Pass Rusher vs. Playmaker

[Ochmed Jones]

There is a lot of talk on the board about us needing a pass rusher. And I agree, we desperately need a pass rusher, but is that our biggest need?

No! We need playmakers!

Think back to our defense earlier this decade. We had playmakers (Category #1) at all levels. Seymour, Bruschi, McGinest, Law, Harrison, Samuel, Vrabel, etc.
And we had guys that played solid and could occasionally chip in with a big play (Category #2), Phifer, Washington, Green, Warren, Colvin, Johnson, etc.

So what do we have now. A lot of Category #2 and only one playmaker in training Merriweather.

And for all this board's talk of the great Mayo, the fact remains, he makes no BIG PLAYS! He is a complimentary Category #2 player.

Pass rushers are great, unless the opposing offense runs the ball, but playmakers don't care whether it is a running or passing play.

 

[mayoclinic]

There is a lot of talk on the board about us needing a pass rusher. And I agree, we desperately need a pass rusher, but is that our biggest need?

No! We need playmakers!

Think back to our defense earlier this decade. We had playmakers (Category #1) at all levels. Seymour, Bruschi, McGinest, Law, Harrison, Samuel, Vrabel, etc.
And we had guys that played solid and could occasionally chip in with a big play (Category #2), Phifer, Washington, Green, Warren, Colvin, Johnson, etc.

So what do we have now. A lot of Category #2 and only one playmaker in training Merriweather.

And for all this board's talk of the great Mayo, the fact remains, he makes no BIG PLAYS! He is a complimentary Category #2 player.

Pass rushers are great, unless the opposing offense runs the ball, but playmakers don't care whether it is a running or passing play.

I certainly want both. I think we have more potential playmakers than you give us credit for. I think by next year Mayo (who has been less than 100% post injury), Meriweather, Butler and Chung will be playmakers for us. And I'm not sure you can't call Wilfork a playmaker. He's certainly a difference maker.

But we need more playmakers at DE and at LB. No doubt about it. That includes being able to rush the passer and get pressure, but it's certainly not the only thing.

 

[The Coon]

I certainly want both. I think we have more potential playmakers than you give us credit for. I think by next year Mayo (who has been less than 100% post injury), Meriweather, Butler and Chung will be playmakers for us. And I'm not sure you can't call Wilfork a playmaker. He's certainly a difference maker.

But we need more playmakers at DE and at LB. No doubt about it. That includes being able to rush the passer and get pressure, but it's certainly not the only thing.

Build the Interior Lines and get some OLBs. With pressure created up the middle and on the edges, you will see the aformentioned guys like Mayo, Chung, Merriweather,Butler and Bodden make more plays. It all starts on the D and O Lines. This d is in rebuilding mode and we have some pieces in place, we just need some more.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Pass Rushers ARE playmakers.


Sacks are big plays.

Putting pressure on QB to force a bad throw so the secondary gets an INT is a big play.

Causing QB to fumble is a big play.

 

[carolinatony]

Pass Rushers ARE playmakers.

Sacks are big plays.
Putting pressure on QB to force a bad throw so the secondary gets an INT is a big play.
Causing QB to fumble is a big play.

What he said. I believe we all know if we can't rush the passer again next year it will be just like this year on defense.

 

[1968Bledsoefan]

Yes we need Pass riushers Bring them On Cant wait till we get some Or maybe A few May show up tommrow I hope lol

 

[mgteich]

Obviously we need both.
We are replacing Thomas, Burgess, Seau and Green.

PROBABLY COMING BACK
DL Warren, Wilfork, Wright, Brace, Pryor
ILB Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie
OLB Banta-Cain, Ninkovich
ST/LB Woods/Alexander

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Woods is an OLB as well.... infact youll probably see him playing there tommorow

 

[DarrylS]

Mayo is playing hurt.. so that is not a very good comparison.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Mayo is playing hurt.. so that is not a very good comparison.

Mayo was never a big playmaker in College either. He's more of a steady, consistent tackling machine.


I'm sure INT's will come with time. As he gets a better feel for everything.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Obviously we need both.
We are replacing Thomas, Burgess, Seau and Green.

PROBABLY COMING BACK
DL Warren, Wilfork, Wright, Brace, Pryor
ILB Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie
OLB Banta-Cain, Ninkovich
ST/LB Woods/Alexander

Do you think they are going to franchise Wilfork? Or do you think BB will get him signed to a long term extension?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Pass Rushers ARE playmakers.


Sacks are big plays.

Putting pressure on QB to force a bad throw so the secondary gets an INT is a big play.

Causing QB to fumble is a big play.

And which one of our pass rushers are doing this on a consistent basis? On the NFL network, they spent a segment talking about what a joke our pass rushers and BLITZERS were.