Who's defensive model should we follow,if we get a new regime?

[panther4life]

It seems the best defenses that are consistenly good are 3-4 based.

I love what the Texans are doing right now. The Ravens and Steelers are always good. Of course the 49ers are killing it wit their 3-4.

All this talk about building a dominant front 4 got me thinking. Its not working for the Giants like it used to. The Bills probably have the best 4-3 d-line on paper right now and are not doing anything special. The Lions also have a good one on paper.

Then you have teams likes the eagles and Falcons who have a killer secondary but their defenses are not really scaring anyone.

Biggest problem I forsee is do we have the pieces to make a dominant 3-4?

Can we move CJ AND Alexander to 3-4 backers? Then consolidate the middle with Beason and Kuechly.

Of course we need to find a new 3 man front as well too.

[capfolly]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a 4-3. Dominant defenses have one thing in common, regardless of alignment, and that's great tackling. We are the worst tackling team in the NFL and being in a 3-4 wouldn't change it. We need to find coaches that preach furiously wrapping up instead of looking for the big hit.

[Marguide]

We run the same base defense as Seattle, the league's #1 overall. Either scheme can work with good coaching and the right players.

[Rubi]

It's starts with not having softies. Get some guys who are fast and mean and then our 4-3 will be fine

[Tarheels23]

I think our defense is two players, maybe 3, away from being really good. A dominate DT (Star from Utah), a really good corner, and a better FS, although I'm interested in seeing how Martin looks for the rest of the year.

Out of all the defenses you named, I think our defense is closest to the Bears than anything. The 49ers defense is a thing of beauty, and I'm not sure if it can be duplicated.

[Jesse]

I think our defense is two players, maybe 3, away from being really good. A dominate DT (Star from Utah), a really good corner, and a better FS, although I'm interested in seeing how Martin looks for the rest of the year.

Out of all the defenses you named, I think our defense is closest to the Bears than anything. The 49ers defense is a thing of beauty, and I'm not sure if it can be duplicated.

If our defense had a great CB and at least average safeties, yes.

Oh, and I think they have this really good DE

[capfolly]

It's just amazing to me how two guys, Mcdermett and Rivera, can come from the backgrounds they do (Jim Johnson, Buddy Ryan) and have the defense they have. I understand a lot of it has to go on the players but these were guys who were taught about sound and aggressive defenses by some of the best to ever live and you haven't seen any of that the past two years with ours.

[KDawg004]

The problem I have with a 3-4 is wasting CJ,TD, and JA true talents. CJ might be able to play OLB effectively. Besides that I don't think it will take long to switch to a 3-4. But, if McD can't run a 4-3 what makes you think he can work out of a 3-4?

We're a dominant DT, solid CB, and coverage FS away from being really good on D.

[KDawg004]

It's just amazing to me how two guys, Mcdermett and Rivera, can come from the backgrounds they do (Jim Johnson, Buddy Ryan) and have the defense they have. I understand a lot of it has to go on the players but these were guys who were taught about sound and aggressive defenses by some of the best to ever live and you haven't seen any of that the past two years with ours.

It's funny how the least of my worries with Rivera coming in was the defense. He should get the most out of it of anyone. And how he said he wanted guys wrapping up and not leading with their shoulder. Yet we're the worst tackling team in the NFL and have gotten progressively worst since he's been here.

[CRA]

The problem I have with a 3-4 is wasting CJ,TD, and JA true talents. CJ might be able to play OLB effectively. Besides that I don't think it will take long to switch to a 3-4. But, if McD can't run a 4-3 what makes you think he can work out of a 3-4?

We're a dominant DT, solid CB, and coverage FS away from being really good on D.

TD shouldn't factor in....he is injury prone and isn't a young pup.

We need a FS, SS, CB and DT on D. Again, with all the suckage on D people think the worst tackling DB we have at SS is good enough

[CRA]

It's just amazing to me how two guys, Mcdermett and Rivera, can come from the backgrounds they do (Jim Johnson, Buddy Ryan) and have the defense they have. I understand a lot of it has to go on the players but these were guys who were taught about sound and aggressive defenses by some of the best to ever live and you haven't seen any of that the past two years with ours.

So maybe that says something about talent (see GM)

[KillerKat]

If we get away from that stupid ass zone defense and stop calling plays that create mismatches not in our favor for no apparent reason, our hybrid defensive model would be fine.

[iamhubby1]

IF, you can get consistent pressure with 4, you can be successful. You can do a whole lot more in the back end if you can controll the LOS and be disruptive.That is not saying that you still don't need good players in the back 7. But if you can get quality starters, and solid S play, you can play strong and aggressive D.

All that is great, but it is difficult to find the right players. You need experience in the system, you need to be smart, and you need to play disciplined. Those are not traits every player possess. Try and remember when Buddy or Jimmy struggled. It was either injury to your rushers, or too many new players.

We are in our second year in this system. We are improving, albeit not as quickly as some would hope. We are learning and are close. We are just not quite there yet. And IMO, we are only a GREAT FS from being a really good defense.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I'd love Wade Phillips or Rob Ryan