To be absolutely clear, this was not an absolute advocacy of switching to a full time 3-4.


First, even thinking about using the 3-4 was predicated upon signing Poe. Without a potentially dominant NT, the 3-4 is doomed to failure. We don't have a potentially dominant 3-4 without Poe. Whatever advocacy I had for utilizing a 3 man line disappeared with the possibility of signing him.


Secondly, even assuming we signed Poe, I still maintain the 4-3 should be our base defense. I believe the 4-3 gives the defense more flexibility personnel wise than the 3-4. I believe by a large margin, our personnel is currently suited to a 4-3, not only due to the lack of a dominant NT, but also due to the lack of 3-4 LBs, both in terms of body and play style type, but sheer numbers. In my mind, Telvin Smith does NOT fit the traditional mode of a 3-4 ILB, which is one reason I have been against the full time switch all these years. Furthermore, all of the relevant FO and coaching personnel are 4-3 guys. TC is a 4-3 guy. Marrone ran the 4-3 in Buffalo. Wash has run the 4-3 here. Caldwell has been scouting, drafting, and stocking a 4-3 defense pre-dating his time here. I would not want to impose a full time 3-4 scheme on the coaches or players under those circumstances..


My limited advocacy for the 3-4 was not a push for a full time switch. Just for use in various situations where a hybrid scheme or formational or personnel variety might be advantageous.

In a 3-4 look Telvin would play inside linebacker but in reality his role would be the same as a hit and run weakside linebacker. That's how Arizona does its 3-4 looks.

---

He was first alternate for the Pro Bowl last year

good thing the pro bowl doesnt mean anything

---

In a 3-4 look Telvin would play inside linebacker but in reality his role would be the same as a hit and run weakside linebacker. That's how Arizona does its 3-4 looks.

Arizona is hard to count cause they played the Mathieu/Swearinger/Jefferson 3 safety look so their linebackers were more of a traditional 3 LB look.

---

Arizona is hard to count cause they played the Mathieu/Swearinger/Jefferson 3 safety look so their linebackers were more of a traditional 3 LB look.

Its the exact same role. Out of those 3 LBs one is almost always a pass rusher right on the line of scrimmage (Chandler Jones this year) which gives you 2 ILB behind them, Buccanon is one of them but is essentially just a weakside linebacking role, run and hit. It works the same way with 4 LBs there too, just means you have to jiggle it around a bit.

---

So why not Poz as a 3-4 ILB?


 

I just still don't get it. Every time I hear a description of what we need for a 3-4 ILB, it's like I'm hearing a description of Poz.

---

'02

So why not Poz as a 3-4 ILB?


I just still don't get it. Every time I hear a description of what we need for a 3-4 ILB, it's like I'm hearing a description of Poz.

Because it was a big part of the reason he left Buffalo.

---

So why not Poz as a 3-4 ILB?


 

I just still don't get it. Every time I hear a description of what we need for a 3-4 ILB, it's like I'm hearing a description of Poz.

 

from 2011:

 

Jacksonville plays a 4-3 defensive scheme, and that was the big factor in the decision, said Michael McCartney, Posluszny's Chicago-based agent.

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:16px;font-family:Lora, georgia, serif;">"He got excited to play in a 4-3 defense in the middle," McCartney said. "He's leaving Buffalo with a heavy heart."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:16px;font-family:Lora, georgia, serif;">"I have so much respect for the Buffalo organization," McCartney said. "They did everything they could to try to sign him. But he felt more comfortable in a 4-3 defense. I want to emphasize how much respect I have for Jim Overdorf (Bills senior vice president of football administration) and the Bills. It was a tough decision."

<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:16px;font-family:Lora, georgia, serif;">Posluszny was drafted into the league as a 4-3 middle linebacker when the Bills took him in the second round in 2007. The Bills now use a 3-4 defense as their base scheme under coach Chan Gailey.

 

---

So why not Poz as a 3-4 ILB?


 

I just still don't get it. Every time I hear a description of what we need for a 3-4 ILB, it's like I'm hearing a description of Poz.

Poz actually gets engulfed quite a bit and gets stuck at times shedding blocks, which is really the primary role of an ILB in a traditional 3-4. This is why Poz would be a not so ideal fit for it, and why it would be an even terrible fit for Telvin.

---

D. Orlando Ledbetter‏ @DOrlandoAJC  13m13 minutes ago

Dontari Poe’s World Tour continues. Left Miami and is not off to Oakland. #Falcons remain interested.

 

 

Poe enjoying those free meals.

---

 

<div>D. Orlando Ledbetter‏ @DOrlandoAJC  13m13 minutes ago

Dontari Poe’s World Tour continues. Left Miami and is not off to Oakland. #Falcons remain interested.

 

 

Poe enjoying those free meals.


 

</div>

 

 

Wait... so he's "not" going to Oakland?

---

'02

If we're only switching up on occasion, Poz would do just fine as the 3-4 ILB. It really doesn't matter that he prefers a 4-3.

---

'02

Wait... so he's "not" going to Oakland?

Think it meant now

---

Think it meant now

But can you be sure?!

---

IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS

<a class="" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk'>ProFootballTalk‏<span style="font-size:.9em;"><span style="color:rgb(29,161,242);">Verified account</span> </span>@ProFootballTalk </a> <a class="" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/842417178800476160' title="12:48 PM - 16 Mar 2017">45s45 seconds ago</a>
<div>
<div>
<div>More
</div>
</div>
</div>

<p class="">Per source, Dontari Poe agrees to terms with Falcons.

---

<span style="background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">
<a class="bbc_url" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk'>ProFootballTalk‏<span style="color:rgb(29,161,242);"><span style="font-size:8px;">Verified account
@ProFootballTalk </a> <a class="bbc_url" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/842417178800476160'>45s45 seconds ago</a>


More</span></span></span><span style="background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">


Per source, Dontari Poe agrees to terms with Falcons.
</span>

Sucks he didn't come here, but he didn't go to Indy so it's cool

---

IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS

<span style="background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">
<a class="bbc_url" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk'>ProFootballTalk‏<span style="color:rgb(29,161,242);"><span style="font-size:8px;">Verified account
@ProFootballTalk </a> <a class="bbc_url" href='https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/842417178800476160'>45s45 seconds ago</a>


More</span></span></span><span style="background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">


Per source, Dontari Poe agrees to terms with Falcons.
</span>

Hankins on deck.

---

I'd love Hankins.

I wouldn't even mind taking a look at Blount and AP.

---

Hankins wants 8+ and a multi year deal.

---

Free agency is still going on?

 

I doubt the Jags sign anyone worth talking much about after the onslaught of signings the first few days...

---

Josina Anderson‏Verified account @JosinaAnderson  4m4 minutes ago

Note: DT Dontari Poe had a 1yr, $9M deal fully guar'd + incentives from the #Jags, but favored the #Falcons all along based on convos w/ DQ.

 

 

Well that's interesting.

---