Eagles starting middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans was the Birds most consistent defensive player in 2012, this is while he was playing in a 4-3. The Birds could be playing in a 3-4 alignment this year.
They will have 3-4 personnel on the field for their defense, but there’s no telling what kind of alignment they’ll be lining up in consistently. It could be 4-3 or 3-4. Ryans says it doesn’t matter what the defensive alignment is, because he will play well in either.
“There’s a big perception that ‘DeMeco doesn’t fit in a 3-4,’ whatever,” Ryans said Thursday. “I played in that defense, I played with the Texans in the 3-4 defense when we were the number one, number two defense in the league, so if I didn’t fit in there then we wouldn’t have been that highly ranked. It’s all about being versatile. As a linebacker, you have to be versatile, 4-3, 3-4. Whatever it is that this coaching staff is looking for me to do, I’m willing to do that. I’ve done both, so I’m open to whatever it is.”
Ryans may indeed be able to play the 3-4 as well as he played in the 4-3, but his defensive line isn’t cut out for the 3-4. I’ve said numerous times that I see the Birds playing a 4-3 alignment with 3-4 personnel, meaning four linebackers and three defensive linemen. If their play a pure 3-4, Ryans play will suffer because their defensive linemen aren’t 3-4 guys.
The key in the under 4-3 alignment is that the defensive linemen won’t be asked to play head up on the offensive tackles and center, and to play a two gap technique against them. In the two gap technique, the defensive linemen is asked to make plays on either side of the offensive lineman, who is blocking them. They need to be strong enough to handle a 350 pound offensive tackle blasting off on them and be able to come off to whichever side the back goes to. It isn’t easy to do.
This requires huge defensive linemen with tremendous strength and long arms. The Eagles don’t have enough of those guys on the roster right now. Isacc Sopoaga and Fletcher Cox could do that job, but they don’t have the backups. Sopoaga could play the nose tackle spot as well, but this team doesn’t have the depth on their roster to play a pure 3-4 defense.
Ryans will pay a price for the Birds not having true 3-4 defensive linemen on the roster, if they play a pure 3-4 defense. The undersized defensive linemen won’t be able to fight off the double teams, which will mean offensive linemen will be coming off of the double teams and picking up the linebackers.
They have 4-3 defensive linemen on their roster. If they play the under 4-3 alignment, their defensive linemen can line up and play right now because they will be lined up in gaps and be only responsible for one gap when the ball is snapped. This is why I expect the Birds to be in 4-3 alignments when the season starts.
I also don’t think second-year linebacker Mychal Kendricks will be able to play in a pure 3-4 alignment. 3-4 inside linebackers must be able to take on big 330 pound guards, stop them in their tracks with a arm shiver, then get off the blocks and make tackles. Kendricks at 5’11 239 pounds isn’t big enough to fight off these big monsters and still make plays. He had trouble getting off blocks last year.
If Ryans uses his head, he will discourage defensive coordinator Billy Davis from playing a pure 3-4 defense.
[media id=302 width=400 height=300]
I still think Eagles should try the bigger Brandon Graham as a ILB next to Ryan’s and Move Kendrick’s to OLB
In A Base 3-4, it could be
Barwin, Graham, Ryan’s & Kendrick’s across the formation
Then in passing Situations, can change it up
But Graham at 265 from the inside should be able to take on Gueads and raise havoc in the interior
the defense is in a wreck – new coaches, new players, new positions, new system, recovering injuries-
Last year they gave up 28 points a game, I don’t see them improving too much but if they are going to make wholesale changes like they are it is best to do it when they are the worst team in the NFC. Juan Castillo? I just want to see some one smack Jeff Lurie in the back of the head and yell what were you thinking, …….. twice for 2 years!
Defense will be a work in progress. But should come around for the last half of the Season, even with new Coaches, Players & Schenes, I like their prospects of making more plays, creating more Turnovers and holding up in the red-zone
A lot more than the last couple of Seasons
If they can hold Teams to 1 less TD a game and create 1 more Turnover a game, that would be huge to getting back on Track for a winning season and remain in the Playoff chase in my opinion.
Ryans and T. Cole are the only players on D making almost pro- bowl type money & i don’t think they are going to be pro bowl type players next year. I don’t think anyone on the defense is under paid or egregiously overpaid. They are going to get what they paid for a below average defense.
This article makes me thi k they could target Star Loutiulei. man, i hate trying to spell, type and say the guys name. I really think, as this article mentioned they get bigger on that DLine. I would also not be surprised if they tried to snag another DLineman in the 4th or 5th
Billy Davis explained in a video I seen what typeof defense he’s likely to run, and it’s not a pure 3-4 defense.
Davis runs a hybrid 3-4 with a lot of different looks
Switching up and in and out of his front 7
4 DL, 3 Lbs, 3DL and 4 LBs, some LB like a graham, Barwin will have there hands down coming after the QB, Kendrick’s will be moved all over the Formation as will Graham, standing up over Center, over Guards,
On the outside, etc, etc..
Kind of Changing the Subject i know i will likely get bashed but we have the freedom to express ourselves, but doesn’t it seem like Aybendjo LB from the Ravens keeps talking about how their are 4 players about to come out the closet the way they come off if like its a Threat to the NFL. Another thing i am opposed of Same sex marriage as it is unconstitutional i believe and its just my belief God Made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. Hey don’t get me wrong i have friends and family that are of that persuasion and i love them i just don’t condone what they do love the sinner not the sin.
I think He is in the closet. The Former LB of the Ravens. Another thing is they get hit they will sue the nfl and say oh such and such player hit me because of my Sexual Orientation. You see why it will in ways be an issue. But that player knew the toughness they got into way before joining the NFL.
Pipolo- you have the right to your opinion, and that’s exactly what it is, an opinion. This is a tough subject to broach. Personally, I couldn’t give a rats ass what someone’s sexual orientation is, nor what they do in the privacy of their own home. I have an issue when it’s plastered all over the news and sooner rather than later I have to explain this situation to my daughter. The other day my wife was watching Good Morning America, and the weather guy, Sam Champion was talking about his wedding. I just thought to myself, what if my daughter had seen that? What if any kid saw that and says dad, why are 2 guys getting married? That’s where I draw the line. If you want to be gay, than be gay, you don’t need to scream it from the roof top.
It takes 2 minutes of quality time with your daughter to say “honey they got married because they love each other…most of the time boys marry girls like me and mommy but in some cases boys can marry boys and girls can marry girls..” then hop in the car and take her for ice cream.
I don’t think they are screaming from rooftops I think the anti-gay people are screaming a helluva lot louder
I wish it was that easy. You are rite, the opposition is a lot louder. It’s also a generational schism. Older, more traditional people are against it. As we get to people my age (30) and younger the grip loosens.
Exactly like we already know people are Gay why declare it some of us dont approve i am one of them but like you said dont Run an tell it on the Mountain.
Who cares about your approval?
I care about my approval.
I wonder if chip is going to bring in the homo that was just cut from the Ravens.
Obama and his liberal friends are screaming for gay rights, meanwhile while we attempt to protect the non procreators Congress passes the Monsanto Act, shielding Monsanto from liability when they sell genetically modified food that kills our children
it’s all good, at least joey and Johnny are happy
right a whole lot more important things to talk about… who cares if two people want to get married… i don’t even understand what the controversy is…
christ- pastors and priests and politicians have all acted out in homosexual manner many times against children– so keep god and religion out of it!
Prove to me Christ should homosexual manners. Because i will prove you wrong in a heart beat. Get your Bible Straight because i know it 150%.
Oh the book of FAIRY tales! Many a sexual crimes have been committed by men of the cloth
Much, much more important things. Only 88,000 jobs created last month, 7.9 percent unemployment, birth control, how to stop lunatics from obtaining automatic weapons from Walmart……….
@haveaciigar, make sure after you give your kid that kind of talk and take him out for ice cream you don’t order a fudgesicle
Just for fun…..
Noone talks about the Pastors who will soon be faced with a problem…..they will eventually be forced to marry 2 people of the same sex or be breaking a law (not yet but soon). IF they believe it’s against Gods law,… what should they do?
Anyway…. I go to staff meetings to talk about that stuff…. I come to gcobb to talk about football……so….
Who da thing we draft?
and one more thing…… to bash someone for their sexual orientation is silly and small minded. Although i draw the line when it comes marriage, I stand with people that are gay because they are created in the image of God just as the rest of us.
We are all created in God’s Image, but an individual chooses to be a homosexual, which he says he hates (men who lie with men) which God says cannot enter into his Kingdom. Contrary thinking men excuse it, God does not…..
1 Timothy 1:8-11 – 8. Now we know that the Law is fine provided one handles it lawfully 9 in the knowledge of this fact, that law is promulgated, not for a righteous man, but for persons lawless and unruly, ungodly and sinners, lacking loving-kindness, and profane, murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, manslayers, 10 fornicators, men who lie with males, kidnappers, liars, false swearers, and whatever other thing is in opposition to the healthful teaching 11 according to the glorious good news of the happy God, with which I was entrusted……that should cover it.
I warn my sons daily about the homo agenda and to stay away from those reprobates. Also told the school that my children for no reason will be taught alternative lifestyles or hygiene in school and they comply.
It’s a satanic war against life and we must fight with every inch of our being against this wicked imposition on society.
Maybe the most hilarious thing ever posted on gcobb! Makes paulman look sane. Your poor kids!
More like your poor kids and my poor kids because one day they will have to deal with the fall out of your thinking, parental style, more columbine, homosexuality, you need to be a man, grow a pair of balls, songs is 100 percent correct.
My parental style… Hmm three kids all in college, don’t drink and are not permiscuous… Virgins. Don’t cuss, humble and volunteer many hours a month.
Songs homophobic slurs and your agreement shows igmorance, bigotry and the inability to accept people different than you… Those type of folks is what is ruining this country
Wow, you raised perfect kids, no sex, no drinking, no cussing, and all educated, volunteers, you are the first to ever accomplish such a feat, congratulations, and good luck
Hmmm didn’t say perfect and they are far from it… I said they don’t fall into the pagan trappings that you would expect from children of agnostics or as you say my parental style
hac, I don’t claim to know you, nor your family, nor do I ever get involved in that BS spewing, but if you think 3 kids, of college age, don’t cuss, & are still virgins, especially if any of the 3 are boys, you are more naive, delusional & goofier, than I thought. Listen, I’m sure, you are a good Father, with a good family, but when you say the $#!t you do on here, about yourself, your past accomplishments of being a coach, referee, your know it all attitude, your so-called pristine family, your delusions, & your self-proclaimed, superior famdom, you will always, come off as a condescending, pompous, holier than now, better than everyone else, @$$hole! Songs maybe a psycho, racist, troll, but he’s right about homosexuality! It’s immoral, & wrong, period! God made Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve! To each, their own, but it is wrong! Political correctness, is weakness, sackless, & tolerant to a fault! I would never mistreat someone “different”, but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with it, nor like it.
BTW, what’s ruining this country, is the population over crowding, joblessness, homelessness, lack of home schooling, disrespect of humanity, & life, exploding crime rates, the plague that is DRUGS, & our corrupt Government, Republicans & Democrats alike, are what is destroying this Country! Lets not lose sight of the facts! People who have the balls, to speak their minds, aren’t ruining $#!T! More people, should be brutally honest, then maybe this Wussified country, would be a better place to live! People like you, can’t handle the truth, & you prove it, day in, day out, on here!
@ songsrme2
good man.
What exactly do you warn them about? There was a time when parents warned their kids about “blacks” but luckily our society overcame that ignorance.
DCar’s post about two above this one is spot on. Well said.
Seriously , he must also warn them of aliens and zombies. “I warn my sons daily of the homo agenda ” … wow songs you are an absolute sociopath.
So most of the draft experts have the Eagles selecting Geno Smith with the #4 pick. The Eagles are going to really screw this up if they don’t take the best player at the 4 spot which isn’t Geno Smith. Please Eagles fringe office DO NOT take Geno Smith with the first pick. EJ Manuel will probably be just as effective than Smith. And Manuel is taller which helps when looking over that offensive line. Damn i have a bad feeling about that #4 pick :/
i really dont think they will.
I am a Pastors Son and we have rules and Regulations that help protect the Laws of the Church an the Marriage of Same Sex that not even the Constitution can touch nor congress. I know these things those rules are revised and Iron Clad and can not be overruled.
as a Pastor…. you are partially correct. It is not as nearly as secure as you think.
Depends on your Denomination it does.
Basically we are protected from getting Sued by Same Sex Couples and we cant get closed either for rejecting them for marriage.
not 100% true.
Thats not correct. Shut up about it already , go to freakin bible study to talk about your story book this site is for Philly sports.
You cannot be a homosexual, nor a lesbian and be one of Jehovahs Witnesses, NO MATTER WHAT THE LAWS ARE,….and they haven’t been sued once.
Sorry guys i brought up the subject it is so annoying.
I think the Eagles will go with Eric Fisher or Star.
I would like them to draft Eric Fisher, and Ziggy Ansah….
Homosexuality is not a problem in women sports.
Colin Kaepernick & Chip Kelly are both coming out this year and any players that get in their way will be dealt with like Fuzzy Zoeller when he poked fun at Tiger Woods liking fried chicken and watermelon.
What a bunch of losers. That right there is why were all doomed. Stupid people giving birth to more stupid people.You fuckin losers are so sad. You guys should have the Easter Bunny read the Bible to your kids tonight before bed.
losers? stupid people? tough guy attacking a bunny, let’s see how many of your secular agnostic herd of a community sign up to take on a Christian army.
any time you want to go against religion start with the bombs and war in palestine/israel first , let me guess which brain washed side you verbally attack with your key board —
‘Christian and army’ in the same sentence… I’m sure JC himself is just shaking his head… Wow
agnostic people don’t join armies nor do they pro create in large families, spiritual believers do and 4000 years of history proves it
The earth is a little crowded I hope there is a littl less procreating going on. And the Chinese who are not Christian tend to populate well
the USSR collapsed and Russia is now a Christian nation, China has one child per couple
Funny you called the agnostic ‘brainwashed’ funny
no, I did not refer to agnostics as brain washed, I was referring to the entire USA population as brain washed in ignoring an aggressive apartheid army of Israel who has herded a trapped Muslim population into a dessert without access to 75% of their daily water needs and denied free trade with the world
Yeah, because they murder their female born! Go educate yourself!
Lots of simple truth right there
Your all gay for talking about gay matters on a sports site. If it wasnt for gayness then I wouldn’t have had that threesome I had with 2 chicks back in 09′ If it wasnt for gayness then there would be no Freddie Mercury. If it wasnt for gays then there would be no Techno music. So see… Gayness plays a role into all of our lives. Embrace your gay side!!
Not that there is anything wrong with it!
Didn’t he die from AIDS?!? Just saying!
Eagles sorry I guess I’m still pissed that god wanted Reggie to play in green bay.
With the gaps being the same as the 4-3 it really shouldn’t be a huge problem. particularly considering the FO is about to super size the D-Ends. My guess is by the time the season starts there won’t be a D-linemen under 290 lbs.
ES 2.0
1. Chiefs – Eric Fishure, OT
2. Jaguars – Ezekiel Ansah, DE
3. Raiders – Star Lotulelei, DT
4. Eagles – Luke Jockell, OT
5. Lions – Dee Millner, CB
6. Browns – Dion Jordan, DE/LB
7. Cardinals – Lane Johnson, OT
8. Bills – Geno Smith, QB
9. Jets – Sharif Floyd, DT
10. Titans – Chance Warmack, G
11. Chargers – Tavon Austin, WR
12. Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes, CB
13. Bucs – Sheldon Richardson, DT
14. Pathers – Johnathan Cooper, G
15. Saints – Kenny Vaccaro, S
16. Rams – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR
17. Steelers – Jarvis Jones, LB
18. Cowboys – D.J. Fluker, OT
19. Giants – Desmond Trufant, CB
20. Bears – Barkevious Mingo, DE
21. Bengals – Sylvester Williams, DT
22. Rams – Eddie Lacy, RB
23. Vikings – Ryan Nassib, QB (surprise)
24. Colts – Damontre Moore, DE
25. Vikings – Manti Te’o
26. Packers – Tyler Eifert. TE
27. Texans – Justin Hunter, WR
28. Broncos – Alec Ogletree, LB
29. Patriots – D.J. Hayden, CB
30. Falcons – Kyle Long, OL
31. 49ers – Kawann Short, DT
32. Ravens – Johnathan Cyprien, S
Eaglessuck, funny how you spell Star’s name right but misspell so many others; especially in the top 5. Pretty solid draft though. I don’t see Ansah going #2 though.
Nice Mock EOS.. Good Job.
He stole it from another mock site, I just saw that last night, but Ansah, and Dion Jordan were flip flopped.
DCAR I agree with most of your points about the wissification of the country and the overpopulat.ion etc. I also agre that we are to pc and that people should speak their minds but when we disagree while speaking our minds you go ballistic.
As for my kids that ass was questioning my parental style… And it’s connection to religion … I was saying they aren’t perfect but nowhere near sodom and Gomorrah
hac, consider the source. Dude is is a racist psychopath, that tries to hide behind the computer. He even made some ignorant, classless, comment towards me, being of mixed race, & me betraying the hood, because of my prior profession. Then a few of his admiring cohorts on here, agreed with him. That’s why I know who are the phoney POS’s on here. I’m like an Elephant, I don’t forget anything. That’s why racism, doesn’t flow in my veins, because I’ve dealt with it from all sides, my entire life. People like that, have to answer, to the Big Chief! God, don’t like ugly. BTW, as you know, I’m all for speaking your mind, but like I said, some of the $#!t you say, comes off condescending, pompous, holier than now, & like you think you are better than everyone else. That’s not me misinterpreting anything, it’s a fact. Also, I wasn’t going ballistic, I was just trying to speak my mind.
Eagles0Superbowl,
You’re exactlty correct “an aggressive apartheid army of Israel” – thats exactly what they are doing over there, committing genocide against a trapped Muslim population without access to living needs. Most people in our country here are brainwashed.
All I know, which I profess to be not much on the subject is that there have been homosexuals since the beginning of time, and probably will be whenever the end of time comes.. I don’t worry about people’s sexual preference, just like I don’t worry about people’s political, or religious preferences for it’s really none of my business either way.. If your happy, love your family, productive and law-abiding and support your community and Country, then your ok in my book..
Whatever your sexual, political, religious preference’s are..
When people or groups start shoving down ideas, philosophies of how I should live and pursue my own happiness, then I have a problem with it which is why I am not a fan of some organized, established Religious groups or either Political Party or Lobbyust Groups, etc, etc.. I can still make my own decisions and know the difference of right and wrong behavior as it pertains to my own life’s pursuit of happiness and that’s about the only control
I can have while I am here is to make my own life better and not push it on other folks.. This is our own, unique journey of what we k is of life to seek, question and find out during the short time we are here..
guilty here of persnickety rebuttals that offend & often contrite, as usual you are correct Paulman
Paul, how do you know something like that. Thats not true? Since the beginning of time there have not been homosexuals. Adam, and Eve were not homosexuals……..Everybody has free will to do, and believe as they want to, but lets base it on facts, not our preference.
There have been many artifacts,heirogliphics,drawings from the Ancient Egyptians to the Mayans to Northern Europeans to African Tribal ro American Indian Tribal Civilizations depticing man on man activity GMCliff… This is not a 20th Century or a Western Hemisphere or any “Recent Historical ” Phenomenon…
Maybe. but that wasn’t at the beginning of time Paul. Centuries passed before those cultures were even able to colonize.
What your trying to say is at some POINT of time, that became prevalent, but not since the beginning of time. There is a difference.
very well said- i concur!
sorry that ‘i concur’ was to paulman– excellent post
Great post Paulman.
This an acceptable point of view on the private, non government sanctioned level, something I can agree with, but the analysis changes greatly when institutions, government and now churches, look at homosexuals as something other than it is, an aberrant, unnatural, form, by natural process by Darwinian thought will weed itself out naturally.
A perfect liberal, quasi liberal approach espoused by paulman, let’s all get along at the expense of what is right, no rules of morality, here in America, paulman’s okay with everything so long as he has his mock drafts, gcobb privileges, it’s all good
The Eagles are now recognized as the team that sells the unknown in the offseason then fail when during the season.
Chip Kelly and Reid is a wash as far as I’m concerned and the real issue lies with the defense.
Billy Davis have failed a defensive coordinator yet is expected to bring a Hybrid 3-4 4-3 mix.
If he’s no good at either the 3-4 or 4-3 then what good is a Hybrid?
That’s what he sold the wet behind the ears Roseman knowing the Eagles are in transition.
If anything Billy Davis excels at job interviews …nothing more.
When will the Eagles get a real defensive coordinator in here?
The Cowboys gets Kiffin and the Eagles who?
Same ‘ol same ‘ol……
Losing teams find ways to lose, and I’ve been saying this for some time now.
The Eagles Brass sell Gimmicks for what they lack in talent.
Chip Kelly may do ok on offense but as long as this defense remains questionable we all can expect to lose.
After this year’s failure the line next offseason will be that it takes time to fully implement the system.
Watch.
every team ‘sells’ in the offseason– then all but 1 fail the next season
Songs, Lane Kiffin is not what he used to be. Go watch a little USC tape and come back and talk to me after you do your evaluation on his defense. It’s not 2001 anymore.
Agree BTC, The cowboys will be out looking for a new DC in 2 years anyways since Kiffin is sold damn old. Where the Eagles fucked up is them not hiring Ray Horton. I would have even liked him as a head coach over CHip.
btc?
Is Kiffin a better coordinator than Billy Davis?