Redskins switch to 3-4 defense

So it seems all the rumblings in the media and hints from our new coaching staff is pointing to the Skins using a 3-4 alignment next year. Many of you do not think we have the personnel for such a move. In my opinion we already have most of the elements in place. I'm also taking Shannahan literally when he says we will be using both a 3-4 and a 4-3, but lets start with the personnel matter. This coaching staff is not going to let FAT Albert come into the season so out of shape he can't finish games. Most likely when we use the 3-4 alignment he will be the nose tackle. Some 3-4 alignments charge this position with occupying space and multiple offensive linemen (Patriots, Steelers) but there are multiple different ways of using and scheming the nose tackle in a 3-4. Lets take The Cowboys for example, Jay Ratlif was not a space eating, occupy multiple lineman nose tackle. He was a attacking, get in the backfield and disrupt nose tackle, and not many teams could find a answer for him last year. Fat Albert will be used in much this same way, but not always. Sometimes he will be at end and Montgomery or Griffin will be at Nose. Keep in mind before we acquired Haynesworth, that Griffin regularly commanded double teams from almost everyone we played. We could line up Haynesworth in the nose, Griffin and Daniels at ends. I do think we will need possibly one more big end type body to complete the transition. At linebacker we already have Orakpo, Fletcher and Macintosh. We could slide Macintosh inside and move H.B. Blades outside or H.B. Could be inside with Fletcher, and Macintosh Outside. That doesn't even factor in Chris Wilson, and I Have long thought with Wilson and Blades that we have two linebackers on our roster that were better then the amount of playing time they received last year. Andre Carter is not going to be a good linebacker or great in coverage and I think he may actually turn into more of a situational pass rusher if we keep him. We still need a free safety on our roster, but that's obvious and secondary has no bearing this discussion because we are talking about our front alignment and it just doesn't factor in. Back to my comment earlier about taking Shannahan Literally about using both alignments. In today's NFL with the way offenses are scheming and rules are changing to benefit offenses and help them score points, The best thing a defense can do is keep the offense guessing. I think Mike Shannahan's year away gave him a great idea. He is actually going to use both Alignments equally and really keep offenses on there toes. It makes perfect sense. Jim Haslett has Cordinated both alignments and I think that's why Shanny wanted him. In today's NFL the name of the game on defense isn't who gives up the least amount of yards. It's who gets the most game changing plays, Turnovers, Sacks, etc. How do you do that? By keep the offense guessing and confusing them. What better way to do that then to run both alignments and keep changing during the game, so the offense can never truly get a feel for what your doing. Those are my thoughts and I think it just may work. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. Tune back daily for more redskins insights.