The 4-3 switch was awful, and I think they did they because they wanted to just pressure with 4 and run cover 2 most of the time. So in that process we let Farrior go. Then Mangini came and we went back to the 3-4 and eventually traded Vilma, another good linebacker. We couldn't keep our best talent because we kept switching fronts. Makes me happy we now have Bowles, who uses both depending on the matchup. Hopefully that is the end of that. If we kept the 3-4 from the start, we have Farrior as an ILB and we are a much better defense, no doubt about it.
You are forgetting the best player on that defense. The one they designed the defense around - John Abraham. We can debate the Cover 2 coverage scheme. But the 4-3 allignment was the best way to maximize Abraham and Shawn Ellis. Abe was not an effective OLB. Jason Ferguson and Shane Burton were very good on the inside. Mo Lewis' skills were on the decline as was Marvin Jones. They just weren't going to be as good in the 3-4. Vilma came along and was perfect as a MLB in that scheme. And it seemed to me Bill Belichick did a lousy job of developing Farrior. He was good but disappointing with the Jets.
Valid reasons for sure. However, Abraham had 5 sacks as a rookie, I think he had a shot to play 3-4 OLB. He had the explosiveness you wanted coming out of the draft. He never really got a fair shot at 3-4, no real experience. Herm wanted to run a 4-3 cover 2 defense, I still to this day do not know why, I understand he wanted to take advantage of Abraham and put Ellis inside, but I think we could've had more cohesive TALENT if we kept the 3-4 the entire time. Replace the old talent with new talent even though we couldn't draft for shit. Belichick did do a lousy job, Farrior's last season he was good, then broke out the next year. Vilma could've played 4-3 or 3-4, Rex said it himself he could've had Vilma in a 3-4, he would've fit like a glove next to David Harris.
Yep. IMO it's devastating to a team to switch defensive systems from 4-3 to 3-4 or vice versa. It not only means that many, if not most, of the front 7 have to be replaced (and their backups), but often the DBs have to change as well. Even if the system remains the same, it can mean big changes if the philosophy changes from an aggressive, attacking D to a more passive read and react (or vice versa). Major changes can also happen to a lesser degree with a new OC if he changes the offensive system or blocking scheme. I hope that Bowles stays a long time and when Gailey retires, we'll hire an OC who uses the same (or very similar) spread-type offense.
I think Herm ran the TB Cover 2 because TB had such success with it. It may have been the only D he felt really confident or comfortable with. I'm not sure if Abe could have developed as an OLB or not. I seem to remember his only having the speed move and getting pushed wide of the QB frequently. I don't recall his being very good vs the run, either or being a great tackler, but could be mistaken on that.
I don't think Herm knew why he was running that defense either. He was barely a position coach in Tampa Bay - but yeah, he was "qualified" to be a HC because he'd been asst HC for a couple years. UGH, what a bad hire. Then, Herm hires Ted Cottrell, a 3-4 DC, to run the Cover-Who? defense. Brilliant. That defense was set up to fail from the start.
Have to hope the QB Coach Kevin Patullo shows the ability to call plays. I think he's the OC in waiting and Gailey will want for him to be the successor. He will get the job, if he can develop one of those QBs. Very true about Herm, you just have to hope your players adapt to that scheme, which they really didn't. Jets translated from scheme to scheme on D and the Jets lost valuable talent because of it. It truly sets a franchise back. A Vilma could've been a difference-maker in Rex's defense, in that nickel defense. I think Bowles is going to be a good fit for what the Jets are doing, you can't really classify his defense, it's a flat out hybrid. An aggressive one at that. Need to keep the 3-4 looks for the exotic base package blitzes, 4-3 for those spread offenses and Nickel for everything.
He was a great motivator, and I guess that was the only thing the Jets wanted at that time, awful hire. Had some success, but flamed out quickly once his ploys got old. Jets had some awful hires during that period, Ted / Herm combination was a complete clusterfuck long-term. Thank the Heavens, Woody Johnson hired some consultation help.
Patullo is a Jersey guy too. He was quality control/wide receivers assistant before. The Jets is his first gig as a QB coach. If he can develop Hack you very well could be right.
