Boston Columnist: "Briggs not a good fit for 3-4" (for Pats)

[jackacid]

If you’re in the market for a linebacker or a cornerback, you’ve come to the wrong offseason.

The two areas that represent the Patriots [team stats]’ biggest needs also happen to be two of the thinnest positions in free agency this year, particularly when franchise tags are factored into the mix.

The top linebacker on the market, Lance Briggs, is not a good fit for a 3-4 system after spending his career in Chicago’s 4-3. The best corner on the market, the Pats’ Asante Samuel [stats], may end up being the most sought after free agent in the league and is not about to grant any hometown discounts.

http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1071911

Good news in the sense that the Pats don't focus on him. Bad news in the sense that we use the same defense. Of course, I've read the Niners intent would be to move him inside...

[Mullester]

He already plays inside, and I don't think we will get him I've heard KC and Wash want him also.

[Ace Matherton]

Wow this should be filed under the "duh" catagory.

[Teke]

Hmm, I've read conflicting reports on whether he will fit into a 3-4 or not. Obviously Nolan thinks he can.

An interesting side note, during Ray Lewis' interview at the pro bowl he didn't rule out leaving Baltimore once he becomes a FA. I think he's scheduled to hit FA after next season. I guarantee Nolan will be trying to sign him if he does. This might be playing into Nolan's decision a bit, as it has been said that Briggs would play ILB.

[WhistlingMtn]

Wow this should be filed under the "duh" catagory.

Seriously, anyone dreaming he come here and be a great 3-4 ILB is just crazy..

[Mullester]

Your right in chi he plays olb but here he would be ilb and like whistlingMtn i don't think that would work out great.

[KevinM]

Seriously, anyone dreaming he come here and be a great 3-4 ILB is just crazy..

I'd sign him... for Derrick Smith's deal. But paying him like a top LB to play Ted for us would be a huge waste of cap space.

[SBbound49ers]

I'd sign him... for Derrick Smith's deal. But paying him like a top LB to play Ted for us would be a huge waste of cap space.

We need an upgrade over Smith but I agree, paying Briggs would be a waste. :wink:

[Brian Jennings]

Hmm, I've read conflicting reports on whether he will fit into a 3-4 or not. Obviously Nolan thinks he can.And Nolan has done a great job acquiring personnel to play in the 3-4 here, right?

We need an upgrade over Smith but I agree, paying Briggs would be a waste. :wink:This is what I've been saying for months.

[OsBoogie]

good

[Teke]

And Nolan has done a great job acquiring personnel to play in the 3-4 here, right?

Actually, for what he started with I would say yes. You don't think we've improved since Nolan began his tenure?

[Brian Jennings]

Actually, for what he started with I would say yes. You don't think we've improved since Nolan began his tenure?Where's our NT? Who are our DEs? Where's our passrushing LB? I see few part required to run a 3-4 and Nolan has been here three years. He's done a horrid job of acquiring the parts for it.

[KevinM]

Where's our NT? Who are our DEs? Where's our passrushing LB? I see few part required to run a 3-4 and Nolan has been here three years. He's done a horrid job of acquiring the parts for it.

The flip side is, who did we miss out on that fits those bills? Adalius Thomas is the only obvious one, but he was absolutely disinterested in playing on the west coast.

[49ermanic1]

Can someone please explain the difference between a 4-3 LB and a 3-4 LB.

[badass316]

They can't afford Lance anyway, or any big FAs for that matter. So it really doesn't matter if he fits their 3-4 system or not.

[KevinM]

Can someone please explain the difference between a 4-3 LB and a 3-4 LB.

Briggs plays very well in a system deisgned to get him in space to chase ballcarriers and receivers. In our system, he would be asked to go up agaisnt a lineman more often than not, and he has little experience with that. So we'd be paying a guy what he's worth to do one job, when we're going to be asking him to do something else that he almost certainly won't do as well.

It's kind of like hiring the best gardner you can possibly find, and asking him to paint your house.

[badass316]

Can someone please explain the difference between a 4-3 LB and a 3-4 LB.

4-3 LBs are relatively smaller - an example would be bucs OLB Cato June, who is 230 LBs and is still able to play LB in a 4-3 scheme.

3-4 LBs are relatively bigger - Normally guys over 245 or 250.

[Teke]

Where's our NT? Who are our DEs? Where's our passrushing LB? I see few part required to run a 3-4 and Nolan has been here three years. He's done a horrid job of acquiring the parts for it.

If we had an NT and DEs then we wouldn't have guys like Gore, Willis, Clements, Lawson, etc. You remind me of people who complain about not being able to afford their rent when they're driving an SUV with 20 inch rims and buying LCd TV's and such. You can't really see the big picture can you?

Nolan started with a small amount of talented players, and since then he's improved the team steadily over the course of the first 3 years. Think of all the players who you like that will be going into camp this season for the 49ers, now how many of those players are from past regimes?

Rebuilding an entire team in the salary cap era doesn't happen overnight.

[Niko Gatti]

I'd sign him... for Derrick Smith's deal. But paying him like a top LB to play Ted for us would be a huge waste of cap space.

hey we agree again, overpriced Weakside takling linebacker.

[49ermanic1]

4-3 LBs are relatively smaller - an example would be bucs OLB Cato June, who is 230 LBs and is still able to play LB in a 4-3 scheme.

3-4 LBs are relatively bigger - Normally guys over 245 or 250.

Oh okay, yeah I was just really confused... thanks

[SoSublime]

Dan Morgan will likely be cut by the panthers. Although he's been injured the last couple years, I'd rather take a chance on him than briggs. He'd come way cheaper than briggs and I'm guessing most teams might be weary of him because of his injury history. It would be a gamble, but he's still a force when he's healthy.