April 4, 2006 Home > The Way We Hear It Robertson, Vilma two big reasons why Jets? switch to 3-4 scheme may take time NY Jets We hear that while head coach Eric Mangini?s goal is to steer the Jets? defense toward a 3-4 scheme, it will likely have to be a gradual adjustment due to the fact that the Jets simply don?t have the proper personnel to fit a true 3-4 alignment at this time. Two interesting cases are 2003 first-round pick DT Dewayne Robertson and ?04 first-round pick LB Jonathan Vilma, the cornerstones of the team?s defense. While 3-4 nose tackles are required to control two gaps and hold up blockers at the line of scrimmage, Robertson is more of a one-gap, upfield guy who likes to pressure the quarterback. When asked to man two gaps as a rookie, he really struggled. Vilma?s speed and intelligence make him special, but he lacks the size of a prototypical 3-4 inside ?backer who is expected to fill gaps and take on 300-pound guards. Look for Mangini to design a defense that maximizes Robertson?s and Vilma?s skills and doesn?t ask them to regularly fill traditional 3-4 roles, which means the Jets could employ more 4-3 looks. Expect Mangini to continue collecting more big bodies for the front seven through the draft and free agency. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=afceast
