Cowboyny
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Thoughts and prayers to the Kneeland family!
When Eberflus was hired he was suppose to be this Linebacker whisper, this unit has been the worse on the entire team. There is a reason why they were forced to add help at the trade deadline:
Sanborn-handpicked by Ebeflus. He has the instincts you look for at the position, but he is too athletically challenged. He did do a much better job as a run defender and the run defense really suffered after he went down.
Murray-their big trade acquisition has been a total disaster. Possessing zero instincts for the position has him watching plays, but not reacting to them.
Clark-he is pretty much the same exact player. Both Zimmer/Ebeflus both figured this out early where he has become just a special teamer.
James-a extremely green, young rookie who was playing out of position. He is more of a true Will, run and chase backer. He is another linebacker that has limited instincts for the position. Once Sanborn went down, our run defense fell off the cliff with him and Murray. He is in his developmental stage and should get better with more reps, having Overshown back should also help.
Marist-probably the most disappointing to me, thought we were going to see a breakout season. He doesn't play many snaps, when he does, very inconsistent. Makes big plays, but gives them up with his over aggressiveness. The game needs to slow down for him.
*Wilson-he is a legitimate mike linebacker with strong instincts for the position. He should come in an solidify the position against both the run and the pass. Despite him being phased out with a new DC in Cincy, he is still a very productive player. No, not an elite starter, but a solid one who has played in many big games throughout his career.
*Overshown-we have no idea how he will look after another major knee injury. I think we all need to temper our expectations at least the rest of this season. What is most important is keeping him healthy.
Team still could use another high-end linebacker, perhaps one of those modern ones, one who can play off the ball and be used as a pass rusher. I would be very interested in adding Quincey Williams in the offseason to bolster our depth and using a high pick at the position. The defensive retool is all about getting better and more physical inside the trenches.
When Eberflus was hired he was suppose to be this Linebacker whisper, this unit has been the worse on the entire team. There is a reason why they were forced to add help at the trade deadline:
Sanborn-handpicked by Ebeflus. He has the instincts you look for at the position, but he is too athletically challenged. He did do a much better job as a run defender and the run defense really suffered after he went down.
Murray-their big trade acquisition has been a total disaster. Possessing zero instincts for the position has him watching plays, but not reacting to them.
Clark-he is pretty much the same exact player. Both Zimmer/Ebeflus both figured this out early where he has become just a special teamer.
James-a extremely green, young rookie who was playing out of position. He is more of a true Will, run and chase backer. He is another linebacker that has limited instincts for the position. Once Sanborn went down, our run defense fell off the cliff with him and Murray. He is in his developmental stage and should get better with more reps, having Overshown back should also help.
Marist-probably the most disappointing to me, thought we were going to see a breakout season. He doesn't play many snaps, when he does, very inconsistent. Makes big plays, but gives them up with his over aggressiveness. The game needs to slow down for him.
*Wilson-he is a legitimate mike linebacker with strong instincts for the position. He should come in an solidify the position against both the run and the pass. Despite him being phased out with a new DC in Cincy, he is still a very productive player. No, not an elite starter, but a solid one who has played in many big games throughout his career.
*Overshown-we have no idea how he will look after another major knee injury. I think we all need to temper our expectations at least the rest of this season. What is most important is keeping him healthy.
Team still could use another high-end linebacker, perhaps one of those modern ones, one who can play off the ball and be used as a pass rusher. I would be very interested in adding Quincey Williams in the offseason to bolster our depth and using a high pick at the position. The defensive retool is all about getting better and more physical inside the trenches.
