Steelers 3-4 or 4-3?

[TommyZND]

Its been minorly brought up in other forums. Tomlin kept Dick LeBeau but do you think he will change the defense? LeBeau knows what hes doing but i think over time Tomlin will make the transition to the 4-3

[Munboy]

My guess, and that's all it is, is that they will be in the 3-4 for a couple years. Lebeau was probably kept on for his experience and knowledge in defense. I think they will start gathering personel to run a 4-3, but since their players are geared to the 3-4, they'll be in that for a few years. Evetually, they'll make the switch.

[beanoX3]

I wouldn't be too surprised to see some sort of hybrid, meant to confuse the crap out of the rest of the league. If the Steelers do eventually move to a 4-3, then I suppose the other 3-4 teams will be happy. One less team that will poach undersized college DE pass rushers that 3-4 teams are in high demand of.

[steelerfan513]

My guess, and that's all it is, is that they will be in the 3-4 for a couple years. Lebeau was probably kept on for his experience and knowledge in defense. I think they will start gathering personel to run a 4-3, but since their players are geared to the 3-4, they'll be in that for a few years. Evetually, they'll make the switch.

I agree. Lebeau may still be there, but he's almost 70 years old. He's gonna retire eventually, then Tomlin can bring in a coordinator to run a full-time 4-3.

[TommyZND]

One less team that will poach undersized college DE pass rushers that 3-4 teams are in high demand of.

The Steelers arent after undersized DE's, Aaron Smith(298) and Brett Kiesel(285) are far from being a small DE's.

[Crimedogg32]

does any team do a 3-4 cover 2? Is it even possible?

[beanoX3]

One less team that will poach undersized college DE pass rushers that 3-4 teams are in high demand of.

The Steelers arent after undersized DE's, Aaron Smith(298) and Brett Kiesel(285) are far from being a small DE's.

I was speaking of undersized college DEs that 3-4 defense NFL teams convert into pass rushing LBs.

Sorry for being unspecific.

[Munboy]

One less team that will poach undersized college DE pass rushers that 3-4 teams are in high demand of.

The Steelers arent after undersized DE's, Aaron Smith(298) and Brett Kiesel(285) are far from being a small DE's.

I think he means undersized DEs that they convert to OLBs.

[TommyZND]

Nah thats my bad. Your right, in some mock draft's I've seen they draft Jarvis Moss.

[Kilroy]

So long as Lebeau's there it's gonna the same 3-4 zone blitz schemes that the guy invented. Dick Lebeau revolutionized the way the 3-4 is played, and the Steelers are built defensively to play that scheme. Regardless of what defense Tomlin prefers, if he has any sense, you don't fix what's not broken.

If the Steelers don't want Lebeau around anymore I'd be giddy if he moved 50 something odd miles to the West to run another 3-4.

The Squealers are on the brink of full-on implosion in '07. Cowher's gone, Porter's gone (say what you will about his declining talent, he was the leader of that D), Big Ben has the yips, Polamalu and Faneca are grousing about money, and even Hines Ward is publicly questioning the decisions that have been made.

Not good.