I think pretty much everything you said about our personnel is accurate. The biggest key, like you noted, is getting Branch to play to his potential and for Watson to stay healthy. I don’t think Dockett would be hurt by the scheme because most tackles who are able to create a pass rush from the interior tend to do extremely well when they have the flexibility to move around the line. The biggest if, as it applies right now is how well will guys like Cody Brown and Will Davis adjust to their “new” positions. There will be a significant learning curve for both, especially at this level. If they adjust to it pretty quickly then I think we’ll have the outside pass rush that has been sorely missing for awhile now.

I cant help but wonder with all the penalties and moaning that Dockett does if the team is satisfied with Iwebema this year they trade Dockett next year…

and he’ll be a monster in the middle. He is super hyper already and is always near the ball. With a little more size, he’ll be able to go up against that center with a little more umph. I think his coverage is great as well. I was actually quietky wondering if he would be better served learning the SS postion. He’s got the size/coverage skills for it. He is a big play backer.

One of Clancy Pendergast’s most unsung skills was having the flexibility to tailor his defense to the personnel he was given. We don’t know yet whether Billy Davis will keep this ’alter the system to fit the player" approach to more of a “find the player to fit the system.” My guess is that the Cards will continue to be flexible, while adding more and more players who project well to the traditional 3-4.

I’m not sure I agree about Dockett. Although most 3- 4 DC’s like their front three to be staffed by guys weighting at or near 300 lbs, all three of them don’t have to be nose tackles.

Campbell, with an offseason under John Lott figures to weigh in the low 290’s. Dockett figures to be somewhere in the 290 – 300 lb range, which is fine. Watson backed up by Branch (with Robinson the front runner to challenge Branch) are fine at NT. At 315 lbs, Leisle figures to be in the NT mix as well.

On the outside, Campbell and Dockett figure to be backed up by Dykes and Banks (Iwebema, at 270, has tweener written all over him unless Davis likes him for special 4-3 packages or he somehow either adds enough weight to play outside or loses enough to make a run at OLB).

I just can’t figure Highsmith having enough sand in his pants to play inside, except maybe on passing downs. He may not have ideal height to come off either edge, but I think he’s more likely to fit in on the outside.

One slightly OT question – Ron Wolfley observed on Cardinal Underground that he felt that Davis’s plans – to change from a “weakside/strong side” defensive scheme to a “left-side/right side” look – would simplify our defensive personnel’s ability to diagnose offensive plays. Why would this be so? (I’d think that a LOLB in a left-side/right side set up would have twice as many plays to diagnose than if he was a SAM backer always opposite the TE).

It’s not as if Dockett is Lawrence Taylor.

In a best-case scenario, Darnell’s a 4-3 under tackle who can (every third play or so) cause disruption in the backfield.

But whether he plays inside in the 4-3 or either of the two DE spots in a 3-4, he’ll still have specific responsibilities that will vary according to down, distance, offensive formation, defensive or scheme etc.

My guess is that, while he may have different duties outside (i.e. outside contain, different pass rush lanes etc.) he will have roughly the same number of opportunities to wreak havoc or build up his stats as he would playing inside (just different opportunities).

And I’d guess that the toll on Darnell’s body might be a little less playing wider than it would be stuck in the trenches inside.

This was an interesting look at the defense.

To me the biggest stories coming up in camp and preseason are centered around the front three and the OLB positions. There are a lot of questions about Branch, Highsmith, and CC that need to be answered, as well as the rookies and their transition.

Of course there could be some shake ups on the OL, and that would be very interesting.

I’ve gotta say the starting front seven looks pretty solid, although I’m not completely sold on Haggans and Okeafor but they’ll be adequate at worst. The depth though is down right scary, especially at every single linebacker spot. If Dansby or Hayes go down, this defense might just fold like a cheap tent. I really like Highsmith but he’s not ready to be a starter and the rest of those guys are total spares. I really hope we pick up a veteran ILB sometime before the start of the season (maybe a training camp cut by another team). We’re slightly better at OLB but the thought of a rookie trying to learn the whole position on the job isn’t exactly promising.

Also a thought on Highsmith, isn’t he kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place because as a special teams player, he needs to be as fast and quick as possible so putting on weight would most likely slow him down, but in order to ever be a factor on defense he needs to add at least 10 more pounds if not 15. His athleticism was never his strong suit so adding some significant weight could really hurt his speed and quickness.

(as a bama fan i am intimately familiar with it and all it’s glory)…

it’s the future of defense as spread techniques are going to invariably find their way into more and more offenses. The issue, like MBN pointed out, is getting the right personel in place to run that system. DRC is perfect for it (CB’s focus more on coverage than run support) and this next group of linebackers in the 2010 draft class should have plenty of candidates as well. i’m thinkin brandon spike and rolando mcclain, perfect M/ILB’s… the “jack” OLB is a tough spot to fill. we’ll have to keep our eyes open for fast DE’s who can switch….

There are different 3-4’s with different responsibilities.
For a while, I know Dallas (boo) ran a 3-4 and they had gap assignments on the line, depending on the play.

Because Dockett is has exceptional penetration (due to a hyper-fast first step off the line) he can be great in pass rushing, but I think that just because that’s a strength doesn’t mean his control could be a weakness. We’ll need to see more of it to be sure. I think the biggest thing the team can do is have a high rotation to keep him fresh.

I’m rooting for Kenny, and hope he can get healthy enough to play this season. He was a terrific rusher his junior year in college and working with his old college coach is a good thing. He just needs to get his legs and chest back after a pretty serious surgery.

As always, quality stuff for a good discussion. Keep it up!