would allow Dansby to play where he was in 2010. Even still, you could try and lessen Dansby's salary, as his play hasn't justified the top dollar he's getting either. Would love to see the FS position addressed. Reggie Nelson, who's having a renaissance year here in Cincinnati, and Dashon Goldson would both be available in Free Agency. As would Michael Griffin, though his play has dipped as of late. Markelle Martin from Oklahoma State or Mark Barron from Alabama seem like they'd both be nice options in the Draft.
I've always preferred the 4-3 in Miami, but I also think you need a "Tiger" to make it work properly, to capture the best of the 3-4 and 4-3.
No. Not happy with Koa Misi's progression, but we kind of knew that came with the territory in Nolan's D; Misi is an edge-setter who can do a few things coverage wise - not really a pass-rusher. That, and the fact that Jason Taylor has a roster spot. Between Taylor, Trusnik, and Ikaika Alama-Francis, none of them are really pass-rushers any more. I think if you can add someone like Upshaw and move Misi to that 3rd OLB role, then it'd be better. Upshaw's good enough to hold the point of attack AND get after the pass-rusher. He reminds me of the Steelers LaMarr Woodley a little bit. But even then, I think they could use another pass-rusher and someone on the DL who can actually put pressure on the QB consistently other than Randy Starks.
Would be nice wouldn't it, we definately do not get enough push up the middle to disrupt the pocket. I would love to see it collapsed from the inside out for a change.
We need a rotation of legit pass rushers to go back to the 4-3, and for the record I am disappointed in Wake. Safe to say he is a one trick pony. Needs more moves. And I have to disagree with others who feel we have 4-3 personnel. We simply do not.
Its a lot more complicated than 3-4 vs. 4-3. Its the position you put players in and the responsibilities you give them. There are different styles and personnel preferences within both defenses. I'd prefer the Dolphins to run a more pressure-oriented, 1-gap base defense that doesn't have to substitute a bunch of people between the base 3-4/4-3 and the Nickel packages. I think its a big advantage to only have to swap a single LB for a single CB rather than switch out 3+ guys. I like the idea of what the Giants do with Mathias Kiwanuka or the Broncos do with Von Miller... their base package has three edge rushers. They've got a big pass rushing LB on the line in odd fronts that is better than most at that role in the run game and can overload in the pass game. I think that's a good role for Misi.
