Predict the front 7 starters

[CultBrennan59]

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?

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

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

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

[steveo395]

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

[davy]

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

I think our defence will stink this year.

[CRedskinsRule]

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.

[johno]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

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.

[davy]

"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.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by davy

"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.

[davy]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

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.

[JoeRedskin]

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.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by davy

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.

[MTK]

Wilson played LB last year as well.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

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.

[Paintrain]

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).

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

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.