All about Da'Ron Payne

I love how there is still all this talk about switching to a 4-3 years after we "switched" to a 3-4. Fact is, they align both ways (and have for years), maybe it's 60/40 - 50/50 - 40/60 ratio of 4-3 vs 3-4 lineups...whatever...they don't sit in a 3-4 all game. The difference now is, they actually have a guy that is versatile to be in both packages.

This is not exactly accurate.
They align in 3-4 and 4-2-5 (nickel) quite a lot, but never in 4-3, we never have 3 linebackers in the backfield (unless you count Harvey-Clemons as a LB, but he's a hybrid nickel player IMO). That makes quite a difference against the run.

Now, you do have point saying Payne can be a nose in a 3-4. But I'd like to see what Ryan Anderson can do as a Sam or Will LB.

As I dig into more and more about Da'Ron Payne I'm realizing something very positive: he had two excellent games against Clemson and Georgia this year, two of the very best teams in college football. Happy to know that he lived up to his billing against the toughest competition.

when I watched those games, I remember thinking I wish we had a D lineman with a motor like that. God I hope he plays like that for us !

One thing on the Alabama guys is they will set the tone in the defensive locker room. And that, I think, is a real good thing. Bring a little Nick Saban attitude to our locker room!

Roll REdskins?

Roll Washington Hokies.

wivhZvGlLLY

This is not exactly accurate.
They align in 3-4 and 4-2-5 (nickel) quite a lot, but never in 4-3, we never have 3 linebackers in the backfield (unless you count Harvey-Clemons as a LB, but he's a hybrid nickel player IMO). That makes quite a difference against the run.

Now, you do have point saying Payne can be a nose in a 3-4. But I'd like to see what Ryan Anderson can do as a Sam or Will LB.

One thing I do know is Anderson is not a OLB in a 3-4. They're wasting their time playing him there.

One thing I do know is Anderson is not a OLB in a 3-4. They're wasting their time playing him there.

How about this? Not every high round pick pops their first year. It's doesn't mean they can't be a good player (look at our RT, Moses looked shitty year 1 and now he is a really good RT).

Let players develop. Right now, we have Preston, Zack, Mason and RK as the starting four. I like Anderson and, while he may never be flashy, I will be happy if he eventually steps in and plays like a solid every down starter.

It's great if rookies come in as plug and play, but that just not how it works for the vast majority of them.