The key phrase is LB PLAY.
Guessing how the LBs that BB has chosen to field this year will play is different than assessing the play of our LBs.
The system can also create the opportunity to play well.
Let me give you an example:
Willie McGinest was, at the beginning of the BB era, the OLb that was given the most opportunity to rush the passer. He was considered our best pass rusher. Later this role went to R Colvin. He was considered our best pass rusher. For the last few years, it went to Mike Vrabel, who THEN became considered our best pass rusher.
Each of these players cosnsistenly brought pressure, hurries, and at varying levels of success, sacks.
Last year, our pass rush was, by most accounts the weakest of the BB era.
We trade away the player who was given the pass rush opportunity but didnt do so well with it last year.
It would seem that this torch has been passed to Adalius Thomas, who has a very good record as a pass rusher although his pass rushing numbers weren't great while he was playing here and not rushing the passer.
On the other side we have a guy who by all accounts is stout against the run, disciplined, has worked his way through the system and up the depth chart, but his pass rushing skills are still unknown.
What exactly is the problem again?
