The Inside Linebacker Position

[diehardskin2982]

The next area that I feel needs to be addressed is the Inside Linebacker Position. We tried to address it with Foote, however he signed with the Steelers. Who should fill that roll? Rocky is said to be able to play inside as well as outside linebacker. H.B. Blades is an option. However would it be a smart idea to have 2 unsized ILB's? Maybe draft a guy like Brandon Spikes? Discuss your solution player and why?

[Monkeydad]

Blades has the potential to be a good starter. Probably better than any draft pick, although we should pick a LB somewhere in the draft after O-Line and possibly RB are addressed.

[diehardskin2982]

I like the idea of Rocky if we keep Carter, however if he goes I would like to see a rookie like Sean Lee of Penn State, who is Football smart and be a solid starter for years.

[CultBrennan59]

Donald Butler is a lot like Karlos Dansby. He played MLB for the huskies and has the size of Bart Scott. He's really good in pass coverage also. One football magazine which I bought has him being the best ILB taken (yes even above mcclain and spikes; the magazine said that "although he won't be the first of the ILB's taken, he's still the best ILB in our eyes). Right now he's project to get picked anywhere from mid second round to the 4th round.

[Ruhskins]

Do we have any players with 3-4 experience on our roster? One of the reasons why I was pulling for the likes of Dansby or Foote, was because they have extensive 3-4 experience. I don't know how important this is or not, but it would have been nice to have a player with 3-4 experience.

[diehard]

I guess Lorenzo Alexander fits the bill.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

The next area that I feel needs to be addressed is the Inside Linebacker Position. We tried to address it with Foote, however he signed with the Steelers. Who should fill that roll? Rocky is said to be able to play inside as well as outside linebacker. H.B. Blades is an option. However would it be a smart idea to have 2 unsized ILB's? Maybe draft a guy like Brandon Spikes? Discuss your solution player and why?

Solution for this year or for long term?

First off i don't think that Rocky is neccesarily undersized for a 3-4 ILB.
They are many 3-4 ILB around his same size:
Copper/Siler,
Brooking/James,
DQ Jackson(go terps!)+Barton+Maiava,
Scott/Harris

I think our ILBs are set for this season.

London will be the strong side ILB(buck) and Rocky the weak side ILB(mack).

Blades,imo, because of experience playing SAM and his short stocky frame is a natural fit as a 3-4 'buck' and would be capable back-up to London.

Henson, Robert comes from TCU where i believed they played a 3-4 and he has good size and speed and showed last pre-season that he hits with good pop i think he could step in at either spot but especially the 'mack' position.

The team was high on Young, Darrel last year a young LB with good size and outstanding speed (4.5)
Darrel Young*|*Villanova,*ILB*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by 30gut

Solution for this year or for long term?

First off i don't think that Rocky is neccesarily undersized for a 3-4 ILB.
They are many 3-4 ILB around his same size:
Copper/Siler,
Brooking/James,
DQ Jackson(go terps!)+Barton+Maiava,
Scott/Harris

I think our ILBs are set for this season.

London will be the strong side ILB(buck) and Rocky the weak side ILB(mack).

Blades,imo, because of experience playing SAM and his short stocky frame is a natural fit as a 3-4 'buck' and would be capable back-up to London.

Henson, Robert comes from TCU where i believed they played a 3-4 and he has good size and speed and showed last pre-season that he hits with good pop i think he could step in at either spot but especially the 'mack' position.

The team was high on Young, Darrel last year a young LB with good size and outstanding speed (4.5)
Darrel Young*|*Villanova,*ILB*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Actually Robert Henson was a LB in the 4-2-5 defense which TCU runs.

[WaldSkins]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

Do we have any players with 3-4 experience on our roster? One of the reasons why I was pulling for the likes of Dansby or Foote, was because they have extensive 3-4 experience. I don't know how important this is or not, but it would have been nice to have a player with 3-4 experience.

Fletcher and Haynesworth have played in a 3-4

[CultBrennan59]

^ No they haven't Tennessee ran a 4-3 and so did St. Louis and buffalo for fletcher's case.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

Actually Robert Henson was a LB in the 4-2-5 defense which TCU runs.

Thank you for the correction.
I knew it wasn't a typical 4-3 alignment.

Originally Posted by CultBrennan59

^ No they haven't Tennessee ran a 4-3 and so did St. Louis and buffalo for fletcher's case.

Fletcher has actually said that he's played in a 3-4 before.

[Monkeydad]

I thought we cut Henson after his idiotic comments about us (fans).

[MTK]

Henson is still with us, Cody Glenn is the one that got let go and is now with the Colts

[backrow]

The mailbag discusses this.

Fan Mailbag: What Happens to Jarmon In a 3-4?

[SkinsfanNTX]

One possibility is Jamar Chaney from Mississippi State. He is a very good athlete who runs in the low 4.5 range with adequate size and good range.