Gary Reents wrote: When I see a team say that they will play a blend, I see 3-4 base.

Taking a 4-3 end and standing him upright is not playing a 3-4. Its a 4-3 with a gimmick.

So I don't see Sheard fitting in. He's either going to be asked to get bigger to play 3-4 end, or he's going to be a situational pass rusher and not on the field except in passing situaitons.

The only way to play a hybrid without being caught by up tempo offenses is to use a 3-4 base and sometimes kick an OLB down on the line. 

So, I see Sheard as having his playing time minimized, asked to get bigger and subside to being a 2-gap end, or he's going to get traded.

I see this move to a hybrid as creating new holes. So in addition to a free safety and a corner or two, we need a real rush OLB who can also play in coverage.

To answer Nas, I don't believe he stood up at Pitt much.  I know he wasn't in pass coverage which you ask your Sam to do. 

IMO, Sheard may be trade bait.

Yeah, I don't like how Sheard fits in. Exactly like Wimbley situation. I'm drafting an OLB at pick 6, come hell or high water. Jarvis Jones if his health checks out would be my starter over Sheard. I think it would be better to trade him than waste time trying to fatten him up to play end.

I think there is a pretty good group of corners and safeties in FA. I'm spending my loot there and using my lower draft picks on BPA, (we need a TE and dev. QB at some point).

mistero wrote: Yeah, I don't like how Sheard fits in. Exactly like Wimbley situation. I'm drafting an OLB at pick 6, come hell or high water. Jarvis Jones if his health checks out would be my starter over Sheard. I think it would be better to trade him than waste time trying to fatten him up to play end.

 

Those are my thoughts exactly mistero.  There are enough 43 base defense in the league and with his production the past 2 years...now is the time.
I hate to lose a good player like him, but he's not a 34 OLB.