Another example of players making a defense dominant, can be seen in San Diego. The Chargers had one of the best run defenses for much of the 90s....when a player named Junior Seau roamed from sideline to sideline for them. And, they ran the "dreaded" 4-3. Egads! This past season, San Diego had one of the best defenses in the league...because of Shawne Merriman. And, they currently run the 3-4.
In other words, whether it is the 3-4 or the 4-3 really makes little difference...as long as a team has a Seau or a Merriman.
Don't get me wrong: if I were a coach, I would run the 3-4, because it allows your defensive ends/linebackers to do many more things. That said, I am smart enough to realize that schemes and philosophies can only get teams so far...players make a defense dominant.
In regards to the 3-4 versus the 4-3, Dick Lebeau is still the defensive coordinator (wink, wink). Furthermore, many of the players who are currently under contract with the Steelers, fit better in the 3-4 defense than they do in the 4-3. While change is coming, it may not be as drastic as some might believe.
Allow me to take you back in time once again.
On a plane flight home from a game, Dick Lebeau, Dom Capers, and Bill Cowher started speculating on how to improve Buddy Ryan's 46 defense. The result of this mid-air brain-trust was the zone-blitz defense. I foresee a similar melding of the minds between Tomlin and Lebeau, with the result being some sort of hybrid of the 3-4 and the Cover-2 (which is a 4-3 defense). This new and improved philosophy will redefine defenses as we know it. True, I might be overly optimistic...but, history has shown that putting mental giants into the same room, committed to the same goal, generally results in great things. See Paul Allen and Bill Gates. See also, Plato and Socrates. And, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
While on the topic of geniuses, Troy Polamalu might be the smartest player in the NFL. It is his ability to read offenses that makes him so effective, because he is always in the right spot to make a play. Considering that the Cover-2 places its safeties back away from the line of scrimmage, many Steelers fans are worried that Troy's skills might be negated. First of all, I have two words for that: Bob Sanders. See also, John Lynch. And, Mike Brown.
Secondly, I am sure that Tomlin and Lebeau know how to best use Troy. In other words, even in the Cover-2, they will have Troy playing near the line of scrimmage...and playing defensive end...and playing linebacker...and cornerback...and...
In short, there will be a ton of transition and change this season: the switch to the 4-3 defense; Troy playing in the Cover-2; and Lebeau adapting his blitz schemes for the 4-3. Yet, I am not at all worried. The Rooneys have always made smart decisions. Dick Lebeau has always made smart decisions. And, considering that Tomlin started out as the third choice (behind Ron Rivera and Russ Grimm), but was able to convince the Steelers to hire him, tells me that Tomlin thinks well on his feet (i.e. makes smart decisions).
In other words, just as I asked Steelers fans to do two seasons ago (when Ben was a a second-year starter), I will ask them to do the same this year: be patient, have faith, and think positive thoughts.
