Could the Pittsburgh Steelers Be Switching to the 4-3, Cover 2 Defense?

I actually wrote an article on this topic in the beginning of April, and the response was less than a good one. In my pole, 88 percent said that I was nuts.

But, as the draft has come and gone, and the offseason comes to a close, I have to again bring this topic to light because it is looking more and more like a possibility.

When drawing up the 3-4, there is no better nose guard than Casey Hampton. A monster of a man, Hampton (listed at 6'1", 325 pounds. Yeah right) clogs up the middle of the line so that the linebackers can make plays.

His back-up is Chris Hoke. Though not as good as Hampton, Hoke (6'2", 305) replaces Hampton on passing downs.

Both men are great in the 3-4, but neither would probably excel in the 4-3.

Hampton is in the last year of his contract and if he is to stay in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are going to have to pay him somewhere near what they paid for James Harrison and that probably is not going to happen.

In the first round of the 2009 draft, the Steelers selected Evander "Ziggy" Hood (6'3", 300 pounds), who played at Missouri as a defensive tackle. In the 3-4, Hood will change his position from DT to DE.

Sonny Harris, who was released by the Steelers, will probably be brought back on the practice squad.

Harris (6'4", 298 pounds) played his college ball at Oregon and was also a defensive tackle in college.

the Steelers resigned Brett Keisel (6'5", 285 pounds) and Aaron Smith (6'5", 298 pounds) and both men would be able to play defensive tackle in the 4-3.  Keisel would probably stay at defensive end.

As for who would play the other defensive end in he 4-3, James Harrison (6'0". 242) is similar in size to some of the best 4-3 defensive ends in the NFL. Dwight Freeney (6'1", 268 pounds) and Terrell Suggs (6'3", 260 pounds) are two of the premier pass rushers out of the 4-3, and Harrison rushes the passer as good, if not better than both.

What this all hinges on is Dick LeBeau. As long as LeBeau is the defensive coordinator, the Steelers will run the 3-4. But how much longer do you think LeBeau is going to coach?

Many people believe that LeBeau will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the end of this year, and some say, that is all he is waiting for to retire.

If LeBeau does retire, then Mike Tomlin, who coached the 4-3, Cover 2 defense his entire career, will possibly switch back to what he knows best.

If you look at the secondary of the Steelers, they just drafted Keenan Lewis, who was known as a cover corner, not a zone one, as was Joe Burnett. Ryan Mundy was kept on the roster this year and he is capable of playing the run as well as the pass.

Troy Polamalu can play any position on the field and will be successful regardless of what defense the Steelers run.

But the linebackers will be the key to this transition.

James Farrior played in the 4-3 prior to coming to Pittsburgh. The 4-3 will free up Farrior to be able to roam the middle of the field.

Lawrence Timmons could replace Harrison at OLB because he is better at coverage than Harrison is and LaMarr Woodley has grown at being able to drop back in coverage.

The Steelers also kept Keyarion Fox (6'3", 235 pounds) and Andre Frazier (6'5", 245 pounds) who would be able to play either ILB or OLB in the 4-3.

Again, I am not saying that this is going to happen, but I think that there is a real possibility that it could.

Either way, the Steelers have capable players that can play in either defense and be successful at both.