JSn
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.You guys post with a fury I can't even try to follow.
Any opinions? Who's an OLB that can very likely contribute immediately? Is the position tougher than ILB in that regard, or is there such a guy?
You guys post with a fury I can't even try to follow.
Any opinions? Who's an OLB that can very likely contribute immediately? Is the position tougher than ILB in that regard, or is there such a guy?
I think you need to look to the sophomores (Crable/Redd) instead of anyone picked up in the draft.
Ayup. So was Bruschi and TBC, and Wood, Crable, Redd, and Craig are hybrids.Were Vrabel and Thomas DE's in college?
Ayup. So was Bruschi and TBC, and Wood, Crable, Redd, and Craig are hybrids.
There are some 3-4s in college, few and far between and they tend to use smaller kids because that's who they can get. Others switch into a 3-4 in some situations, but play a base 4-3. And the hybrid kids above all played some LB and switched back and forth between DE based on team needs. It's like Barwin playing one year of DE, he was a TE they converted because his Special Teams play showed he had the ability and they had lost two starting DEs and needed the help.OK, so forgive my ignorance, but is the college game strictly a 4-3 kind of deal?
That seems like a lot of guys that are converts. I guess it also make a case that Julius Peppers "could" make the jump as well. Probably not here, but somewhere.
Speaking of ILB's and OLB's. I have a question. Would Mayo be able to play OLB for us? He surely has the speed to do so. Vrabel and AD moved from one to the other as need dictated. Would Mayo be able to at some point? Or am I missing something obvious and asking a stoopid question?
He could, but the problem of having shorter LBs on the edge in NE's defense is they are trying to see around TE/OTs that are so much larger. Playing off the LOS lets them see the play developing behind the O-line and anticipate the play, whereas a 6'6" Crable can see over the TE/OT and read the play for himself.Speaking of ILB's and OLB's. I have a question. Would Mayo be able to play OLB for us? He surely has the speed to do so. Vrabel and AD moved from one to the other as need dictated. Would Mayo be able to at some point? Or am I missing something obvious and asking a stoopid question?
He probably could, though he's a bit on the small side. But we need him too much at WILB, where he's a perfect fit and the future captain of the defense.
Thx MayoClinic, 2 thoughts. Small as in short? or height and weight both?
I was somewhat amazed that he was a starter from day 1 as I was used to all the talk here of how complicated our LB system is. Amazed and pleased I should say. It will be fun to see how he progresses from last season.
Thx, BoR also..... missed your post will writing this one......Makes sense... It's height that's the key
Yeh, but we can get a 5th year on contract in the late first.Vrabel is around 265 and thomas 270 lb compared to mayo at 240. you cannot ask him to engage tackles at 300-330 lb every down.
what ever olb we get it is going to take time to develop so i do not see one at 23 as if you could a CB or DE[with all the money their if we can a stud for 5 yrs we can clear cap and get rid of 1 big $$$ contract] who can contribute . the best value is to pick them in the 2nd as they will be atheletic enough and can take time to develop playing in limited role.
Starting from Day 1? Highly doubtful!
However at #23 it is not out of the question to get a guy that could be groomed for PT duty in the base defense by game 6 or so and then finish the 2nd half of the year as the first and second down LBer. (giving way to a pass rushing vet like Taylor on 3rd down.)
Wannabe Guru here
I've made it clear I like Larry English and here's why...
2005
78 tackles, 7 TFL and 1 sack
2006
51 tackles, 16 TFL, 12 sacks and a 1st Team All-MAC selection
2007
67 tackles, 17 TFL, 10.5 sacks, an MVP trophy and another 1st Team All-MAC selection
2008
37 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8 sacks and MAC MVP
His stock only went up from competing with the best at the Senoir Bowl. He caught my eye when I saw him manhandle the LT and still manage to take down the RB. Almost all the prospects at this position are conversion guys, so there will be a learning curve, but as others have mentioned he has the potential to play inside as well.
You do know Barwin's first year on defense he matched English's sophomore season? And he plays Special Teams and he's a good TE and he's more athletic... I like the longer production timeline on defense, but all things being equal, you lad is a damned fine 4-3 DE who still has to face the same transition challenges with fewer tools.Wannabe Guru here
I've made it clear I like Larry English and here's why...
2005
78 tackles, 7 TFL and 1 sack
2006
51 tackles, 16 TFL, 12 sacks and a 1st Team All-MAC selection
2007
67 tackles, 17 TFL, 10.5 sacks, an MVP trophy and another 1st Team All-MAC selection
2008
37 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8 sacks and MAC MVP
His stock only went up from competing with the best at the Senoir Bowl. He caught my eye when I saw him manhandle the LT and still manage to take down the RB. Almost all the prospects at this position are conversion guys, so there will be a learning curve, but as others have mentioned he has the potential to play inside as well.