I think we can sense a change coming in how linebackers are going to be used in our new defensive scheme. With Covington being waived today, we currently only have 7 on the roster (LVE, Jaylon, Sean Lee, Joe Thomas, Luke Gifford, Justin March, Francis Bernard). I don't know for sure, but if I recall correctly, 7 LB's made the 53 man roster at our first round of cuts last year, and we had more like 10 or 11 on the roster during the offseason. Seems like we're looking at more like 5 to 6 on the 53 man roster this year. That tells me we'll be running very little of the traditional 4-3 front (or "under"), something more like the 5-2 aka 4-3 "over" front. Gotta think it's going to be Randy or Aldon, or maybe even D-Law in certain situations, as the stand up "linebacker" on the line of scrimmage, with 4 other guys with their hand in the ground.
I don't know how to find this out, but I'd LOVE to know what percentage of the time we brought more than 4 rushers last year and compare that to what Mike Nolan has traditionally done as play-caller. Gotta think we're in line for a jump in blitzing/5-man rushes this year, based on the personnel that's being assembled.