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I think the biggest glaring difference between the 3-4 of old and the 3-4 of now is at the right defensive end spot. Richard Seymour is the old ideal and granted, he was a special player who could not only destroy a blocker but get pressure on the quarterback.

Seymour was 6’6", 310 pounds. Now we’ll see someone a little more athletic there whether it’s Chandler Jones (6’5", 265) or we even had Chris Jones (6’1", 300) there a bit this preseason.

These guys are meant more for pass rush than necessarily being able to “build the wall” as a two-gapper. This is a result of the evolution of the game. The old 3-4 was not a great pass rushing package because you’re essentially just asking three of your front defenders not to get upfield, but to hold their ground. 

Now you must have guys who can disrupt the quarterback from your base package, thus a shift in size/style at right defensive end.

Theoretically could they put together a rough version of an old-school two-gap 3-4 with Kelly-Siliga-Wilfork upfront? Yeah, but I don’t think we’ll see that unless a team decides running the ball 50 times is the way to go.

Nothing really, he’s done it every year outside of 2011. What we’re seeing this summer is as straightforward as you can get and their defense during the season is anything but straightforward.

The better question is how many different options they have for their “sub” defense. There are pass rushers, athletes and big bodies of many varieties. The possibilities are limitless and while that makes speculation kind of pointless and overwhelming, it has the same effect on opposing offenses trying to gameplan for what they’re going to see.

Generally, (and ideally) I think the nickel package will feature Wilfork/Siliga for some run protection and then Easley/Jones (maybe even Worthy) in a pass rush role up front.

Or for an all-out pass rush (third and long, where the Pats have struggled) you could pull the run protection and use two of the interior rushers or even slide Chandler inside and put someone like Will Smith/Buchanan outside.

Mayo and Collins will likely be the linebackers, while we might even see Hightower in a rush role, especially if a DPR doesn’t emerge.

Then on the back end you’ve got some options. I think McCourty and Harmon would make a fine two-deep shell, or swap Harmon out for Chung for a little more presence in the box.

These are just some of the things to consider. Lots of options.