What is our plan for ILB?

[Uptown]

Dont fret, guys. We just invited soon to be All-Pro LB Declan Williams (Incarnate Word) to rookie camp. Problem solved..

 

[Uptown]

 

[stelfans]

I’d take a flyer on Milano.

 

[reflexblue]

The plan should have been Anthony Hill Jr last Friday, but I guess we are a bit stuck with Spillane and Ellis for now. They weren't bad last year, especially Spillane, but def left some tackles on the field.

Maybe they used the pick s they would have used to draft Hill on moving up to get Lamu and Jacas

 

[imahobgoblin]

Jesse Luketa played inside at Penn State. He signed with us on March 5.

 

[Uptown]

 

[DaBruinz]

The plan should have been Anthony Hill Jr last Friday, but I guess we are a bit stuck with Spillane and Ellis for now. They weren't bad last year, especially Spillane, but def left some tackles on the field.

Hill is touted because he was at Texas. But he wasn't that good. Rodriguez and Louis are better than Hill.

The Pats will clearly be focusing on LB going into next year's draft because the cupboard is bare.


Ellis is below average. He's a liability against the run because he's 50/50 to go to the right gap. And he's horrible against the pass.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Can't address every need in the draft, but they should sign a veteran.

 

[Zuma]

It's gotta be one of the following...

- They really like Britt
- They really like Muma
- They are waiting for June 1st for a trade
- They expect players or a certain player to be cut when teams get down to 53

 

[Real fan 02]

Can't address every need in the draft, but they should sign a veteran.

Devin White | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Devin White signed a 1 year, $1,170,000 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders with an average annual salary of $1,170,000.

www.spotrac.com

 

[palialka]

It's gotta be one of the following...

- They really like Britt
- They really like Muma
- They are waiting for June 1st for a trade
- They expect players or a certain player to be cut when teams get down to 53

1, 2 and 4 are legit.

Not sure they make a trade for an ILB but you never know

 

[mgteich]

The plan should have been Anthony Hill Jr last Friday, but I guess we are a bit stuck with Spillane and Ellis for now. They weren't bad last year, especially Spillane, but def left some tackles on the field.

What you see is likely to be what you get unless there is a late in camp trade, claim or pick-up the day after the cut to 53.

The team apparently has its Spillane and Ellis
and its backups in Hill and Muma
and perhaps in its ST/backup in Obiazor
and we also picked up Luketa

One of the six OLB/EDGE folks could get some work inside if there is an injury (perhaps Ponder, Swinson or Hutchins).

I don't see any free agent signings that make the 53 coming from the 90-man roster of others. We could sign a veteran, but since Vrabel is likely OK with the top 3, that seems unlikely.

 

[mgteich]

I will say that off ball LB is the easiest thing to trade for late in camp/start of the season.

We saw Bill do it several times with guys like Casillas, Van Noy, Ayers.

Do you think that we had less of a need last year? Who did we pick up?

 

[mgteich]

End of training camp pick up

sounds great, but seems like nothing to count on.

I think that we picked up no players that made the 53 from the draft until the final cut.

We did claim Gregory and DiVIto after the cut, but we were at the top of the claim list. We also signed Munford and Durden to our Practice Squad after the final cut.

 

[mgteich]

Can't address every need in the draft, but they should sign a veteran.

who?

 

[ViperGTS]

Pray

 

[Real fan 02]

1, 2 and 4 are legit.

Not sure they make a trade for an ILB but you never know

They still have ample cap availability.. Devin white is the perfect fit.. my inclination is what Zuma mentioned about June 1.. I believe Gonzo's extension also is playing a part as well..

 

[Real fan 02]

Do you think that we had less of a need last year? Who did we pick up?

Devin white... proven. Championship pedigree. Physical, can blitz, play the run and excellent sideline to sideline.. even as a rotational player would be an upgrade.. now if the Draft pick Obiazor pans out then great!!

 

[Huckleberry1]

While looking at our roster and MG's super early 53 squad, one positions seems jumps out to being really weak compares to all others.

For ILBs, we are basically relying on Spillane and Elliss.

I really like Spillane, and he was sorely missed when injured. Which makes me question why we didnt go after either a future replacement in draft or someone to really share the burden of being in the heart of the Defense.

Elliss, on the other hand, is someone I dont like. He did played better than I expected, at points, but he is generally a step behind, and doesnt really stand out as a run stopper or a coverage man.

Obiazor was selected in the 5th round, so regardless of our opinions, its safe to say he isnt expected to contribute right away. Kj Britt is a borderline players, and neither replacd Gibbens on defense was not even THAT good (I did like him more than Elliss)

In Vrabel's scheme, we cant really put a hybrid S like in the BB days, so I think this could be a major weak point for us this season, against the run and against good TEs/Slots. If Spillane goes down again (tbf he doesnt have the history, but he has hit the dreaded 30 yo wall)

Idk what can be done to remedy this Maybe converting an OLB inside? Is there any decent FA available? Trade? All of these seem unlikely now

What are your guys thought on this?

I don't know what their plan is, but I'm sure they have one. They have addressed needs all offseason and I can't imagine they just noted it and plan to go into the season with no depth. I wonder if Jacas will be employed on dual roles, moving inside in certain situations and then to the edge in others? I do think that Off the Ball Linebacker is one position you can find good veterans at later in the offseason process, as they did with Gibbens last year.

 

[Real fan 02]

While looking at our roster and MG's super early 53 squad, one positions seems jumps out to being really weak compares to all others.

For ILBs, we are basically relying on Spillane and Elliss.

I really like Spillane, and he was sorely missed when injured. Which makes me question why we didnt go after either a future replacement in draft or someone to really share the burden of being in the heart of the Defense.

Elliss, on the other hand, is someone I dont like. He did played better than I expected, at points, but he is generally a step behind, and doesnt really stand out as a run stopper or a coverage man.

Obiazor was selected in the 5th round, so regardless of our opinions, its safe to say he isnt expected to contribute right away. Kj Britt is a borderline players, and neither replacd Gibbens on defense was not even THAT good (I did like him more than Elliss)

In Vrabel's scheme, we cant really put a hybrid S like in the BB days, so I think this could be a major weak point for us this season, against the run and against good TEs/Slots. If Spillane goes down again (tbf he doesnt have the history, but he has hit the dreaded 30 yo wall)

Idk what can be done to remedy this Maybe converting an OLB inside? Is there any decent FA available? Trade? All of these seem unlikely now

What are your guys thought on this?

For me.. I actually like Ellis.. he's a physical thumper and a guy that's still getting better.. he's not perfect but he plays well in the defense.. I'm actually thinking we should be looking at Devin White a free agent... Obiazor I like his skill set and he can cover sideline to sideline play the ball and do it all.. he should be able to carve out a role.. muma and Brit are likely Depth and STs guys..

We should be adding a Free agent (Devin White) , and coaching up Obiazor to factor in the LBs corps.. also Spillane is 30 so allowing him to be fresher down the stretch would be beneficial to him..