Predict the front 7 starters

Whats our starting front seven for us in our new 3-4 defense this year?

Who's going to be our starting DLineman? Does Albert play for us? Does Lorenzo end up making the starting lineup? Perry Reily? Carriker? Kemo coming off his torn ACL?

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

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

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

D-Line: A. Carriker DE, M. Kemoeatu NT, P. Daniels DE


Haynesworth gets traded

However they line them up they aren't gonna frighten anybody.

I think our defence will stink this year.

I am sorry, but a line of AH, Kemo, Daniels, with Orakpo and Carter as qb sacking ends ought to scare a LOT of teams, especially Doug Free and company. But if AH continues his baby act, and Kemo can't go, then the line does become more mundane.

I expect our defense will statistically worse, but effectively better.

I am sorry, but a line of AH, Kemo, Daniels, with Orakpo and Carter as qb sacking ends ought to scare a LOT of teams, especially Doug Free and company. But if AH continues his baby act, and Kemo can't go, then the line does become more mundane.

I expect our defense will statistically worse, but effectively better.

I really worry about this scenario. I love Kemo's attitude and I hope he can be a beast NT, but with an injury like that, on a man that size, it makes me worry. With Kemo healthy and AH getting his shit together, my dream starting 7:

Carriker -- Kemo -- Haynesworth

Carter -- McIntosh -- Fletch -- Orakpo

In the above formation, left tackles might as well curl up in the fetal position now.

"I am sorry, but a line of AH, Kemo, Daniels, with Orakpo and Carter as qb sacking ends ought to scare a LOT of teams, especially Doug Free and company. But if AH continues his baby act, and Kemo can't go, then the line does become more mundane.

I expect our defense will statistically worse, but effectively better."


In obvious passing situations I agree with you.

What worries me is that the 4 stars of our front 7 last year were Haynesworth, Orakpo, Carter and Fletcher who I believe are all much better suited to 4-3 than 3-4.

Looking at our front 7 now, it is made up of crocks, greybeards and guys playing out of their natural positions. I don't know how we are going to stop teams running on us.

"I am sorry, but a line of AH, Kemo, Daniels, with Orakpo and Carter as qb sacking ends ought to scare a LOT of teams, especially Doug Free and company. But if AH continues his baby act, and Kemo can't go, then the line does become more mundane.

I expect our defense will statistically worse, but effectively better."


In obvious passing situations I agree with you.

What worries me is that the 4 stars of our front 7 last year were Haynesworth, Orakpo, Carter and Fletcher who I believe are all much better suited to 4-3 than 3-4.

Looking at our front 7 now, it is made up of crocks, greybeards and guys playing out of their natural positions. I don't know how we are going to stop teams running on us.

Kemo, AH, and Daniels would clog the middle effectively. Most teams would have to go to swing passes, screens, and end round runs to beat us. This has to be Haslett's focus, getting outside containment from the LB's. Can we do it? I am fairly confident Orakpo will learn and be a stud at any calling, the other side is the biggest concern, especially when we know our back end has some glaring tackling weaknesses.

Kemo, AH, and Daniels would clog the middle effectively. Most teams would have to go to swing passes, screens, and end round runs to beat us. This has to be Haslett's focus, getting outside containment from the LB's. Can we do it? I am fairly confident Orakpo will learn and be a stud at any calling, the other side is the biggest concern, especially when we know our back end has some glaring tackling weaknesses.

You raise a point that has me even more worried.

Our OLBs...

Orakpo
Carter
Jarmon
Wilson

Four converted DEs. That scares me.

Yeah. I am interested to see how this flex defense works. Are players suited to it? I don't entirely buy the "players playing out of their natural position" argument. While I think it's true guys may have to adjust, I good LB is a good LB. And, again, I think guys are going to moving around in the defense - it's not a straight 3-4 from the 70's. With the DLmen we have, I think we have a lot of flexibility. None of them (outside AH) are game changers but I don't think that is necessary for a good defense these days.

I forget, are Jarmon and Alexander going to play ILB or OLB in the 3-4? I would love to see Zo step up and play next to Fletch.

My front 7:
LDE Daniels
NT Kemo
RDE Carriker

Although always a 4-3 end, Daniels always struck me as more natural as a 3-4 end - more run stopper/containment than pass rusher. If AH is here, he and Kemo make a fine rotation at NT w/ AH sliding over on 2nd and long.

LOLB: Orakpo
LILB: Zo
RILB: Fletcher
ROLB: Rocky (Runnng Downs)/Carter (Passing Downs)

I really like our LB depth. I don't like Rocky inside, I see him getting pushed around in there alot.

Ultimately, I think there is solid NFL talent on the defense. W/out AH there are no stars except Orakpo. While it may not be a shut down defense, neither was last years. Hopefully, even if average, it can close out games better than last year.

I don't think it's going to "stink" b/c there is really good talent there and Haslett, while not a "Defensive Guru/Genius" is a solid coach and, I think, an upgrade over Blache.