Interesting article

[Ndevine7]

I don't know if it has been posted but i came across this on ESPN.com


With J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed joining Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, the Houston Texans suddenly find themselves with an abundance of defensive end/linebacker types, but still have no true nose tackle. Although new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is best known for running a 3-4 defense, will the Texans' personnel lend itself to more of a 4-3 style?

Phillips himself says he'd be comfortable with such a move. He tells Albert Breer of the NFL Network that he used the 3-4 when he was with the Buffalo Bills, until the team suffered a rash of linebacker injuries. "And so we played a 4-3 against Miami, and beat them, and then we went back to the 3-4 when we got healthy," Phillips said. "It's the players you have and how you play. It's not 3-4 or 4-3."

Breer says the key question for the defense is this: How best to use Mario Williams?

"My guess is that the first priority for Phillips is figuring how to deploy Williams down-to-down and building around that plan, much like he did with DeMarcus Ware in Dallas," Breer writes. "Could that lead to playing some 4-3 alignments? Perhaps."

[DocBar]

I agree that the NT will be a much discussed position. Got a link?

[Ndevine7]

Originally Posted by DocBar

I agree that the NT will be a much discussed position. Got a link?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors
my bad

[Ole Miss Texan]

I find the following interesting:

1. We're not sure we have a true NT to play the 3-4.
2. We're not sure we have two true DTs to play the 4-3.

LOL

[Ndevine7]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I find the following interesting:

1. We're not sure we have a true NT to play the 3-4.
2. We're not sure we have two true DTs to play the 4-3.

LOL

If Okoye stays he is an option for 4-3 DT as Watt can move in there as well. Smith can move there on passing downs, while we still have mitchell and cody so i believe we do have options for a 4-3 but i dont know if we have the LB to play a 4-3 because i dont see Barwin/Reed being a 4-3 OLB

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I find the following interesting:

1. We're not sure we have a true NT to play the 3-4.
2. We're not sure we have two true DTs to play the 4-3.

LOL

I would say that #2 was immaterial, but since Phillip's 3-4 looks a lot like a 4-3 in certain situations, that's a valid point. It's particulary irksome when you consider the ^&(&^%$##&^*() draft picks spent on DL the last 5 &&%^$#%&* years.

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by Ndevine7

If Okoye stays he is an option for 4-3 DT as Watt can move in there as well. Smith can move there on passing downs, while we still have mitchell and cody so i believe we do have options for a 4-3 but i dont know if we have the LB to play a 4-3 because i dont see Barwin/Reed being a 4-3 OLB

Okoye better play his ass off if he wants to prove he's an option. So far he hasn't and we were running a 4-3.
The NT position is going to boil down to how much the coaches can sell the scheme. If the can convince Smith and Mitchell that their athleticism can produce, it might work. If not, there's a lot of history/truth to the adage that you need a big, fat guy to plug up the middle.

[Mr. White]

Originally Posted by DocBar

I would say that #2 was immaterial, but since Phillip's 3-4 looks a lot like a 4-3 in certain situations, that's a valid point. It's particulary irksome when you consider the ^&(&^%$##&^*() draft picks spent on DL the last 5 &&%^$#%&* years.

I remember seeing something to this extent this offseason. I wouldn't be able to tell you where I saw it though.

Sounds like this defense may end up giving more 4-3 looks this season than a 3-4.

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by Mr. White

I remember seeing something to this extent this offseason. I wouldn't be able to tell you where I saw it though.

Sounds like this defense may end up giving more 4-3 looks this season than a 3-4.

Phillips uses a lot of fronts in his scheme. Everything is designed to keep the O reacting to you instead of dictating to you.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

I find the following interesting:

1. We're not sure we have a true NT to play the 3-4.
2. We're not sure we have two true DTs to play the 4-3.

LOL

It's the new Donut defense. It's got a big hole in the middle and it donut stop anything.

[El Tejano]

Phillips uses the defense that works best for the defensive players he's got.