What's your ideal starting defensive lineup?

Must include the Dome Patrol.

Well, to be honest I see them splitting time for the most part with even Hicks pushing inside on some passing downs.

Only thing I'd change is you can put Wilson and Hawthorne inside and outside. Wilson as the rush specialist and Hawthorne as more of a run stopper and cover guy.

I like the idea of moving KV around to both safety spots(take Harper out on pass downs if he isn't blitzing) and the nickel. For that reason I'll say keep Jenkins or IAQ(whoever the coaches think is better) so you can rotate all 3 of them.

I like Bunkley and Jenkins rotating.

Now if we are talking strictly starting, I'd have Bunkley at NT and Hawthorne as ILB. I see those two as more solid all around players than Jenkins(run stopper) and Wilson(rush specialist).

Edit:
I also agree with hicks moving inside sometimes and for those downs you probably put Smith at DE(like it or not I don't see any other rush ends for a 3-4)

Wilson definately needs to be on the outside to utilize his rushing. Wasn't he ranked the #1 OLB when we drafted him last year? I am really excited about him.

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I really like the idea of putting Wilson inside. That gives you a ton of options in regards to blitzing and that's where he played in college.

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I kind of agree because I'd like to see more speed at that spot. But I think Wilson would have a hard time stopping the run.

let him rush the passer from the outside and maybe like you said... blitz him from the middle every once in awhile.

Hawthorne was a solid player in Seattle and I think he had some legitimate reasons as to why he never got going last year. He might not be the fastest guy but he's a hitter.

it really was a circus at linebacker last year. Joe Vitt was gone for half the year and the early injuries to Chamberlain, Hawthorne, and Vilma certainly didn't help.

I doubt we'd have that kind of tough luck at the same position two years in a row, injury wise.

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But I think Wilson would have a hard time stopping the run.

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He was a starting MLB in college. He certainly knows how to do it.

His problem last year was he was a very undersized DE(weight wise). He can play the run from ILB or OLB. I think the question with him is more his coverage skills.

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He was a starting MLB in college. He certainly knows how to do it.

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oh, I'm sure he does. You don't make it to the pros if that is the case.

I guess I meant that it isn't a strong point in his game. Just look at what the Saints have done with him. He didn't really play that much in his rookie year. I remember reading a lot of scouting reports talking about how he was a raw prospect.

towards the end of his rookie year, he made some plays blitzing the QB up the middle. Last year, he could be effective rushing the passer at times. But stopping the run wasn't a strength. Maybe he is one of those guys who has limited lateral agility or something

Jordan Jenkins Hicks
Galette Lofton Wilson Butler
Lewis IAQ Vaccaro Greer

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nobody's starting Hawthorne?

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That would probably be safer than starting Wilson.

Hicks Jenkins Jordan
Gallette Wilson Lofton Butler
Lewis Harper Vaccaro Greer


Bunckley rotating on the line,
Hawthorn, Thomas and Vilma rotating at LBer,
Jenkins at Nickle, White at Dime and IAQ rotating at safety.