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Q: Ed, you kept repeating that the Steelers won't switch to a 4-3 defense mainly because LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison aren't 4-3 linebackers. Can you briefly explain the major difference of play both schemes require of a LB?

Dave Dumas, Salt Lake City

BOUCHETTE: Without getting too deep into it, a linebacker in a 4-3 defense does not rush the quarterback much and must drop into pass coverage more often. The pass rush in a 4-3 comes more from the four defensive linemen with linebackers rushing normally when they blitz. The 3-4 is designed to have the linebackers provide most of the pressure. LaMarr Woodley weighs about 270 pounds and James Harrison stands just 6 feet with a stocky build. They are not built to play outside linebacker in a 4-3. They do cover receivers, usually backs, but for the most part, they play the run and rush the quarterback, and they are both very good at it. I think Lawrence Timmons could play outside in a 4-3 defense. Chad Brown made the conversion when he left the Steelers in 1997 as a free agent to join Seattle's 4-3 defense. Jack Ham was the perfect outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense but he was hardly a pass-rusher.

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