Under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Houston Texans' shift to the 3-4 alignment from the 4-3 is going to trigger several changes in where their current personnel lines up. That includes moving Brian Cushing to strongside linebacker (Mike) and shifting middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans to weakside inside linebacker (Mo) and Connor Barwin and Jesse Nading from defensive end to outside linebacker. Linebacker coach Reggie Herring feels the change will even give Cushing opportunities in their pass rush: "We’ve got to take advantage of what we see in Brian Cushing as a tremendous anchor on the tight end side as far as securing the box physically in the run game, and then using him in our package to pressure and blitz him on the inside. At Dallas, Bradie James, same position, led the NFL in inside linebackers in sacks. He had eight in one year in this package from blitzing inside. So the numbers are there, the opportunities will be there." Source: National Football Post
Conner Barwin played DE in the 4-3 last year, so he should be fine rushing the passer, but can he cover anyone? I don't even know who Jesse Nading is. And if the are a still thinking about putting Okoye at NT then I feel this will be a disaster. I hope they on taking a NT in the first round if there is a good one available.
Okoye will likely play 3-4 De unless Phillips thinks he can use him like he did Jay Ratliff. Cushing in a 3-4 will be a little like Patrick willis in the 3-4.
why? coming out of college I had him ranked as a top 3-4 DE prospect and with the way phillips uses his 3-4 Lineman it would make no sense to trade him as phillips can use him like he did ratliff or he can put him on the edge
Cushing played the Elephant LB position at USC so they could very well use him as an edge rusher at times.
