Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense

DBUCHANON101 · 01-13-2010, 10:42 PM

As we survey the NFL draft landscape following an eventful college football season one of the biggest storylines is the overall depth of the defensive tackle class. The 2009 draft saw six defensive tackles taken in the first two rounds but this year there could be as many as eight, making defensive tackle perhaps the top position in the draft.

Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy are the top-tier players in the class, ranking Nos. 2 and 3 on our overall board, respectively. Suh's powerful upper body, athleticism and versatility to play anywhere on the line in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme give him all the tools to succeed in the NFL, while McCoy's elite explosion and quickness make him a disruptive force on the interior. Both will be high-first round picks.

[+] Enlarge
Fernando Medina/US Presswire

Jared Odrick can bring down quarterbacks in a variety of ways.
The second tier is made up of three tackles who also grade out as first-round talents after film study: Tennessee's Dan Williams, Penn State's Jared Odrick and UCLA's Brian Price.

Williams is a big, two-gap nose tackle prospect who can take up space and reminds us a bit of Baltimore Ravens NT Haloti Ngata with his anchor and athleticism. Price is a one-gap penetrator who uses his hands well to control and shed blockers, while Odrick developed into a very good pass rusher this season and would be a nice fit as a 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme.

With the value the second tier of defensive tackles presents late in the first round don't be surprised to see teams with more pressing needs take a defensive tackle simply because the return on the investment would potentially be much greater than at other positions.

The Ravens, for example, need a big-play wide receiver and help in the secondary, but late in the first round those positions will be thin on impact players and someone like Williams would give them a dominant combination in the middle for years to come.

Teams like Cincinnati, San Diego, Arizona and Minnesota also fit that mold, and we could very well see teams with early-to-mid second-round picks and need at defensive tackle trading back into the late first round to get someone like Odrick or Price.

The third tier is made up of two interesting prospects, both of whom have first-round talent but will likely end up in the second round because of other factors.

Syracuse's Arthur Jones dealt with a nagging hamstring issue this year before suffering a season-ending MCL injury in October, but we have talked to scouts who rave about Jones's junior film, including one NFL scouting director who said Jones's performance in the 2008 win at Notre Dame is one of the most impressive individual efforts he has seen in recent years.

Jones has an elite punch to jolt blockers, is hard to move inside and moves well for a 300 pounder. The injuries will keep Jones out of the first round but he will offer great value early in the second as a one-gap nose tackle in a 4-3 scheme. .

Then there's massive Alabama NT Terrence Cody. At 360-plus pounds Cody has the potential to become an elite run stuffer at the next level and he is surprisingly nimble for his size.

He's no ballerina and his motor runs hot and cold because of his considerable girth, but big bodies like his don't come around often and if used properly Cody will be an effective space-eater in the NFL. He will also offer tremendous value in the second round.

Finally, Louisiana Tech's D'Anthony Smith currently grades out as a fringe second-rounder but could move solidly into the second with good performances in all-star games and workouts. Smith is another big, one-gap penetrator but his strength is rushing the passer. He is still learning to play the run but flashes the ability to be stout in the middle, so look for his name to enter the second-round discussion

CultBrennan59 · 01-13-2010, 11:27 PM

well I just watched NFLN, and Jason LaConfora said that he's talked to some redskin veterans, and they said that "Haynesworth was pissed off /cussing out coaches about his use in a 4-3, and now he's going to be real pissed if he's not going after the QB in a 3-4, as a NT"...this is going to get real screwed up real soon.

Ruhskins · 01-13-2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

well I just watched NFLN, and Jason LaConfora said that he's talked to some redskin veterans, and they said that "Haynesworth was pissed off /cussing out coaches about his use in a 4-3, and now he's going to be real pissed if he's not going after the QB in a 3-4, as a NT"...this is going to get real screwed up real soon.

And you believe JLC? The guy couldn't get the time of day from Redskins Park by the time he left the Post. He's like Florio Part II.

tryfuhl · 01-14-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

And you believe JLC? The guy couldn't get the time of day from Redskins Park by the time he left the Post. He's like Florio Part II.

he didn't get the breaking stories anymore but to compare him to florio would be insulting

53Fan · 01-14-2010, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

he didn't get the breaking stories anymore but to compare him to florio would be insulting

Yep. Florio would be insulted.

CultBrennan59 · 01-13-2010, 11:39 PM

NFL Videos: Around the League

Paintrain · 01-14-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

NFL Videos: Around the League

I saw that earlier and was just shaking my head. Typical JLC, speculation with NO basis of fact. So Haynesworth is going to have problems with coaches we haven't yet hired (DL coach) and a scheme we haven't yet implemented (3-4) at a position we haven't moved him to (NT). Yep, good reporting there..

DBUCHANON101 · 01-13-2010, 11:53 PM

I hate to say it because he is a fan fav but how bout trading Cooley for a 2nd or so and then the Skins can make some moves.
1. McClain imo future Ray Lewis type player
2. Best OT -deep in this draft-
2. Cody -best NT available, DT also deep-
its early, plenty of changes to come

Ruhskins · 01-13-2010, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBUCHANON101

I hate to say it because he is a fan fav but how bout trading Cooley for a 2nd or so and then the Skins can make some moves.
1. McClain imo future Ray Lewis type player
2. Best OT -deep in this draft-
2. Cody -best NT available, DT also deep-
its early, plenty of changes to come

You would trade Cooley for a 2nd rounder?

DBUCHANON101 · 01-14-2010, 12:05 AM

Davis came on strong last yr, Cooley is very good but how many top TE's do you need? desperate times call for very desperate measures.Look at the record,We're there
What do we do with Jarmon now? thats a 3rd rounder gone. i dont see him fitting the 3-4.

Ruhskins · 01-14-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBUCHANON101

Davis came on strong last yr, Cooley is very good but how many top TE's do you need? desperate times call for very desperate measures.Look at the record,We're there
What do we do with Jarmon now? thats a 3rd rounder gone. i dont see him fitting the 3-4.

How many teams are desperate enough to give up a lot for Cooley (after an injury year).

I think having Casey Hampton would be great, unfortunately the Steelers will likely put the franchise tag on him. Although does anyone know how franchise tags work in an uncapped year?

DBUCHANON101 · 01-14-2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

How many teams are desperate enough to give up a lot for Cooley (after an injury year)

Im sure there are teams looking for offensive weapons who will have young QB's who will need a good pass catching TE to help them transition to the NFL. Look what Witten has done for Romo-homo- Gonzo for Ryan and Keller for Sanchez.
just sayin its an option. doubt it happens though.

SmootSmack · 01-14-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

How many teams are desperate enough to give up a lot for Cooley (after an injury year).

I think having Casey Hampton would be great, unfortunately the Steelers will likely put the franchise tag on him. Although does anyone know how franchise tags work in an uncapped year?

According to Hampton, the Steelers have told him they won't franchise him. Tag works the same but now in an uncapped year you can have on franchise tag and two transition tags. As opposed to just one franchise tag or one transition tag

Ruhskins · 01-14-2010, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

According to Hampton, the Steelers have told him they won't franchise him. Tag works the same but now in an uncapped year you can have on franchise tag and two transition tags. As opposed to just one franchise tag or one transition tag

Ah, good to know. Well if he's available I hope the team takes a look at him....or Wilfork, if he becomes available (although I think Wilfork is looking for a payday).

DBUCHANON101 · 01-14-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Ah, good to know. Well if he's available I hope the team takes a look at him....or Wilfork, if he becomes available (although I think Wilfork is looking for a payday).

lol then it looks like he's coming here. they all come to "The Danny" for the $$

View Poll Results: What defense do you want to see the Skins run in 2010?
4-3	38	24.36%
3-4	12	7.69%
4-3/3-4 hybrid	102	65.38%
other	4	2.56%
Voters: 156. You may not vote on this poll

01-13-2010, 10:42 PM	#1
DBUCHANON101 The Starter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,373	Re: Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense As we survey the NFL draft landscape following an eventful college football season one of the biggest storylines is the overall depth of the defensive tackle class. The 2009 draft saw six defensive tackles taken in the first two rounds but this year there could be as many as eight, making defensive tackle perhaps the top position in the draft. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy are the top-tier players in the class, ranking Nos. 2 and 3 on our overall board, respectively. Suh's powerful upper body, athleticism and versatility to play anywhere on the line in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme give him all the tools to succeed in the NFL, while McCoy's elite explosion and quickness make him a disruptive force on the interior. Both will be high-first round picks. [+] Enlarge Fernando Medina/US Presswire Jared Odrick can bring down quarterbacks in a variety of ways. The second tier is made up of three tackles who also grade out as first-round talents after film study: Tennessee's Dan Williams, Penn State's Jared Odrick and UCLA's Brian Price. Williams is a big, two-gap nose tackle prospect who can take up space and reminds us a bit of Baltimore Ravens NT Haloti Ngata with his anchor and athleticism. Price is a one-gap penetrator who uses his hands well to control and shed blockers, while Odrick developed into a very good pass rusher this season and would be a nice fit as a 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme. With the value the second tier of defensive tackles presents late in the first round don't be surprised to see teams with more pressing needs take a defensive tackle simply because the return on the investment would potentially be much greater than at other positions. The Ravens, for example, need a big-play wide receiver and help in the secondary, but late in the first round those positions will be thin on impact players and someone like Williams would give them a dominant combination in the middle for years to come. Teams like Cincinnati, San Diego, Arizona and Minnesota also fit that mold, and we could very well see teams with early-to-mid second-round picks and need at defensive tackle trading back into the late first round to get someone like Odrick or Price. The third tier is made up of two interesting prospects, both of whom have first-round talent but will likely end up in the second round because of other factors. Syracuse's Arthur Jones dealt with a nagging hamstring issue this year before suffering a season-ending MCL injury in October, but we have talked to scouts who rave about Jones's junior film, including one NFL scouting director who said Jones's performance in the 2008 win at Notre Dame is one of the most impressive individual efforts he has seen in recent years. Jones has an elite punch to jolt blockers, is hard to move inside and moves well for a 300 pounder. The injuries will keep Jones out of the first round but he will offer great value early in the second as a one-gap nose tackle in a 4-3 scheme. . Then there's massive Alabama NT Terrence Cody. At 360-plus pounds Cody has the potential to become an elite run stuffer at the next level and he is surprisingly nimble for his size. He's no ballerina and his motor runs hot and cold because of his considerable girth, but big bodies like his don't come around often and if used properly Cody will be an effective space-eater in the NFL. He will also offer tremendous value in the second round. Finally, Louisiana Tech's D'Anthony Smith currently grades out as a fringe second-rounder but could move solidly into the second with good performances in all-star games and workouts. Smith is another big, one-gap penetrator but his strength is rushing the passer. He is still learning to play the run but flashes the ability to be stout in the middle, so look for his name to enter the second-round discussion __________________ But there's booze in the blender. And soon it will render. That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

01-13-2010, 11:27 PM	#2
CultBrennan59 Pro Bowl Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6,526	Re: Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense well I just watched NFLN, and Jason LaConfora said that he's talked to some redskin veterans, and they said that "Haynesworth was pissed off /cussing out coaches about his use in a 4-3, and now he's going to be real pissed if he's not going after the QB in a 3-4, as a NT"...this is going to get real screwed up real soon.

01-13-2010, 11:39 PM	#6
CultBrennan59 Pro Bowl Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6,526	Re: Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense NFL Videos: Around the League

01-13-2010, 11:53 PM	#8
DBUCHANON101 The Starter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,373	Re: Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense I hate to say it because he is a fan fav but how bout trading Cooley for a 2nd or so and then the Skins can make some moves. 1. McClain imo future Ray Lewis type player 2. Best OT -deep in this draft- 2. Cody -best NT available, DT also deep- its early, plenty of changes to come __________________ But there's booze in the blender. And soon it will render. That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

01-14-2010, 12:05 AM	#10
DBUCHANON101 The Starter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,373	Re: Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense Davis came on strong last yr, Cooley is very good but how many top TE's do you need? desperate times call for very desperate measures.Look at the record,We're there What do we do with Jarmon now? thats a 3rd rounder gone. i dont see him fitting the 3-4. __________________ But there's booze in the blender. And soon it will render. That frozen concoction that helps me hang on.

Shanahan wants a 3-4 Defense

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