ARTICLE: Death of the Strongside Linebacker by John Clayton

[AsthmaField]

this theory only applies to 4-3 Ds, in a 3-4, tweeners, converted DEs, the, "6'3" 255 strongside OLBs", are a premium, and are highly coveted, example: Wimbley and Lawson going higher than many people felt they should

Right... and IMO 3-4 teams are completely justified in using high picks on OLB's... while 4-3 teams should go in another direction with their premium picks, IMO.

The Lions drafting Sims as early as they did is silly... at least it seems that way to me. Like someone said, speedy 4-3 LB's are a dime a dozen and they just don't impact the game in that defense the way a DE, DT, or CB can. The money should be spent on the line and you can get good LBs later, like we did Dat and Randall Godfrey and Dexter. Just plug those guys in and go.

In a 3-4 it's different. Wimbley, Carpenter and Lawson all were wise choices for their teams because those guys are the playmakers in a 3-4... and are worth the high picks and high dollars. It's the DE's that can be found in later rounds like Hatcher, Canty, Ferguson and Stanley. Although, I'd use a #1 on a 3-4 DE before I'd use a #1 on a 4-3 OLB.

I wouldn't have taken Sims or Greenway or even Hawk if I were their teams. Hawk is very good, but what he'll do for green bay simply won't justify a top 5 selection. I know a lot of folks will disagree with me on that... but I feel strongly that the LB's could be found later. Had I been GB, I would've traded down a few picks and taken Bunkley or Ngata and gotten the LB later.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Huh?

OK.

I think he meant that smaller backers, especially on teams where the DL is getting smaller and faster as well will wear out more and more as the game goes on. They take a pounding, which results in fatigue and lowered perfomance later in the game

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

I can't wait to see what an offensive line like Kansas City does to some of these linebacker units like the Rams. Having 220 pound linebackers across the board is one trend I'd gladly skip.