LB Depth- Is This A Concern?

TwistedL0g1k

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Can't complain about the starting 3, but it's very easy to imagine being without Lee and LVE.

This scares me. How much of a concern is this?
 

snapper

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It's a concern.

There isn't much as far as proven talent backing up the starters except for Thomas. And, with LVE's injury history and Snake Lee's age, they need to secure at least one more LB that is capable of playing significant starter snaps if necessary. Any vets still out there right now that could be had for cheap?
 

Kolemmitt

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Based on everything the coaches have said, the SLB will be very different from last year. I would not expect Lee to play there at all. Remember, this is no longer the Rod M. 4-3 defense you probably played in high school.

Off-ball backers - (MLB and WLB) - Smith, LVE, Lee, Thomas, March, Covington, Benard

SLB/DPR - Anae, Gregory, Jelks, and Gifford (this is the spot he played at Nebraska, and had a good senior year playing that spot)

It is possible that Smith moves to SLB, which would weaken the off-ball spots, but if LVE is good to go, then Lee and Thomas are both capable starters and we have depth there.

I would not be surprised at all to see one more vet brought in to the SLB/DPR, especially if Gregory is not reinstated. Golden played that role for New York last year and did quite well and Matthews played that role for McCarthy in GB.
 

817Gill

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Honestly no concern for me at all, I like Thomas and Gifford could be a bigger steal than we think. We are only going to carry 6, so yeah if you want someone to compete with Covington and March for the special teams role go for it (I like Bernard). But there’s really not much room for anything other than the bottom of the unit.

I know there are health concerns but you’re not gonna go with 8 LB’s cause Lee and LVE have injury history. 6 spots, and I think 5 are already set in stone and it’s fine with me. Don’t understand the rumbling about LB when there’s really only one downroster ST spot available.
 

JIMMYBUFFETT

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Depends on Gifford and Anae. Joe Thomas has proven to be a good backup sub package player when given a chance so that's 4. Can Gifford play? He didn't show much in 4 years at Nebraska and was mainly an edge guy. While Anae is also mainly an edge guy, he's much more polished than Gifford. I'd think Dallas would have all eyes on the position as we start to see some cuts.
 

fivetwos

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We will be moving Jelks to OLB before that scenario ever play out.
Ahh man I was kidding...but...

Now that you mention it....I wonder about Jelks in that stand up outside rusher role they are talking about. Probably what Chiasson would have done if here. Similar body types.

Jelks had some rush skills, albeit very raw.
 

btcutter

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Honestly RDE is a far bigger worry for me then LB depth. I think we have enough there.
 

Typhus

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Ahh man I was kidding...but...

Now that you mention it....I wonder about Jelks in that stand up outside rusher role they are talking about. Probably what Chiasson would have done if here. Similar body types.

Jelks had some rush skills, albeit very raw.
Almost identical to Chaisson bio other than 40 time, just 5/10 slower...
MM will find a way to try and keep Jelks and Joe Jackson,,
 

chicago JK

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I think I am pretty confident with the depth. They are mostly low cost and some are intriguing depth players.

my concern is with the starters. Last off-season I thought linebackers was one of the strengths of the team. I don’t think with Jaylon or LVE we’re very good last year and certainly not a strength of a team. Add some injury concerns. Linebacker is a high injury position and I don’t think I would like our linebacker depth getting a lot of starting snaps. Regardless if jaylon and LVE aren’t what we thought they were last off-season, this defense will continue to struggle. I hope the added DT need will allow us to get a true evaluation of both this year.
 

EMMITTnROY

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LVE
Jaylon
Lee
Thomas

Those four are as good as it gets in the NFL (if LVE and Lee are healthy).

I think Bernard latches on. Just a hunch. Maybe Gifford makes the team.

I’d love if we picked up Clay Matthews for cheap. He had 8 sacks last year. Would be nice in a limited role. History with McCarthy.
 

TheCoolFan

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If someone gets hurt then you can always sign someone. 4-3 LB is a position that is easy to fill...there's always a veteran out there available if needed. See Malcolm Smith last season - he stepped in and played pretty well for a few games. Most teams have lesser name players at backup LB because their primary role is to play special teams during the season.
 

Kaiser

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Honestly no concern for me at all, I like Thomas and Gifford could be a bigger steal than we think. We are only going to carry 6, so yeah if you want someone to compete with Covington and March for the special teams role go for it (I like Bernard). But there’s really not much room for anything other than the bottom of the unit.

I agree, I think they are OK going into camp to see what they have for the backup spots. I wouldn't mind it if a veteran took a one year, make good contract but if not they should see what they have in camp and in the worst scenario, take a late round pick for a good backup.
 

Kolemmitt

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Honestly RDE is a far bigger worry for me then LB depth. I think we have enough there.

IMO, the RDE will be Dlaw/Armstrong in the base and the SAM/DPR in nickel - so Gregory, Anae, Jelks, or a FA (I am hoping for Golden).
 
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