Basically a LB/DE tweener more fit for a 3-4 scheme, which may be interesting idea except I don’t think we have the D lineman to fit the scheme, basically the reason Ekuban and Robertson are here is because they aren’t 3-4 lineman.

I believe we were talking about this as it related to Matt Roth’s move that was so often talked about during the Chargers v. Dolphins game.

It’s adding up folks. The more I look at it, the more it looks like Slowik has been slowly bringing the defense along all of this time.

I’m really proud of myself :P

WHAT IF SLOWIK IS INVENTING A WHLOE NEW TYPE OF DEFENSE!!!! Like the “46” defense of the ’85 Bears or the “Tampa 2” of the ’02 Bucs! We could be witnessing a whole new pseudo 3-4 zone blitz defense with emphasis on stopping the run… for the first time ever!!!!

Unless, of course, someone has already thought of that.

I mentioned this in a different thread, but Roth was also an undersized DE that never fit due to the dreaded tweener issue. Miami had the prescience to see that he would be a great 3-4 LB. Presto! He spent the day making Rivers life miserable and brushed LT aside like a bad snowflake. I’m not sure that Moss can be that good – his issues with strength concern me. But still – we could use another big, fast LB. It’s a great idea.

As to the birth of a new scheme – I hope that’s true. It’s been coming for a while, and our personnel is unique. HT pointed out in his great discourse on the Modern 3-4 Defense something to the effect that each DC should be scheming for his personnel (I’m paraphrasing, but I think that’s about right) rather than some etched in stone idea. Slowik has a great opportunity and some fine players to work with.

The monster lineup above – Moss, DJ, Boss, Doom at LB – is one option, although I wouldn’t move Doom – he’s happy and very effective where he is and we can and will rotate players (I saw Peterson do some damage this game and it’s nice to see). Our coverage LBs include Woodyard, and Winborn is playing his heart out. Depth is a great thing!

he has a pass rushing ability that could be utilized well from the LB position and his size makes it possible for him to play in coverage as well. Slowik needs to get on the ball and get Moss’ learning curve up to speed on the LB position. I’d rather have him play LB than play for another team.

What about Jarvis as a line-backer? What do we all think—I personally would like to salvage this #1 pick.

I enjoy this forum much better than the newspapers. Too much bashing of writers (sometimes deserved) and cat-fighting over there.

The Quest

Granted he has very good strait line speed, but to me a LB has to be good at change in direction and being able to take on blockers, neither of which I would say Moss has right now, to me it just seems like Denver is looking at him physically and saying, OK you are too small to be lined up in a three point lets move you to LB because that is what your body type is, to me there is a lot more to it than simply changing position, LB takes instincts and for someone who has never played it, there would be a steep learning curve, basically you would be starting from square one again and wasting the season one him since he will have to learn alot of different responsibilities on coverage and run support.

I saw a WHOLE defensive team that was COMPLETELY behind DC Bob Slowik. They even handed him the game ball.
I REALLY like the comment that perhaps he is nursing this team thru.
Hawk, great comments, and HT, as normal, great input.
A question for you, from all this reading it looks like we HAVE the personnel for the one gap 3-4 hybrid style defense. It seems to me that this would actually play to the strengths of Thomas and Robertson, and open up opportunities particularly for guys like Boss Bailey and Jarvis Moss at OLB. Do you see it this way?
There is NO way I am giving up on Jarvis Moss. He is a player and an athlete and we have to learn how to use him.
The defense looked GREAT on the weekend, with less assignment mistakes and some passion. I am liking where we are heading.
Once again, the “experts” say it was a better perormanc by us but that Tampa has no offense (yeah…what ever) but I would rather listen to the knowledgable experts on this site.
Kudos to everyone and GREAT GREAT post Mike Clark!

The whole situation with Moss and even Crowder raises the argument for consistency at the coordinator level. These guys were drafted as Bates-type players and now they don’t necessarily fit the new scheme. While Slowik appears to be showing encouraging signs that he can adapt his system to fit the players, the Broncos need to stick with him long enough to get and establish players that fit the mold he likes….. even through the growing pains.

He needs to if he wants to stay on the field. Mixing it up would confuse a lot of teams left on the schedule.

Being a tweener…i think this new scheme will be great for him.
It seems to me we are moving to a fast paced 3-4 scheme that brings pressure from the OLB’s behind the pressure of the front 3.
Once Moss matures, he will be hard to handle.
I totally agree with MN….we need to stick it out with Slowik……he has the full support of his squad and they know better than us!

I love that way the players are behind Slowik. I knew that they wanted him over Bates last year and despite some assignment/communication problems early, they are playing their hearts out for him. Passion can make a good ball team great.

If we in fact make a switch like this in scheme…what is our biggest draft need…still MLB or maybe are we more focused at the safety position???

Very impressive IMO. It would be nice to have that dude, especially if we use a 3-4.

after the lb experiment, back outside-the organization! sorry, had to do it. this reeks of the move to wr by deltha o’neal. remember that? he is not built for a 3-4 ‘backer, and this d in general isn’t a 3-4, either. i doubt you’re going to see it much, outside of the continually frustrating 3-man rush alignment that always yields a first down, anyway. this team runs a 4-3/4-4 on early/running downs, so i really don’t know where all the 3-4 talk is coming from, outside of the pass-rush/passing downs. a weak d-line doesn’t make the 3-4 a good option to compensate for it, with lighter/faster players. don’t like it, not with these guys