re: What is Ryan's defense, really?

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So- it's a 3-3 + a passrush specialist. Right?



That's essentially what the Jack or Buck is in a 34.

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well, yes and no- I fully remember the Dome Patrol, and I've seen a lot of other 3-4 defenses, both in college and pro.
To say Will Smith resembles Pat Swilling at all (the Saints pass-rushing LB) would be a lie- and I'm talking about the size and maneuverability of the player in the base, able to defense against a sweep or pass to the flat. Maybe Renaldo Turnbull, but that's more because Turnbull was also an end before we tried to convert him (and the results scared me). Seems a lot more like a player like Dwaine Board of the 49ers of years past, a guy who could do one thing only- rush from the 4-3 end spot. Too small to be a 3-4 end in the base and hold up against the run, too big and slow to be a 3-4 LB and play in space.

So we tried to save Smith's cap money and play him there, but now we're also trying Galette- another 4-3 end, who's never before been asked to play in space; and Martez Wilson, who- if I remember right- played MLB in college, not OLB. Sure, he's the right size, but that means the Saints have exactly 1 experienced OLB (Haralson) on the whole entire roster, and we traded for him late in camp.
That doesn't sound like a real 3-4 scheme in anything but name.