" D " dept. : is it time we make the " 4-3 " our base defense ? ? ?

[kelly]

There’s no doubt that the New York Jets should play Darron Lee at outside linebacker in 2017. It makes the most sense due to his frame and skill set.

The New York Jets tried to follow an NFL trend of moving smaller guys who are also quick to the inside to give them an edge against less athletic NFL guards. There’s one problem with that. Linebacker Darron Lee’s frame isn’t suited for the constant banging at the position.

When you watch highlights and game tape of Lee at Ohio State, the Buckeyes did play him some inside. However, they predominantly played him at outside linebacker. They did play a 4-3 defense, but, even in a 3-4 defense, he’s more suited to play outside linebacker.Lee missed some valuable time due to an ankle injury last season. The constant pounding of NFL guards more than likely factored into the injury. The combination of Lee and Jordan Jenkins on the outside, along with Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams on the defensive line, would be a formidable pass rush foursome. You might ask yourself, “Where would the Jets move Lorenzo Mauldin?”

Mauldin, Bruce Carter, and Demario Davis should be in a three-man rotation at inside linebacker.Mauldin has the perfect combination of body type and athleticism to play against guards in this league. Lee, Jenkins and Dylan Donahue should be the outside linebacker rotation.The Demario Davis trade was perfect to set this up. At his size and build, he’s perfect for an inside linebacker rotation. Davis is versatile and could also play outside.

When he was drafted, NFL.com listed him as an outside linebacker, and this is what draft expert Mike Mayock had to say :

“He’s today’s NFL outside linebacker. He ran a 4.47 40 at 232 pounds. He’s a sideline-to-sideline, three-down linebacker. His weakness is if you cover him up against a big body, he will struggle.”

He was covered by big bodies last season, and he did struggle with the move inside. It would be better suited for him to rush the quarterback and cover from the outside rather than the inside. It’s also better to have four pass rushers that are good, rather than hide one of them.

>     https://thejetpress.com/2017/07/02/new-york-jets-move-darron-lee-outside/

[AFJF]

If you're gonna' go to a 4-3, I say keep him at MLB where he can make plays with the big guys up front occupying blockers.

[#27TheDominator]

Every year I say, this is not a good idea.  I don't see why we are planning to swap our D based upon a pick that hasn't looked particularly good.  We have no 4-3 DEs.  Lack of edge rusher is already a problem.  I don't see how calling Williams, Richardson and/or Wilkerson is going to help matters much. I do not believe that Mauldin has ever played inside and his lack of speed would probably be more evident with only 3 LB on the field.  Our coach has only been a 3-4 coach and has been drafting into it for 3 years.  Not sure why they'd switch now.  Or, maybe I just fear change. 

[varjet]

It will be very interesting to see how Darron Lee is used this year, and how he plays.  It just seems like the defense is in a state of confusion.  

I am all for BPA, so long as the BPA fits in the system that the team plays.  What good is Lee (or Leo for that matter, if you keep the other two) if there is no place for them to play.

[AFJF]

It's really a moot point when you get down to it.  

Teams spend more time in sub packages than base nowadays.

[Raideraholic]

Darron Lee is a Wlb whether outside in 4-3 , or inside in 3-4.  Darron Lee was a rookie who Jet fans were counting too much from his rookie year.   Was always going to be a learning curve coming from college , to the Pro game.  

Just because you can run fast, doesn't mean you're going to be great in coverage.  Jet fans just need to give him more time, as eventually should be a pretty good NFL  Wlb .

Jmo what defense the Jets play isn't as big a deal.( did this article come from CNN).