Three defensive players to watch

[UofApatsfan]

You can say he's not an ideal starter, but I'm talking about our chances this year with the OLB's. He's the best we've got, and he can play in all facets of the game (making him our only true 3 down linebacker). He's a middle of the road starter, as I guarantee he'd be playing significant snaps on at least half the teams in the NFL.

He can't play all facets of the game. He's terrible against the run and is never a threat to drop into coverage. He's as one dimensional as it gets, not really someone I'd consider a 3 down linebacker.

 

[Deus Irae]

Maybe you haven't noticed, but Banta-Cain has been just as horrendous as any other OLB on the team (except for maybe Ninkovich, he deserves to be acknowledged for his own level of horrible). It sucks so many people (apparently the coaches are among this group) think TBC is a great asset to the defense because of last season when his numbers looked good on paper thanks to playing Buffalo twice. He already threw away one chance to inflate his numbers against Buffalo this year, if he doesn't make the most of the next Buffalo game he'll be exposed.


EDIT: good to see others agree TBC is not a starting OLB

A lot of us didn't feel that TBC was a starting caliber player last year, never mind this year. TBC is what he is. He's a pass rushing linebacker who should be on the field just about as often as Guyton. Both players are 3rd down linebackers.

 

[UofApatsfan]

A lot of us didn't feel that TBC was a starting caliber player last year, never mind this year. TBC is what he is. He's a pass rushing linebacker who should be on the field just about as often as Guyton. Both players are 3rd down linebackers.

This is what I've been saying.

 

[JackBauer]

So every sack artist records half of his sacks for the season in two games against a crappy divisional opponent? It's not like he did it against multiple crappy teams last year, the only reason he had double digit sacks (or even sniffed double digit sacks) was being able to play one particular team twice when it just traded a pro bowl left tackle the prior off season and had an abortion at left tackle.

And lol calling TBC a "sack artist". He had one fluke 10 sack season, and outside of that has been a career backup. Heck with 3 down starter, he's not a starter. He should be a 3rd down/passing down specialist where he never has to worry about the run.

Who cares if it's the same crappy opponent twice or multiple crappy opponents? Doesn't really make much of a difference, now does it? Every player pads their sack totals against crap teams. That's just the way it is.

I only used the term "sack artist" to refer to a player who accrues a good number of sacks. I use that term to describe TBC because that's pretty much the only thing he really does well.

 

[Deus Irae]

This is what I've been saying.

It's a road not worth going down on this thread, though. You can point to 9-10 defenders out of the starting 11 who don't merit much praise right now, in the sense of being quality players to watch. At this point, you're watching these guys with specifics in mind, unless you're watching Wilfork or Mayo. Heck, even Mayo makes you wonder about how he'll hold up against opposing guards in any particular game.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

The whole secondary is where our fate lays... And No, I don't think Butler is a terrible player at all. He has been forced to play due to the Bodden injury and I fear that his confidence has taken a shot due to his bad performance. He wasn't picked in the 2nd round because he sucks.

 

[Modest]

Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, and maybe Kyle Love. Hold the line.

YouTube - Toto -Hold the Line

 

[UofApatsfan]

You can point to 9-10 defenders out of the starting 11 who don't merit much praise right now

And they aren't getting any. TBC on the other stand hasn't been criticized for his terrible play.

 

[UofApatsfan]

Who cares if it's the same crappy opponent twice or multiple crappy opponents? Doesn't really make much of a difference, now does it?

Yes it does. Being the same crappy opponent shows TBC is average against 31/32 NFL teams, he's just lucky enough to play that other team twice a year.

 

[Deus Irae]

And they aren't getting any. TBC on the other stand hasn't been criticized for his terrible play.

Dude got benched by the coach. I'm not sure what more you feel is needed.

 

[Mack Herron]

Dude got benched by the coach. I'm not sure what more you feel is needed.

Agreed. TBC is the best we got coming off the edge on 3rd down, but otherwise not strong. To me, Cunningham looks like he has better leverage and strength against the run, with plenty of upside to rush the passer. Cunningham and Spikes make rookie mistakes, but I understand playing them because they have the ability to play the run as well as the pass. Our D needs more tough guys.

Not quite seeing the love for Mayo either. Mayo plays very fast but seems to have trouble getting off blocks and many tackles are 6 yds downfield. I want to see him making some plays behind the line and in coverage. To me, Chung is the best looking guy on D.