Y'know, DJ has slowed down enough as he's aged while also getting smarter, that I think I put him on the strong side.

He's stronger than we realize, so I think he can seal on run plays. He's also proven to be solid in coverage, so having him lined up over the TE would be nice. He's never been an elite rusher, so why bother putting him on the weakside where his pass-rush skills would be utilized?

Nah, I'd go with Te'o in the middle and DJ on the strong side. The question really does become how you line out Houston and Hali. While Hali would probably be considered a RDE, I almost wonder if you don't get better use out of him as an LDE with Houston lined up as the Will opposite of him. Look at is as duplicating the Thomas/Neil Smith dynamic.

With our present personnel, perhaps you go with Hali - Powe - Poe - Bailey lined up from left to right across the front with DJ - Te'o and Houston behind them.

It's moot though, Te'o has locked himself in as a top 10 pick and probably a top 5 guy at this point.

If we were to go to a 4-3, I'd have our front 4 look like

Hali-Powe-Poe-Draft Pick

or Hali-Poe-Bailey-Draft pick

with the LBs being DJ, Belcher/Draft pick, and Houston playing the SAM like Miller.

So I got a nice view at this link today: http://www.ourlads.com/top-32-colleg...t/2013/1885185

3
Star Lotulelei DT Utah 6037 320 5.00(40 time)
Two-year starter plus three starts as a sophomore in 2010. Big, thick, and quick. Was voted the coveted Morris Trophy as the defensive lineman of the year by the Pac-12 offensive linemen. A big man who rarely comes out of the game. Good endurance. Moved to defensive end in three man front nickel package. Quick to diagnose the play after controlling his opponent. Quick reactions. Finds the ball. Can read trap and combination blocks. Reacts quickly on the snap. He can explode and unlock his hips with force. Good base leverage and lower strength with knee bend to hold the point. Stout inline play strength. Plays with good balance and use of hands. Good arm extension and hand placement.

IIRC, Poe's 40 time last year was 4.8? We really reached and drafted Poe knowing we'd be able to take a NT with similar measurables, better production, and less ???s the following year?

This team sucks the life out of me.

The defense was 11th last year and 16th this year. Why the hell would you switch back to the 4-3?

If Star was there in the 20's or late teens **** yes you trade up for him. NT is the missing piece to this defense.

Hire a DC who isn't afraid to use his best pass rushers with a healthy Eric Berry and an adequate NT the defense is a top 10 defense next year.

This was discussed ad nausem draft time last year.

Lotulelei and John Hankins are absolute beasts. Both have enormous ceilings. Why on earth do you take a second team Conference USA guy with the #11 pick when these guys are going to be available in a year?

Yeah, these ****ing guys just don't get it.

However, I don't think we're going to have to worry about it past the end of the season. There is no way that Pioli, Crennel and all their sychophants keep their jobs.

And we get Geno Smith.