Could Spikes play OLB?

[SanAngeloState]

I think he could. He's a very good passrusher.

Not good 40 yard speed but shaun phillips and the guy we used to have with the busted hip didn't either.

 

[mavfan2390]

Spikes would get burned in coverage and outside runs, not to mention he doesn't have the burst or the build (short arms, stocky frame)... he's good at getting to the ballcarrier in traffic, I view him as a two-down rotation player as of now. Guyton on the other hand probably has the athleticism, but he needs to work on passrushing moves and upper body strength before he's proclaimed as a possible solution.

 

[BradyFTW!]

In a word: no. At ILB, his lack of speed isn't a huge deal. At OLB, it would be.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Spikes would get burned in coverage and outside runs, not to mention he doesn't have the burst or the build (short arms, stocky frame)... he's good at getting to the ballcarrier in traffic, I view him as a two-down rotation player as of now. Guyton on the other hand probably has the athleticism, but he needs to work on passrushing moves and upper body strength before he's proclaimed as a possible solution.

Right, Guyton gets overpowered by pulling OL. If you look at his body type he's skinnier and not the bulky type taller (6' 3") guy. Would need to add muscle weight that I'm not sure he could support. ANYTHING this UFA gives us is bonus.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm not sure where your opinion that he is a good pass rusher comes from.
He certainly has never rushed against NFL Ts.
As far as run D there isnt truly a whole lot of difference in our system between ILB and OLB, you need to use the same techniques to take on and shed blockers.
You would like the OLB to move better laterally because one of their 2 gaps is the sideline.
On running downs, I think any of the ILBs could play OLB and be effective.
But being able to rush the passer against a T is a skill that most ILBs lack, which is why they are ILBs.

 

[Joker]

In a word: no. At ILB, his lack of speed isn't a huge deal. At OLB, it would be.

yes, his 40 time was turtle slow....BUT...his ten yard burst time was SECOND BEST at the combine...he's an ILB with exceptional ILB skills

 

[signbabybrady]

not sure abour spikes only but seeing as ILB looks strong and OLB looks thin I think they (Guyton, Mayo, Spikes, & Mckenzie) are going to have to help out and be versatile.

 

[Kasmir]

I'm not sure where your opinion that he is a good pass rusher comes from.
He certainly has never rushed against NFL Ts.
As far as run D there isnt truly a whole lot of difference in our system between ILB and OLB, you need to use the same techniques to take on and shed blockers.
You would like the OLB to move better laterally because one of their 2 gaps is the sideline.
On running downs, I think any of the ILBs could play OLB and be effective.
But being able to rush the passer against a T is a skill that most ILBs lack, which is why they are ILBs.

On obvious passing downs, Florida routinely had Spikes lining up outside the LOT and rushing from there, and he was reasonably effective against SEC tackles. It helps to actually watch tape. And I see you continue to have a dogmatic view of LB play in a 2-gap 3-4.

 

[Ring 6]

On obvious passing downs, Florida routinely had Spikes lining up outside the LOT and rushing from there, and he was reasonably effective against SEC tackles. It helps to actually watch tape. And I see you continue to have a dogmatic view of LB play in a 2-gap 3-4.

Well ifhe ROUTINELY was a pass rusher and had 6.5 career sacks, I guess we have answered his pass rushing ability.
LBs play 2gap in a 2 gap system. What other view would you like to have?

 

[Kasmir]

Well ifhe ROUTINELY was a pass rusher and had 6.5 career sacks, I guess we have answered his pass rushing ability.
LBs play 2gap in a 2 gap system. What other view would you like to have?

"Routinely" doesn't mean every passing down. Sacks aren't the only measure of pass rush success. Watch the tape sometime. Spikes was an effective pass rusher from the outside.

Why don't you actually watch what happens instead of preaching? LB's only *sometimes* 2-gap in a 2-gap 3-4, while DL almost *always* 2-gap. For instance, most of the time an NT will see a C/G double team. The NT will attempt to 2-gap the pair of them. You really think the ILB in the bubble opposite the guard is only expected to look for someone to 2-gap? LB play is not that simple.

 

[Boston Boxer]

i dont think he would be good at OLB as he is not that great in pass defense...however, i think he will start at inside LB on 1st and 2nd downs. He is really good and will be a leader, but just not good enough incoverage to be a OLB. Perhaps he can shift over to OLB on 3rd down to blitz the QB? I really like this kid

 

[Ring 6]

"Routinely" doesn't mean every passing down. Sacks aren't the only measure of pass rush success. Watch the tape sometime. Spikes was an effective pass rusher from the outside.

Why don't you actually watch what happens instead of preaching? LB's only *sometimes* 2-gap in a 2-gap 3-4, while DL almost *always* 2-gap. For instance, most of the time an NT will see a C/G double team. The NT will attempt to 2-gap the pair of them. You really think the ILB in the bubble opposite the guard is only expected to look for someone to 2-gap? LB play is not that simple.

Do you understand what 2 gap is?
Every player is responsible for 2 gaps, one on either side of a player.
That is there responsibility. You can't have the DL play 2 gap and the LBs play something else. Then you are not covering all of the running lanes.
You dont 'look for someone to 2gap' thats a foolish statement.
You are responsible for those 2 gaps.
If the G double teams the NT, then the LB steps up into that area. That is his area to be responsible for. If the G blocked down on the NT that is a read the ILB has and it tells him the plays is coming somewhere from the C/G gap out. He is responsible for the area from the outside of the C to the inside of the T. He steps up in that area. If the play is coming to his area, a blocker will show up, unless you think they just leave a LB unblocked at the point of attack. He will play 2 gap technique on the blocker that arrives (FB, pulling G).
Playing 2 gap technique means you are responsible for both of those gaps. That means typically you must engage the blocker. You can also hope you guess right and avoid the blocker but guessing wrong, or a cut back and you have blown your assignment.

I'm not sure what you think 2gap is, maybe thats the problem.

 

[Ring 6]

"Routinely" doesn't mean every passing down. Sacks aren't the only measure of pass rush success. Watch the tape sometime. Spikes was an effective pass rusher from the outside.

Kinda does
http://define.com/wish
rou·tine (r

-t

n

)
n. 1. A prescribed, detailed course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure.
2. A set of customary and often mechanically performed procedures or activities. See Synonyms at method.
3. A set piece of entertainment, especially in a nightclub or theater: The audience laughed at the comedian's routine.
4. Slang A particular kind of behavior or activity: Must you go into your hurt routine when you don't get your way?
5. Computer Science A set of programming instructions designed to perform a specific limited task.

adj. 1. In accord with established procedure: a routine check of passports.
2. Habitual; regular: made his routine trip to the store.
3. Having no special quality; ordinary: a routine day.

Sure sacks dont mean everything, but a message board poster's unsupported opinion means even less.

 

[Kasmir]

Do you understand what 2 gap is?
Every player is responsible for 2 gaps, one on either side of a player.
That is there responsibility. You can't have the DL play 2 gap and the LBs play something else. Then you are not covering all of the running lanes.
You dont 'look for someone to 2gap' thats a foolish statement.
You are responsible for those 2 gaps.
If the G double teams the NT, then the LB steps up into that area. That is his area to be responsible for. If the G blocked down on the NT that is a read the ILB has and it tells him the plays is coming somewhere from the C/G gap out. He is responsible for the area from the outside of the C to the inside of the T. He steps up in that area. If the play is coming to his area, a blocker will show up, unless you think they just leave a LB unblocked at the point of attack. He will play 2 gap technique on the blocker that arrives (FB, pulling G).
Playing 2 gap technique means you are responsible for both of those gaps. That means typically you must engage the blocker. You can also hope you guess right and avoid the blocker but guessing wrong, or a cut back and you have blown your assignment.

I'm not sure what you think 2gap is, maybe that's the problem.

I've already pointed you to references that show you how simplistic you're being, but I suspect nothing I say will persuade you. You could try actually watching LB play sometime, but that might challenge your dogma. If you want to believe that teams run plays based on fantastic dynamic gaps carried by FB's and pulling guards, so be it. In the real world, 2-gap is primarily a DL technique to control the OL they're lined up on top of. LB play needs to be consistent with the DL (and secondary), but it's much more complex because of the offsets, play dynamics and delays. You might try running an experiment and actually watch LB in a 3-4 2-gap. You'd be surprised how seldom the backers themselves 2-gap...

 

[Kasmir]

Kinda does
http://define.com/wish
rou·tine (r

-t

n

)
n. 1. A prescribed, detailed course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure.
2. A set of customary and often mechanically performed procedures or activities. See Synonyms at method.
3. A set piece of entertainment, especially in a nightclub or theater: The audience laughed at the comedian's routine.
4. Slang A particular kind of behavior or activity: Must you go into your hurt routine when you don't get your way?
5. Computer Science A set of programming instructions designed to perform a specific limited task.

adj. 1. In accord with established procedure: a routine check of passports.
2. Habitual; regular: made his routine trip to the store.
3. Having no special quality; ordinary: a routine day.

Sure sacks dont mean everything, but a message board poster's unsupported opinion means even less.

You're criticizing my usage now? LOL you can't even get that right. Spikes was routinely, regularly used as an outside rusher. Just not every play.

My opinion is at least based on watching actual games Spikes played in. What's yours based on? But feel free to ignore me, I will preemptively reciprocate. This dialog is certainly a waste of everyone's time.

The only thing we'll likely ever agree upon was your namesake; he was one of my favorite players from those teams.

 

[BradyFTW!]

yes, his 40 time was turtle slow....BUT...his ten yard burst time was SECOND BEST at the combine...he's an ILB with exceptional ILB skills

Exactly, which is why he excels between the tackles, but if you ask him to move outside the tackles, you're playing to probably his biggest weakness.

 

[patsox23]

I think he could. He's a very good passrusher.

Nope. His speed is a little worrisome INSIDE. Outside is simply never going to happen. Wish it could, though!

 

[Rob0729]

Spikes is a perfect inside guy (at least based on his college career) and not an outside guy. McKenzie might be getting rave reviews right now for his big hits, but I have also heard good things about Spikes. I think if anyone inside will move outside, it would be Guyton. Guyton has the skills to be a good situational pass rusher outside, maybe more.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Spikes might be able to rush the passer but it would be from the inside. He lacks the speed and lateral quicks to be an outside backer. Inside, it's not a big problem because the space there is so packed you really don't have to cover as much ground. In other words leave him where he will be most effective, on the inside next to Mayo.

 

[Ring 6]

I've already pointed you to references that show you how simplistic you're being, but I suspect nothing I say will persuade you. You could try actually watching LB play sometime, but that might challenge your dogma. If you want to believe that teams run plays based on fantastic dynamic gaps carried by FB's and pulling guards, so be it. In the real world, 2-gap is primarily a DL technique to control the OL they're lined up on top of. LB play needs to be consistent with the DL (and secondary), but it's much more complex because of the offsets, play dynamics and delays. You might try running an experiment and actually watch LB in a 3-4 2-gap. You'd be surprised how seldom the backers themselves 2-gap...

Apparently you do not understand what 2 gap means.