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- Nov 17, 2014
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I thought I'd just give a snapshot of where we're at, I think it's kinda interesting to take a look right now as we head into FA and draft. This is all subject to change if Barron goes but I'm getting the feeling he actually may stay right now.
Sam LB:
- Previous starters: Conor Barwin
- Existing players: Samsun Ebukam
- Depth: Ejuan Price
Mike LB:
- Previous starters: Alec Ogletree
- Existing starters: Bryce Hager
- Depth: Cameron Lynch
MO LB:
- Previous starters: Mark Barron
- Existing starters: Mark Barron
- Depth: Cory Littleton (possible starter)
Will LB:
- Previous starters: Robert Quinn
- Existing starters: Matt Longacre (coming off injury)
- Depth: Carlos Thompson
Notes:
- Ogletree has been playing the Mike or strongside inside LB which is the traditionally stouter LB in Wade's 3-4. We do not seem to have a good answer right there right now as we stand. I would not like to have to rely on Hager at all. That being said, this might be the easiest spot to replace with talent in the draft as the skill-set here is limited (run D and taking and shedding blocks). This position does not need to be as pass coverage savvy and any pass rush you get from it is just icing on the cake.
- Barron aside from his health, is the perfect guy for MO LB or weakside inside LB where you need to be rangy and capable of pass coverage. You do not need to be able to stack and shed blocks as much as the Mike LB role. In the end, Ogletree could have taken over here if we cut Barron and while he may have been even rangy-er, I don't think he was as sure a tackler.
- In limited action, Cory Littleton looks like he's a great fit at MO LB too. He's excellent depth there and if we cut Barron, I actually don't think you look to replace Littleton, just promote him and seek depth behind him. Littleton is ONLY a MO LB and will not play any Mike at all. Not a fit. He may be a more sure tackler than Ogletree but I highly doubt he can stack and shed blocks.
- Longacre's injury is nothing to sneeze at (might throw out your back
. We definitely need to find some depth at OLB and FA pickings look slim. I could see us possibly bringing back Barwin actually as his production wasn't that far off from even an Aaron Lynch. Draft is where we got to pick some guys up here.
Sam LB:
- Previous starters: Conor Barwin
- Existing players: Samsun Ebukam
- Depth: Ejuan Price
Mike LB:
- Previous starters: Alec Ogletree
- Existing starters: Bryce Hager
- Depth: Cameron Lynch
MO LB:
- Previous starters: Mark Barron
- Existing starters: Mark Barron
- Depth: Cory Littleton (possible starter)
Will LB:
- Previous starters: Robert Quinn
- Existing starters: Matt Longacre (coming off injury)
- Depth: Carlos Thompson
Notes:
- Ogletree has been playing the Mike or strongside inside LB which is the traditionally stouter LB in Wade's 3-4. We do not seem to have a good answer right there right now as we stand. I would not like to have to rely on Hager at all. That being said, this might be the easiest spot to replace with talent in the draft as the skill-set here is limited (run D and taking and shedding blocks). This position does not need to be as pass coverage savvy and any pass rush you get from it is just icing on the cake.
- Barron aside from his health, is the perfect guy for MO LB or weakside inside LB where you need to be rangy and capable of pass coverage. You do not need to be able to stack and shed blocks as much as the Mike LB role. In the end, Ogletree could have taken over here if we cut Barron and while he may have been even rangy-er, I don't think he was as sure a tackler.
- In limited action, Cory Littleton looks like he's a great fit at MO LB too. He's excellent depth there and if we cut Barron, I actually don't think you look to replace Littleton, just promote him and seek depth behind him. Littleton is ONLY a MO LB and will not play any Mike at all. Not a fit. He may be a more sure tackler than Ogletree but I highly doubt he can stack and shed blocks.
- Longacre's injury is nothing to sneeze at (might throw out your back