Vilma in 34 Defense (1 Viewer)

[Islander]

Yes I know, MLBs tend to score more than ILBs. But has someone ever done a study of change in points for MLB moving to ILB or the other way around? I suspect you would get a different conclusion for stud/solid LBs compared to middle of the road LBs.

In the past, I often downgraded MLBs moving to ILB. And I was proven wrong frequently. So this year, Vilma sits a top my LB rankings despite the move to 34 defense.

Last year, Andra Davis went to 34 defense and he was as good as in 2003, his previous non-injury season.

Ray Lewis had a big year the first time he played in the 34.

Donnie Edwards continued to be a stud when he went to the 34.

Same for Zach Thomas.

Why would it be any different for Vilma?

Please convince me otherwise, I would like to hear opposing arguments. Do you have examples of very good LBs going from 43 to 34 and dropping off a noticeable amount?

 

[cr8f]

Why would it be any different for Vilma?

Please convince me otherwise, I would like to hear opposing arguments. Do you have examples of very good LBs going from 43 to 34 and dropping off a noticeable amount?

It's the Jets. They lost Abraham. Fewer DL'men to keep blockers off of Vilma.

 

[cracKer]

Yes I know, MLBs tend to score more than ILBs. But has someone ever done a study of change in points for MLB moving to ILB or the other way around? I suspect you would get a different conclusion for stud/solid LBs compared to middle of the road LBs.

In the past, I often downgraded MLBs moving to ILB. And I was proven wrong frequently. So this year, Vilma sits a top my LB rankings despite the move to 34 defense.

Last year, Andra Davis went to 34 defense and he was as good as in 2003, his previous non-injury season.

Ray Lewis had a big year the first time he played in the 34.

Donnie Edwards continued to be a stud when he went to the 34.

Same for Zach Thomas.

Why would it be any different for Vilma?

Please convince me otherwise, I would like to hear opposing arguments. Do you have examples of very good LBs going from 43 to 34 and dropping off a noticeable amount?

Another player to look at is Keith Brooking. His tackles remained top notch but his big plays fell off of the table. I think that's one of the big fears with Vilma, that he'll have a hard time matching his rookie sack/int production. When all is said and done, Vilma will still be one of the top handful of linebackers in the league.

 

[coolnerd]

I don't value ILBs in the 3-4 any different than MLB in the 4-3. Vilma is probably a pretty safe bet to be in the neighborhood of the same production considering health. In the 3-4 often the primary responsibility for the 3 dlman in to keep Olmen off the ILBs. Depending on the 4-3 defense you may have ends who worry more about contain and pass rushing than keeping the LBs clean.

 

[DonFue]

The 2 ILBs in a 3-4 are equivalent to the MLB and WLB in a 4-3...if the talent is there, the numbers will be too! The Big difference is at the SS spot...SSs in a 3-4 tend to do worse than a 4-3 SS. Also, SSs in a true Cover-2 will be less productive than in a "standard" 4-3. Sorry Bob Sanders lovers...he is overrated...not even top 15 in my book for all safeties!

 

[Rovers]

It's a bit too early to say the Jets are a 3-4 base defense. There will be a mix, but what will the mix be? Perhaps by tonight, I may have a better answer. Today's mini camp was the first one open to NY area writers. Tonight, Randy Lange will be on the radio for an hour reporting on what he saw today.... so far the only real news is that Clemens took snaps with the first team, which was downplayed by Pennington, who said it's an open competition and this is just a rotation at this point. Pennington threw, but all short stuff, with one 35 yard completion to Coles.

I'll update what I hear tonight..... this Lange interview will be available as a podcast sometime tomorrow as well. (Lange is about the best Jets beat reporter in NY)

 

[Rovers]

Well, it does sound as if the Jets were working primarilly at the 3-4 in yesterday's practices. Nothing is set in stone obviously, and the Jets could run the 3-4/4-3 an equal number of plays by the time the season starts. It stands to reason that they would work on the 3-4 more in practice, as that is the new part of this defensive scheme.

From practice, the D starters at this point in time:

ILB's: Vilma, Barton

OLB's: Bryan Thomas, Hobson

DE's: Ellis, Kemo Von

CB's: Rotation: Dyson, Miller, Barnett

S's: Rhodes, Coleman

Kassel may push Barton, Chatham may push Hobson.

The most interesting player IDP-wise is Bryan Thomas. If he keeps his listing as a DE (which he will play in the 4-3), he will be the "rush LB" in the 3-4, and aslo has the speed to drop into coverage. It looks like he'll be on the field all the time, regardless of the D scheme. Listed as a DE, he could be a huge sleeper this year. Suggs has a similar role in Baltimore, and listed as a DE, he's fairly studly.

 

[lord_helmet]

Any word on Miller as the return man ?

 

[Rovers]

I haven't heard anything on Miller and if he will remain the KO return man. Tim Dwight will most likely be the punt return man, and I think only Washington has a shot at beating Miller out for the role KO return job. I'd be surprised if Miller lost it, he did pretty well, especially towards the end of the year.