Which USC linebacker would you take and why?
 

there seems to be a pretty good chance that we talk a linebacker at 13 since it sounds like most of the OT's will be gone by then, and I dunno if the skins are really that high on Oher...Curry will be long gone, so the next set of great linebackers will be the guys from USC. Which one would you take and why? YOU CANNOT TAKE ANYONE ELSE, IT HAS TO BE ONE OF THESE 3 GUYS:

Rey Maualuga- a fierce hard-hitting LB who is suited for the Middle but could play the outside. He has been known to leave the field on third downs though. Think of him as troy polamalu at LB.

Brian Cushing- A very complete and really good OLB who has the size height and look of an OLB that would fit perfectly at the SLB spot which we need. The negatives, he leaves the field also on third downs alot, and has had lots of injuries in the past.

Clay Matthews- A college DE who would also be a perfect fit at OLB, and proved at the combine and senior bowl that he could play OLB. His father and uncle both played in the NFL, and both are HOF's. He started the season as a nobody, but week by week, he went from 4th round pick, to 3rd, to 2nd, to now where he is considered to possibly be the first USC LB taken. the negatives on him, he never started, until the fourth game, this year, and couldn't beat out Kaluka Maiva who is considered to be a 4-5th rounder. he could of just been good because he was surrounded by NFL talent all around him (then again if he is surround by the talent of fletcher, haynesworth, and our secondary, then maybe his success should translate to here as well)

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

The only one worthy of being a 13th pick is Maualuga, the rest seem like late 1st round even 2nd round.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Just an FYI Nfl the FO is reportedly real impressed w/ Oher, and I tend to think if he's availabe @ 13 we'll take him over these guys.

... per the USC trio Rey is the safest pick @ 13 no doubt IMHO. Cushing's injury/durability issues mean we have another Rocky... a guy who can be very good when he's healthy but nothing special otherwise. Matthews is too unproven to take @ 13. Rey should be a pro-bowler for over a decade. Just look at the truly dominant defenses, they all have something in common and that's a monster MLB.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I like all three but if you're taking one at 13 it's Maualuga for me. His 40 time doesn't bother me. Anyone know Urlachers 40 time? MLB has a lot to do with attitude and Rey has one. What you want is a mean nasty SOB in the mold of Butkus or Lambert. I think Rey-Rey fits the bill. He's a football player.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=The Goat;540367]Just an FYI Nfl the FO is reportedly real impressed w/ Oher, and I tend to think if he's availabe @ 13 we'll take him over these guys.

... per the USC trio Rey is the safest pick @ 13 no doubt IMHO. Cushing's injury/durability issues mean we have another Rocky... a guy who can be very good when he's healthy but nothing special otherwise. Matthews is too unproven to take @ 13. Rey should be a pro-bowler for over a decade. Just look at the truly dominant defenses, they all have something in common and that's a monster MLB.[/quote]

well i also heard the FO is really into matthews because they have a scheduled private workout scheduled with him, and i haven't heard about one for Oher, and cerrato was on the radio saying that last year they wanted mayo with their first rounder, so I think they'll still want a LB..

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I'd take Rey, because he plays violent football, and you gotta love it..

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Weak draft class- too many question marks with all of these guys. Trade down.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=53Fan;540370]I like all three but if you're taking one at 13 it's Maualuga for me. His 40 time doesn't bother me. Anyone know [b]Urlachers 40 time?[/b] MLB has a lot to do with attitude and Rey has one. What you want is a mean nasty SOB in the mold of Butkus or Lambert. I think Rey-Rey fits the bill. He's a football player.[/quote]

4.59 at the combine. [url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_13_224/ai_61573735]Get ready for Urlacher, the `freak' of the 2000 draft | Sporting News, The | Find Articles at BNET[/url]

I don't care so much about the 40 time, but I don't think Maulauga fits well in Blache's defense at OLB. I don't know how much he'll help immediately though I certainly think he is the best of the three and really would be pretty unhappy if the Skins end up with Cushing (I don't think Matthews is on the radar). I would rather have a OL or Everette Brown than any of the USC guys.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

The only problem with Maulauga is that he's a middle linebacker and with fletcher we are set for atleast two more seasons. OLB is one of our most pressing needs. I think we are going to go with Oher since the linebacker class is so deep.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Uh, Clay Matthews I guess.

There will be better options at No. 13.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=GTripp0012;540391]Uh, Clay Matthews I guess.

There will be better options at No. 13.[/quote]

Agreed, I think if Oher is available, then we should take him instead of any LBs. I would actually prefer trading down and try to pick up a o-lineman late if the top tackles are gone.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

If Maualuga wasn't a mddle linebacker I would be happy with him.

I will be furious if we select either Matthews or Cushing. Anybody remember Dallas Sartz? He was a linebacker out of the USC system and he was faster than all three of these so called first round linebackers. No thanks.

One of these guys Cushing or Matthews has been dogged by rumors of steriod use.

PASS. PASS. PASS.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Clay Matthews seems like the safest pick. Maualuga has character issues and Cushing is a bodybuilder. Since this draft is deep at the LB spot, we could get a 'Clay Matthews type' in the later rounds. Maualuga definitely warrants a first round pick though.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Maualuga I like the best but I'd take Oher over him in a heart beat. I think if Oher is available I'll disappointed if we don't take him. I have a feeling the guy is going to be a beast. He is an instant upgrade at RT while any LB we pick will have to work to get on the field based on how we've dealt with defensive rooies in the past. I feel like we can find a "smart" OLB later who could come in right away for us.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=Nflnick11;540380]well i also heard the FO is really into matthews because they have a scheduled private workout scheduled with him, and i haven't heard about one for Oher, and cerrato was on the radio saying that last year they wanted mayo with their first rounder, so I think they'll still want a LB..[/quote]

Our unofficial insider, SmootSmack, has said quite a few times Oher is a top target. But i think you're right anybody they bring in for a private showing is probably a good candidate... i believe Rey is also on that list but they're waiting for him to get healed up.

...it's frustrating how there's so little footage of Matthews available on the net. I'm rating Cushing and Rey from their footage and honestly don't see any comparison. Cushing is often a step behind the ball-carrier and has to dive and drag him down to make the tackle. He also loses his feet too often at the pt of contact. Rey drives thru [B]everybody[/B]. He also looks faster than Cushing when the action is live... closing speed is more important than running in a straight line. But if the FO has footage to really compare Matthews I won't complain if we grab him as long as its a trade down scenario. What I don't want to see is a trade-down scenario where we grab a DE who hasn't covered TEs/WRs and try to make him an OLB.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Only Rey. Forget the other 2 at #13. Rey will be a beast at any position, Cushing and Mathews both have reach and Bust all over them... stay away from them please.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Watch the game highlights, the senior bowl workouts and the game itself!

Maualuga is the best choice at #13, even if Oher or Smith is available. If you look past just immediate needs and this upcoming season, he is the only option with HOF potential. I know we need O-Line help and Cushing hte OLB is climbing up draft boards, but, are we just trying to shore up for this year or are we trying to build a dynasty. Take the HOF talent player everytime unless you have a yougn player already at that position. Vinny himself said we wanted Jared Mayo last year when everybody knew we needed help at WR. Think about it...if we could go back and get Jared Mayo instead of Devin Thomas and Fred Davis...who would you have wanted knowing what we know now?

If the FO is smart, they draft Maualuga! Sure he may have to play out of position for a year or two (think DJ Williams in Denver), but the guy has all the potential to give our D a swagger and be a perennial pro-bowler (think Ray Lewis). The choice is clear.

Rey Maualuga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Ya let's hope the skins don't draft Matthews at 13, that's way to high...supposedly Matthews is gonna be picked by the Texans, so maybe we can get them into swapping picks with us, and getting their 2nd or 3rd rounder and we could get oher or maualuga at 15

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Clay Mathews is the best of the bunch in my opinion.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=T.O.Killa;540504]Clay Mathews is the best of the bunch in my opinion.[/quote]

I think he's gonna surprise some people. He has what it takes.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Rey would be a horrible pick. If I had to make a decision... it would be Cush. But we could get depth at LB in third and go with the best player with #13. OL Oher, DL Brown,
OL A. Smith, DL Jackson, seem to fit the bill to be available

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Clay Matthews...hands down. Here's why:

1) He is from a football family -His father, Clay, was a 4-year (1974-77) letterman linebacker at USC who played on Troy's 1974 national championship team and earned All-American honors in 1977 (he went on to play with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons from 1978 to 1996). His brother, Kyle, lettered at safety on USC's 2003 national championship team. His uncle, Bruce, was a 3-year (1980-82) letterman offensive guard at USC who earned All-American honors in 1982 and then played with the NFL's Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1983 to 2001. His grandfather, Clay Sr., was on the football, wrestling and swimming teams at Georgia Tech in the 1940s and then played in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s.

2) He was a walk on at USC, which means that he has a proven work ethic. This work ethic prompted coaches to find and somehow to make him crack the lineup at USC as a DE/OLB hybrid. He plays special teams like a mad man (which is what he played the first two seasons).

3) His combine was unbelievable. Not only was he top ten in 40-yard dash, Bench press, Vertical jump, Broad jump, 3-cone drill, & 20-yard shuttle, but the best fact about his combine was that his 10 yard split in the 40 yard dash was 1.49 seconds!! That is faster time than Derrick Williams, Kenny Britt, and D.J Moore.

4) His versatility will be great for us. He can play SLB on the first two downs, and then play DE on pass rushing downs.

CLAY MATTHEWS is this year's Jordy Nelson (for whom I was lobbying for us to pick last year). His football family, work ethic, athleticism, and versatility will be a great asset for us as a team. Furthermore, his ability to be coached and his character would provide us with a lot less of the individualistic distractions and provide us with a hard-nosed football player for the next 10 years or so.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I really don't want any of these guys. Ray M. seems like he's always trying to make the ESPN highlights. He has the most potential out of these guys but is he going to be a true student of the game like Fletcher is. Is he going to be able to keep his weight down? I just don't see it. He has Brian Bosworth written all over him. The other two are simply not worthy of the 13th pick. They look like 2nd or 3rd rounders to me.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I honestly think Andre Smith is the pick if he's available at 13. If not they'll try to trade down and if that can't be done they'll grab Rey. Then maybe try to work their way back into the first or second. If they do get the trade down done I could see them taking Eben Britton.

However to answer the thread, Rey, by far. Guys a football player and Fletchers production has made me realize how beneficial we are to make sure that we always have a dominant guy at that Mike spot. Plus I don't want to risk repeating the Lamar Marshall experiment.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I would go with Rey Maualuga as well. We need that kind of energy/swagger on the team. And it would also mean a fellow Samoan on the team.:woot:

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;540607]I really don't want any of these guys. Ray M. seems like he's always trying to make the ESPN highlights. He has the most potential out of these guys but is he going to be a true student of the game like Fletcher is. Is he going to be able to keep his weight down? I just don't see it. He has Brian Bosworth written all over him. The other two are simply not worthy of the 13th pick. They look like 2nd or 3rd rounders to me.[/quote]

I was thinking...we have blades, who could be a very good MLB and I think MLB is the perfect position for him...so ya why get maualuga if he is really gonna be like blades, IMHO

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Clay Matthews...is a hands down NO. Here's why:

A "good bloodline" does not change that the guy as 10 career starts. Why waste a 1st round pick, 13th at that, on a guy who hasn't played a full year in college? No thanks.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Rey Maualuga FTW

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=johno;540699]Rey Maualuga FTW[/quote]

FTW???

And to respond to the guy saying we should definetly get clay matthews because of bloodline...good point, but keep in mind those guys started from day one at USC, or at least started for 2 full seasons, him on the other hand started from the 4th game on in his senior year...WAY to RISKY for 13...and combine numbers don't mean too much, people read way to much into combine crap..what i look at is if the kid can play or not, not how much he can bench, run , run around cones, etc. I look at the tape...just take anquan boldin for example he was a great player, but when he went to the combine, he ran a 4.7 fourty..numbers like that drop most guys in the draft at that position, but when you would watch him at FSU he would dominate, and had great game speed....and that s the other thing with the 40 is that they run it without pads on, I wanna see how fast you run with pads on....
.....bottom line, don't look at matthews just because he had a great combine, look at his game tape to see how well he really is

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

FTW stands for "for the win" as in I firmly believe that he (Rey) is the best choice for us out of the USC guys. Its used in some blogs to add emphasis to a statement.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

I'm just curious which of the three ya'll think will go first? I would bet half the pot Rey doesn't last beyond 16 (San Diego)... I think the other 2 guys could fall to the bottom of the 1st round and Matthews possibly into the 2nd.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

It will go Maualuga, Cushing, Matthews.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

none... we need lineman

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=53Fan;540370]I like all three but if you're taking one at 13 it's Maualuga for me. His 40 time doesn't bother me. Anyone know Urlachers 40 time? MLB has a lot to do with attitude and Rey has one. What you want is a mean nasty SOB in the mold of Butkus or Lambert. I think Rey-Rey fits the bill. He's a football player.[/quote]

i agree with you there and he is one nasty LB.

relentless and i would be alright with him at 13 but who knows...

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

toughie here fellas, i go Rey rey, but if Oher is there...we'll take him.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Kaluka Maiava...just to be different :)

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Maualuga....hands down, he has excellent coverage skills, he can play the run well with his aggressive style to shed blocks, he is fast, and most of all he is a head hunter

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=johno;540727]FTW stands for "for the win" as in I firmly believe that he (Rey) is the best choice for us out of the USC guys. Its used in some blogs to add emphasis to a statement.[/quote]

It also means F the world.

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;540935]Kaluka Maiava...just to be different :)[/quote]

Ah, the Rock's cousin!

Re: Which USC linebacker would you like the most and why?
 

Hey, is it true none of they guys play all three downs? I haven't heard that anywhere but here...