Steelers might play a 4-3?

[Fire Arians]

From Steelers Depot: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/11...s-week-9-2011/

Tomlin mentions if Worilds isn't able to go this weekend, they make be capable of playing 4 defensive linemen. Interesting.

also doesn't look like Woodley is ruled out just yet. The media has had a lot of buzz around woodley, but I'll believe what Tomlin says over what the media says.

[tanda10506]

It goes back and forth with Woodley. If Woodley plays, stay 3-4 and go nickle sometimes. Going 4-3 sounds good but we only have 5 active DL to my knowledge. Would we play another NT or Heyward on the outside and move Keisel or Hood in? 4-3 would definetly surprise them, but it might surprise us too.

[ricardisimo]

According to Lebeau (a quote from last year, I believe) they mix in 4-3 alignments all the time. Not sure it would be that surprising. What's surprising is announcing it in the media so far ahead of game time.

[PhantomJB93]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

According to Lebeau (a quote from last year, I believe) they mix in 4-3 alignments all the time. Not sure it would be that surprising. What's surprising is announcing it in the media so far ahead of game time.

Yeah I mean I've seen 4-3 here and there over the years but never for an extended period of time, it's usually just for one play if that....

Considering how well our secondary played last Sunday, I would not mind experimenting with this. In the past we've been strictly 3-4 because of our emphasis on zone, but if LeBeau uses the man coverage he used last week (and the corners can execute it as well again), I think going 4 Dlinemen could be a much better option than throwing Carter and Worilds into the fire and expecting them to get pressure and stop the run well...

[Rick5895]

Woodley is a prototypical 4-3 DE. If they went to that and Woodley was healthy it would be interesting to see with Woodley, Keisel at DE Heyward, Hood and Hampton rotating in the DT. Foote at mike, Timmon at will and Sly at Sam (just my opinion), I think that would be very interesting. It would definately cross up the Ratbirds

[DanRooney]

I expect to see a lot of Cameron Heyward if we do...

[SunshineMan21]

Foote and Timmons both play well in a 4-3 . . . might be an option if we're missing Woodley, as it would effectively let us start Heyward or Hoke instead of one of the young LBs.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

According to Lebeau (a quote from last year, I believe) they mix in 4-3 alignments all the time. Not sure it would be that surprising. What's surprising is announcing it in the media so far ahead of game time.

its actually pretty smart if the ravens spend half their limited practice time focused on looks they may not even see.

tomlin said today that keisel is very capable of playing OLB. i expect to see him lined up on the outside more than a few times in 3-4 where technically we have 4 DL on the field.

[tanda10506]

Keisel at OLB??? There's going to be some weird formations/personnel setups out there Sunday, hopefully it fools them. Just sucks it has to be like that for this game!!

[Fire Arians]

Originally Posted by tanda10506

Keisel at OLB??? There's going to be some weird formations/personnel setups out there Sunday, hopefully it fools them. Just sucks it has to be like that for this game!!

hey if lebeau thinks he's capable then why not? majority of our OLB's are converted DE's, and Keisel has a motor for a big man. And hell it's not like he's much bigger than Woodley, they're probably around the same size. Probably would weigh less if they made him shave the beard . I wouldn't be surprised if it worked tbh.