Should the Jets switch to a base 43D?

Coples and Wilkerson are best as a 4-3 DTs (on certain downs, you can move them around the defensive line, but their primary spot in a 4-3 would be inside), this would require us to get 1 or 2 speed rushers in the draft. Not sure how David Harris would translate in a 4-3 defense since he's pretty bad at coverage, but we would need prob 2 linebackers here as well. Pouha and DeVito don't fit the 4-3 well IMO, as they don't have any skills when it comes to rushing the passer.

We had a small discussion earlier in the season about Wilkerson as a 4-3 DT or 4-3DE, most agreed he would play better inside.

This would be the best case scenario if Rex were to get fired in the near future, no way do we go back to a 3-4. Bad idea.

 

Wilkerson and Coples are better suited as DT in a 4-3.

 

possibly, depends how you look at it

 

This has been kicked around on this site as well.

Rex loves to disguise his defense. He will not leave it in any one front for long. The reality is that Rex employs a 34/43 hybrid anyway. Switching fronts happens often each game, from play to play. It's part of why he likes stout OLBs because they can easily fill the role of an end without switching out players.

Do you really expect Pouha back when we can save 3.8 mill in cap room by cutting him?

You say 34 de is not an Impactful position and you right if your playing the steelers or Magini's scheme. Rex, like wade Phillips, expect as much penetration and disruption from his ends as a 43 line. Would you not say outside of Cromartie that Wilk was our most Impactful player last year? I sure would.

 

Coples can play DT in a 4-3, but with his slim build, long arms, and quickness, he's really a 4-3 DE. Just because he played a little 4-3 DT at UNC, doesn't make him one. He was a man among children in college, and that is why he flourished at DT.

 

Coples and Wilkerson inside with 2 speed rushers as 4-3DEs would be pretty sexy when it comes to rushing the passer. I would be intrigued with 4 defensive lineman that can all be interchangeable.

 

He did not play a little DT at UNC. He played a full season and dominated. His production at DT was far better than at end. His first step and length would allow him to get pressure or require double teams. He is big enough to play DT in the right scheme and position. No he is not going to be a 0 tech guy, but there is much more to DT play than clogging the middle.

 

The Jets talent right now doesn't lean any particular way. The starting LB's are going to be replaced outside of Harris so that factor is almost non-existent. The DL is split between 3-4 guys and 4-3 guys and Pouha is a likely cap casualty so that makes the lean a bit towards a 4 man front.

There's a lot of work that needs to be done to be solid in either front at this point and it's a good time for the Jets to make a switch if they are going to do that. They need a pass-rusher, either at ROLB or RDE. They need a strongside LB. They need an MLB/ILB. They need to figure out what to do with David Harris moving forward.

 

I used to be a d coordinator for a pee wee league ages 7-9 and I always used Both 4-3 and 3-4 packages and even some 46 , It's best to use all 3 now a days mix it up keep em on there feet keep em guessing,We had the number 1 defense in the league my two years there, I was like the Rex Ryan of pee wee football lol, it really was fun though

 

a pee-wee league front 7 is always about Elroy the pituitary giant you put in the middle who is already 5'2" and 160 lbs.

 

I think Ryan probably knows what's best to do on defense.

 

Coples would be a strongside defensive end in a 4-3 front. Wilkerson would be a DT in a 4-3 front. You would need a weakside defensive end to make the switch and another LB.

 

I tend to disagree with the bolded part. Here are the factors:

Ellis. He has not shown he is up to, least not yet, being a solid starting NT in this league. He's a better fit in a four man line at DT.

Pouha. Just because his current contract is prohibitive does not mean he's for sure going to be gone. He can be cut and resigned. If he is back, he can play 4-3 as well as 3-4, and would likely benefit from having Ellis beside him.

Coples. I know others have talked about his play in college at DT, but that was college. In the NFL he sure likes like a DE to me.

Harris. Harris gets a lot of love among Jet fans, but the reality he had a very bad year last year. Not sure how he got so slow so quickly, but he did. He's also after Sanchez arguably the most overpaid player on the team. But he's not going anywhere, either, unlike the other three starting LB's from last year, who may well all be gone. The point is, I don't see him as a greater liability at inside LB in a 4-3 than he is in a 3-4.

OLB. Contract/cap issues mean it's likely both Davis and MacIntyre will be relied upon next year, but even if the Jets are able to add more help with Thomas, Pace and Scott gone (if they all are), it will be easier to deal with their departures if the Jets are fielding primarily a 4-3 than a 3-4.

Now of course I agree with you that Rex has used, and likes to use, a combination of 4-3 and 3-4, so we are talking here more about which might get more emphasis going forward. I personally expect to see more 4-3 next year for the roster reasons noted.

Of those factors, perhaps Ellis is the key. Big picture is the Jets are not likely to go high draft pick, once again, for a DL player. Can you imagine if they went first round pick there this off season??? So Ellis will have to be relied upon, and I just don't see him playing much NT. On the other hand with it likely that at least one of DeVito and Pouha will not be back, Ellis will be relied upon more. That reliance will come more easily if he plays in a 4-3, imo.

 

There's a lot of vibe out there that you really want Coples over a guard not a tackle. That's inside at 3T in a 4-3 and at DE in a 3-4. It's at DT in the 46.

I think Rex wanted Coples for a specific purpose. I wouldn't expect him to be a dominant player at either end in a 4-3. He'd wind up matched up against bigger tackles who were just as quick and agile as he was.

 

^This exactly. Too many try to pigeon hole a player as one thing or another. Rex likes to draft guys for the front seven based on skill and versatility. It allows him to hide his scheme better from play to play.

Coples is a good end and a very good pass rushing DT.

 

Coples reminds me of Justin Tuck (when he was healthy/good). Can basically line up anywhere on the DL and give you production. In a 4-3, You can play him at DE on early downs and kick him inside to DT on passing downs like the Giants have done with Tuck in the past.

Rex has always played a hybrid multiple front defense anyway. With all the spread offenses now in the league and these multiple WR and TE formations, you're basicaally in sub defense more than base defense now. Nickel has almost become the new base - you absolutely need 3 solid corners.

A lot of it will depend on who is available to replace guys like Pace, Scott, Bryan Thomas. I'm sure Rex would prefer to have 4 LB's and 3 DL's on the field due to versatility/confusion/disguise, and I'm sure he prefers versatile pass rushers who can stand up in a 34 at OLB, drop in coverage, and put their hand in the dirt as a 43 DE. The good thing for the Jets is that the young guys like Coples, Ellis, Wilkerson, Davis are all scheme versatile. You're not locked into any scheme with these guys.

Who's available in free agency, how much money the Jets have to spend, and the way the draft falls could all determine this.

 

You know, we could use a guy like you with Pettine gone. When can you interview?

 

Pouha may not be on the roster next year.

 

Hahaha. No.1 D you say? Maybe you can bring in a few of your peewees to play linebacker for us. Shove sweet tarts down their throats before every series, we need to upgrade our sideline speed. Just make sure they don't get popped for PED's.