Base 3-4

it moved around, but I noticed:

LOLB Davis
LE Hardy
LILB Beason
NT Fua
RILB Anderson
RE McClain
ROLB Johnson

 

I like putting Johnson inside

 

I bet you do.

 

What about Johnson at RE, as opposed to McClain? Neither one are like a Justin Smith, but isn't CJ (while not ideal) a little better suited than the rook?

 

looks like my post never posted. tapatalk has been weird for me.
Johnson's well suited to the 5 technique, but we only have one of him to go around. Fields might make that NT or RE spot if he's on the field, but without any large LBs, and without Norwood showing that much we don't have that many edge guys, either. I also felt like Johnson was good in his drops.

of course, keep in mind that we're not necessarily talking about playing two gap here, much the opposite. That 5 tech is maybe playing a little more react but still looking to exploit a gap. You could argue that McClain shouldn't be in on the 3-4, but to say that would suggest there are also better alternatives in the 4-3. The difference for that position is merely the gap.

 

Seems like rush LB would be Norwood's ideal spot, but he might never be anything more than a great college guy.

 

Kinda what I was thinking, too. Of course, if Beason was healthy it might set up more options. Maybe like...

ROLB - T. Davis / E. Norwood

RILB - J. Beason

LILB - D. Connor

LOLB - J. Anderson

RE - C. Johnson

NT - Fields / Fua

LE - Hardy / McClain

 

That's a decent lineup, but the problem is no depth behind them.

 

Agreed.