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This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.
IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.
If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.
Last edited by mgteich; 08-18-2009 at 10:45 PM..
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This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.
IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.
If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.
That's what happens when you add an outstanding (we hope) vet to a bunch of role players. Instant depth, good mix of rushers and a stout run stopper (we hope).
I agree, Thomas and Burgess could and should become a top tier pass rushing force. Woods and TBC are good backup players, might not be legit starters but thats fine because the signing of Burgess takes pressure off the both of them.
This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.
IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.
If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.
There's not a "terrible" unit on this team. Best balance and depth that I've ever seen.
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I agree, Thomas and Burgess could and should become a top tier pass rushing force. Woods and TBC are good backup players, might not be legit starters but thats fine because the signing of Burgess takes pressure off the both of them.
I am intrigued by thought of Thomas, Burgess, and Tully on the field at the same time. obviously in nickle or dime situations.
for example lets construct a nickle. 5 DBs the 3 above plus Mayo Seymour and Warren with Burgess putting his hand down for 3 DL. Pretty normal looking nickle for this team considering somethings they have down thru the years but you can mix and mask your blitzes pretty well from this.
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I am intrigued by thought of Thomas, Burgess, and Tully on the field at the same time. obviously in nickle or dime situations.
for example lets construct a nickle. 5 DBs the 3 above plus Mayo Seymour and Warren with Burgess putting his hand down for 3 DL. Pretty normal looking nickle for this team considering somethings they have down thru the years but you can mix and mask your blitzes pretty well from this.
I just think there are so many pass rushing formation and options its going to be nuts, Seymour is an animal whether hes stopping the run or rushing the qb, warren can get to the qb, bugess is an established legit pass rusher, Jarvis is healthy again we know he can get after the qb, add in Adalius, TBC, Mayo has been a best at TC, Merriweather is an effective blitzer. This team will and can get to the qb, id be shocked if the results were anything close to last year, especially with the improved secondary.
I'm happy overall with the LB unit. It certainly isn't of the '03 - '05 quality, but the 2009 group seems to have the best depth even compared to those years.
There I fixed it for you.
Last edited by AzPatsFan; 08-19-2009 at 10:44 AM..
I think the only thing we lack is an edge-setting run stopper opposite Thomas. Woods could be that, but it's up in the air at this point, we'll have to see how he develops. But I don't think Burgess or Banta-Cain specialize in that, and Crable is still a raw asset right now.
Other than that, I have no concerns with the OLBs, assuming they stay relatively healthy.
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Re: Outside Linebackers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sicilian
I think the only thing we lack is an edge-setting run stopper opposite Thomas. Woods could be that, but it's up in the air at this point, we'll have to see how he develops. But I don't think Burgess or Banta-Cain specialize in that, and Crable is still a raw asset right now.
Other than that, I have no concerns with the OLBs, assuming they stay relatively healthy.
I agree. If I recall, when Colvin and AD first got here, there was some concern about their edge-setting capability. BB fixed Colvin and I think AD has been pretty good.
Granted there is a small sampling of his game action but I think Woods will be ok setting the edge.
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Outside Linebackers
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