If we draft a new LB where are going to put him?

He'll compete with Roth or Ayodele IMO. I think Wake may compete with Porter

Inside linebacker and strong-side linebacker. I think you'll see Akin Ayodele and Matt Roth compete for their jobs.

I think there's a pretty good chance we see our outside linebacker being a situational pass rusher in their rookie year unless its Virginia's Clint Sintim or possibly Utah's Paul Kruger - two guys who do a good job of setting the edge, which is something that is difficult to replace at Roth's spot because he does it so well.

A rookie we draft will have to either beat out Roth, or maybe replace Akin A.

Or they could play defensive lineman on passing downs, but Wake can already do that for us.

Roth could stand to be relieved on 3rd downs, but Alen is right he is so good at stopping the run it wont be easy to take his spot.

"I like linebackers. I collect 'em. You can't have too many good ones."
- Bill Parcells

It's difficult to say who or what is up for grabs.

If they draft an ILB, Ayodele will probably go to the bench. Depending on coverage skill, Crowder could get benched in Nickel and Dime packages for the new player.

As far as OLB, personally, I think they like Roth. He's not a pass rusher, but he's rock solid in the running game. Odds are, if they get a guy, it'll be Joey Porter's heir apparent, and a guy who will replace Roth on passing downs. Porter, Wake, and would likely rotate.

So which would we be more likely to pick up first? An inside LB to replace Akin or a OLB to compete with Roth and spell him on passing plays? Since Akin is the least spectacular of our LB's I'm guessing at least one inside guy.

"Xeticus wrote:

So which would we be more likely to pick up first? An inside LB to replace Akin or a OLB to compete with Roth and spell him on passing plays? Since Akin is the least spectacular of our LB's I'm guessing at least one inside guy.

It depends on whose there. I think it will end up being outside linebacker because there are a lot of them and a lot of pretty good ones. Inside linebacker is weak and with Rey Maualuga's issues, I think he's a no-go.

Though, if the reports of Cushing's steroid use are denied and false, he could be a candidate for ILB, assuming he slips there. He's not that great at the SOLB spot and he's not the quickest off the edge.

ILB who can come in and cover (and compete with Ayodele for time).

An OLB who can compete right now with Roth (but likely be used in rotation), and be groomed as a starter down the road.

"Stitches wrote:

ILB who can come in and cover (and compete with Ayodele for time).

An OLB who can compete right now with Roth (but likely be used in rotation), and be groomed as a starter down the road.

So a player who is more then likely going to be a back up though Stitches.

I'm speculating that we may upgrade the corner backs in order to make our pass rushers more effective, we could take a backup/part time LB outside of Rd 1-2.

"padre31 wrote:

So a player who is more then likely going to be a back up though Stitches.

I'm speculating that we may upgrade the corner backs in order to make our pass rushers more effective, we could take a backup/part time LB outside of Rd 1-2.

Yea, I don't expect anyone we draft this year (at LB) to start unless there is an injury. I do expect at least 2 LBs to be drafted though (and be just like I said).

"Stitches wrote:

Yea, I don't expect anyone we draft this year (at LB) to start unless there is an injury. I do expect at least 2 LBs to be drafted though (and be just like I said).

I'm leaning towards an unorthodox strategy this year Stitches, maybe a NT like Hood at #25 and two cover corners and a Te to push DMart as a deep threat.

Unless a DE/OLB jut falls to us, we could see Butler/Davis at #44 and a Te at #56.

I just don't view Hood as an NT.

"Stitches wrote:

I just don't view Hood as an NT.

And there is the thing, we don't know what "they" see, he could be a rotational player until he matures.

To me, in my plan B view, that would make sense, he could be a DE and develop into a NT simply because we are paper thin at NT as they may not trust Soliai to be the NT and key to the Defense so they'd rather take their own guy.

"padre31 wrote:

And there is the thing, we don't know what "they" see, he could be a rotational player until he matures.

To me, in my plan B view, that would make sense, he could be a DE and develop into a NT simply because we are paper thin at NT as they may not trust Soliai to be the NT and key to the Defense so they'd rather take their own guy.

I really liked Ziggy's play this year and would love to see him as a DE for us by don't see him having the frame to get big enough to be a 3 down NT...but he could spell extra QB pressure on passing downs.

The NT/run stuffing DE who I'm the most fond of is still Dorell Scott. He was potential first round talent Junior year but played all last year with a sprained knee. I'd like to see a rotation of Hood, Scott, and Merling/Langford....while making every effort to draft Mount Cody next year, giving us on running downs Hood/Cody/Scott with Langford rotating in....and on passing downs have Merling/Scott/Hood for extra pressure.
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"ToddsPhins wrote:

I really liked Ziggy's play this year and would love to see him as a DE for us by don't see him having the frame to get big enough to be a 3 down NT...but he could spell extra QB pressure on passing downs.

The NT/run stuffing DE who I'm the most fond of is still Dorell Scott. He was potential first round talent Junior year but played all last year with a sprained knee. I'd like to see a rotation of Hood, Scott, and Merling/Langford....while making every effort to draft Mount Cody next year, giving us on running downs Hood/Cody/Scott with Langford rotating in....and on passing downs have Merling/Scott/Hood for extra pressure.
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The way I'm approaching this is that NT is a "need" area, if we like Scott to be our NT, we should look at taking him at #25 because NT is the key to our defense, without one we have the first Ravens game redux.

Granted one could point to "value", Scott would be more then likely be there at #87 or so, however need overpowers value IMO.

I still have nightmares from the 80's, Baumhower went out, and Mike Charles tried to play NT, and other teams would just steamroll us on the ground game after game after game...I still recall Craig James just gutting us.

I despise the 3-4 BTW.

I think everyone has nailed it on the head with the LB situation. First off: where is it written that we're required to have a 3 down starter when it's possible we can get maximum output at LOLB by using 2 players? If we had a guy who could stop the run like Roth and still register 12 sacks, he'd be a ProBowler. If you split that up between 2 players, you have no ProBowler...but you still have the same production with fresher bodies heading into the 4th quarter.

So this in mind, an OLB we draft will probably not have to start for at least 2 years, if ever once Joey is gone. He can be groomed to replace Joey while spelling Roth on passing downs. If Wake takes over for Joey, then our new rook can remain an effective duo with Roth. IMO we should be prioritizing the best pass rushers available even if they're not as well rounded as a guy like Sintim. Why use a top pick on a player who only needs to be a great situational pass rusher (Barwin is the exception LOL). In this sense we could draft Nicks, Butler, Hood, or Maualuga 1st....then BPA/CB who falls at 2A, James Casey (must draft)2B, Dorell Scott 3, Scott McKillop 4, Victor Butler 5.

"padre31 wrote:

The way I'm approaching this is that NT is a "need" area, if we like Scott to be our NT, we should look at taking him at #25 because NT is the key to our defense, without one we have the first Ravens game redux.

Granted one could point to "value", Scott would be more then likely be there at #87 or so, however need overpowers value IMO.

I still have nightmares from the 80's, Baumhower went out, and Mike Charles tried to play NT, and other teams would just steamroll us on the ground game after game after game...I still recall Craig James just gutting us.

I despise the 3-4 BTW.

Hahaha about the 3-4....youre right- It is a pain to get players for as you know, but I love watching it in action when/if you finally get the right personel. LOL. Killer Bs...you're going back a ways! Showing your age a bit. :D

As far as Scott goes...I can tell you after watching him every game for 2 years that he's a blue-collar type DT who you love having on your team. He's relentless with a good motor...and is a great teammate. He'd fit in perfectly in our "strong cohesive style defense". I like him b/c he doesn't wear down and is very quick for his size. He's the ideal guy looking toward the future to play DE on running downs and shift to NT on passing....or just allow him to bulk up to 330 and keep him full time at nose. He'll suffice this year at nose, but I'd rather see that role filled in the future with Mount Cody on 1st and 2nd downs.

Craig James....nothing's changed! Hated the Pats then, still hate them now! LOL.
Although I think Thurman Thomas goes down as my most despised opponent who I wish slipped on a banana peel! :chuckle:

By the way, Padre....I agree with you on bumping up NT into "reach land" if it means there's the slightest chance we miss out on our target. I really feel we'd have to trade up to the top of the 3rd or use 2b to make sure we get Scott....if we are even targeting him. LOL. I'd hate to miss out on him only to be forced to reach for Sammie Lee Hill later on, if that sounds logical. ;)
The more I think about it, the more I conceptualize how much we could dominate the LOS with a starting DLine of Ziggy at LDE/ mount Cody at NT/Scott RDE....with passing downs being Merling LDE/ Scott NT/ Ziggy RDE....with Langford platooning at DE on running downs to keep all the bodies fresh. Talk about stuffing the run and collapsing the pocket while adding pressure from everywhere. That could be like stepping on an ant hill! :D Wake would have a field day from the outside and Bosworth could come back from failed B movies to play MLB. LOL

I just realized I completely :hijack: and am currently talking to myself. :chuckle:

"ToddsPhins wrote:

I just realized I completely :hijack: and am currently talking to myself. :chuckle:

I'm enjoying all the talk. I'm pretty sure we're going to draft a cb and a lb in the first couple rounds. Probably also pick up a WR and then draft for depth. I think we'll probably pick up a LB in rounds 1 or 2 and then pick up another one somewhere 4-7 as a project.

Which type of LB should we draft first? ILB first or OLB? What's the bigger need? Pass rusher to spell Roth or someone to challenge Akin?

IMO ILBs should not be drafted in the 1st round unless you believe they are best in the league types. Good ILBs can be gotten in the middle rounds every year and they will give you about as much production as the first round guys without screwing up your salary structure.

RafLee, who's the middle round guy of your choice? McKillop...Phillips...Brinkley? Someone else? I like Scott's intelligence for the game.
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"ToddsPhins wrote:

RafLee, who's the middle round guy of your choice? McKillop...Phillips...Brinkley? Someone else? I like Scott's intelligence for the game.
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I like Frantz Joseph, Beckwith, and Brinkley off the top of my head. There are probably others whom I haven't watched. I think that instincts are far more important for that position than measureables. But the draft tends to push up players with great measurables. That's why some of the best ones slip.

Are you talking about Dorell Scott? I still haven't watched him but I think he's a good fit based on the write ups and according to Crunch's birdie we have brought him in for a physical.