3-4 D if we get Harbaugh?

Submitted by jerseyblue on

Should we be fortunate and get Harbaugh I'm guessing that he would want to continue using a 3-4 defense. Based on our current personnel how smooth/bumpy of a transition would you expect that to be?

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HipsterCat

December 22nd, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^

We could probably run a decent 3-4 but it would be rough. We dont really have a dominante player who could be the nose tackle, maybe pipkins could do it but who knows seems like he was still recovering from his ACL injury last year. That's not a lot of depth for the nose. The other end spots we could probably cover relatively well between the 3-techs and strongside ends. We have solid linebacker depth so we could figure it out but people would have to shuffle around some. Ross wouldn't be able to be a OLB in a 3-4, imo.

Joined: 06/28/2011

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benjamint1024

December 22nd, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^

Move small line backers to strong safetey ala earl thomas(he is a good size lb) We need depth there and we have a plethora of lbs with potential. Some of the smaller ends and larger lbs work as rush lb/end and our depth on d line becomes a rotational plus on the d line. Cart before horse...but would love to see the possibilities

Joined: 12/08/2014

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Maaly

December 22nd, 2014 at 4:52 PM ^

As much respect as I have for  Mattison I do not want him back, maybe for recruiting. I would just like to see an eactual pass rush, and not blitz linebackers like hell all game hoping that  [Insert QB here] misses one of two players wide open on the slant or hitch.

Joined: 09/10/2011

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MeanJoe07

December 22nd, 2014 at 4:59 PM ^

Will Corey Malone-Hatcher be a an outside linebacker or a five technique in Harbaughs 3-4  3 years from now? And what is your pre-season ranking for that team?

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FatGuyTouchdown

December 22nd, 2014 at 5:06 PM ^

interesting move. Just because it seems our DLine has quite a few guys that could play DT-4/3 and DE-3/4. I'm mainly thinking of Mone and Henry. Plus it adds versatility to Taco Charlton. Seems like a guy that can go hand in the ground, or become a rush edge LB. I think the transition would be fairly good.

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Space Coyote

December 22nd, 2014 at 5:39 PM ^

The personnel is pretty sound for it.

NT - Mone, Pipkins, Glasgow

SDE - Glasgow, Hurst, Henry

WDE - Wormley, Poggi, Strobel

LOLB - Taco, Mario, Marshall

ROLB - McCray, RJS, Winovich, Furbush

ILB - Ross, Bolden, Gedeon, Morgan

Ross may struggle to find a fit. Gant and Wangler almost certainly would. So yeah, there'd be some transition costs there, but not profound transition costs.

The scheme wouldn't be too unlike the 4-3 Under. If they made that switch, I wouldn't be surprised if they ran a one-gap version, but I think the DL Michigan has could handle a 2-gap or one-gap version. I'd have some concerns about natural fits at ILB after Ross, Bolden, and Morgan graduate (one of the ROLBs could play there, but that would be a place where losing Ferns really hurts), but it overall wouldn't likely be a huge issue, and they could remain a bit more multiple in the mean time until they got recruits in.

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Bambi

December 22nd, 2014 at 5:39 PM ^

I don't know if we'd necessarily run the 3-4. Harbaugh's first 3 years at Stanford he ran a 4-3. It wasn't until Fangio was hired as his DC that he started running the 3-4, and Fangio has been his DC since his last year at Stanford.

Basically I think it comes down to whether or not Fangio stays with Harbaugh if Harbaugh were to come here. My random guess is no because he doesn't have the Michigan connections and he could probably still get a good job in the pros.

If Fangio doesn't come, it just depends on who we hire. I don't think Harbaugh would care either way considering he's an offensive coach, but I could be completely wrong there.

Joined: 10/12/2013

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alum96

December 23rd, 2014 at 2:00 AM ^

Yep very dependent on who is hired as DC.  Jim's first 3 defenses at Stanford were poor.  And he rotated thru DCs like tissue paper.  Fangio fixed all that both at Stanford and SF.   But aside from 1 yr in Stanford he has been an NFL guy his whole life.  I am sure whatever guy we get it will be his preference on what to run.

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