- Joined
- Jan 11, 2013
- Messages
- 3,392
Linebackers: (11)
55 James Laurinaitis 6'2 248 6 Ohio State
The undisputed leader of this defense, he came to training camp, lighter and quicker. He seems to be thriving in Greg Williams’ aggressive scheme, and if training camp is any indication, might be seen blitzing a little more than before. He still does a good job in coverage. His value has been exaggerated by his absence this past week, as it creates a huge hole in the defense, and has forced them to scramble the depth chart to fill the void.
52 Alec Ogletree 6'2 245 2 Georgia
As good as he was last year, he looks that much better in camp this year. With the subtle change in scheme, he will now line up in the SLB spot, which allows his tremendous athletic ability to shine. He has the cover skills of a safety, shows the ability to run with any TE, and looks much more comfortable dropping into zone coverage. When used in Williams blitz packages, he is virtually unblockable coming off the edge. Expect a huge year out of the 2nd year LB.
58 Jo-Lonn Dunbar 6'0 254 7 Boston College
Dunbar has settled in and is having a very good training camp. With Laurinaitis on the sideline recently, Dunbar has shown his value moving inside and assuming the MLB role. But his primary function this year will be in the WLB spot, getting back to the same position he played in 2012. Freed up to make plays in the running game, he doesn’t seem to have lost much. Williams is also using him in various blitzes, especially coming up the middle in various delayed blitzes.
53 Darren Bates 5'11 225 2 Auburn
I what is a mild surprise, Bates has moved inside and has been getting virtually all of his work at the MLB position. He continues to play with a passion, and being a converted safety himself, has shown some nice cover skills, especially in zone. He is not afraid to stick his nose in the fray versus the run, and is fearless despite his small stature. He is a fixture on all of the Special Teams.
50 Ray Ray Armstrong 6'3 234 2 Miami (FL)
Where do I start? Armstrong continues to play with a flair. In the past week, he has benefited from the Laurinaitis injury, getting regular reps with the 1st unit taking Dunbar’s spot at WLB. He is very good in coverage, showing the ability to run with TEs, and closes quickly when in zone. A natural playmaker, he is still learning to play LB. He still doesn’t do well against the run, not showing much in his ability to read and diagnose on running plays. He will continue to be a mainstay on Special Teams, but needs to harness some of his emotion to reduce some of the mistakes. His potential is off the charts.
54 Phillip Steward 6'1 235 1 Houston
One of the pleasant surprises of training camp, he has been a fixture on the 2nd unit at SLB. He has demonstrated good instincts in both pass defense, and steps up in the running game. He is showing up on many of the core Special Teams, which tells me they like his chances to be that 6th LB.
51 Aaron Hill 6'2 231 R Minnesota
A local kid from St. Charles, he has started to move up the depth chart in the number of reps he is getting, and the different roles he is being put into. Showing up on Special Teams, he needs to good showing in the Preseason Games, to push someone out for that last LB spot. He made a couple of splash plays in the scrimmage at the dome, and shows good instincts. Doesn’t look out of place at all.
59 Etienne Sabino 6'3 247 1 Ohio State
Has good size and plays a physical style. Has been part of the regular rotation at SLB with the 3rd unit. Also shows up on some of the 2nd unit Special Teams. A likely candidate to be added to the Practice Squad.
49 Lawrence Wilson 6'1 229 1 Connecticut
Among the group brought in just before training camp, he has flashed some in camp, and has garnered some 2nd unit reps filling Armstrong’s spot. Athletic, shows good quickness and coverage skills. Practice Squad candidate.
48 Johnny Millard 6'2 232 R Cal-Poly
Has missed most of training camp, he just got back on the field this week. Has good bloodlines, and looks like he has a good feel for how to play the game. Too little on field activity to really get a feel for his ability. Needs the Preseason games more than others to get noticed.
56 Pat Schiller 6'1 235 1 N. Illinois
Started camp at MLB getting his initial reps with the 3rd unit. Smooth, and fairly athletic. Not much of a thumper, but is usually in the right spot. Has missed the past week, so he will need to get back on the field soon to have a chance to survive the first cut.
55 James Laurinaitis 6'2 248 6 Ohio State
The undisputed leader of this defense, he came to training camp, lighter and quicker. He seems to be thriving in Greg Williams’ aggressive scheme, and if training camp is any indication, might be seen blitzing a little more than before. He still does a good job in coverage. His value has been exaggerated by his absence this past week, as it creates a huge hole in the defense, and has forced them to scramble the depth chart to fill the void.
52 Alec Ogletree 6'2 245 2 Georgia
As good as he was last year, he looks that much better in camp this year. With the subtle change in scheme, he will now line up in the SLB spot, which allows his tremendous athletic ability to shine. He has the cover skills of a safety, shows the ability to run with any TE, and looks much more comfortable dropping into zone coverage. When used in Williams blitz packages, he is virtually unblockable coming off the edge. Expect a huge year out of the 2nd year LB.
58 Jo-Lonn Dunbar 6'0 254 7 Boston College
Dunbar has settled in and is having a very good training camp. With Laurinaitis on the sideline recently, Dunbar has shown his value moving inside and assuming the MLB role. But his primary function this year will be in the WLB spot, getting back to the same position he played in 2012. Freed up to make plays in the running game, he doesn’t seem to have lost much. Williams is also using him in various blitzes, especially coming up the middle in various delayed blitzes.
53 Darren Bates 5'11 225 2 Auburn
I what is a mild surprise, Bates has moved inside and has been getting virtually all of his work at the MLB position. He continues to play with a passion, and being a converted safety himself, has shown some nice cover skills, especially in zone. He is not afraid to stick his nose in the fray versus the run, and is fearless despite his small stature. He is a fixture on all of the Special Teams.
50 Ray Ray Armstrong 6'3 234 2 Miami (FL)
Where do I start? Armstrong continues to play with a flair. In the past week, he has benefited from the Laurinaitis injury, getting regular reps with the 1st unit taking Dunbar’s spot at WLB. He is very good in coverage, showing the ability to run with TEs, and closes quickly when in zone. A natural playmaker, he is still learning to play LB. He still doesn’t do well against the run, not showing much in his ability to read and diagnose on running plays. He will continue to be a mainstay on Special Teams, but needs to harness some of his emotion to reduce some of the mistakes. His potential is off the charts.
54 Phillip Steward 6'1 235 1 Houston
One of the pleasant surprises of training camp, he has been a fixture on the 2nd unit at SLB. He has demonstrated good instincts in both pass defense, and steps up in the running game. He is showing up on many of the core Special Teams, which tells me they like his chances to be that 6th LB.
51 Aaron Hill 6'2 231 R Minnesota
A local kid from St. Charles, he has started to move up the depth chart in the number of reps he is getting, and the different roles he is being put into. Showing up on Special Teams, he needs to good showing in the Preseason Games, to push someone out for that last LB spot. He made a couple of splash plays in the scrimmage at the dome, and shows good instincts. Doesn’t look out of place at all.
59 Etienne Sabino 6'3 247 1 Ohio State
Has good size and plays a physical style. Has been part of the regular rotation at SLB with the 3rd unit. Also shows up on some of the 2nd unit Special Teams. A likely candidate to be added to the Practice Squad.
49 Lawrence Wilson 6'1 229 1 Connecticut
Among the group brought in just before training camp, he has flashed some in camp, and has garnered some 2nd unit reps filling Armstrong’s spot. Athletic, shows good quickness and coverage skills. Practice Squad candidate.
48 Johnny Millard 6'2 232 R Cal-Poly
Has missed most of training camp, he just got back on the field this week. Has good bloodlines, and looks like he has a good feel for how to play the game. Too little on field activity to really get a feel for his ability. Needs the Preseason games more than others to get noticed.
56 Pat Schiller 6'1 235 1 N. Illinois
Started camp at MLB getting his initial reps with the 3rd unit. Smooth, and fairly athletic. Not much of a thumper, but is usually in the right spot. Has missed the past week, so he will need to get back on the field soon to have a chance to survive the first cut.
