I think the Texans would do really well in a 3-3-5 alignment, using Cushing as the 4th rusher. Linebacker is clearly the strength of this defense, so finding ways to keep your best players on the field is only going to make you better.
You can't tell me that:
DE: Williams
DT: Okoye
DE Smith
WLB: Diles
MLB: Ryans
SLB: Cushing
..is worse than...
DE: Williams
DT: Okoye
DT: Smith:
DE: Nading?
MLB: Ryans
SLB: Cushing
Well... you could tell me that, but I would look at you cross-eyed.
I don't get what you're saying here...
Are you saying we should use a 3-3-5 in passing situations or are you saying that we should make it more of a fixture on defense...Either way, I think I disagree with you...
Here's why:
Cushing will be on the field regardless...I think that for the most part I'd rather have Cushing back in covg than Diles...
If you are constantly using Cushing as a pass rusher then you lose what he brings on the back end of the defense...Which is pretty good pass coverage, and the ability to close on ball carriers and make a tackle if a catch is made...
I think that if anything, we can mix in some true 3-4 sometimes and bring in Bentley, or Sharpton to get them involved....
I am not against using the 3-3-5 alignment you listed as a wrinkle, but I don't think that it would be good to use as any kind of base defense...
Hell I think we could mix in all kind of wrinkles if the defense shows they are mature enough to handle it...