James Bettcher made it clear that traditional 4-3 defensive ends can flourish in his scheme as an outside linebacker.
“Look at Markus Golden who came out of college in Missouri as a 4-3 defensive end who had his hand in the ground,” the Giants’ defensive coordinator said on Wednesday, recalling the Cardinals’ second-round pick in 2015. “Comes out and two years later has double-digit sacks in this scheme. You talk about Chandler Jones who was in New England as a 4-3 defensive end and came to this scheme. It’s just like anything else, there are new things you have to learn, but it’s still playing football.