If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It, Right?

Last year, the Redskins transitioned to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. The defense suffered because the Redskins did not have the personnel to play the 3-4 defense. The 4-3 had two tackles in the middle of the line, and two ends who primarily rush the passer. The middle linebacker is a run stopper, while the outside linebackers are better in coverage. One of the OLB is generally a good pass rusher. The 3-4 focuses more on confusing the offense and disguising blitzes. The ideal model is Dick Lebeau's zone blitz scheme that has kept the Steelers' defense at the top for years.

Jim Haslett and players Reed Doughty and Carlos Rogers (both set to become Free Agents)

The secondary remains the same in the switch. The pass rushing ends of a 4-3 become outside linebackers of the 3-4. The defensive tackles or run-stopping ends become 3-4 defensive ends (a.k.a. "5 technique"). The big, stuffing defensive tackle becomes the nose tackle. The middle linebacker (4-3) becomes an inside backer (3-4) and an outside linebacker (4-3) becomes an inside backer (3-4).

• OLB--Andre Carter was a pure pass rusher and was still productive, but he lacked the coverage ability to start opposite Orakpo. Lorenzo Alexander lacks the speed and pass rush ability to threaten opposing teams. Shanahan has made it clear that this is a priority. There was no pass rush since teams would focus on stopping Orakpo.
• ILB--Fletcher was productive, as always, and earned his second consecutive (and second overall) Pro Bowl berth. Rocky McIntosh was showing great improvement as a 4-3 OLB, but struggled when moved inside. McIntosh is set to become a free agent.
• NT--Haynesworth was expected to play nose tackle, but refused to and the Redskins had little other options. This is a huge priority this offseason.
• DE--There are many guys the coaches like on the roster, but none they love for this position. This is not a priority, but definitely a concern. The draft is full of guys that can fill this need.

It seems that, with the personnel, the team would have been smarter to stay as a 4-3, where they ranked 4th in the league, rather than switching to a 3-4, where they ranked 31st. The transition often takes time, but one must wonder why the switch was made in the first place.