Assuming we hit a point where everyone is healthy and ready to go by somewhere in October, I think you’ll see more of a dip back toward the regular defense. Last year they were in sub over 70 percent of the time. I think that related a lot to Mayo being out and no reliable third linebacker.
Really they can rotate however they need to. Spikes could play in more 34 looks, while you can rotate Ninkovich/Sheard/Chandler/Hightower/Collins at the edge spots as necessary, whether they’re standing up or have a hand down.
The defense I think we’ll see vs. passing teams will be more of the double nose 43 we’ve seen in recent years looking like this: Ninkovich/Sheard -Brown/Siliga/Branch – Easley/Siliga/Jones – Chandler/Sheard, then at LB Hightower – Mayo – Collins.
Might be a sprinkling of Flowers at DE or Grissom at LB, but I’m not convinced either will play much on defense this year.
