DMN: Blog: Transition to LB won't be smooth for ex-TCU safety Stephen Hodge

[guag]

You could say the same exact thing for Jason Williams, except he has the athletic ability, intangibles and character of a top 5 pick instead of just a round 1 or round 2 guy. He is Aaron Curry and Patrick Willis athletically speaking. If he learns to play LB (and he should), then we will have maybe the most athletic LB in the NFL.

Wasn't Jason Williams a LB in college? I don't think he's actually learning a completely new position.

 

[speedkilz88]

Wasn't Jason Williams a LB in college? I don't think he's actually learning a completely new position.

The Western Illinois defensive coordinator designed a defense around Jason Williams that put him standing up at the line of scrimmage so he has a lot to learn playing a more typical lb spot.

 

[guag]

The Western Illinois defensive coordinator designed a defense around Jason Williams that put him standing up at the line of scrimmage so he has a lot to learn playing a more typical lb spot.

Ah ok, didn't realize that. I haven't actually looked too much into these rookies yet.

 

[Hostile]

This my friends.. is the player who I think will be something. I know a lot of you are gushing over Williams.. but Hodge has been in my mind since we drafted him. I immediately thought of Edwards.

I can't help liking the special teams ace kind of guys.

Bill Bates & Kenny Gant are still two of my all time favorite players because of their intensity on coverage teams. Jim Schwantz too.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Hodge the Hammer!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I know Hodge was listed as running a 4.57 at the combine, but I saw on the nfln coverage that his first time was listed as 4.49. It might have been an unofficial hand held time, but I also remember Mayock claiming there had to be some problems with the electronic timing this year because he talked to the guys that do the hand helds and they know they got good times and the differential with the electronic was too drastic.

That sounds more like it, because I remember being extremely impressed with his 40 at the combine and thinking that he was faster than a lot of corners.

Even if it was a 4.57, he just *looked* fast, if you know what I mean. Some guys chug along pretty fast, but Hodge looked like a real athlete that ran well naturally. For instance, Jason Phillips I think did a 4.59, but didn't look that athletic. In contrast, Hodge looked like a sprinter out there, only with huge shoulders and arms.

Obviously if you get there in x amount of time, it doesn't matter what you look like. Just saying that I was surprised at how smooth and natural he looked.

 

[Bluefin]

The Western Illinois defensive coordinator designed a defense around Jason Williams that put him standing up at the line of scrimmage so he has a lot to learn playing a more typical lb spot.

Wade Phillips said Jason Williams played as a traditional Will outside linebacker before moving inside as a stand-up threat on the line of scrimmage for his final two seasons.

So we watched film of Williams playing in space as a sophomore in addition to his testing and interviews this off-season. It eased our minds about asking him to learn the Mo spot in our 3-4.

Coach Phillips considers the abilities needed to play outside Will in the 4-3 to be the same as an inside Will in his 3-4.