I should have typed size and speed. DT's are 3 - 4 DE if they're fast off the snap. Slow, Fat DT's will not be 3 - 4 DE's...
Dude, 300 lbs is desireable in a 3-4 D Lineman. Your assessment is almost 180 degrees wrong. Don't take offense. I got this same speech from Itraz several years ago, on the old board. I just didn't understand the Sabanesque 3-4s.
5 Tech players are DTs, even if we label them "DEs" now. They are lining up on a guard or inside the tackle and assigned 1 gap in Grantham's version. (Some versions are two gaps.) Speed is much less important than size and strength. The 3-4 DEs aren't edge players. No 240-260 lb flyweight Butters specials need not apply.
At Gyorja, Grantham usually played three 300 pounders and often had two 350 pounders on the line. “Big people beat up little people. It’s why there are weight classifications in boxing.” There are plenty of Grantham quotes here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/...nse-uses-approach-of-alabamas-nick-saban.html
The classic "ends" in a 3-4 are the OLB. It is essentially just the old 5-2 defense with the ends standing up.
We are just fine on the DL and the true DTs can essentially rotate to all three spots, while big TJ Slaton plugs the A gaps, though we might get another pass rush specialist on the field on passing downs.
If you want some more meat and potatoes, take a look at this:
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2010/1...ams-3-4-variations-overloads-gaps-and-numbers
LB is where we will have the problem. There is no room for 205-220 pound backers in this system.