Could a 3-4 Scheme Be in the Jacksonville Jaguars' Immediate Future?

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The John Henderson-Jack Del Rio-Derek Landri saga has certainly created a great deal of buzz around the Jacksonville Jaguars in recent days. As has been widely reported, Del Rio criticized Henderson during a press conference for bowing out of team activities with a minor shoulder injury.

As I was driving home from work, I tuned into a local sports radio station. The two hosts, Rick Ballou and David Lamm (filling in for Frank Frangie), speculated on what the events of the last week could mean for the 2009 Jaguars.

For Lamm's part, he believed that Del Rio would ultimately release Henderson. That move, he speculated, could lead Jacksonville to employ a 3-4 defense this season.

The more I thought about the scenario, the less feasible it seemed for a number of reasons.

I know that Henderson has underachieved during the past two seasons, posting career lows in tackles and sacks. But I truly believe the guy still has some gas left in the tank, and letting him go would be a mistake that Del Rio can't afford to make.

But let's entertain the notion for a second. If Henderson left the team, would the Jaguars make the switch to a 3-4?

Without Big John, Jacksonville would be left with a bunch of journeymen and rookie defensive tackles.

No one on the roster right now, including Henderson, is capable of being a DT in a 3-4 scheme. That defensive tackle has to be an absolute monster, and no one fits the bill.

A quick perusal of the free agent market reveals that there is not a two-gap type defensive tackle available, and that's the biggest obstacle keeping the team from making the change.

Also, I think the team is filled with defensive ends perfectly suited for a 4-3. Quentin Groves could very well be a hybrid DE/LB who could rush off the edge in a 3-4, but other than that, no one has shown such a capability.

The closest guy to Groves in speed and size is Derrick Harvey, but I don't think he has the speed and versatility to be that rush linebacker.

The one factor that works in favor of a switch from the 4-3 to a 3-4 is Mel Tucker's background. The new defensive coordinator ran a 3-4 in Cleveland, but the Browns had Shaun Rogers, who is the prototypical 3-4 DT.

Also, then-Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel ran a 3-4 in New England, so I think his influence had a lot to do with the alignment. Del Rio is supposed to have his imprint all over the defense this year, so I don't think Mel Tucker will have a great deal of influence on whether the team runs a 4-3 or a 3-4.

I wouldn't be surprised if some time in the future, Jacksonville makes the move to a 3-4. But that time is not 2009.

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