Spergon Wynn
On the Game Day Roster
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2012
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At the risk of being reactionary, what is everyone's thoughts on the performance of the LBs not just yesterday but this whole season?
I like all three of the starters and was ecstatic when Hightower was drafted but I think there is somewhat of a problem in that the three of them are pretty much the same player. They all can tackle but struggle (to put it nicely) in coverage, although yesterday they couldn't seem to do either! I can't seem to find any numbers but from what I saw, there were some absolutely miserable tackling attempts and a lot of missed ones (Mayo at the goal line is one that sticks in my mind).
I think Hightower could be an asset as a "swiss army knife" LB that he really is and play him all around the line of scrimmage: all LB positions, DE, and even at the DT position as Jermaine Cunningham does. Put his pass-rushing skills really to use. I know they did this somewhat this year but I hope going forward that they really use him as kinda the Hernandez of the Defense, lining him up at different spots and creating mismatches.
What really is needed is a LB with speed who we can stick on a RB or TE to cover them, whether it be through the draft or free agency. I'm not sure who is out there with this set of skills (perhaps someone could shed some more light on this) but I think it's something that this defense needs to take the next step.
If we could get some linebackers that can cover and rotate them with the guys we have now, it could do wonders for that side of the ball.
I like all three of the starters and was ecstatic when Hightower was drafted but I think there is somewhat of a problem in that the three of them are pretty much the same player. They all can tackle but struggle (to put it nicely) in coverage, although yesterday they couldn't seem to do either! I can't seem to find any numbers but from what I saw, there were some absolutely miserable tackling attempts and a lot of missed ones (Mayo at the goal line is one that sticks in my mind).
I think Hightower could be an asset as a "swiss army knife" LB that he really is and play him all around the line of scrimmage: all LB positions, DE, and even at the DT position as Jermaine Cunningham does. Put his pass-rushing skills really to use. I know they did this somewhat this year but I hope going forward that they really use him as kinda the Hernandez of the Defense, lining him up at different spots and creating mismatches.
What really is needed is a LB with speed who we can stick on a RB or TE to cover them, whether it be through the draft or free agency. I'm not sure who is out there with this set of skills (perhaps someone could shed some more light on this) but I think it's something that this defense needs to take the next step.
If we could get some linebackers that can cover and rotate them with the guys we have now, it could do wonders for that side of the ball.