Predict the front 7 starters

You raise a point that has me even more worried.

Our OLBs...

Orakpo
Carter
Jarmon
Wilson

Four converted DEs. That scares me.

Orakpo and Carter both have played OLB before. Orakpo was playing OLB last year. I am betting Orakpo is a better 3-4 OLB than he was a 4-3 OLB. Clearly from everything Haslett has said, Orakpo is going to be rushing the passer more and playing coverage less. Perhaps this staff is trying to play to individuals players strengths rather than simply playing people straight up. Carter's one year as a 3-4 OLB in SF was not horrific. At the time he said he was not a fan of the position, but still played it solid. Here, he has indicated a willingness to playing the position and (I think) has indicated it's not going to be as cut and dried as it was in SF.

Jarmon is a concern but I choose to wear the burgundy and gold glasses on this one. The guy was solid when he played, has a great ethic and got major props from his college coaches, I am betting he will transition well. From everything I am seeing, it seems that the OLB's in this scheme will be driving the line first, covering second which plays to their strenght as DE's.

Again, before we conclude this defense will "stink", let's see'em play.

Wilson played LB last year as well.

One thing about Andre Carter is he has been in the league and playing football much longer than when he first tried to convert to an OLB in the 3-4. He has a much better knowledge of the game then before and should be better at the position this time around.

Tim Ryan was speaking about him in particular last week on Moving the Chains.

He said Andre has not been playing football his whole life and only started as a Senior in high school. So now that Dre has been around the game for 10+ years he is a smarter player he should excell at OLB this time around.

Orakpo and Carter do scare the hell out of me in coverage though. That is where we will expierience some headaches in the switch over to the 3-4.

These guys will get it though but I expect some growing pains in the early part of the season as the group gells defensively.

As far as our back up backers we have alot of DE's converting to LB so there is a wait and see approach for me, but wearing my B&G glasses my gut says we will be fine. :)

Up front-Daniels, Kemo, Fat Bastard
LB-Carter, Rocky, Fletch, Rak

Carriker will provide quality depth and Golston will rotate with Fat Bastard at the DE spot. I expect Rak to have a huge season coming off of the edge, much like Ware and Merriman (on the juice).

A. Carter OLB, R. McIntosh ILB, L. Fletcher ILB, B. Orakpo OLB

A. Carriker DE, Kemo M. NT, A. Haynesworth DE

This is my option 1 iif AH is still on the team. I think he will be. Otherwise I think that steveo has it right.

Holliday Kemo M. A. Haynesworth

Riley Fletcher McIntosh Orakpo

Wilson played LB last year as well.

How could I possibly forget my main man Chis?!?! Greatest UFA signing ever!!! (Okay, "tongue-in-cheek" font is off now).

I actually did forget about CW. It seems to me that Haslett's emphasis on DE's who can play OLB is a way for him to create match-ups and pressure.

I've seen a lot of Washington Post reports of Kedric Gholston being looked at as a starter for us and possibly being a NT, I don't know though if they meant a starter at DE and a back up at NT or vice versa.

Haysneworth has got to come back, or we will have zero true stating D-Linemen. Golston will be the nose because I dont trust Kemoeatu considering he is a 31 year old 350 pound man coming off a season ending injury to the lower half of his body. Besides that, I'd say carriker and daniels will start at DE. Olb is easy with orakpo, fletch, rocky, carter. I'm very unconfident in our D-line without Haynesworth, I don't see other d-lineman on our roster that has shown they can create any type of havoc in the backfield.

I am excited as hell with the potential of this defense being a freaking beast. If Haynesworth comes in and decides to play like he can from DE position and some DT, I think this could be really scary. With Daniels, Cariker, Kemo, Holliday I think we have a rotation and depth along the front 3 that could really cause problems in both running and passing downs. Plus with Orakpo and Carter rushing from the ends it could really be impressive to watch. Plus i really think Chris Wilson is going to be the most improved aspect of this defense. He just seems like an ideal fit for the OLB in the 3-4. Plus with Alexander, Gholston providing some depth I really think we have a hell of front. This Riley kid we drafted could surprise some people and get significant playing time in the middle as well and move Rocky to the outside and carter down with AH on the DE spot for obvious passing downs. I really like what the organization has done as far as getting guys that can play multiple postions and being versitile on what we can do and show so many different looks. Hell, even put daniels and Cariker at nose to provide some pressure up the middle.

I think it could be a pro bowl year for Hall too. I think the corners (except rogers) could get a number of picks having to cover receivers for shorter periods. Another thing is to see which safety plays ala the beast Palamalu in pittsburg. If our D is going to be very similar to theirs then that safety stands to make a ton of plays as well.. Well, be in a position to make a lot of plays.