Linebacker Positioning in the 3-4

[nthinch]

Having a dilemma trying to figure out where to play my linebackers in the 3-4. Basically trying to figure out what positions should maximize what skills.

Here are my 5 LB'ers.

Demarcus Ware - 71/71, 6th year
Run - 72
PR Tech & Str - 89:66
Coverage - 47:57:80 (m2m,zone,b&r)
Play Diag - 77

Derrick Johnson - 71/71, 6th year
Run - 49
PR Tech & Str - 100:87
Coverage - 74:50:94
Play Diag - 91

Bradie James - 58/58, 8th year
Run - 77
PR Tech & Str - 60:28
Coverage - 60:21:28
Play Diag - 81

Gerald Hayes - 56/56, 8th year
Run - 60
PR Tech & Str - 37:35
Coverage - 64:14:77
Play Diag - 91

Byron Tatum - 55/55, 3rd year
Run - 50
PR Tech & Str - 78:76
Coverage - 34:54:82
Play Diag - 38

Ware has been tearing it up at WLB the past several seasons (36 sacks in 38 games) but he just dropped from 80/80 to 71/71 and is coming off a back injury. Seems to get nicked up somewhat often.
Bradie James is the new arrival and dropped from 71/71 to 58/58 in camp. Had over 100 tackles last year at SILB.
Hayes, also at SILB, only had 88 tackles but also had Johnson and Ware on his team.
Tatum jumped up in camp and hasn't played too much prior to this season

So what skills fit what slots?

I'm guessing coverage skills are needed most at SLB and SILB. WLB seems to be the big pass rushing position. WILB seems to need run mostly.

Wondering how accurate that is and people's thoughts. (And I play Yoda on Wednesday ;) )

[PilotMan]

From just that data, I would use Johnson as SLB, Ware as SILB, James at WILB and Tatum at WLB.

Tatum blitzes all the time on his own, and is weaker in the other areas. Ware and Johnson are both studs, I would put Ware inside for Run D, James is better at run stopping than Hayes.

That is what I would do.

[stevew]

Johnson has to play WLB. Just from a quick glance that woul be my first move. My experiences with guys with a greater than 180 combined pass rush skill have been awesome. Dunno about the rest of the guys. The best other all around backer should play SILB. Or at the minimum the best run defender. WILB barely plays. Especially if you have a good offense and the other teams are forced to pass. You'll play a lot of nickle

[stevew]

Although looking at the coverage I suppose Johnson is probably to good to pigeon hole into a pass rushing stud.

[WebEwbank]

I use a 4-3 most of the time, but that said, I see Johnson as your WLB, with James and a somewhat declining Ware inside. Hayes probably starts at SLB because of his runstop skill, but I see Tatum taking this position over soon, maybe very soon if he continues to improve..

[Yoda]

Only if you use it AFTER we play :)

WLB- Johnson
WILB-Tatum
SILB-Ware
SLB-James

I don't know why I am telling you this (because, well, it might cost me a touchdown or 3)-

Reduce the blitzing of your WILB to 0. Why? Because the WILB is the one that is replaced when you go into Nickle coverage. So, that CB has the blitz % of the WILB. You will get torched if you don't.

[Yoda]

WILB barely plays. Especially if you have a good offense and the other teams are forced to pass. You'll play a lot of nickle

That depends on your defensive settings.

[Subby]

I'd put Ware at LDE and Johnson at WLB.

[nthinch]

Thanks for the help, especially Yoda as we have a nice little rivalry going in this league.

Couple new notes ...

When I go to move Ware to SILB it says no ratings change, slight experience reduction and shows a projected drop to 63/64. (He was 80/80 last year, I hate to drop him this far, or really at all). He does not have the option to play anwhere but LB.

When I go to move Johnson to SILB it says possible ratings increase, same experience, but then shows a projected 69/69. (Exciting, but scary to see lower numbers)

Tatum has issues moving anywhere other than WILB (current pos). Would it help to put him as a backup to a position or several to build his experience before making the official switch?

Hayes can move anywhere except WLB without issue.

James can move anywhere.

LOL. There's your word puzzle but you'll need to use your "workbook" to know what positions value what skills the most.

I'd love to go with Yoda's lineup, but I think I'd play Hayes over Tatum at WILB because of his 60 point advantage in play diagnosis and slightly better run skills. And I think he'll get an attitude if I sit him since he's started at SILB for the past several years for me.

Since I'm too scared to move Ware to SILB, maybe.?.
SLB - Ware
SILB - James
WILB - Hayes/Tatum
WLB - Johnson/Tatum

Tough to say. Anyone have a "workbook" I can borrow?

[Yoda]

If you are worried about loosing ratings, just play them out of position.

I chose Tatum at WILB because of his better coverage skills.

Either will be good in that position.

Also, you could put:

WLB- Tatum
WILB- Hayes
SILB-Ware
SLB-Johnson

Then you can split additional blitzing between Ware/Johnson.

[jdavidbakr]

When I go to move Ware to SILB it says no ratings change, slight experience reduction and shows a projected drop to 63/64. (He was 80/80 last year, I hate to drop him this far, or really at all). He does not have the option to play anwhere but LB.

When I go to move Johnson to SILB it says possible ratings increase, same experience, but then shows a projected 69/69. (Exciting, but scary to see lower numbers)

Ignore the ratings after you make the switch. You won't know the true ratings change until you get the file back. You have to go by "no ratings change" or "possible ratings increase" - which sounds like either move would not be a problem (Johnson to SILB would be the better option since his ratings would increase and his experience would stay the same, all other considerations being equal)

[mmarra82]

SLB Ware - Perfect all around stud, can play the run, cover and rush in blitz situations.

WLB Johnson - He will make the 3-4 work for you with his pass rush abilities.

Play Hayes and James inside, both are decent to good against the run with good play diagnosis.

JMO