Did we waste money signing Bradie James to a long term contract?

[Bleu Star]

More often than not today I saw him just running around today. He wasn't making that impact that I like to see at middle linebacker. A great defense is often built around a great MLB. I'll point to Urlacher right now. That guy is a ball hawk. On top of that he is big, fast, mean, and nasty. Do we have that in Bradie James? I really think we still have questions at the MLB spot. I'm just not convinced he is the solidifier in the middle of that defense.

 

[noletime95]

I'm not sold either. I think the true test is....would he get more on the open market now?....NOPE

 

[ajk23az]

He is a "solid" MLB but he definately is no playmaker like we need in that position. He just doesnt make any plays. A lot of other teams have better than "solid" MLBers

 

[MetalHead]

He had an atrocious game today.
He has not done squat in a long long time.

 

[alancdc]

More often than not today I saw him just running around today. He wasn't making that impact that I like to see at middle linebacker. A great defense is often built around a great MLB. I'll point to Urlacher right now. That guy is a ball hawk. On top of that he is big, fast, mean, and nasty. Do we have that in Bradie James? I really think we still have questions at the MLB spot. I'm just not convinced he is the solidifier in the middle of that defense.

He is a good player and a great guy, but every other team that has a dominant D has a DOMINANT middle backer. We miss Dat. James is too slow getting to the play, and there is no explosion that I remember with Dat, and for that matter Coakley!

 

[Bleu Star]

He is a good player and a great guy, but every other team that has a dominant D has a DOMINANT middle backer. We miss Dat. James is too slow getting to the play, and there is no explosion that I remember with Dat, and for that matter Coakley!

I couldn't agree more. A stellar defense usually has a standout at MLB. He just is doing nothing at all to separate himself from your typical MLB and it is hurting us.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Sad to say, I think he's just a one-dimensional run stopper. Yeah, he makes some good hits and he's tough, but he's too slow and stiff to be a factor in pass coverage or plays down the field.

Guys like him are why I question Bill's scheme. When you get big, strong guys, they simply aren't going to be as agile and fast. Does that work against today's quick passes and more spread offenses?

But back to Bradie... I fear that he is what he is.

 

[vlad]

I really like him in that he seems like a good guy, but the linebackers in the 3-4 are supposed to be stars, and he's just not that. I thought he might be, but he always moved to mechanically to me. To me he's like the poor man's Al Singleton, Al has had a really good career, but was never spectacular.

 

[noletime95]

I'm very disapointed with Bradie's play this year....

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I can see why they signed Bradie to an extension. He played quite well last year, he's young, and he's a leader who works hard. This year he really hasn't been very good, to the point where he may be the worst starter on defense.

The good news is that his contract is pretty cap friendly. At from what I see, if they can get Carpenter better at taking on blocks, he does operate very well in space and if he can get that straightened out he could very well be a marked improvement over James. That's one of the beauties of building your roster through the draft. Unfortunately, we'll still need an OLB and a D-Coordinator worth a damn.



YAKUZA

 

[Ken]

Not only him but Roy Williams as well.

He is certainly not earning the money we paid him.

 

[alancdc]

I can see why they signed Bradie to an extension. He played quite well last year, he's young, and he's a leader who works hard. This year he really hasn't been very good, to the point where he may be the worst starter on defense.

The good news is that his contract is pretty cap friendly. At from what I see, if they can get Carpenter better at taking on blocks, he does operate very well in space and if he can get that straightened out he could very well be a marked improvement over James. That's one of the beauties of building your roster through the draft. Unfortunately, we'll still need an OLB and a D-Coordinator worth a damn.



YAKUZA

Carp has been playing better. I just think James is SLOW! I mean, remember how Dat just exploded into the home. Man, if we had him at MLB with this team......

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Guys like him are why I question Bill's scheme. When you get big, strong guys, they simply aren't going to be as agile and fast. Does that work against today's quick passes and more spread offenses?

The Pats, even in their Super Bowl teams had far slower defenses than what we have. And I'm not so sure that SD is any faster on defense or are the Dolphins. The one thing is that with the 3-4 scheme you pretty much need big LB's at every spot. You can plug in a smaller guy, but they usually struggle against the run and wear down easily from the pounding. So it's difficult to find a guy that can play Bradie's spot which mostly calls for them to be the cover back of the two ILB's. Speed isn't everything in the NFL. Bruschi, Vrabel, McGinest, and Ted Johnson probably run 40 times in the near 5.0 second range. But Bruschi, Vrabel and McGinest know how to cover.



YAKUZA

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Carp has been playing better. I just think James is SLOW! I mean, remember how Dat just exploded into the home. Man, if we had him at MLB with this team......

Dat was too small for the 3-4. I would give my left arm for Lance Briggs. He plays the Cover 2, but he'd be perfect for Bradie's spot as he's big and is probably the best cover backer in the NFL right now who can also defend the run.



YAKUZA

 

[alancdc]

Dat was too small for the 3-4. I would give my left arm for Lance Briggs. He plays the Cover 2, but he'd be perfect for Bradie's spot as he's big and is probably the best cover backer in the NFL right now who can also defend the run.



YAKUZA

That could be true about Dat, but give me a football player and I will take that over a prototypical player any day. I just think that if you are a player you probably will find a way to be successful in whatever system. Sad part is that we will never know!

 

[blindzebra]

Absolutely.

He's too slow, is always out of position, can't blitz and is terrible in coverage.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

That could be true about Dat, but give me a football player and I will take that over a prototypical player any day. I just think that if you are a player you probably will find a way to be successful in whatever system. Sad part is that we will never know!

I'm all for football players over prototypes, but football players generally get worn down easily if they aren't the right size. Ray Lewis was a bit small for the 3-4 and after awhile it was too much for him. Donnie Edwards is way too small for the 3-4 and gets taken advantage of, but Jammal Williams and Luis Castillo are so good that the Chargers get by with his inefficiencies. Even Saban went to the 4-3 because Zach Taylor just can't handle the pounding in the 3-4.

For me, I'm just worried a bit that next year we'll stick with James for too long instead of looking to improve at the position and giving him some competition and if the competition is possibly better.....we may stick with James because he's a team leader.



YAKUZA

 

[alancdc]

Absolutely.

He's too slow, is always out of position, can't blitz and is terrible in coverage.

I hate to say it mainly because I like James. He seems to be the one guy that gives his all every game, but he just isn't the dominant middle backer that a "super bowl" hopeful needs.

 

[Crown Royal]

James has always seemed like a great team guy, but, for the LIFE of me, I have never understood fans' obsession with him.

A few weeks ago I brought up his dismal play and was snapped at, being told "whatever dude, he freaking leads the team in tackles."

So what? Leading in tackles after a 5-10 yard gain is not something to be proud of.

James is decent against the run, but completely atrocious in pass coverage, be it zone (wth) or man (FBs). He always has been.

When he signed his extention, I slapped my head. I just cannot figure out what it is this guy is meant to bring.

I'm ready for Burnett.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The Pats, even in their Super Bowl teams had far slower defenses than what we have. And I'm not so sure that SD is any faster on defense or are the Dolphins. The one thing is that with the 3-4 scheme you pretty much need big LB's at every spot. You can plug in a smaller guy, but they usually struggle against the run and wear down easily from the pounding. So it's difficult to find a guy that can play Bradie's spot which mostly calls for them to be the cover back of the two ILB's. Speed isn't everything in the NFL. Bruschi, Vrabel, McGinest, and Ted Johnson probably run 40 times in the near 5.0 second range. But Bruschi, Vrabel and McGinest know how to cover.

Yes, every time I think Parcells' emphasis on being BIG at every position is outdated, I think of the Pats and how good they've been.

And then I remember that unlike Parcells, Belichick actually works to outsmart and outscheme opposing offenses. He doesn't just line them up and say, "Beat your man".