Um.. I'd think it would be unusual for a GM to impose the type of defense he wants to run on a head coach.

Normally, I'd say you were right. But in this instance my feeling is that Pioli is going to implement the Patriots system in KC. Pioli's expertise is in searching for players who will thrive in a 3-4 defense. I think it'd be stupid to change that.

Weelllll...he was drafted as a 4-3 tackle and a 3-4 end, really. During his first few years he played inside on the 4-3, outside on the 3-4, and occassionally at NG.

During the horrendous 2002 defensive campaign, our inability to stop the run out of the 3-4 was a big problem. We played more 4-3 than we wanted at that point, but still, our defense was terrible.

Before 2003, we were shaping up to have the same problems, so we traded for Ted Washington in training camp, Seymour moved to DE, and we won the SB.

Before 2004 we solved our NG problems by drafting Wilfork.

You're right. But what he may do instead is just hire a coach that he knows will run the 3-4.

Tamba DJ Williams would be a good start at linebacker

I tend to agree, which annoys me greatly, as I don't want MORE competition for hard to find 3-4 talent.

OTOH, I note that it's harder to project front 7 players into the 3-4 coming out of college than 4-3 players. Few/no college programs run the 3-4, so you've always got a tough job projecting that DE into an OLB in your system, etc. It's one reason why the Pats have rarely drafted OLBs. It's also why it takes a few years, often, for the college DE to get any good in the 3-4, where he's standing up and sometimes needs to drop into coverage.

I think DJ would be an ILB and Pollard could be the blitzing LB like you said. But I dont think Tank is undersized for as a NT. He's what? 6'2 330? yeah slightly shorter than some, but you dont need a 6'7 monster at NT its good to be a tad shorter than the linemen your facing. It gives you an automatic advantage at having better leverage against the guy your facing...its all about pad level when your on the d-line. With that said, Dorsey doesnt 'look' like he would fit well in the 3-4 because he is a bit smaller than a lot of NT's. But Dorsey has shown he has more drive and a better motor than Tank.

BTW Dorsey is not a bust, or anything close to it...He made great strides throughout the season, improving in each game that gave him valuable time. We will see a big difference next year. But i would expect his talent to peak in his 4th or 5th year. Hes not a Ryan Sims. Itll be ok.

I would love to see how Tamba could fit in as a 3-4 OLB. He would be perfect size but would he have the endurance and motor to play it? He really regressed this year. Time to pick it up Tamba!

What's funny about this thread are the people who are like "so & so wouldn't be good in a 3-4 because he doesn't fit that system."

And they might have very solid points. But what's funny is the notion that we can't move guys around to try new things. Like they're all tearing it up in the 4-3 now. :rolleyes:

If we keep the 4-3, fine. But if we scrap it? I have no problem with that. A lot of these guys on defense need replaced anyways.

It's not going to be fixed in a year.

We need to convert more safeties to CB....

Wow. I don't know how many players, or how much rebuilding you can do in one year.

We have a lot of work to do just to have 3 starting line backers on the field and depth to cover for injuries.

I just don't see how we could put ourselves in the position to need 4 starting line backers plus depth.

Plus the 3-4 requires strong LB play, I think you'd be taking a weakness on this team and magnifying it.

Unless Pioli can pull off some miracle personnel moves, I don't see a conversion to the 3-4 as possible.

We don't have the D-line nor the LB corps to pull it off.

Now if you're talking down the road a little ways, hell as long as he can bring in the guys to pull it off, I'd be fine with it.

But it would be a large undertaking given the current roster.

Don't know that Hali has the killer instincts or intensity to be a LB ???

Short is ok for a NT (Pittsburgh Casey Hampton 6'1"), but for Dorsey he would have to gain 25 to 30 pounds. Tank would be a good option at NT with a little more weigh because he is strong as an Ox. Edwards would be better as an NT then DT.

The defense didn't seem to do very well at 4-3 last year so I fail to see how they could do worse in a 3-4. Some players like Tank, Turk, DJ and Williams I suspect would do better in a 3-4.

Boone would be a good 3-4 DE.

Seymour(a #6 pick) and Warren seem to be doing pretty damn well as 3-4 DEs.. if we got that kind of production from Dorsey... I'd be more than happy.

Are you saying you wouldn't?