Richard Smith likes our personnel for 4-3

[geofb]

"Defensive coordinator Richard Smith is overseeing the Texans' switch to the 4-3
defense, which he thinks fits the team's personnel perfectly. "

The above quote comes from the email newsletter from the Texans. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read it. So for 4 years now (up until a month ago) we have been doing our very best to assemble the best possible personnel for a 3-4 defense including switching out linebackers faster than some people change their socks. Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead. Isn't that special.

[TexanBacker93]

Originally Posted by geofb

"Defensive coordinator Richard Smith is overseeing the Texans' switch to the 4-3
defense, which he thinks fits the team's personnel perfectly. "

The above quote comes from the email newsletter from the Texans. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read it. So for 4 years now (up until a month ago) we have been doing our very best to assemble the best possible personnel for a 3-4 defense including switching out linebackers faster than some people change their socks. Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead. Isn't that special.

Outside of needing a MLB, DEs, and a 2nd corner that can cover he's right. Of course, those are the hardest parts to fill with good players.

[tulexan]

I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.

[wags]

Originally Posted by tulexan

I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.

Hopefully. You never know though, especially after the last few years.

[Coach C.]

Now all he is hoping for is something 6'7" 285 will fall into his lap after a trade down so he can have the 43 defense that will scare people. Come on Smith go to bat for Mario Williams.

[El Tejano]

I am not crazy about this player but Morlon Greenwood has had alot of success in the 4-3 defense before.

[keyfro]

he didn't have success last year because he was way out of position...another example of capers inability to access talent and position...as a weak side backer he should show promise...as for the mario williams bit...if we trade down he is the player i would target the most...second would be ferguson...only because there are so many tackles in this draft that could be quality starters...you figure that colledge would also be a great fit to kubiak's scheme...but mario is just a beast

[Big B Texan Fan]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

I am not crazy about this player but Morlon Greenwood has had alot of success in the 4-3 defense before.

He also played on a D with Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, Ogunleye, and those bad *** DB's

[HJam72]

Originally Posted by geofb

Yet after all that work and tinkering to get the perfect 3-4 defense, it turns out (according to Richard Smith) that we somehow managed to end up with personnel perfectly suited for a 4-3 instead.

We had Casserly and Capers. It makes perfect sense to me.

[TexanBacker93]

Originally Posted by tulexan

I say that we give him the benefit of the doubt. Obviously the guy knows a lot more about the personnel and how they relate to the defensive scheme than any of us do.

I wasn't disputing what he was saying. I agree that we have a lot of players that would fit better in a 4-3. We don't have 2 4-3 DEs, we don't have a true MLB, and we still lack a 2nd corner (that's regardless of the defense). I think Smith and Johnson will be much better in the middle of the 4-3 than playing ends in the 3-4. I think Peek could have success as a strongside OLB. Greenwood has played the weakside OLB in Miami and could fit back in there. I just don't know who out of the current linebackers is fit to play MLB.

[cap1]

Originally Posted by Coach C.

Now all he is hoping for is something 6'7" 285 will fall into his lap after a trade down so he can have the 43 defense that will scare people. Come on Smith go to bat for Mario Williams.

I hope we go for Mario William. I feel that Kubiak could work more with the offense to see what we have, than we can on Defense. Also, we could still get a good Olineman in the 2nd.

[TexanBacker93]

I just wonder, if the team can't get a decent offer to trade down, if they would consider taking someone like Williams or Ferguson. I know the cap costs of the 1st pick is much higher, but I just want to know that the FO would be willing to take the best player for their team regardless of who else is available. If that's the guy you want/need, take him. Williams would be a tremendous asset to this defense and will make Peek, Babin, TJ, Smith, Greenwood, Wong, D-Rob, P-Buc, Petey, Earl, and Brown better.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by TexanBacker93

I just don't know who out of the current linebackers is fit to play MLB.

OK you LB experts, explain to me why a guy who is effective as an ILB in the
3-4 isn't also suited to be a MLB in the 4-3 ?
And on the subject of Peek being a candidate for OLB in the 4-3, I'm not sold
on what the new LB coach says about Peek, because I can only see him as a
thrid down/edge rushing specialist at DE in the 4-3.

[Maddict5]

Originally Posted by TexanBacker93

Outside of needing a MLB, DEs, and a 2nd corner that can cover he's right. Of course, those are the hardest parts to fill with good players.

a safety or 2 wouldnt go amiss either- but what hes supposed to say: 'this D is horrible-outside of 2 or 3 players this isnt a nfl quality D at all- they overachieved last year in finishing 32nd in total D. 4-3 or 3-4 it doesnt matter-they will suck either way'

[cap1]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

OK you LB experts, explain to me why a guy who is effective as an ILB in the
3-4 isn't also suited to be a MLB in the 4-3 ?
And on the subject of Peek being a candidate for OLB in the 4-3, I'm not sold
on what the new LB coach says about Peek, because I can only see him as a
thrid down/edge rushing specialist at DE in the 4-3.

I agree, what is the difference between an ILB in a 3-4 and a MLB in the 4-3

[Bubbajwp]

Originally Posted by Maddict5

a safety or 2 wouldnt go amiss either- but what hes supposed to say: 'this D is horrible-outside of 2 or 3 players this isnt a nfl quality D at all- they overachieved last year in finishing 32nd in total D. 4-3 or 3-4 it doesnt matter-they will suck either way'

Well ya.

[F-minus67]

There isn't much of a difference between a 3-4 and 4-3 ILB, except for the fact that a 4-3 allows the ILB to be more active since there is another d lineman to take up blockers. So the ILB can move around easier. Look at Zach Thomas, he is a beast in the 4-3 and is only like 5'10" and 240lbs.

[TexansTrueFan]

i honestly dont care what we switch to as long as they can keep more points off th board than they did last season !!!

[Hervoyel]

Originally Posted by wags

Hopefully. You never know though, especially after the last few years.

Well we could probably talk Fangio into coming back and putting the 3-4 we've all been watching for the last four years back out on the field. Anyone dig that idea?

Didn't think so.

[TexansTrueFan]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

Well we could probably talk Fangio into coming back and putting the 3-4 we've all been watching for the last four years back out on the field. Anyone dig that idea?

Didn't think so.

shoulda never let aaron gleen go he was a key element to our D. look how much lower our ints were from 2004