OldDirtMcGirt
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To put it lightly, our defense sucked last year. As a unit, we were way too predictable with our pass rush and coverage teams, and as a result got burned by some relatively bad teams (Vernan friggin' Morency chalked up over 100 yards against us; VERNAND MORENCY?!). What this defense really needs to inject some creativity and life into it is a change of pace, and that change of pace comes from the move to a 3-4 scheme.
Clancy Pendergast has always been billed as one of the most creative and blitz happy minds in football, and what better way to flex that ingeniouty than with the 3-4? Of course transitions such as this always come with a bit of adversity, but as of right now we have alot of key pieces that we can mold to fit the scheme. Change can be a good thing, especially when it's on a team that hasn't had a nine win season in almost a decade.
Defensive end's Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor are both over thirty years old and don't have that much left in the tank. Darnell Dockett was build to be a 3-4 defensive end, and I think could make the transition relatively easily. That's one spot locked down. As for the other one, I think that Bert has some of the size capable to play the position, and would probably end up starting there. However, Bert isn't exactly a spring chicken, and his back-up/future replacement lies in our first round selection of Alan Branch out of Michigan. Branch might have a big body, but his freakish athleticism leads me to believe that he'd be great as a 3-4 DE. Branch has already had experience as a 3-4 DE in his time at Michigan, and would just dare teams to run on us.
Defensive tackle might be a little harder to fit. Gabe Watson surely is a great physical fit for the position, but he needs help with his drive and keeping away from the buffet. Enter second round pick DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler. Tank plays with a definite mean streak, and could provide a fierce rotation with Watson. Both bring a very physical and stout presence to the middle of the line. We could also see Kendrick Clancy come in on obvious passing downs to pressure the QB.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby doesn't need a single change in his position. I think that he's the perfect fit for a 3-4 OLB, and there is where he will finally realize his pass rushing potential (think Shawne Merriman without the Roids and stupid looking dance). As for the other OLB spot, look no further than Arizona's own Chike Okeafor. Chike is undersized for a DE, and would make an excellent fit alongside Dansby to make for an absolutely vicious pass rush, something that has been sorely lacking for a long time.
On the inside, Gerald Hayes played great last season at ILB, and will retain the position in the 3-4. He's a thumper who can get in and shed blocks to help clog up the running game. Our other ILB comes from free agency, with the addition of veteran Donnie Edwards. Edwards has maintained this position for years, and will be the veteran presence that the young LBs require in the switch of schemes. The linebacking corps is rounded out by rushbackers Calvin Pace and Daryl Blackstock, and ILBs Monty Beisel, James Darling, and fifth round pick Desmond Bishop.
Moving to defensive backs, Adrian Wilson is the Cardinal's defensive leader and one of the best in the business. Aaron Francisco has been rumored to be taking over the FS spot, but I don't buy it. Francisco has not looked at all impressive in coverage and is better suited as a nickel back and backup to both safety positions. Robert Griffith is a great hitter who couldn't cover my grandma. Say hello to your new starting free safety Kenny "The Hammer" Hamlin. Him and good buddy Teryl Austin reunite in the desert.
While the safety position is easily fixed by the addition of Ken Hamlin, the Cardinal's cornerback position is another story. Though our corners have been much maligned, alot of this stems from the tepid pass rush up front. I'm confident that former number eight overall pick can develop into a decent number one option under the guidance of Teryl Austin. On the other hand, David Macklin is a career number three receiver, and nobody knows what's going on with Eric Green. Hopefully the addition of free agent Fred "Loveboat" Smoot can help the Cardinal's secondary up to snuff.
Note, this change isn't going to be immediate, and will probably take a year of getting used to. However, down the road, I feel that this is the best fit for a team like the Cardinals. This lineup will give us alot of hope and will helpt to solidify the Cardinals defense for years to come.
Clancy Pendergast has always been billed as one of the most creative and blitz happy minds in football, and what better way to flex that ingeniouty than with the 3-4? Of course transitions such as this always come with a bit of adversity, but as of right now we have alot of key pieces that we can mold to fit the scheme. Change can be a good thing, especially when it's on a team that hasn't had a nine win season in almost a decade.
Defensive end's Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor are both over thirty years old and don't have that much left in the tank. Darnell Dockett was build to be a 3-4 defensive end, and I think could make the transition relatively easily. That's one spot locked down. As for the other one, I think that Bert has some of the size capable to play the position, and would probably end up starting there. However, Bert isn't exactly a spring chicken, and his back-up/future replacement lies in our first round selection of Alan Branch out of Michigan. Branch might have a big body, but his freakish athleticism leads me to believe that he'd be great as a 3-4 DE. Branch has already had experience as a 3-4 DE in his time at Michigan, and would just dare teams to run on us.
Defensive tackle might be a little harder to fit. Gabe Watson surely is a great physical fit for the position, but he needs help with his drive and keeping away from the buffet. Enter second round pick DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler. Tank plays with a definite mean streak, and could provide a fierce rotation with Watson. Both bring a very physical and stout presence to the middle of the line. We could also see Kendrick Clancy come in on obvious passing downs to pressure the QB.
Linebacker Karlos Dansby doesn't need a single change in his position. I think that he's the perfect fit for a 3-4 OLB, and there is where he will finally realize his pass rushing potential (think Shawne Merriman without the Roids and stupid looking dance). As for the other OLB spot, look no further than Arizona's own Chike Okeafor. Chike is undersized for a DE, and would make an excellent fit alongside Dansby to make for an absolutely vicious pass rush, something that has been sorely lacking for a long time.
On the inside, Gerald Hayes played great last season at ILB, and will retain the position in the 3-4. He's a thumper who can get in and shed blocks to help clog up the running game. Our other ILB comes from free agency, with the addition of veteran Donnie Edwards. Edwards has maintained this position for years, and will be the veteran presence that the young LBs require in the switch of schemes. The linebacking corps is rounded out by rushbackers Calvin Pace and Daryl Blackstock, and ILBs Monty Beisel, James Darling, and fifth round pick Desmond Bishop.
Moving to defensive backs, Adrian Wilson is the Cardinal's defensive leader and one of the best in the business. Aaron Francisco has been rumored to be taking over the FS spot, but I don't buy it. Francisco has not looked at all impressive in coverage and is better suited as a nickel back and backup to both safety positions. Robert Griffith is a great hitter who couldn't cover my grandma. Say hello to your new starting free safety Kenny "The Hammer" Hamlin. Him and good buddy Teryl Austin reunite in the desert.
While the safety position is easily fixed by the addition of Ken Hamlin, the Cardinal's cornerback position is another story. Though our corners have been much maligned, alot of this stems from the tepid pass rush up front. I'm confident that former number eight overall pick can develop into a decent number one option under the guidance of Teryl Austin. On the other hand, David Macklin is a career number three receiver, and nobody knows what's going on with Eric Green. Hopefully the addition of free agent Fred "Loveboat" Smoot can help the Cardinal's secondary up to snuff.
Note, this change isn't going to be immediate, and will probably take a year of getting used to. However, down the road, I feel that this is the best fit for a team like the Cardinals. This lineup will give us alot of hope and will helpt to solidify the Cardinals defense for years to come.
