So, it looks like Mike Nolan and his 3-4 defense is on its way to 1265. Let me just remind everyone, players make plays, not schemes. We saw the old Cowboys 4-3 defense work in Green Bay when Jim Bates was the coordinator. For some reason, players were not bying what Bob Sanders was selling. So, he and his staff are gone.
Mike Nolan has had a lot of success with the Ravens version of the 3-4 from 2002 – 2004. Granted, that was really Marvin Lewis’ version of the defense that he inherited and modified, but that defense didn’t really have a letdown. Nolan has had a lot of experience as the DC. He’s held the position for the Giants, the Jets, the Redskins, the Ravens and he will get another crack at it in Green Bay. Most of his assistant positions have been as a linebackers coach. Do you want to know how his defenses have faired? I’d love to know but the data seems hard to find. The overall record of the teams during his stints is mediocre at best.
- Giants ‘93-’96 : 31-33
- Redskins ‘97-’99: 24-23-1
- Jets ‘00: 9-7
- Ravens ‘02-04: 26-23
I’ll see if I can dig up some stats about those defenses specifically, but those stints did include a number of division titles. Thompson is going to have to dip into free agency to get some defensive lineman and maybe a couple of linebackers that could play that scheme though. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter what the scheme is, they’ll still let teams run all over them.
Hawk played the 3-4 at Ohio State, so perhaps he could still become an impact player if the defense changed. I think Barnett could play the other middle position and you might be able to fill the one of the outside positions for a year or two with either Poppinga or Chillar. But, there is no way Kampman can play without putting a hand down on the ground and I don’t think he’s big enough to play end in the 3-4. He’d be miscast and they’re paying him a lot of money. Jenkins might be able to pull it off and Pickett might be able to eat up some blockers at the nose. You can’t draft all of those guys and expect them to make an impact this year. So, Teddy’s got to go to free agency, doesn’t he?
