Rob Leonard to be Raiders DC

[BoKnows81]

[rich72]

So you are going to give the 3-4 base set a chance?

Yeah, thats what I thought Graham was going to install when he came here initially.

[JRaider17]

Do we currently have the personnel to successfully run a 3-4? No

Do we currently have the personnel to successfully run any defense? No

May as well go with what you want and start building it up.

Perfect time to "make the switch".

So many roster spots + assets, we can easily start flipping the entire image of the team. Should be really fun and interesting to see how they try and start this build

[CWood24]

It feels like we were drafting for a 3-4 front last year as both Tonka Hemingway & JJ Pegues were considered great fits for a 3-4 D

I’m excited to see what both could being that they have a good athletic upside, Hemingway has already shown that he has something & Pegues played well in preseason only to used sparingly during it

Tyree Wilson as a 3-4 DE could be interesting aswell because it suits his skillset not saying he is gonna be all pro but it might suit him more

A guy like Charles Snowden has also shown some development under Leonard as a rotational depth piece so i wonder if we bring him back as a nice cheap 3-4 OLB to spell Maxx & maybe Koonce if we re-sigm

I wonder if Spytek always had a eye on Leonard to take over the D when he joined

[erickench]

Word is out that Leonard plans to run a 3-4 base. Question is how do they use Crosby? He was a linebacker in high school.

[erickench]

Tyree Wilson as a 3-4 DE could be interesting aswell because it suits his skillset not saying he is gonna be all pro but it might suit him more
I wonder if Spytek always had a eye on Leonard to take over the D when he joined

Yes if he were to put back the weight that he lost he would be a good fit as a 3-4 DE.

[Jeevo]

Perfect time to "make the switch".

So many roster spots + assets, we can easily start flipping the entire image of the team. Should be really fun and interesting to see how they try and start this build

Yup, for the first time since Gruden we have a coach that is going to get at least a few years to build the team that he wants. Nobody is expecting quick miracles and everybody knows that the process will likely come with a lot of losses.

[CWood24]

Word is out that Leonard plans to run a 3-4 base. Question is how do they use Crosby? He was a linebacker in high school.

It has been said by alot of people that Crosby’s skillset has always been better suited to be a 3-4 OLB so i guess it is time we find out

[DanKD]

Yup, for the first time since Gruden we have a coach that is going to get at least a few years to build the team that he wants. Nobody is expecting quick miracles and everybody knows that the process will likely come with a lot of losses.

Yet still if we lose week one at least one member of this forum will be calling for Kubiak to get fired.

[Jeevo]

Yet still if we lose week one at least one member of this forum will be calling for Kubiak to get fired.

Patience and discipline can be in short supply with a fan base, that's for sure.

[chucker]

Yet still if we lose week one at least one member of this forum will be calling for Kubiak to get fired.

Yes I will. But I'll start that kind of talk with the first preseason loss.

[raider_kin]

Yes I will. But I'll start that kind of talk with the first preseason loss.

Hell, I'm renting billboards after the first OTA's.

[Attyla]

Hell, I'm renting billboards after the first OTA's.

[raiderjohn]

Looking at Crosby physically reminds of the Stork. The length, the quickness, the football IQ, very similar. Now as an "OLB"

[chucker]

I think the 3-4 concept is a little overblown as a transition for the players...... we played a bunch of 3-4 under Graham before Carroll.

However playing more 3-4 might be better for the dline players - Maxx, Snowden, Hemingway, Butler, Pegues, Hemingway. I also think it makes the idea of re-signing Devin White more palatable - in a 3-4 he can be constantly moving forward - which is the only direction where he adds any value. I still don't want to re-sign him, as I think he is too limited and makes a defense too predictable.

[Reno Hightower]

Word is out that Leonard plans to run a 3-4 base. Question is how do they use Crosby? He was a linebacker in high school.

Interesting, I did not know that. I like the edge rusher hybrid linebacker approach. He has the explosiveness at the LOS but does he have the lateral agility? Creativity from our defensive coordinator is something the Raiders have been sorely lacking.