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Let's talk linebackers (Rostered, draft, & FA)


saX man
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With Tre Boston gone (thankfully), I wouldn't be opposed in drafting a safety. It'd have to be someone similar to Chinn - useful in several different aspects, but that would be a consideration I'd entertain to keep the defense flexible. I'd prefer to draft players that can be on the field in all downs and not be out of position against fast-moving offenses.

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Here is what I do not fully understand:  What skills do we need in the MLB when we run the 3-3-5?  It makes sense that a good, sideline to sideline run stuffing LB is all we need; before, when running the 4-3, we needed a guy with the hips and speed to cover the seam in the Tampa 2.

So that skill set should determine the LB we need.  Shaq, to be honest, was not the best fit at LB. 

On the roster, I would like to see what Jordan Mack can do there.  He opted out of the season, but he has the skill set to do what I suggested---since the Tampa 2 does not seem to be part of the defense, we may not need a Luke or Beason, or Morgan in the middle to be good. I dunno.

In the draft, I like Werner, Ohio St. because he is smart, but probably an OLB in the NFL.   I also like McGrone from Michigan--one of the best sideline-to-sideline MLBs in the draft.  Surratt is still learning, but he is a great athlete and very smart---I like the fact that an Ex QB is in the middle reading the offense.

 

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54 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Here is what I do not fully understand:  What skills do we need in the MLB when we run the 3-3-5?  It makes sense that a good, sideline to sideline run stuffing LB is all we need; before, when running the 4-3, we needed a guy with the hips and speed to cover the seam in the Tampa 2.

So that skill set should determine the LB we need.  Shaq, to be honest, was not the best fit at LB. 

On the roster, I would like to see what Jordan Mack can do there.  He opted out of the season, but he has the skill set to do what I suggested---since the Tampa 2 does not seem to be part of the defense, we may not need a Luke or Beason, or Morgan in the middle to be good. I dunno.

In the draft, I like Werner, Ohio St. because he is smart, but probably an OLB in the NFL.   I also like McGrone from Michigan--one of the best sideline-to-sideline MLBs in the draft.  Surratt is still learning, but he is a great athlete and very smart---I like the fact that an Ex QB is in the middle reading the offense.

 

From what it seemed, we need 2 guys in Snow's scheme for most downs, not 3 like we're used to.  You've got some nice points.

A main honcho, sideline-to-sideline guy at one spot.  We just don't really have a lead man reading the offense. 

Then an athletic outside type, covering the seam like you say.  But needs to still handle the physicality of roughing it up with linemen.  Shaq was kind of in between the types. 

We've got Chinn as that rover type in those packages. 

Don't know if it's a 2nd or 3rd rounder (or later) but we need some help.  I think Carter could be decent but there's a big issue.  I think a big concern last year (as much as the lack of pressure) was not having a smart duder in the center of that D.  We don't need to find a Kuechly clone, but it would be nice to find a guy that can create the awareness of an offense changing things up on a 3rd and mid. 

 

 

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4 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I'm looking at 2nd to 4th rounders at LB. My favorites include Chazz Surratt, Pete Werner, Nick Bolton, and Monty Rice. And honestly, the only way I'm going LB in the 2nd is if there's no one there at CB or OL that I view of worthy of the draft position. 3rd or 4th IMO is the sweet spot for us at LB. I would expect one of the names I listed to be there in the 3rd. Monty Rice could potentially be there in the 4th.

Too easy to cheaply fill LB in free agency rather than spend a premium pick on a LB.

The idea of taking a LB in the top ten is just the sort of Hurney move that keeps us from being able to rebuild effectively. 

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The only way I’m taking a linebacker in the first round is if it’s a pick in the 20s and we already have our positions with the most value locked up. And even then I’d still be hesitant unless some freak of nature drops in a draft. 
 

this franchise has been obsessed with rbs and linebackers and it shows by our insane historical inconsistencies. And stop giving those two positions second contracts. The positional value is just not there. Build this team the proper way please.

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46 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

The only way I’m taking a linebacker in the first round is if it’s a pick in the 20s and we already have our positions with the most value locked up. And even then I’d still be hesitant unless some freak of nature drops in a draft. 
 

this franchise has been obsessed with rbs and linebackers and it shows by our insane historical inconsistencies. And stop giving those two positions second contracts. The positional value is just not there. Build this team the proper way please.

Like one or 2 people mentioned Parsons.  It is not the suggestion of the thread--just gauging the talent and best potential route.

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I don't think the situation is as dire as some make it. With the way most teams line up in nickel coverage half the snaps, we may only play 2 linebackers a good portion of the game. If we do keep Shaq, it'll be Carter and Shaq (or Chinn, but then we need another safety). So it comes down to finding a part-time starter and some depth. Throw in Christian Miller who can easily jump in on blitz packages (and hopefully more) and some combination of cheap free agents or mid to late round picks and we're fine. I'd much rather invest more heavily in offensive line and cb

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    • Sure it does, maybe not every position and not every draft.  You have to admit the hit rate goes down the further in the draft you get.  Would you more readily find a generational talent at the #2 pick or #19 pick?  High picks are considered "busts" if they doesn't pan out, whereas guys drafted later don't have that level of scrutiny upon them.  Different expectation levels.  If Styles does indeed go #2, I already listed the rarefied air that he would be in.  Maybe he doesn't set the League on fire, but my gut feeling is he does.  Again, you don't take an off-ball LB #2 if he is just a 'really good' player.
    • To illustrate my point, I watched (and commented on the Huddle) that Rozeboom would often wait a full second (or close to it) before taking his first step.  I assume that he probably had issues with false steps, a faulty practice that can take an ILB out of the gap completely.  Watch Luke and you see a step with the snap, and rarely was it a false step.  Rozeboom may have had 100 tackles (speculating) but initial contact was 2-3 yards on the defensive side of the ball.  Luke's 100 tackles were made 1-2 yards from the LOS.  Over the course of a year, Luke was much more productive (more fumbles, fewer long gainers, more OL penalties, fewer first downs, etc) that Rozeboom, but on the stat sheet, they both had 100 tackles.  In fact, Rozeboom's inefficiency kept him on the field more (more first downs, fewer OL penalties, turnovers, and punts) so he should have MORE tackles.   I would like to see stats that break down those things.   For example again, Josh Norman was slow--4.68 or so at CB.  However, his anticipation speed was incredible.  He made as many plays as a 4.4 CB.  I had one coach (college--later became the head coach at WCU) tell me that slower players have to use their brains more to still be around.  Elite athletes can just get by on their physical superiority.  He added, "Rarely does a football player run full speed.  Most of the time, they are not, so the 40 time is misleading stat.  Smart players overcome shortcomings--when the elite athlete becomes average (slows with age, advances in level of competition) they struggle against smarter (football IQ) competition.  
    • Obviously tongue in cheek hyperbole. But we do not need a first round RB to compete for a championship. We need intelligent roster building. That to me is the complete opposite of intelligent roster building because it is a prime resource at a devalued plug and play position when we have needs across the defense.
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