The search for a head coach is still in full effect as Eagles’ executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman and owner Jeffery Lurie will undoubtedly flip every stone to find the coach they believe fits best with this team. Everyone knows about the haunting quarterback situation that will determine the direction of this team going forward, whether that be rebuilding or contending early. However, not many people are considering the possible switch for the defense as a new head coach could mean new coordinators, which can easily result in a new defensive scheme.
The Eagles ran a hybrid 3-4 defensive system under Billy Davis and Chip Kelly over the last three seasons, but an argument can be made that this roster is better suited to run a 4-3 defensive front next season. The players on the team are familiar with both systems because many of them have played in both fronts before. The change however would provide a huge difference if executed. Even the secondary, which many believe can play the same way in a switch, would have to change the coverages they deploy into if a change is made. Here are the positives and negatives of switching to a 4-3 defense:
Positives
- Possible fix for the linebacker situation?
The Eagles’ defense struggled against the run this past season (mainly during the second half of the year) because of the loss of rookie Jordan Hicks in the middle of the defense. DeMeco Ryans is a proven player, but his legs and body are not what they used to be, and he seems to have lost the burst that made him such an effective player years ago. Mychal Kendricks simply took a step back in his development, and Kiko Alonso remains unhealthy until he gets his legs under him. Switching to a 4-3 defense would allow the Eagles to put Brandon Graham at 4-3 defensive end, which is his natural position, and give the coaching staff more options at the linebacker positions. If Ryans would remain the starting middle linebacker in a switched front, Kendricks and Alonso could kick out to the strong and weak side linebackers, respectively. Hicks would have the ability to learn and split time under Ryans and Connor Barwin could try out at both defensive end and outside linebacker, notably because of his versatility. - Bolster the pass rush.
Graham switching to a 4-3 end after just recently becoming comfortable in the 3-4 front would be a double-edge sword, but he is definitely more effective as a full-time pass rusher, and his potential as such borderlines on great. Fletcher Cox could use another threat on the line so that he won’t constantly have to defeat double teams, and the defensive line as a group will not have to “two-gap,” meaning they will become responsible for one gap on the offensive line instead of two. Bennie Logan would most likely be the second defensive tackle on the field in this scenario (barring any free agent acquisitions or rookie picks) and the Eagles could definitely do worse, considering he has emerged as a part-time dominant force. Vinny Curry would be an amazing fit in a full-time 4-3 defense, but his contract would have to be renewed this off-season, and the cap space it would take to keep him doesn’t seem to be available. - Ultimate versatility.
The Eagles have the players to succeed in both systems, highlighted by the fact that Barwin is the resident “Jack-of-all-trades” at linebacker. Having the ability to fool opposing offenses (offensive lines, in particular) is a necessary attribute to winning games. The Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots are very good at mixing up their coverages and defensive fronts, and the Eagles have the roster to do the same. The possible downside to this form of defense is that the front-7 never become comfortable in either defensive front and too much switching could be creative, but ultimately too complicated to run successfully. In this case, the Eagles would be better suited to run the 4-3 front as their base defense but having the ability to switch smoothly to the 3-4 set is always a positive.
Negatives
- Wasted player development and training.
The Eagles have had the personnel to be successful in the 4-3 defense since Kelly arrived in Philadelphia for the first time. After three years of molding this roster into a productive 3-4 front, the possibility of switching back to a 4-3 could be seen as a waste. Curry, Cox, and Graham were all projected stars in a 4-3 front, and switching back would mean that three years of learning how to run a new front could have been for naught. Many of the players in the front-7 were projected to be better fits in the the 4-3 base anyway, so switching back now would mean that learning the 3-4 was not a positive switch for the team. On the other hand, running another hybrid system could prevent the loss of learning the new system. - Barwin loses some value.
Barwin has been used in Philadelphia as the piece of the defense to smooth over the transition to a 3-4 base. Barwin has been used however Davis saw fit over the last three seasons and he has produced big in that time. His versatility has been invaluable to the defense, but switching to the 4-3 base now presents the team with a bit of an issue. Barwin has proven to be a very adept pass rusher for the team, but he also has the ability to drop back into coverage effectively. Switching to a 4-3 base with myriad of middle linebackers means that Barwin will now have to become an exclusive pass rusher or an exclusive outside linebacker in the new front. Becoming a defensive end in a 4-3 would be the smoothest and best way to utilize Barwins skills as a pass rusher, but there is no doubt that the Eagles lose something valuable when he isn’t in a 3-4 front. Again, playing a hybrid system in a 4-3 base would allow Barwin to play joker all over the formation, but that would be up to the new head coach to decide. - Middle linebackers to learn another position.
The fact that the 3-4 base features two inside linebackers was supposed to be a great idea since the team seemed to have a full course of talent running through that position. However, after a year where the entire position suffered from injuries and poor play, switching schemes could be a good call for the players. Ryans will definitely not switch to a strong-side or weak-side linebacker in a defensive switch, so Kendricks and Alonso would be the logical candidates. Hicks seems to have the skills and the poise to spell Ryans next year, and also seems to be the Simba to Ryans’ Mufasa, so he would not make the switch to outside linebacker either. Kendricks and Alonso’s potential to cover tight ends and kick out into different match-ups allows them to play those outside spots much more effectively than Ryans ever could and this would be a great way to get the most amount of athleticism on the field as possible. Kendricks has experience playing both the strong and the weak side in a 4-3 base under Andy Reid in his rookie season, but he did not have the experience or the talent around him to succeed the way he may be able to now. Alonso has no such experience at that position and would have to make another transition. Although the transition from 3-4 to 4-3 is rather large for outside linebackers and defensive lineman, it isn’t as huge as you would believe for inside linebackers. However, it is still pretty significant, and only a smooth transition to a new position will yield positive results.
Once a head coach is chosen for next year, the picture of what this defense’s potential could be will become clearer. For the first time in three years, the defense will have a chance to play a more traditional style of defense, barring any surprise hiring. Being last in the league in the vaunted “time of possession” statistic is more than likely a thing of the past since the snap count that the defense plays will more than likely decrease. It is very exciting to see what type of defense this team will play, but in my opinion, switching to a 4-3 front will help the defense much more than it will hinder it, and isn’t that exactly what this team needs?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
