Talent Depletion Could Almost Force A Switch To The 3-4

[Aftermath]

Lofton and Spoon fit perfectly as 3-4 ILB.

Make Sidbury and Biermann OLB, grab Cordarro Law late for the depth.

Trade Edwards for a 4th or 5th or a backup NT.

Peters and Babs as the DEs

Lofton is too slow and has trouble getting off blocks.

[Guest King Shot]

Can you guys stop saying Abe is gone? The tweet didn't say he is done with the Falcons, he said he appreciates the team and fans IF this is his last game.

Reading is very fundamental. Don't take what other people say. Find out the truth for yourself.

I don't know what you're talking about in regards to any tweet. I said Abe is gone because that is what I believe. I just don't see the Falcons resigning him.

[Guest King Shot]

Weatherspoon is not as good as you make it seem at rushing the passer. Never been a blitzing type LB. We also do not have the size on the D-Line to run this defense. We would get ran all over with Babs or Peters playing nose gaurd.

Well you obviously didn't read what I posted. Babs and Peters would play the DE's in the 3-4. It would be up to das wunderkind to find a space-eating NT, whether it be through the draft or through FA.

Babs and Peters are PERFECT for DE in a 34.

[meyerbudNYG]

Abraham is gone, which means so is 98% of our passrush over the last 3 years. Grimes and Lofton are a toss-up, but I'm betting on, at the very least, Lofton being back.

Where is the pressure going to come from? We know it won't be Ray Hartwell, er Edwards, because he's an assbag who only got paid because he played next to 3 all-pro defensive linemen and because of the fact that there was no way we could afford Charles Johnson, so we were forced to take the sloppy seconds. We're not going to be able to draft a replacement for Abraham because our idiot General Manager decided to spend 5 whole draft picks for one wide receiver and at this point our first pick in this year's draft almost HAS to be an offensive lineman.

This team will be forced to find a way to manufacture QB pressure, and the best way to do that is with a 34 defense. The 34 allows you to cheat a little bit by disguising blitzes and at times creating the illusion that more pressure is being brought than there actually is.

Before anyone freaks out about "ZOMG WE DON'T HAVE DA GUYS 2 DO DAT!!!" yes we do. Peters and Babs are the perfect size and play the run well enough and have the penetrating ability to be great DE's in the 34. I could see Weatherspoon being a 12-15 sack guy coming off the edge, and Biermann might be more productive standing up than he is with his hands in the dirt.

Not to sound like a chicken little or anything, but this fanbase should be terrified right now by the age, free agent, and ******** GM situation of this team that we have right now. Things could go real south, real quick.

you guys have no components for a 3-4

[Guest King Shot]

6'3 295 (Peters) and 6'2 296 (Babs) is perfectly fine for DE in a 34, I don't know where you guys are getting the impression that you need to be 6-8 or something like that. DE in a 34 is all about penetration and gap control, and Peters and Babs are both really good in that respect.

I don't understand why some of you just assume that the NT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO come from someone already on this roster.

[meyerbudNYG]

Lofton and Spoon fit perfectly as 3-4 ILB.

Make Sidbury and Biermann OLB, grab Cordarro Law late for the depth.

Trade Edwards for a 4th or 5th or a backup NT.

Peters and Babs as the DEs

in all honesty, that would be one of the worst defenses in the league.

NT is the most important position in the 3-4 along with OLBs and ur just FILLING in those spots.

[meyerbudNYG]

6'3 295 (Peters) and 6'2 296 (Babs) is perfectly fine for DE in a 34, I don't know where you guys are getting the impression that you need to be 6-8 or something like that. DE in a 34 is all about penetration and gap control, and Peters and Babs are both really good in that respect.

I don't understand why some of you just assume that the NT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO come from someone already on this roster.

yea you'll be fine at DE - but thats one of the easiest filled spots..

u can't start a 3-4 with no legit OLBs or NT

[Guest King Shot]

you guys have no components for a 3-4

Neither did the Packers when they switched, and neither did the Texans when they switched.

It worked because of coaching. We would have to get the absolute right guy in here to coach our guys up, but I think we definitely have the guys to make it work, outside of one more linebacker and one NT.

[Andre5000]

I watched Abe and much of the Giants game he quit. He may have Julius Peppers syndrome now. He can go away. Doesnt Mike Nolan coach the 3-4?

[Knight of God]

Abraham is gone, which means so is 98% of our passrush over the last 3 years. Grimes and Lofton are a toss-up, but I'm betting on, at the very least, Lofton being back.

Where is the pressure going to come from? We know it won't be Ray Hartwell, er Edwards, because he's an assbag who only got paid because he played next to 3 all-pro defensive linemen and because of the fact that there was no way we could afford Charles Johnson, so we were forced to take the sloppy seconds. We're not going to be able to draft a replacement for Abraham because our idiot General Manager decided to spend 5 whole draft picks for one wide receiver and at this point our first pick in this year's draft almost HAS to be an offensive lineman.

This team will be forced to find a way to manufacture QB pressure, and the best way to do that is with a 34 defense. The 34 allows you to cheat a little bit by disguising blitzes and at times creating the illusion that more pressure is being brought than there actually is.

Before anyone freaks out about "ZOMG WE DON'T HAVE DA GUYS 2 DO DAT!!!" yes we do. Peters and Babs are the perfect size and play the run well enough and have the penetrating ability to be great DE's in the 34. I could see Weatherspoon being a 12-15 sack guy coming off the edge, and Biermann might be more productive standing up than he is with his hands in the dirt.

Not to sound like a chicken little or anything, but this fanbase should be terrified right now by the age, free agent, and ******** GM situation of this team that we have right now. Things could go real south, real quick.

[meyerbudNYG]

Neither did the Packers when they switched, and neither did the Texans when they switched.

It worked because of coaching. We would have to get the absolute right guy in here to coach our guys up, but I think we definitely have the guys to make it work, outside of one more linebacker and one NT.

well that was actually a misconception

And make no mistake about it the Packers had an AMAZING draft which really helped them along by getting Raji and Matthews... for one year.

The past three years the packers have only had ONE good year of defense. Jury is still out

[meyerbudNYG]

well that was actually a misconception

And make no mistake about it the Packers had an AMAZING draft which really helped them along by getting Raji and Matthews... for one year.

The past three years the packers have only had ONE good year of defense. Jury is still out

and the texans had pieces they could work with - u guys don't.

[Robb4242]

I just took the time to read the actual post and Im even more stunned with how stupid it is

NT- No one

RE-You could try to put Edwards here but he doesn't have enough weight for the position, he's too small for here and too big and slow for OLB

LE-No one

ROLB-Abe who left NY specifically to avoid playing here

RILB Weatherspoon

LILB Lofton

LOLB-No one

You state that Peters and Babs are perfect for the 3-4 despite the fact that they are both too short to ever play end and too small to play NT in the scheme. They have no place in it whatsoever

You state you believe Weatherspoon can be a "12-15" sack guy despite the fact that he is a 4-3 LB, not a DE. He doesnt' rush the passer. He reads keys and plays the run or the pass. The fact that he is fast doesn't mean he has the physical skills and experience hand fighting OTs and dipping around the edge

This reads like someone who thinks this is Madden

I think everybody, NFL "experts" & fans get caught up a little too much in the ideal size for a player. It is important, don't get me wrong, but it shouldn't be a set in stone requirement.

So while Jerry and Babs don't have ideal 3-4 DE height, it doesn't mean they can't do the job. They are stout at the point of attack and can play the run game. Peters is maybe an inch shorter than ideal (he's 6'3) and Babs is an inch shorter. It's not like you're trying to put a 5'9" guy out there.

Sidbury & Biermann could both play OLB in the 3-4 scheme. Weatherspoon could probably play either ILB or OLB in that system. He's fast enough to get to the QB and knows what to do when he gets there. Who was #2 in sacks for the Falcons this year? Oh yeah, Sean Weatherspoon (tied w/ Sidbury). Spoon won't be the 12 - 15 sack guy like the OP stated, but he could still work out there.

Like I said earlier, there are some valid points in the OP's post, but we would be stretched way too thin, no more than 1 deep at most of the front 7 positions without much chance of getting quality depth in this offseason.

[Knight of God]

A straight transformation to the 3-4 could take another 2yrs or so to see the best results. If we do that then we are back to "rebuilding".

Too little too late.

[Knight of God]

I think everybody, NFL "experts" & fans get caught up a little too much in the ideal size for a player. It is important, don't get me wrong, but it shouldn't be a set in stone requirement.

So while Jerry and Babs don't have ideal 3-4 DE height, it doesn't mean they can't do the job. They are stout at the point of attack and can play the run game. Peters is maybe an inch shorter than ideal (he's 6'3) and Babs is an inch shorter. It's not like you're trying to put a 5'9" guy out there.

Sidbury & Biermann could both play OLB in the 3-4 scheme. Weatherspoon could probably play either ILB or OLB in that system. He's fast enough to get to the QB and knows what to do when he gets there. Who was #2 in sacks for the Falcons this year? Oh yeah, Sean Weatherspoon (tied w/ Sidbury). Spoon won't be the 12 - 15 sack guy like the OP stated, but he could still work out there.

Like I said earlier, there are some valid points in the OP's post, but we would be stretched way too thin, no more than 1 deep at most of the front 7 positions without much chance of getting quality depth in this offseason.

That's on point.

[norbendon]

Weatherspoon is not as good as you make it seem at rushing the passer. Never been a blitzing type LB. We also do not have the size on the D-Line to run this defense. We would get ran all over with Babs or Peters playing nose gaurd.

Anybody remember the 2004 season when we tried to run this defense & got pounded by KC?

We ran a 4-3 in 2004. It was our first year back in the 4-3 after letting Wade Phillips go at the end of the 2003 season and bringing in Jim Mora and Zonatell.

[Statick]

If we ever did switch to a 3-4 defense, the only players on our current roster it would benefit would be Biermann (who should be playing at OLB anyway) and Lofton (who needs help in pass coverage)

[meyerbudNYG]

A straight transformation to the 3-4 could take another 2yrs or so to see the best results. If we do that then we are back to "rebuilding".

Too little too late.

yea I mean i don't get it. A 3-4 and 4-3 switch doesn't effect the secondary. They are who they are so u have to only focus on the front 7 about these changes

You guys have linebackers that may be the best 4-3 lb unit in the league, if they switch to 3-4 none of them will be as good.

Your DLine has some decent talent, but thats def something you need to focus on for this year. Another reason why I hate that Julio Jones trade for you guys.

It wasn't like you were THERE and jus tneed another piece, u guys had your holes. Still baffles me

[atlGM]

I actually think that we would get the same production out of a 3-4 as we do now in our 4-3.

I am more of a 4-3 guy but it dosent seem as if we will ne able to get the pass rush thats needed for it to be succesfull. I agree part of the problem was coaching but how much better can that get when we have the same coach.

a 3-4 qould atleast give us a more disguised pass rush.

Imo one of the problems with our three four is lofton in the middle. He is a tad to slow to be a top teir 4-3 mlb. For that reason we constantly get be across the middle which is one of the reasons we rum so much zone. He still is a talkling machine and think having to cover less space would help him tremendously.

As for the Olb I think we would definetly have to go to free agencyor the draft for at least one backer. beirman or sid should be able to hold down the other side. I think weatherspoon is a luzury in the case that with his strentgh and quickness he maybe able to transition to the oustide . If not he definetly would work in inside next too lofton. Another thing to consider is if he does transition well we have dent and adkins that could play the inside backer.

On the line I think rays strentgh would make an easy move to play him at the DE position. We would need a NT but if peters could put on a few more pounds he would be a decent fit.

BABS Looks to be best used in a 4-3 so if we made the move im sure the trade calls would haooem almost immedialty.

We may or may not need an upgrade at safety moore and sanders shoyld be a good combination n

[meyerbudNYG]

We ran a 4-3 in 2004. It was our first year back in the 4-3 after letting Wade Phillips go at the end of the 2003 season and bringing in Jim Mora and Zonatell.

yea but 8 years in the NFL is 2 lifetimes of change

[Guest King Shot]

I think everybody, NFL "experts" & fans get caught up a little too much in the ideal size for a player. It is important, don't get me wrong, but it shouldn't be a set in stone requirement.

So while Jerry and Babs don't have ideal 3-4 DE height, it doesn't mean they can't do the job. They are stout at the point of attack and can play the run game. Peters is maybe an inch shorter than ideal (he's 6'3) and Babs is an inch shorter. It's not like you're trying to put a 5'9" guy out there.

Sidbury & Biermann could both play OLB in the 3-4 scheme. Weatherspoon could probably play either ILB or OLB in that system. He's fast enough to get to the QB and knows what to do when he gets there. Who was #2 in sacks for the Falcons this year? Oh yeah, Sean Weatherspoon (tied w/ Sidbury). Spoon won't be the 12 - 15 sack guy like the OP stated, but he could still work out there.

Like I said earlier, there are some valid points in the OP's post, but we would be stretched way too thin, no more than 1 deep at most of the front 7 positions without much chance of getting quality depth in this offseason.

Perfectly stated. Jay Ratliff was an anchor at Nose Guard for Wade Phillips' 34 scheme, and he was 296 lbs. Shaun Cody is his current anchor, and he's 301 lbs. You don't need fatass Gravy Jackson in the middle of your line all the time to make a 34 work.

[Guest King Shot]

Look, the 34 defense is the best way to stop a spread offense, which is exactly what guys like Green Bay and New Orleans are running. Drew Brees is going to be in this division for another 5 years, and Rodgers is going to be in this conference even longer, and we need to get to them as much as possible. That is NOT going to happen with our current defensive line, especially if Abraham isn't back here.

[Knight of God]

Look, the 34 defense is the best way to stop a spread offense, which is exactly what guys like Green Bay and New Orleans are running. Drew Brees is going to be in this division for another 5 years, and Rodgers is going to be in this conference even longer, and we need to get to them as much as possible. That is NOT going to happen with our current defensive line, especially if Abraham isn't back here.

New Orleans runs a Multi, not an actual 3-4

yea I mean i don't get it. A 3-4 and 4-3 switch doesn't effect the secondary. They are who they are so u have to only focus on the front 7 about these changes

You guys have linebackers that may be the best 4-3 lb unit in the league, if they switch to 3-4 none of them will be as good.

Your DLine has some decent talent, but thats def something you need to focus on for this year. Another reason why I hate that Julio Jones trade for you guys.

It wasn't like you were THERE and jus tneed another piece, u guys had your holes. Still baffles me

Well said.

[Zodiac]

Lofton is too slow and has trouble getting off blocks.

Lofton is not slow and he sheds blocks fine

[Robb4242]

Look, the 34 defense is the best way to stop a spread offense, which is exactly what guys like Green Bay and New Orleans are running. Drew Brees is going to be in this division for another 5 years, and Rodgers is going to be in this conference even longer, and we need to get to them as much as possible. That is NOT going to happen with our current defensive line, especially if Abraham isn't back here.

problem is, GB & NO aren't stopping anybody, just outscoring them.