To answer your question.......Yes, but that was not the point. Did you even read my post? I don't remember saying anything about LB's other than that Ninkovich would be better suited as one instead of a DE. The point I was clearing up is that Grant & Smith could both be successful in a 3-4 scheme at the DE position & that they are not as undersized as some may suggest.

no you did not mention LBs but you did mention pitsburg. and since the role of the LBs is greatly increased with 4 on the field which allows pitsburg to dominate with the two lesser DE's

I don't see us going to a 3-4 until next year...

Holy crap don't like whodi see this thread.

Anyways, no way we go 3-4. So many problems with it personnel-wise that it is just ridiculous to think about. No pure nose tackled. Only two good linebackers. DEs aren't prototypical 3-4 ends. No linebackers who are adept at rushing the passer. Too many holes for a switch.

I didn't even wanna weigh in. I am not gonna down anyone's opinion, but the idea of us going to a 3-4 is ridiculous TO ME. With the LBs we have? 3Ugh. 0 something year old career back-up Thomas or Sullivan at DT? Ugh ugh. And basically neutralizing Smith or Grant at DE. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Maybe after next year's draft, we can start to align our stars. But ask La'Roi Glover and Greg Ellis, classic 4-3 DE and DT, how well that switch to a 3-4 in Dallas worked for them? And seriously, the weakness at LB alone should be enough for us to discourage that move. Especially with James Allen being out again now. Now if we got Donnie Edwards, we MAY be able to move to a 3-4, although I still feel we would get killed with the D-line we would have. Outside of Smith or Grant, anyone see a true pass rushing threat coming out of these LBs, with SMith and Grant getting swallowed up at DE? Has Thomas ever even played DT in a 3-4 at any point in his back-up career? Just a few, well a lot of reservations i'd have at this point.

Young is a 3-4 DE end, smith can be used as terrel suggs. We need to get edwards for this but we could have DE:Grant and Young, NT: Thomas and Sully (swap every down) OLB: Smith and Fujita ILD: Edwards and Simmons, very possible, ninkovich and bockwoldt would also be good fits as rotational lbs, thomas and sully can motavate eachother :D

The staff has said it will be the 4-3, because that is best for the players they have.

And they know what they are talking about...Will Smith is NOT and NEVER WILL BE a good fit as 3-4 DE. So, negating the strong suit of the best player on your defense doesnt make a lot of sense to me.

damn I agree with whodi, what is this world coming to... (not the first time though).

Our DE are pass rushers... we need run stuffing people that dictate to the OL that "hey, you have to double team the down guys in order to get a yard rushing. We don't have that.