FanPost

Comparing KC and Arz front 7 and why we should pass on Curry and trade down.

After reading the article describing the hybrid 3-4/4-3 that Arz. ran last year I decided to compare their front seven from last year to who we currently have on the roster to see where the biggest holes are.  Here is the break down by position (at least as I am understanding them to be in the hybrid system):

LDE - Antonio Smith - 6'4", 285 - 41 tk 4 sacks

I take this to be a cross between your standard DE and the DE in a 3-4.  I think this one has to be Turk (some may say Boone, but I'd rather give the young guy a shot).

Turk McBride - 6'2", 278 - 41 tk 0 sacks

NT - Bryan Robinson - 6'4", 304 - 20 tk 1 sack

Not your traditional NT, doesn't usually line up over the center.  Some may say Dorsey here, I'll explain why I didn't in a moment.  I'm going with Tank.

Tank Tyler - 6'2", 306 - 41 tk 0 sacks

UT - Darnell Dockett - 6'4", 285 - 49 tk 4 sacks

This "Under Tackle" is a cross between a 4-3 DT and a 3-4 DE.  If you watched Arz in the playoffs Dockett was their most dissruptive DL member.  I like Tank at nose and Dorsey here better then Dorsey at NT and your choice of Tank, Boone, or Edwards at UT.  Dorsey is shorter then Dockett but has more bulk.

Glenn Dorsey - 6'1", 297 - 46 tk 1 sack

RDE (AKA the Predator) - Bertand Berry - 6'3", 260 - 22 tk 5 sacks

This is a cross between your 4-3 DE and OLB in a 3-4.  The article states that this position's main goal is to blitz the QB.  This is where things get tricky.  I see three guys on the current roster who could play here: Hali, Babin, and Vrabel.  I think Vrabel could be better here, however Hali has no where else to play and we are weak at LB so I'll go with Hali.

Tamba Hali - 6'3", 275 - 54 tk 3 sacks

MLB - Gerald Hayes - 6'1" 249 - 88 tk 0 sacks

I picked this LB spot to cover first because this is where the problem is.  The article describes this position as a "thumper", a big guy who can handle OG who come unblocked.  I think this is a waste of DJ to put him here.  He's better in space and is not what I would call a thumper.  Pat Thomas didn't work in my opinion so by default I'm putting Vrabel here.  It may not be his ideal spot but he has played inside before and I don't see any other option on the roster.

Mike Vrabel - 6'4", 261 - 62 tk 4 sacks

SLB - Chike Okeafor 6'5", 247 - 60 tk 4 sacks

The "Sam" in this system seems to line up like an OL in the 3-4 the majority of the time as far as I can tell.  On the Arz team roster Okeafor is actually lister as a DE.  If we had a MLB I think this is Vrabel's true position.  However, since we don't I'm looking at DJ, D. Williams, and Babin.  I think Williams is too small for the "sam".  So it's either DJ here and Williams at the "Will" or Babin here and DJ at the "Will".  People may not agree but I'll take Babin in the starting line up over Williams, mainly because I really like DJ at the "Will".

Jason Babin - 6'3", 260 - 31 tk 2 sacks

WLB - Karlos Dansby - 6'4" 250 - 119 tk 4 sacks

In this system the "will" seems to be the one free to get after the ball and make plays.  Of anyone on our current roster that has to be DJ.

Derrick Johnson - 6'3", 242 - 85 tk 2 sacks

 

So here's my final thoughts regarding what we need to do to make this system work for us.  I LOVE Curry.  I think he looks like a sure fire pro bowl calliber LB.  However, where does he play?  To me, it would be a waste to play him anywhere but the "Will".  Then where do we play DJ?  I stand by my position that he's not cut out to play the "Mike" in this system.  He might be okay at the "Sam", but I feel like that is where Vrabel should play.  If we were to trade down and get a true MLB then both Vrabel and DJ could play in their natural spots and Hali and Babin could rotate at the "Predator".  To me that fits this system best and uses our current players at the best possible positions.  It also would allow us to pick up another pick or two to add depth.  So there you go, have at me.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.