Assuming the rest of our opponents get the Phillie game tape and mock up their schemes similarly, what happens if Lee is gone for the season?  Can Brooking and Bradie James get it done?  Can we bring a safety down to help, or will that over-expose our pass coverage? 

Bruce Carter is getting ready.  If he is what we thought he was, this discussion rides off into the sunset ne'er to be seen again.  But, what happens if he's not ready?  What happens if he's just not quite ready to be an integral part of Rob's Mob?  I'm not doubting his physical talents, but this defense can't be an easy learn.  Being able to read and react properly may not be realistic without an off season.  Our starters sometimes get it wrong.  Can we expect Carter to be that much better than the guys that have been out there doing it?

I think I have 2 solutions, but first, we take a quick time out for a break.  Grab a brew, grab something to eat, go empty.  We'll be here when you get back.  Now, for the break...

The first thing I would change, assuming Carter and Lee are not available, is to rotate James and Brooking.  As much as I like both players and appreciate what they have brought to this team, there comes a point in time... 

Could we replace one with a Safety?  Either move one of the starters down and bring in Church/McCray, or use the backup in the LB spot.  That should help our coverage issues over the middle without taking our regular safeties off over the top coverage.  We might lose some in our team tackling ability, but with as many whiffs as there were against Phillie, would we notice? 

What about Butler or Albright?  OLB's should be better in coverage than ILB's, right?  We'd still have that LB presence, but perhaps a quicker guy for coverages. 

My last suggestion is to get one of these (picture opens in another window) for the straight up middle LB position.