Both edges are probably going to be OLB for a couple of reasons. OLB gets paid less than a DE. But more importantly, and OLB gives them positional flexibility.
In a 3-4 both edges are almost always OLB, because they're lighter, faster, and better at rushing the passer from the outside than a lineman.
Floyd is the JACK which is an OLB that plays much like a DE with his hand in the dirt. Brockers isn't on the team for a variety of reasons one of which is a lack of positional versatility. He simply couldn't play in coverage just like Fowler. You want that versatility because the OL is never sure if both edges are rushing or if one is going to drop out into coverage. Especially on passing downs a hybrid 3-4 is often a 2-5. It's a way for the DC to disguise the coverage.
Last year Ebukam was shifted from his SAM LB position to that DE position. Lewis was drafted IMO to replace Brockers who simply didn't fit the scheme. The way some teams play the hybrid system it can be played with no ILB type of players. The Chargers did it on occasion when they were in San Diego. They ran a 2-5 with no ILB because they intentionally drafted OLBs with speed and coached them up on their coverages. This is why Hollins who came in as an OLB has been talked about being able to play inside and outside.
Floyd, Ebukam, Hollins, Fowler, Obo are all OLB. Brockers is a lineman, he's not standing up on the outside, he's hands in the dirt on the inside, Brock isn't asked to drop into coverage. None of those guys are playing the same position as Brockers, even in passing downs, Brock moves to 3T and the OLBS are 7-9T.
If Floyd is always with his hand in the dirt wouldn't that signal to the offense that rushing and not dropping into coverage? Wouldn't that ruin the disguise?
On passing downs, regardless of base scheme, most teams play a 4-2-5, 4 rushers, 2 coverage LBs, 5 DBS. The rise of the S/LB role slightly changes this. Last season under Staley the defense had 5 DBs on the field over
90% of the time.
Centers and QBs call out and point to the MIKE before each snap. Whether the player is or isn't an actual MIKE LB is not relevant. They do it so that the OL now knows where their count starts and they know who to block based upon the blocking call. It also, helps them identify who to watch for blitzes and stunts. Defensively, the MIKE (who is usually the middle LB) generally is the one making the defensive calls. This is why on the breakdowns of Staley's scheme it showed where the MIKE was whether it was Reeder or often times it was Young.
Look at the breakdowns of Staley's scheme and there was often only one ILB, i.e. Reeder or Young because they have the speed to cover. This is why even though they proclaim publicly that Morris is going to stick with Staley's scheme I question it because of how Morris wanted Jones whose weakness is coverage due to his lack of speed. If you are playing a regular 3-4 hybrid scheme you can use an early-down thumper MIKE.
In all but 1 of his games started Reeder played well over
90% of the snaps, he only played 89% in the 1 game.
Young is the part time player, except for wk 5 vs WAS and 14 vs NE where he played 70% and 69% of the snaps. Hollins also took snaps at ILB, throw those in with Young's snaps and it looks like there are 2 ILBs on the field a lot more than you think.
3-4 hybrid is a one-gap scheme, not a two-gap scheme. Therefore the DE is a DE in name only. All DL positions, i.e. DE, NT, DT, JACK are all aligned on the shoulders of the OL. In a regular 3-4, it's a two-gap scheme with the DL lined up on the heads of the OL. They are there to eat up blockers and free up the 3 LBs to flow to the POA to make the play. The hybrid aligns like a standard 4-3 with the JACK LB as the second DE and it's a one-gap penetration scheme. Therefore, just as in a standard 4-3 the DEs are lighter and faster than a standard 3-4.
Scheme's change, they're not static. Even Wade was known to mix things up even a little when he was here, but not nearly as much as Staley. Brockers would be and was a DT in a 4-3, not end.
Notice how Brockers in head-up with the Tackle and the OLBs are standing up way outside of the LOS.
Again Brockers on the LOS, hand in the dirt, FLoyd and Hollins are upright on the outside. Also 2 ILBS on the field.
Sub formation, Brock on the inside, Floyd and Lewis on the out.
