AFC East Blog: Dolphins wise to switch to 4-3?

[DKphin]

• I have more mixed feelings about Miami's switch. The Dolphins' defense wasn't broken, far from it. It's been very good the past couple of years and I'm not sure there was a need for change. Switching to a 4-3 could mess with continuity. I like the Coyle hire. But he's going to have some work on his hands changing the dynamics of a veteran defense.
• The biggest worry for Miami is that its run defense could suffer. The Dolphins were air-tight against the run most weeks. Players were disciplined and stayed in their gaps. But responsibilities will change in a 4-3 scheme, which will be an adjustment. You also wonder if Miami will have the two stout defensive tackles next season to plug the middle. Miami's best defensive tackle, Paul Soliai, is an unrestricted free agent and not expected to return.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/38755/dolphins-bills-wise-to-switch-to-4-3

 

[Rich22]

Starks is a beast and so is McDaniels and Odrick. I think they will be fine at DT. The bigger question is at DE. Wake is small so they need a beast at the other spot. Too bad Merling hasn't panned out - maybe with a new coaching staff he will get a chance. I think 1st rd pick has to be DE or LB. That is assuming they pick up Nelson to help at safety. YBell has to go due to salary and just not getting any turnovers. Solai is way too expensive. Someone is going to regret that pile of money they give him.

 

[TraderJoe]

Imo the switch has more to do with allocation of money. If we stay in a 3-4 Solia is a huge cap number.

 

[buzdoubt]

Imo the switch has more to do with allocation of money.

i agree.. i'm just not sure i'm prepared to watch our defense go the first few weeks working out the adjustments but they are professionals.
fingers crossed.

 

[umpalu]

i agree.. i'm just not sure i'm prepared to watch our defense go the first few weeks working out the adjustments but they are professionals.
fingers crossed.

At least we have an offseason this year.

 

[Digital]

I'm of the opinion that Mike Nolan had a lot to do with our defensive success since he arrived. Nolan is gone and even in a 3-4 our defense would suffer IMHO. But, we did play a hybrid 3-4 / 4-3 even last year. Wake played a pass rushing DE in a 3-point stance quite a lot last year. The scheme change will nothave as muchof an impact as the personnel change and coaching staff changes though IMHO.

Soliai is good, but too expensive. Bell is past his prime. We lack turnover makers. We need at least one more good pass-rusher. Our LB corp is weak, regardless of what anyone says. Dansby woefully underperformed, Burnett is journeyman quality, and Koa Misi is a bust. (I was screaming at the TV for us to draft Gronkowski, but we HAD to have a non-pass-rushing LB, I was soooo pissed off). Our only real strength is DL, where Starks, Soliai, Langford, Odrick,and Merling is an embarassment of riches. The 4-3 leverages those riches and helps with the acquisition of talent.

One of the 3-4's main advantages used tobe the valuable pieces like tweener hybrid DE/LB were easier to find than the true 4-3 DE. With today's NFL having so many 3-4 teams, that advantage has disappeared. We are well placed to switch to a 4-3. I just hope we can produce more turnovers and find another pass rusher.