Stick to the Plan
I completely agree that when rebuilding you need hardworking guys with mental toughness who wont quit, thats not even remotely what I am arguing what I am arguing is that our talent evaluators and coaches havent exactly gota great track record for finding guys to fit a scheme and even worse the had no clue about fitting a scheme to the players they had.
You have got to be kidding me.
Least anyone forget, we had exactly 6 picks in the 2010 draft. They were:
Trent Williams - 1st
Riley Perry - 4th
Dennis Morris - 6th
Terrance Austin - 7th
Eric Cook - 7th
Selvish Capers - 7th
Half of the draft (3) was the O-line, 2 on skill positions, and 1 on the D.
How many are still on the team? All but 1 - Dennis Morris and he is a TE.
How many of these players don't fit the scheme?
They say anyone past the 1st round and 2nd round are neither guaranteed starters or being considered for an immediate starting position. Everyone below Trent were back-ups/developmental players. They all have now had a full year in the system, all have showed potential, and all fit the scheme.
Oh, and they all have had a full year in an NFL physical training program to improve their upper body strength.
2011 we had 11 picks - 6 defensive and 5 offensive. 4 of the 6 defensive players are in the front 7.
Of the 5 offensive players selected, 4 are skill position players and 1 is for the O-line.
So, last year it was all about the O-line. This year it is about the D-line, LBs, and offensive skill positions.
Sounds like a plan to procure youth and talent through the draft in a balanced, methodical way. Like I said before, I am an optimist because I see a plan that was developed last year and still being put into action.
Did you expect them to make the 3-4 work in 1 year with only 1 player added? I don't think so and neither did they. They said they were going to initiate it now and deal with the growing pains. Oh, and who did we bring in through Free Agency? McNabb (QB) and Jamal Brown (OT). How many did they cut - 10 players and freed up a ton of cap money.
Lastly, how do you go about making a transition to a 3-4 over a period of years? Do you (hopefully) find players who can play in both but will be better in a 3-4 than a 4-3 and then make the switch when you think you have enough players to make the switch successful? No. You rip the bandaid off, make what you have work as best it can, and add the players you need to make it better. I think Jim Haslett, who knew what he was getting into, was going to blow his brains out in frustration even though he knew this is what was going to happen.