ESPN: LB group rankings. (Dallas #1)
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2. San Diego Chargers
Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are both game-changing outside linebackers. Merriman gets more accolades but Phillips is a fine player in his own right, and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell wised up and used the two more often as upfield pass rushers midway through the season and entire defense improved dramatically. Few players in the league are on par with Merriman as a pass rusher. He is big, strong, violent and aggressive, with great quickness off the ball and impressive closing speed. Phillips does benefit from Merriman's presence on the other side, but he is also a tremendous athlete and blocking Phillips with just one man is a dangerous proposition. The front office has done a great job finding middle linebackers in the middle rounds, including starters Matt Wilhelm and Stephen Cooper. A suspension will cost Cooper the first four games of the season, and while he does show good range Cooper's absence will open the door for second-year players Anthony Waters and Brandon Siler to make a lasting impression. San Diego also signed Derek Smith to help hold down the middle, and he could be the Opening Day starter. The Chargers also found a potential gem in OLB Jyles Tucker, who proved to be very disruptive last year in limited views. Merriman is the deserving headliner, but this group is loaded and do not be surprised if someone emerges on the inside.
3. New England Patriots
This is a tried and true group, but as last season wore one stamina became a concern for a unit that is up there in age. The Patriots infused some youth into the group on draft day by selecting ILB Jerod Mayo, a perfect fit in their scheme who should make an immediate impact. Mayo is fast, diagnoses plays well, shows excellent versatility and should provide help from the start as an every-down linebacker. Fellow ILB Teddy Bruschi isn't the force he once was, but remains a playmaker in the middle and his leadership is invaluable. New England also signed Victor Hobson, a good fit who will lighten the load on Bruschi and Mayo and can also line up outside if needed. Junior Seau could factor in as well should he decide to play one more year. Coach Bill Belichick covets versatility, which is apparent when you study OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas. Vrabel had an exceptional 2007 season and is a superb pass rusher who also plays the run stoutly. Thomas is a do-it-all player with a rare skill set but he didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations that accompanied the big free-agent contract he signed prior to last season. The Patriots also added OLB Shawn Crable and ILB Bo Ruud on draft day to further stock the position. This is a smart, tough, versatile group full of playmakers that should be much better than a year ago, and New England just might have the best front seven in the league.
4. Chicago Bears
Chicago will welcome back sometimes-disgruntled WLB Lance Briggs, who is quick to diagnose plays and wastes little time executing. Briggs can struggle a bit at the point of attack but is a complete player who can be a difference-maker. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is the face of the franchise and the ideal physical specimen for the Bears' Tampa 2 scheme. Urlacher battled back problems for much of 2007 and didn't get much protection from the defensive tackles in front of him, though he still played well and displayed impressive toughness. He finished the season strong, however, so expect him to be back in top form and as good as any 'Mike' linebacker in the league this season in all phases of the game. Strongside LB Hunter Hillenmeyer isn't nearly the difference maker that Briggs and Urlacher are, but he is proven, reliable and rarely out of position. The Bears have two fast weakside linebacker types in Michael Okwo and Jamar Williams, who came on board when Briggs appeared to be headed elsewhere. Okwo missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury, but he or Williams could make an impact this year and fit into the scheme well as does Briggs, Urlacher and Hillenmeyer do.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks might have the best pair of linebackers in the league in MLB Lofa Tatupu and OLB Julian Peterson. Tatupu is a natural playmaker who is around the ball on seemingly every play. He is a superb leader, an underrated athlete and someone every defensive coordinator would like to have leading his unit, and Tatupu's pass coverage improves every season. Peterson is a special talent and the rare player who can do just about anything asked of him in any scheme. His athletic ability is off the charts and he makes plenty of plays that make you stand up and say wow. He is adept both in coverage and against the run and excels coming off the edge in blitz situations. Leroy Hill often goes unnoticed alongside his Pro Bowl teammates, but he has been starting since midway through his rookie season and is an impressive player in his own right. Hill is better coming forward than playing in reverse, but he can be a force as a pass rusher and against the run by making plays in the opponent's backfield. Depth behind these three standout starters is worrisome and that hurts the overall ranking of this group just a bit, but linebacker remains the Seahawks' strongest position.
6. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have found a great player in MLB Jon Beason. A first-round pick last season, Beason is an exceptional athlete and all-around playmaker. He is aggressive yet disciplined and takes his job very seriously both on and off the field, and he should play in many Pro Bowls in the future. Thomas Davis was a safety in college but looks like he has finally adapted to playing outside linebacker in the NFL. Davis is an explosive hitter with very good range but still needs to become more reliable. Carolina added Landon Johnson to stabilize the weak side, and while he doesn't get a lot of publicity Johnson was consistently productive in Cincinnati. Incoming rookie Dan Connor is an interesting player who might be too small for the middle and not quite athletic enough for the weak side, but he is a true playmaker and is the type of player who might not return to the sideline once he is able to get on the field. For now, though, Connor he should provide excellent depth and should adjust to the league quickly. Na'il Diggs has some versatility and starting experience and if the fifth starting-caliber linebacker on the roster. This group has a chance to be quite good, but the Panthers' defensive line will not keep them as clean as in years past after the departure of massive DT Kris Jenkins.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is not a particularly well-know group but it is a quality unit. Middle LB Mike Peterson is the best-known name in the bunch, and extremely athletic player who is one of the most productive linebackers in the league when healthy. Peterson is a tough guy who plays hurt, but major injuries have sidetracked him in each of the past two seasons. Weakside LB Daryl Smith moved to the middle in Peterson's absence and has done nice job filling the void, and with their versatility the two give the Jags some options. Clint Ingram starts on the strong side, but Justin Durant might just be too good to keep off the field with his ability to play either outside spot. All four linebackers will play plenty. Smith is solid in all areas and a fine overall player, while Durant is very active and jumps off the screen with his natural playmaking ability, particularly as a penetrator and pass rusher.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers' starting linebackers -- SLB Cato June, MLB Barrett Ruud and future Hall of Fame WLB Derrick Brooks -- are as active as any group in the NFL. All three are smart players who read keys quickly and get to their destination with haste. They are not the biggest group but they are fast and sure tacklers who have a great understanding of the vaunted Tampa 2 scheme. Ruud battled injuries last year but looks like a fixture in the middle and was a terror when healthy. Brooks isn't quite the athletic specimen he was a few years back but he remains a well-above average player. Ryan Nece was the strong side starter before June arrived and he provides valuable depth, but it remains to be seen whether he will be big and strong enough to properly handle the strong side. Geno Hayes and Quincy Black both have the potential to eventually replace Brooks on the weak side and will be big special teams contributors in the meantime. Nece or June also could be candidates for that starting job once Brooks hangs it up. This is a good group overall but one with many players who have very similar 'Will' skill sets.
9. Baltimore Ravens
Middle LB Ray Lewis is the face of the organization and a fiery, infectious leader who always competes at a high level. Lewis isn't the same out-of-this-world performer he was a few seasons ago but he remains one of the best players in the league at his position, though durability is a concern as he has played a full 16-game season just once in the last six years. Lewis is flanked by WLB Bart Scott, who will also also will line up inside with Lewis when the Ravens go to a 3-4 look. Scott established himself in 2006 as a playmaker who could do a lot of things very well, but he regressed some last season. Expect him to rebound in a big way. The strong side starter could again be Jarrett Johnson again but he will face competition. Johnson has lined up all over the defensive front and brings toughness to the group, squad, but he is a marginal athlete for the strong side and has limited upside, and he was a far cry from the departed Adalius Thomas. There is a wild card in the mix in Dan Cody, though, who is more of a defensive end than a linebacker but could supplant Johnson if he ever stays healthy. Antwan Barnes is another aggressive, upfield player who could make a name for himself in 2008. Barnes is still learning the trade and doesn't have Johnson's size, but he can be a handful coming off the edge. The Ravens have not used many early draft picks on linebackers lately but did snatch up Tavares Gooden in the third round this year. Gooden will probably contribute on special teams while he learns from Lewis, and Gooden could factor in at several spots and should fit well in a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment. Nick Greisen also is a solid depth player on the inside and valuable special-teams contributor. 10. Green Bay Packers
While Brady Poppinga is a big, well-built strongside linebacker who has not been a liability as a starter, Green Bay still decided to upgrade at the position by bringing in Brandon Chillar via free agency. It isn't a slam dunk that Chillar will unseat Poppinga, though, and another big strong body to do battle at the line of scrimmage will help the Packers' overall defense. The breadwinners here are MLB Nick Barnett and WLB AJ Hawk. Both players run very well, are quick to diagnose and are sure tacklers. Barnett is an aggressive tackling machine who also gets his hands on passes and can also get to opposing quarterbacks. He is very steady and the leader of this defense. Hawk makes fewer big plays than Barnett and did take a small step back last year, but the former No. 5 overall pick certainly has the physical tools, work ethic and mental aptitude to rebound. Abdul Hodge is a tough guy who can fill in across the board, but he is too often dealing with knee injuries.
11. Atlanta Falcons
SLB Michael Boley might be the best linebacker whom you are not real familiar with. He is extremely athletic with a long build and has the ability to rush the quarterback off the edge, stack the run, or turn and run with athletic tight ends in coverage. As a rookie, Stephen Nicholas battled a high ankle sprain, but he is an explosive run-and-hit weakside linebacker who made Demorrio Williams expendable. In fact, the move might end up being considered an upgrade. Second-round pick MLB Curtis Lofton is going to be very difficult to keep off the field, even though Keith Brooking currently holds the job in the middle. Brooking is established and productive, but is probably better suited for the weak side. He is also an important leader on a team desperate for leadership. Lofton is a hammer who is very instinctive and should fortify the middle for many years. If given the chance, Lofton could have a productive season on a suspect defense. Overall, the Falcons have an impressive foursome of linebackers, and they should be set at this position for the long term, even without Brooking.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
James Harrison exceeded expectations in taking over for Joey Porter at right outside linebacker. He is tenacious and nasty. Harrison uses his power and leverage to his advantage and is a force in all aspects of his position. Opposite Harrison, second-year player LaMarr Woodley will replace Clark Haggans. In limited views, Woodley was extremely impressive. He is big and thick with natural pass-rushing skills. Woodley could be a breakout player this year with more time on the field and should be an instant upgrade over the departed Haggans. College DE Bruce Davis will be converted to outside linebacker and may see the field some in throwing situations this season as Woodley did a year ago. James Farrior and Larry Foote are the incumbent starters on the inside, but last year's first-round selection Lawrence Timmons will challenge Foote on the weak side. Even if he doesn't win the starting job, the versatile and gifted Timmons will have a prominent role in the sub-package defenses. Foote is proven and solid, but not the ideal athlete for this spot. It wouldn't be shocking to see Timmons go past him during the season. Farrior remains a rock for the Steelers. He is tough and physical at the point of attack. While his age is catching up to him and he isn't the top-notch athlete he was when drafted high in the first round, he remains very steady and important to this team. This ranking surely will fluctuate in accordance to how Woodley and Timmons perform.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
With the starting trio of MLB Stewart Bradley, WLB Omar Gaither and SLB Chris Gocong, the Eagles have a young but aggressive starting group of promising linebackers. This unit may have some issues at times with their recognition skills and might overpursue some misdirection plays due to inexperience, but Bradley and Gocong are big and strong with the ability to bang with large bodies at the line of scrimmage and get upfield after opposing quarterbacks. Gocong is a particularly good pass-rusher. Gaither has very good range, is an excellent tackler and is better suited to play outside, instead of in the middle where he led the team in tackles a year ago. Much like the starters, the Eagles' backup linebackers are also young and lack experience, but they did sign Rocky Boiman, who will probably be the first linebacker off the bench considering the inexperience of the other options. Akeem Jordan is small but very fast and might contribute as a nickel linebacker. Like the starters, Jordan has upside. This is an exciting young group of linebackers to keep your eye on next season.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Freddie Keiaho is a fast, explosive and productive linebacker who can really run and wrap up his target. He should only improve in his second season as a starter. However, he is undersized and after missing five games last year, there may be durability questions. MLB Gary Brackett doesn't look the part, but he's tremendous at covering the deep middle of the field and does just about everything well enough to be quite successful. Brackett is an underrated athlete with an exceptional nose for finding the ball. He is smart, tough and decisive. Tyjuan Hagler should be the starter on the strong side. While he's a little undersized for that role, Hagler is explosive and aggressive. He covers a lot of ground and could be poised for a breakout season. However, Hagler could be pushed by rookie Phillip Wheeler. Wheeler has better size and should become more of an upfield player and blitzer. Second-year player Clint Session is another young linebacker who will compete for playing time. He is an explosive playmaker who consistently shows up on tape. The Colts' knack for finding such players is uncanny, and few front offices understand what their team needs better than Bill Polian's.
15. Buffalo Bills
Last year's second-round pick Paul Posluszny broke his forearm in the third week of the season, but his play was very promising before the injury. He is a natural playmaker with a great nose for the ball. Posluszny will be flanked by Angelo Crowell and newly signed Kawika Mitchell. Crowell is a great athlete who is rapidly improving and is an every-down player who can cover a lot of ground in coverage or in pursuit of the ball carrier. He had his best season as a pro last year and is more productive than many realize. Mitchell is coming off a Super Bowl victory and is at his best coming forward. He will help add size to the Bills' front and should be an able blitzer and reliable player versus the run. John DiGiorgio and Keith Ellison got starting experience last year and are excellent depth players who should both see time. Posluszny and Mitchell can play inside or out, and adding these two to last year's mix should make for a big improvement on the second level.
16. New York Jets
The Jets were aggressive in bolstering their outside linebackers for their 3-4 scheme. In the first round they selected Ohio State's Vernon Gholston, and in free agency they signed Calvin Pace after just one productive season in Arizona. These two former first-round selections will join another first-round pick in Bryan Thomas to form a rotation on the outside that could be exceptional. David Bowens is also capable of exploiting single blocking on the edge. Is Pace just hitting his prime or is he a one-year wonder? How will Gholston, a tremendous athlete who disappeared at times in college, adapt to the pro game? Can Thomas regain his form from two years ago when he had 8.5 sacks, or will he look like a first-round bust like he did last year? There are fewer questions on the inside, where New York hit a home run by selecting David Harris in last year's draft. He is a great fit in the 3-4 and is a flat-out tackling machine who mixes toughness and grit with excellent football instincts. The other inside linebacker, Eric Barton, is a productive veteran who plays hard, but he could face competition from Brad Kassell.
17. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals slapped Karlos Dansby with the franchise tag in the offseason. This was an easy decision to make, as Dansby has asserted himself as one of the top linebackers in the league today. He has a tall, rangy body with fluid movement skills and the speed to make plays all over the field. He did miss two games with a knee injury, but filled the stat sheet in just about all categories. Dansby is a do-it-all linebacker who is starting to reach the prime of his career, and his versatility is quite useful in this unique defense. Gerald Hayes excels against the run and is about as tough as they come. He is a much better football player than many realize and fits well as the strongside guy next to Dansby inside in the 3-4, which should be the most prominent scheme. Chike Okeafor is a defensive end-outside linebacker tweener who fits in well in Arizona's 3-4 scheme. He is a good pass-rusher, but suffered a torn biceps injury last season. For insurance, Arizona signed Clark Haggans to secure the edge. Haggans is a good hands player who is solid against the run, but he still has some pass-rush ability left up his sleeve. Monty Beisel is a pure inside guy who can contribute in spot duty as a between-the-tackles run defender.
18. Cleveland Browns
As a whole, Cleveland's linebackers should benefit a great deal from the Browns' off season aggression in acquiring quality defensive linemen to control the line of scrimmage. The Browns should also have Antwan Peek, a quick-twitch edge rusher, healthy to spell and complement Willie McGinest at the left outside position. McGinest isn't the player he once was and obviously has lost a step, but he is tough to run on over the tight end and is an experienced leader in the locker room. On the right side, Cleveland has a dangerous player in Kamerion Wimbley. His production fell off in his second season, but he also demanded an awful lot of attention from opposing protection schemes. He should rebound well, but does need to add to his repertoire of pass-rush moves and become stouter against the run. Inside, the Browns have some promising young players and another veteran team leader in Andra Davis. He is undersized for the 3-4 and his play dropped off last year, but he is tough and has above-average instincts. His playing time probably will diminish this year, and he will not be a factor on throwing downs. ILB D'Qwell Jackson is an up-and-comer. He could explode this year with a talented defensive line in front of him, but he also must do a better job of creating big plays. Leon Williams is another good-looking young player who is going to be difficult to keep off the field, and the Browns also drafted Beau Bell with their first draft pick to add another physical presence at inside linebacker.
19. Oakland Raiders
MLB Kirk Morrison and WLB Thomas Howard are athletic and quickly have developed into playmakers who are consistently around the football. Morrison has better instincts, but Howard is faster and more physically gifted. Neither is the biggest linebacker you will find, and both are better playing in space, where they can best utilize their impressive run and hit skills. These two combined for a whopping 10 interceptions in 2007, a testament to their abilities in coverage as well. Both players, especially Howard, probably are still improving. The strongside spot isn't as strong, with Sam Williams and Robert Thomas competing for playing time. Thomas can fill in any of Oakland's linebacker spots, and Williams is a big body with some upfield skills, but he has struggled to stay healthy and is a liability moving in reverse. The overall depth isn't enticing, and an injury to Morrison or Howard would significantly set this defense back.
20. Tennessee Titans
SLB Keith Bulluck is a perennial Pro Bowler and, amazingly, one of the most overlooked defenders in the league in terms of notoriety. He makes plays all over the field and is excellent with his coverage responsibilities. But it is worth noting that Bulluck's tackle numbers slipped drastically in 2007. Opposite Bulluck, WLB David Thornton amassed 140 tackles last year and contributed plenty of big plays. He uses his impressive speed well and excels in pursuit. Tennessee is much better off outside than in the middle, but Ryan Fowler is tough and plays the game with attitude. After a shoulder injury prematurely ended Fowler's 2007 season, Stephen Tulloch proved able in his absence. Tulloch could push Fowler for playing time. Also, Tennessee used a fourth-round pick on Stanford Keglar, a combine standout who should provide depth on the outside and help immediately on special teams while he is groomed to take over for Bulluck.
21. Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings have a solid group of second-level defenders, they clearly benefit from the massive amount of attention the defensive line demands up front. However, the linebackers are developing playmakers in their own right, led by MLB E.J. Henderson. He is always around the ball. He plays both the run and the pass well and should garner Pro Bowl attention in 2008. Coming off a torn ACL from his rookie season, WLB Chad Greenway put together a solid second season in 2007 and should take another substantial step forward in 2008. He isn't particularly strong but is extremely well protected, allowing him to play from sideline to sideline. Greenway also is natural in coverage. SLB Ben Leber is a strong, sturdy banger who does well playing over the tight end and can secure the point with the ability to get to the quarterback. Minnesota's linebacker depth isn't that impressive, but Derrick Pope was signed to be the first linebacker off the bench and does have starting experience.
22. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City signed Demorrio Williams this offseason, and he will compete with Donnie Edwards on the outside. Should Williams win the job, Edwards most likely would replace Napoleon Harris in the middle. Either way, the Chiefs now have four linebackers on whom they can rely, giving the coaching staff some freedom to move the players around in conjuncture with the down and distance. Williams is excellent in space, can blitz and adds more speed to the mix. Edwards is a heady veteran who is difficult to fool and excellent in coverage, but his durability is more and more of a concern. Harris could stand to be a more physical, take-on player in the middle, but he is a good two-way player and a reliable tackler. The other outside spot belongs to Derrick Johnson, Kansas City's best linebacker. He has tremendous range and is excellent in pursuit. He covers a lot of ground in coverage and has a lot of playmaking ability overall. He could stand to be a more physical, take-on player, which seems to be a theme with this group.
23. New York Giants
Mathias Kiwanuka, a natural defensive end, was moved to strongside linebacker at this time last year. With Michael Strahan's retirement, he probably will be moved back to end to best utilize his upfield pass-rushing skills. Kawika Mitchell also will be missing from the roster of last season's Super Bowl champs. He is slated to be replaced by the athletic, rangy Gerris Wilkinson, who played well when given the chance in 2007. MLB Antonio Pierce is a leader who is consistently around the football. He started slowly last season but came on down the stretch. He is a film junkie and the brains of the Giants' defense, acting as a liaison between the players and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. However, Pierce's tackle production did drop by 30 tackles from 2006 to 2007. New York signed versatile veteran Danny Clark and drafted Jonathan Goff and Bryan Kehl. These three should be depth players, and putting any of them in a starting role could yield questionable results. Should injuries occur, Kiwanuka also could be an option on the strongside. Clark probably is the top backup at all three starting spots.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis has said there will be scheme changes for the Bengals' defense, including more 3-4 looks. First-round pick Keith Rivers can do a lot of things well, and he could play any of the spots in the 4-3 and certainly could contribute inside in the 3-4. He should be an instant starter. In the Bengals' base look, Rivers should start on the weak side, with Dhani Jones in the middle and Ahmad Brooks on the strong side, but there is position flexibility here. In the 3-4, these three players all probably would see significant time at the two inside spots. Jones exceeded expectations in 2007 after being signed midyear, while Brooks is a big, talented player who has to stay healthy to get the experience needed to progress. Rashad Jeanty has started at strongside linebacker and is a former defensive end who could quickly transition to a pass-rushing outside linebacker. OLB Darryl Blackstock is a similar player who could help in either scheme and will provide help on special teams. The Bengals suffered an inordinate amount of injuries to their linebackers last year, and while the scheme will be altered, this group should be better than it was in 2007.
25. Washington Commanders
London Fletcher remains a consistent playmaker. He often is overlooked in the discussion of the top middle linebackers in the game, but this guy proves his worth season after season. His leadership and ability to keep everyone lined up correctly are essential to this defense. Rocky McIntosh will start on the weak side, if he is fully healed from a late-season knee injury, and Marcus Washington will man the strongside spot. McIntosh was quite impressive before the injury and looks to have a bright future, if he fully recovers. He has a chance to be one of the best playmakers on this defense, and the Commanders will miss him in a big way if he can't go on opening day. Washington has the size to battle bigger players at the line of scrimmage and does a fine job of securing the edge with ample ability to rush the passer. Backup MLB H.B. Blades is similar to Fletcher in that he is short for the position but has a knack for finding the football. While best in the middle, Blades should start the season on the weak side if McIntosh can't go.
26. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans is a cornerstone player for the Texans' defense and quickly has proved to be one of the most productive linebackers in the league. He is always around the football and diagnoses plays like a veteran. He is an exceptional wrap-up tackler who consistently takes the shortest path to the ball carrier. He obviously is a student of the game and should only improve with the years. He also showed great toughness by finishing the last few games of the 2007 season with a torn PCL in his knee. On the outside, Morlon Greenwood has four consecutive seasons with 100 or more tackles. He isn't a game changer, but his consistency is valued on this defense. Kevin Bentley was brought in to compete for an outside spot and presently is the front-runner to start, but is better suited for a backup role. The Texans also signed Chaun Thompson to compete on the outside. He never has lived up to his early second-round draft status, but he runs well, can play a physical game and can provide a blitz threat off the edge. Although he remains inconsistent, he could provide a spark in sub packages or off the bench in a rotation. Thompson's skills complement Bentley's range and coverage abilities. Rookie Xavier Adibi eventually could push for time as well while making his bones early as a special teams player.
27. New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Vilma should be exactly what the Saints have longed for from a middle linebacker, if he stays healthy. Vilma is instinctive, athletic and a playmaker with excellent leadership traits that rub off on his teammates. He immediately should be the leader and the face of this defense, which the Saints have needed for some time. New Orleans also added Dan Morgan, who looked like a worthwhile risk for this contending team, but Morgan decided to hang up his cleats instead of risking further injury. Without Morgan in the equation, two starters from last year, SLB Scott Fujita and WLB Scott Shanle, should provide reliable, steady play as they did a year ago, but they probably will provide few big plays. They aren't long-term solutions on the outside, and, ideally, the Saints would like more speed on the weak side, but both players are good enough to win with if New Orleans gets better play from its defensive line and middle linebacker positions. The Saints have marginal linebacker depth and don't have an outside linebacker to groom for the future.
28. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are making changes in their linebacking corps again this year. Wisely, D.J. Williams is moving from middle linebacker to the weak side, where he can better use his athleticism. This move should help keep him clean, allow him to run more freely to the ball carrier and help him avoid bigger blockers in tight quarters. Williams' career could be jump-started by the move, but don't forget that he already was second in the league with 141 tackles in 2007. While he probably will not reach that number again, he should make more big plays in his new role. Niko Koutouvides was signed from Seattle to play in the middle. A backup and special teamer with the Seahawks, Koutouvides should instill a physicality and toughness this position desperately needs. The Broncos were gashed up the middle in 2007, and while Koutouvides isn't the most athletic linebacker around, he certainly will not hesitate to insert himself into the action. Boss Bailey should start on the strong side, but Nate Webster could see playing time at that spot. Bailey has been disappointing, but he has potential, if he can stay healthy. Jamie Winborn also will provide depth. He and Webster played a good bit last year, and that starting experience is valuable. This unit hasn't recovered from the loss of MLB Al Wilson, but its latest offseason moves were solid risks.
29. San Francisco 49ers
To say that Patrick Willis was a pleasant surprise for the 49ers would be the understatement of the century. Even though he was a high first-round pick, he established himself as an elite player at his position with unexpected quickness. He has superb football instincts, can run like the wind and is a striker who jars ball carriers on contact. He should be even better in his second year. Jeff Ulbrich could retain his starting role next to Willis, but the 49ers signed Dontarrious Thomas to challenge Ulbrich for that spot. Brandon Moore also could factor in, so this will be one of the better battles in training camp. On the outside, San Francisco needs to get more pressure on quarterbacks with its edge pass rush. Losing Manny Lawson for the majority of 2007 hurt quite a bit, but he still needs to refine his pass-rush skills. He has a lot of upside and has been solid against the run. Tully Banta-Cain was signed to play opposite Lawson, and while he might be OK as a secondary pass-rusher, he simply isn't good enough to handle extra blocking attention. Parys Haralson is a potentially dangerous pass-rusher who could step up and start opposite Lawson. Willis is a superstar and there is some upside in the rest of this group, but there also is much uncertainty.
30. Detroit Lions
Detroit selected Jordon Dizon in the second round of this past draft. While he has an outstanding nose for the football and covers a lot of ground in pursuit and in coverage, he is small for the middle. Paris Lenon could hold onto his starting middle linebacker spot if Dizon falters in camp. Lenon had his best season as a pro inside last year and also could factor in on the strong side, where he probably would be a better option than Alex Lewis. Lewis is a good coverage player but is too small to consistently anchor versus the run. Both Dizon and Lewis very well could be better off on the weak side in this scheme, but that starting role belongs to Ernie Sims, the Lions' best linebacker by a large margin. Sims is a bundle of energy and aggressiveness. He is exactly what is needed on the weak side in this Tampa 2 scheme, and while he is shorter than ideal, he makes up for it with his ability to explode through blockers and ball carriers alike. As with the rest of the Lions' roster, he has potential for solid play.
31. Miami Dolphins
While the Dolphins have done an awful lot to change the look of their franchise and revamp their ailing roster, linebacker is a position that doesn't look set for the time being or the future. A year ago, Miami spent big money to bring in Joey Porter from the Steelers. He has extensive experience in the 3-4 scheme and did progress as the season went along, but he had to be considered a disappointment and offers little upside for the future. Jason Taylor still is a great player opposite Porter, but a lot of doubt surrounds his future in Miami, and he very well could be playing elsewhere. For the sake of these rankings, we will include him, but it is difficult to predict how this will play out or how Taylor will produce going forward. One thing we do know is that Taylor still can wreak havoc. Miami did add two outside linebackers, Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson, who look to be excellent depth and special teams players. If Taylor were out of the picture, Anderson would get the first crack to replace him. Torbor also could factor in on the inside. Channing Crowder returns on the inside, and the Dolphins acquired Akin Ayodele from Dallas to be the other starter. In Zach Thomas' absence, Crowder must step up. This isn't an exceptional pairing, particularly in their ability to play the pass, but both players have good size and will show toughness against the run. The Dolphins' depth here is solid, but true playmakers might be hard to come by in this present crop by the time Miami becomes a contender again.
32. St. Louis Rams
MLB Will Witherspoon is an excellent football player. He added an edge pass rush to his game in 2007. However, he would be better on the weak side, where Pisa Tinoisamoa resides. Tinoisamoa is a ball of energy but is undersized, lacks recognition skills and struggles to stay healthy. The Rams would be better off if they could add a true middle linebacker to the mix, put Witherspoon on the weak side and rotate Tinoisamoa off the bench in a backup or situational capacity. Brandon Chillar now is in Green Bay, and Chris Draft inherits his strongside role. Draft is a smart guy who can play just about any linebacker spot. His athleticism doesn't wow, but he is consistently around the football at the end of the play. St. Louis' linebacker depth borders on awful, and the Rams will be in considerable trouble if they lose one of their top three. Expect the Rams to select a linebacker, preferably someone in the middle, very early in the 2009 draft. However, one sleeper to remember is SLB Quinton Culberson. This last-place ranking of the Rams' overall LB corps should not reflect on Witherspoon, but there is potential for serious problems here.
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2. San Diego Chargers
Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are both game-changing outside linebackers. Merriman gets more accolades but Phillips is a fine player in his own right, and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell wised up and used the two more often as upfield pass rushers midway through the season and entire defense improved dramatically. Few players in the league are on par with Merriman as a pass rusher. He is big, strong, violent and aggressive, with great quickness off the ball and impressive closing speed. Phillips does benefit from Merriman's presence on the other side, but he is also a tremendous athlete and blocking Phillips with just one man is a dangerous proposition. The front office has done a great job finding middle linebackers in the middle rounds, including starters Matt Wilhelm and Stephen Cooper. A suspension will cost Cooper the first four games of the season, and while he does show good range Cooper's absence will open the door for second-year players Anthony Waters and Brandon Siler to make a lasting impression. San Diego also signed Derek Smith to help hold down the middle, and he could be the Opening Day starter. The Chargers also found a potential gem in OLB Jyles Tucker, who proved to be very disruptive last year in limited views. Merriman is the deserving headliner, but this group is loaded and do not be surprised if someone emerges on the inside.
3. New England Patriots
This is a tried and true group, but as last season wore one stamina became a concern for a unit that is up there in age. The Patriots infused some youth into the group on draft day by selecting ILB Jerod Mayo, a perfect fit in their scheme who should make an immediate impact. Mayo is fast, diagnoses plays well, shows excellent versatility and should provide help from the start as an every-down linebacker. Fellow ILB Teddy Bruschi isn't the force he once was, but remains a playmaker in the middle and his leadership is invaluable. New England also signed Victor Hobson, a good fit who will lighten the load on Bruschi and Mayo and can also line up outside if needed. Junior Seau could factor in as well should he decide to play one more year. Coach Bill Belichick covets versatility, which is apparent when you study OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas. Vrabel had an exceptional 2007 season and is a superb pass rusher who also plays the run stoutly. Thomas is a do-it-all player with a rare skill set but he didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations that accompanied the big free-agent contract he signed prior to last season. The Patriots also added OLB Shawn Crable and ILB Bo Ruud on draft day to further stock the position. This is a smart, tough, versatile group full of playmakers that should be much better than a year ago, and New England just might have the best front seven in the league.
4. Chicago Bears
Chicago will welcome back sometimes-disgruntled WLB Lance Briggs, who is quick to diagnose plays and wastes little time executing. Briggs can struggle a bit at the point of attack but is a complete player who can be a difference-maker. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is the face of the franchise and the ideal physical specimen for the Bears' Tampa 2 scheme. Urlacher battled back problems for much of 2007 and didn't get much protection from the defensive tackles in front of him, though he still played well and displayed impressive toughness. He finished the season strong, however, so expect him to be back in top form and as good as any 'Mike' linebacker in the league this season in all phases of the game. Strongside LB Hunter Hillenmeyer isn't nearly the difference maker that Briggs and Urlacher are, but he is proven, reliable and rarely out of position. The Bears have two fast weakside linebacker types in Michael Okwo and Jamar Williams, who came on board when Briggs appeared to be headed elsewhere. Okwo missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury, but he or Williams could make an impact this year and fit into the scheme well as does Briggs, Urlacher and Hillenmeyer do.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks might have the best pair of linebackers in the league in MLB Lofa Tatupu and OLB Julian Peterson. Tatupu is a natural playmaker who is around the ball on seemingly every play. He is a superb leader, an underrated athlete and someone every defensive coordinator would like to have leading his unit, and Tatupu's pass coverage improves every season. Peterson is a special talent and the rare player who can do just about anything asked of him in any scheme. His athletic ability is off the charts and he makes plenty of plays that make you stand up and say wow. He is adept both in coverage and against the run and excels coming off the edge in blitz situations. Leroy Hill often goes unnoticed alongside his Pro Bowl teammates, but he has been starting since midway through his rookie season and is an impressive player in his own right. Hill is better coming forward than playing in reverse, but he can be a force as a pass rusher and against the run by making plays in the opponent's backfield. Depth behind these three standout starters is worrisome and that hurts the overall ranking of this group just a bit, but linebacker remains the Seahawks' strongest position.
6. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have found a great player in MLB Jon Beason. A first-round pick last season, Beason is an exceptional athlete and all-around playmaker. He is aggressive yet disciplined and takes his job very seriously both on and off the field, and he should play in many Pro Bowls in the future. Thomas Davis was a safety in college but looks like he has finally adapted to playing outside linebacker in the NFL. Davis is an explosive hitter with very good range but still needs to become more reliable. Carolina added Landon Johnson to stabilize the weak side, and while he doesn't get a lot of publicity Johnson was consistently productive in Cincinnati. Incoming rookie Dan Connor is an interesting player who might be too small for the middle and not quite athletic enough for the weak side, but he is a true playmaker and is the type of player who might not return to the sideline once he is able to get on the field. For now, though, Connor he should provide excellent depth and should adjust to the league quickly. Na'il Diggs has some versatility and starting experience and if the fifth starting-caliber linebacker on the roster. This group has a chance to be quite good, but the Panthers' defensive line will not keep them as clean as in years past after the departure of massive DT Kris Jenkins.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
This is not a particularly well-know group but it is a quality unit. Middle LB Mike Peterson is the best-known name in the bunch, and extremely athletic player who is one of the most productive linebackers in the league when healthy. Peterson is a tough guy who plays hurt, but major injuries have sidetracked him in each of the past two seasons. Weakside LB Daryl Smith moved to the middle in Peterson's absence and has done nice job filling the void, and with their versatility the two give the Jags some options. Clint Ingram starts on the strong side, but Justin Durant might just be too good to keep off the field with his ability to play either outside spot. All four linebackers will play plenty. Smith is solid in all areas and a fine overall player, while Durant is very active and jumps off the screen with his natural playmaking ability, particularly as a penetrator and pass rusher.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers' starting linebackers -- SLB Cato June, MLB Barrett Ruud and future Hall of Fame WLB Derrick Brooks -- are as active as any group in the NFL. All three are smart players who read keys quickly and get to their destination with haste. They are not the biggest group but they are fast and sure tacklers who have a great understanding of the vaunted Tampa 2 scheme. Ruud battled injuries last year but looks like a fixture in the middle and was a terror when healthy. Brooks isn't quite the athletic specimen he was a few years back but he remains a well-above average player. Ryan Nece was the strong side starter before June arrived and he provides valuable depth, but it remains to be seen whether he will be big and strong enough to properly handle the strong side. Geno Hayes and Quincy Black both have the potential to eventually replace Brooks on the weak side and will be big special teams contributors in the meantime. Nece or June also could be candidates for that starting job once Brooks hangs it up. This is a good group overall but one with many players who have very similar 'Will' skill sets.
9. Baltimore Ravens
Middle LB Ray Lewis is the face of the organization and a fiery, infectious leader who always competes at a high level. Lewis isn't the same out-of-this-world performer he was a few seasons ago but he remains one of the best players in the league at his position, though durability is a concern as he has played a full 16-game season just once in the last six years. Lewis is flanked by WLB Bart Scott, who will also also will line up inside with Lewis when the Ravens go to a 3-4 look. Scott established himself in 2006 as a playmaker who could do a lot of things very well, but he regressed some last season. Expect him to rebound in a big way. The strong side starter could again be Jarrett Johnson again but he will face competition. Johnson has lined up all over the defensive front and brings toughness to the group, squad, but he is a marginal athlete for the strong side and has limited upside, and he was a far cry from the departed Adalius Thomas. There is a wild card in the mix in Dan Cody, though, who is more of a defensive end than a linebacker but could supplant Johnson if he ever stays healthy. Antwan Barnes is another aggressive, upfield player who could make a name for himself in 2008. Barnes is still learning the trade and doesn't have Johnson's size, but he can be a handful coming off the edge. The Ravens have not used many early draft picks on linebackers lately but did snatch up Tavares Gooden in the third round this year. Gooden will probably contribute on special teams while he learns from Lewis, and Gooden could factor in at several spots and should fit well in a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment. Nick Greisen also is a solid depth player on the inside and valuable special-teams contributor. 10. Green Bay Packers
While Brady Poppinga is a big, well-built strongside linebacker who has not been a liability as a starter, Green Bay still decided to upgrade at the position by bringing in Brandon Chillar via free agency. It isn't a slam dunk that Chillar will unseat Poppinga, though, and another big strong body to do battle at the line of scrimmage will help the Packers' overall defense. The breadwinners here are MLB Nick Barnett and WLB AJ Hawk. Both players run very well, are quick to diagnose and are sure tacklers. Barnett is an aggressive tackling machine who also gets his hands on passes and can also get to opposing quarterbacks. He is very steady and the leader of this defense. Hawk makes fewer big plays than Barnett and did take a small step back last year, but the former No. 5 overall pick certainly has the physical tools, work ethic and mental aptitude to rebound. Abdul Hodge is a tough guy who can fill in across the board, but he is too often dealing with knee injuries.
11. Atlanta Falcons
SLB Michael Boley might be the best linebacker whom you are not real familiar with. He is extremely athletic with a long build and has the ability to rush the quarterback off the edge, stack the run, or turn and run with athletic tight ends in coverage. As a rookie, Stephen Nicholas battled a high ankle sprain, but he is an explosive run-and-hit weakside linebacker who made Demorrio Williams expendable. In fact, the move might end up being considered an upgrade. Second-round pick MLB Curtis Lofton is going to be very difficult to keep off the field, even though Keith Brooking currently holds the job in the middle. Brooking is established and productive, but is probably better suited for the weak side. He is also an important leader on a team desperate for leadership. Lofton is a hammer who is very instinctive and should fortify the middle for many years. If given the chance, Lofton could have a productive season on a suspect defense. Overall, the Falcons have an impressive foursome of linebackers, and they should be set at this position for the long term, even without Brooking.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
James Harrison exceeded expectations in taking over for Joey Porter at right outside linebacker. He is tenacious and nasty. Harrison uses his power and leverage to his advantage and is a force in all aspects of his position. Opposite Harrison, second-year player LaMarr Woodley will replace Clark Haggans. In limited views, Woodley was extremely impressive. He is big and thick with natural pass-rushing skills. Woodley could be a breakout player this year with more time on the field and should be an instant upgrade over the departed Haggans. College DE Bruce Davis will be converted to outside linebacker and may see the field some in throwing situations this season as Woodley did a year ago. James Farrior and Larry Foote are the incumbent starters on the inside, but last year's first-round selection Lawrence Timmons will challenge Foote on the weak side. Even if he doesn't win the starting job, the versatile and gifted Timmons will have a prominent role in the sub-package defenses. Foote is proven and solid, but not the ideal athlete for this spot. It wouldn't be shocking to see Timmons go past him during the season. Farrior remains a rock for the Steelers. He is tough and physical at the point of attack. While his age is catching up to him and he isn't the top-notch athlete he was when drafted high in the first round, he remains very steady and important to this team. This ranking surely will fluctuate in accordance to how Woodley and Timmons perform.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
With the starting trio of MLB Stewart Bradley, WLB Omar Gaither and SLB Chris Gocong, the Eagles have a young but aggressive starting group of promising linebackers. This unit may have some issues at times with their recognition skills and might overpursue some misdirection plays due to inexperience, but Bradley and Gocong are big and strong with the ability to bang with large bodies at the line of scrimmage and get upfield after opposing quarterbacks. Gocong is a particularly good pass-rusher. Gaither has very good range, is an excellent tackler and is better suited to play outside, instead of in the middle where he led the team in tackles a year ago. Much like the starters, the Eagles' backup linebackers are also young and lack experience, but they did sign Rocky Boiman, who will probably be the first linebacker off the bench considering the inexperience of the other options. Akeem Jordan is small but very fast and might contribute as a nickel linebacker. Like the starters, Jordan has upside. This is an exciting young group of linebackers to keep your eye on next season.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Freddie Keiaho is a fast, explosive and productive linebacker who can really run and wrap up his target. He should only improve in his second season as a starter. However, he is undersized and after missing five games last year, there may be durability questions. MLB Gary Brackett doesn't look the part, but he's tremendous at covering the deep middle of the field and does just about everything well enough to be quite successful. Brackett is an underrated athlete with an exceptional nose for finding the ball. He is smart, tough and decisive. Tyjuan Hagler should be the starter on the strong side. While he's a little undersized for that role, Hagler is explosive and aggressive. He covers a lot of ground and could be poised for a breakout season. However, Hagler could be pushed by rookie Phillip Wheeler. Wheeler has better size and should become more of an upfield player and blitzer. Second-year player Clint Session is another young linebacker who will compete for playing time. He is an explosive playmaker who consistently shows up on tape. The Colts' knack for finding such players is uncanny, and few front offices understand what their team needs better than Bill Polian's.
15. Buffalo Bills
Last year's second-round pick Paul Posluszny broke his forearm in the third week of the season, but his play was very promising before the injury. He is a natural playmaker with a great nose for the ball. Posluszny will be flanked by Angelo Crowell and newly signed Kawika Mitchell. Crowell is a great athlete who is rapidly improving and is an every-down player who can cover a lot of ground in coverage or in pursuit of the ball carrier. He had his best season as a pro last year and is more productive than many realize. Mitchell is coming off a Super Bowl victory and is at his best coming forward. He will help add size to the Bills' front and should be an able blitzer and reliable player versus the run. John DiGiorgio and Keith Ellison got starting experience last year and are excellent depth players who should both see time. Posluszny and Mitchell can play inside or out, and adding these two to last year's mix should make for a big improvement on the second level.
16. New York Jets
The Jets were aggressive in bolstering their outside linebackers for their 3-4 scheme. In the first round they selected Ohio State's Vernon Gholston, and in free agency they signed Calvin Pace after just one productive season in Arizona. These two former first-round selections will join another first-round pick in Bryan Thomas to form a rotation on the outside that could be exceptional. David Bowens is also capable of exploiting single blocking on the edge. Is Pace just hitting his prime or is he a one-year wonder? How will Gholston, a tremendous athlete who disappeared at times in college, adapt to the pro game? Can Thomas regain his form from two years ago when he had 8.5 sacks, or will he look like a first-round bust like he did last year? There are fewer questions on the inside, where New York hit a home run by selecting David Harris in last year's draft. He is a great fit in the 3-4 and is a flat-out tackling machine who mixes toughness and grit with excellent football instincts. The other inside linebacker, Eric Barton, is a productive veteran who plays hard, but he could face competition from Brad Kassell.
17. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals slapped Karlos Dansby with the franchise tag in the offseason. This was an easy decision to make, as Dansby has asserted himself as one of the top linebackers in the league today. He has a tall, rangy body with fluid movement skills and the speed to make plays all over the field. He did miss two games with a knee injury, but filled the stat sheet in just about all categories. Dansby is a do-it-all linebacker who is starting to reach the prime of his career, and his versatility is quite useful in this unique defense. Gerald Hayes excels against the run and is about as tough as they come. He is a much better football player than many realize and fits well as the strongside guy next to Dansby inside in the 3-4, which should be the most prominent scheme. Chike Okeafor is a defensive end-outside linebacker tweener who fits in well in Arizona's 3-4 scheme. He is a good pass-rusher, but suffered a torn biceps injury last season. For insurance, Arizona signed Clark Haggans to secure the edge. Haggans is a good hands player who is solid against the run, but he still has some pass-rush ability left up his sleeve. Monty Beisel is a pure inside guy who can contribute in spot duty as a between-the-tackles run defender.
18. Cleveland Browns
As a whole, Cleveland's linebackers should benefit a great deal from the Browns' off season aggression in acquiring quality defensive linemen to control the line of scrimmage. The Browns should also have Antwan Peek, a quick-twitch edge rusher, healthy to spell and complement Willie McGinest at the left outside position. McGinest isn't the player he once was and obviously has lost a step, but he is tough to run on over the tight end and is an experienced leader in the locker room. On the right side, Cleveland has a dangerous player in Kamerion Wimbley. His production fell off in his second season, but he also demanded an awful lot of attention from opposing protection schemes. He should rebound well, but does need to add to his repertoire of pass-rush moves and become stouter against the run. Inside, the Browns have some promising young players and another veteran team leader in Andra Davis. He is undersized for the 3-4 and his play dropped off last year, but he is tough and has above-average instincts. His playing time probably will diminish this year, and he will not be a factor on throwing downs. ILB D'Qwell Jackson is an up-and-comer. He could explode this year with a talented defensive line in front of him, but he also must do a better job of creating big plays. Leon Williams is another good-looking young player who is going to be difficult to keep off the field, and the Browns also drafted Beau Bell with their first draft pick to add another physical presence at inside linebacker.
19. Oakland Raiders
MLB Kirk Morrison and WLB Thomas Howard are athletic and quickly have developed into playmakers who are consistently around the football. Morrison has better instincts, but Howard is faster and more physically gifted. Neither is the biggest linebacker you will find, and both are better playing in space, where they can best utilize their impressive run and hit skills. These two combined for a whopping 10 interceptions in 2007, a testament to their abilities in coverage as well. Both players, especially Howard, probably are still improving. The strongside spot isn't as strong, with Sam Williams and Robert Thomas competing for playing time. Thomas can fill in any of Oakland's linebacker spots, and Williams is a big body with some upfield skills, but he has struggled to stay healthy and is a liability moving in reverse. The overall depth isn't enticing, and an injury to Morrison or Howard would significantly set this defense back.
20. Tennessee Titans
SLB Keith Bulluck is a perennial Pro Bowler and, amazingly, one of the most overlooked defenders in the league in terms of notoriety. He makes plays all over the field and is excellent with his coverage responsibilities. But it is worth noting that Bulluck's tackle numbers slipped drastically in 2007. Opposite Bulluck, WLB David Thornton amassed 140 tackles last year and contributed plenty of big plays. He uses his impressive speed well and excels in pursuit. Tennessee is much better off outside than in the middle, but Ryan Fowler is tough and plays the game with attitude. After a shoulder injury prematurely ended Fowler's 2007 season, Stephen Tulloch proved able in his absence. Tulloch could push Fowler for playing time. Also, Tennessee used a fourth-round pick on Stanford Keglar, a combine standout who should provide depth on the outside and help immediately on special teams while he is groomed to take over for Bulluck.
21. Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings have a solid group of second-level defenders, they clearly benefit from the massive amount of attention the defensive line demands up front. However, the linebackers are developing playmakers in their own right, led by MLB E.J. Henderson. He is always around the ball. He plays both the run and the pass well and should garner Pro Bowl attention in 2008. Coming off a torn ACL from his rookie season, WLB Chad Greenway put together a solid second season in 2007 and should take another substantial step forward in 2008. He isn't particularly strong but is extremely well protected, allowing him to play from sideline to sideline. Greenway also is natural in coverage. SLB Ben Leber is a strong, sturdy banger who does well playing over the tight end and can secure the point with the ability to get to the quarterback. Minnesota's linebacker depth isn't that impressive, but Derrick Pope was signed to be the first linebacker off the bench and does have starting experience.
22. Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City signed Demorrio Williams this offseason, and he will compete with Donnie Edwards on the outside. Should Williams win the job, Edwards most likely would replace Napoleon Harris in the middle. Either way, the Chiefs now have four linebackers on whom they can rely, giving the coaching staff some freedom to move the players around in conjuncture with the down and distance. Williams is excellent in space, can blitz and adds more speed to the mix. Edwards is a heady veteran who is difficult to fool and excellent in coverage, but his durability is more and more of a concern. Harris could stand to be a more physical, take-on player in the middle, but he is a good two-way player and a reliable tackler. The other outside spot belongs to Derrick Johnson, Kansas City's best linebacker. He has tremendous range and is excellent in pursuit. He covers a lot of ground in coverage and has a lot of playmaking ability overall. He could stand to be a more physical, take-on player, which seems to be a theme with this group.
23. New York Giants
Mathias Kiwanuka, a natural defensive end, was moved to strongside linebacker at this time last year. With Michael Strahan's retirement, he probably will be moved back to end to best utilize his upfield pass-rushing skills. Kawika Mitchell also will be missing from the roster of last season's Super Bowl champs. He is slated to be replaced by the athletic, rangy Gerris Wilkinson, who played well when given the chance in 2007. MLB Antonio Pierce is a leader who is consistently around the football. He started slowly last season but came on down the stretch. He is a film junkie and the brains of the Giants' defense, acting as a liaison between the players and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. However, Pierce's tackle production did drop by 30 tackles from 2006 to 2007. New York signed versatile veteran Danny Clark and drafted Jonathan Goff and Bryan Kehl. These three should be depth players, and putting any of them in a starting role could yield questionable results. Should injuries occur, Kiwanuka also could be an option on the strongside. Clark probably is the top backup at all three starting spots.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Marvin Lewis has said there will be scheme changes for the Bengals' defense, including more 3-4 looks. First-round pick Keith Rivers can do a lot of things well, and he could play any of the spots in the 4-3 and certainly could contribute inside in the 3-4. He should be an instant starter. In the Bengals' base look, Rivers should start on the weak side, with Dhani Jones in the middle and Ahmad Brooks on the strong side, but there is position flexibility here. In the 3-4, these three players all probably would see significant time at the two inside spots. Jones exceeded expectations in 2007 after being signed midyear, while Brooks is a big, talented player who has to stay healthy to get the experience needed to progress. Rashad Jeanty has started at strongside linebacker and is a former defensive end who could quickly transition to a pass-rushing outside linebacker. OLB Darryl Blackstock is a similar player who could help in either scheme and will provide help on special teams. The Bengals suffered an inordinate amount of injuries to their linebackers last year, and while the scheme will be altered, this group should be better than it was in 2007.
25. Washington Commanders
London Fletcher remains a consistent playmaker. He often is overlooked in the discussion of the top middle linebackers in the game, but this guy proves his worth season after season. His leadership and ability to keep everyone lined up correctly are essential to this defense. Rocky McIntosh will start on the weak side, if he is fully healed from a late-season knee injury, and Marcus Washington will man the strongside spot. McIntosh was quite impressive before the injury and looks to have a bright future, if he fully recovers. He has a chance to be one of the best playmakers on this defense, and the Commanders will miss him in a big way if he can't go on opening day. Washington has the size to battle bigger players at the line of scrimmage and does a fine job of securing the edge with ample ability to rush the passer. Backup MLB H.B. Blades is similar to Fletcher in that he is short for the position but has a knack for finding the football. While best in the middle, Blades should start the season on the weak side if McIntosh can't go.
26. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans is a cornerstone player for the Texans' defense and quickly has proved to be one of the most productive linebackers in the league. He is always around the football and diagnoses plays like a veteran. He is an exceptional wrap-up tackler who consistently takes the shortest path to the ball carrier. He obviously is a student of the game and should only improve with the years. He also showed great toughness by finishing the last few games of the 2007 season with a torn PCL in his knee. On the outside, Morlon Greenwood has four consecutive seasons with 100 or more tackles. He isn't a game changer, but his consistency is valued on this defense. Kevin Bentley was brought in to compete for an outside spot and presently is the front-runner to start, but is better suited for a backup role. The Texans also signed Chaun Thompson to compete on the outside. He never has lived up to his early second-round draft status, but he runs well, can play a physical game and can provide a blitz threat off the edge. Although he remains inconsistent, he could provide a spark in sub packages or off the bench in a rotation. Thompson's skills complement Bentley's range and coverage abilities. Rookie Xavier Adibi eventually could push for time as well while making his bones early as a special teams player.
27. New Orleans Saints
Jonathan Vilma should be exactly what the Saints have longed for from a middle linebacker, if he stays healthy. Vilma is instinctive, athletic and a playmaker with excellent leadership traits that rub off on his teammates. He immediately should be the leader and the face of this defense, which the Saints have needed for some time. New Orleans also added Dan Morgan, who looked like a worthwhile risk for this contending team, but Morgan decided to hang up his cleats instead of risking further injury. Without Morgan in the equation, two starters from last year, SLB Scott Fujita and WLB Scott Shanle, should provide reliable, steady play as they did a year ago, but they probably will provide few big plays. They aren't long-term solutions on the outside, and, ideally, the Saints would like more speed on the weak side, but both players are good enough to win with if New Orleans gets better play from its defensive line and middle linebacker positions. The Saints have marginal linebacker depth and don't have an outside linebacker to groom for the future.
28. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are making changes in their linebacking corps again this year. Wisely, D.J. Williams is moving from middle linebacker to the weak side, where he can better use his athleticism. This move should help keep him clean, allow him to run more freely to the ball carrier and help him avoid bigger blockers in tight quarters. Williams' career could be jump-started by the move, but don't forget that he already was second in the league with 141 tackles in 2007. While he probably will not reach that number again, he should make more big plays in his new role. Niko Koutouvides was signed from Seattle to play in the middle. A backup and special teamer with the Seahawks, Koutouvides should instill a physicality and toughness this position desperately needs. The Broncos were gashed up the middle in 2007, and while Koutouvides isn't the most athletic linebacker around, he certainly will not hesitate to insert himself into the action. Boss Bailey should start on the strong side, but Nate Webster could see playing time at that spot. Bailey has been disappointing, but he has potential, if he can stay healthy. Jamie Winborn also will provide depth. He and Webster played a good bit last year, and that starting experience is valuable. This unit hasn't recovered from the loss of MLB Al Wilson, but its latest offseason moves were solid risks.
29. San Francisco 49ers
To say that Patrick Willis was a pleasant surprise for the 49ers would be the understatement of the century. Even though he was a high first-round pick, he established himself as an elite player at his position with unexpected quickness. He has superb football instincts, can run like the wind and is a striker who jars ball carriers on contact. He should be even better in his second year. Jeff Ulbrich could retain his starting role next to Willis, but the 49ers signed Dontarrious Thomas to challenge Ulbrich for that spot. Brandon Moore also could factor in, so this will be one of the better battles in training camp. On the outside, San Francisco needs to get more pressure on quarterbacks with its edge pass rush. Losing Manny Lawson for the majority of 2007 hurt quite a bit, but he still needs to refine his pass-rush skills. He has a lot of upside and has been solid against the run. Tully Banta-Cain was signed to play opposite Lawson, and while he might be OK as a secondary pass-rusher, he simply isn't good enough to handle extra blocking attention. Parys Haralson is a potentially dangerous pass-rusher who could step up and start opposite Lawson. Willis is a superstar and there is some upside in the rest of this group, but there also is much uncertainty.
30. Detroit Lions
Detroit selected Jordon Dizon in the second round of this past draft. While he has an outstanding nose for the football and covers a lot of ground in pursuit and in coverage, he is small for the middle. Paris Lenon could hold onto his starting middle linebacker spot if Dizon falters in camp. Lenon had his best season as a pro inside last year and also could factor in on the strong side, where he probably would be a better option than Alex Lewis. Lewis is a good coverage player but is too small to consistently anchor versus the run. Both Dizon and Lewis very well could be better off on the weak side in this scheme, but that starting role belongs to Ernie Sims, the Lions' best linebacker by a large margin. Sims is a bundle of energy and aggressiveness. He is exactly what is needed on the weak side in this Tampa 2 scheme, and while he is shorter than ideal, he makes up for it with his ability to explode through blockers and ball carriers alike. As with the rest of the Lions' roster, he has potential for solid play.
31. Miami Dolphins
While the Dolphins have done an awful lot to change the look of their franchise and revamp their ailing roster, linebacker is a position that doesn't look set for the time being or the future. A year ago, Miami spent big money to bring in Joey Porter from the Steelers. He has extensive experience in the 3-4 scheme and did progress as the season went along, but he had to be considered a disappointment and offers little upside for the future. Jason Taylor still is a great player opposite Porter, but a lot of doubt surrounds his future in Miami, and he very well could be playing elsewhere. For the sake of these rankings, we will include him, but it is difficult to predict how this will play out or how Taylor will produce going forward. One thing we do know is that Taylor still can wreak havoc. Miami did add two outside linebackers, Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson, who look to be excellent depth and special teams players. If Taylor were out of the picture, Anderson would get the first crack to replace him. Torbor also could factor in on the inside. Channing Crowder returns on the inside, and the Dolphins acquired Akin Ayodele from Dallas to be the other starter. In Zach Thomas' absence, Crowder must step up. This isn't an exceptional pairing, particularly in their ability to play the pass, but both players have good size and will show toughness against the run. The Dolphins' depth here is solid, but true playmakers might be hard to come by in this present crop by the time Miami becomes a contender again.
32. St. Louis Rams
MLB Will Witherspoon is an excellent football player. He added an edge pass rush to his game in 2007. However, he would be better on the weak side, where Pisa Tinoisamoa resides. Tinoisamoa is a ball of energy but is undersized, lacks recognition skills and struggles to stay healthy. The Rams would be better off if they could add a true middle linebacker to the mix, put Witherspoon on the weak side and rotate Tinoisamoa off the bench in a backup or situational capacity. Brandon Chillar now is in Green Bay, and Chris Draft inherits his strongside role. Draft is a smart guy who can play just about any linebacker spot. His athleticism doesn't wow, but he is consistently around the football at the end of the play. St. Louis' linebacker depth borders on awful, and the Rams will be in considerable trouble if they lose one of their top three. Expect the Rams to select a linebacker, preferably someone in the middle, very early in the 2009 draft. However, one sleeper to remember is SLB Quinton Culberson. This last-place ranking of the Rams' overall LB corps should not reflect on Witherspoon, but there is potential for serious problems here.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
Sonny#9
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tomson75;2146288 said:The fact that you've responded to such claims on an opponents forum with such clever sarcasm and have gone out of your way to research year old articles to support your theory suggests otherwise.
It's called "backing up a statement with facts." If you look at those rankings from pre-season last year, they're pretty ridiculous.
I was answering a direct question posed. How does it feel to have everyone say the Commanders are inferior? I don't care what these experts say. They're good for what they're worth -- discussions like this.
And why not post here? It's not a bad message board to talk about football -- if you ignore some of the sloped-forehead, grunting "Cowboys good...Commanders bad..." crowd.
Boyzmamacita
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Sonny#9;2146333 said:
They're no worse than the sloped-forehead, grunting "Commanders good...Cowboys bad..." crowd. Case in point, your boy redskins1.
Tovya
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Boyzmamacita;2146449 said:
Cowboys fan: "Tony Romo is a really good quarterback, with a good future"
Commanders fan: "Tony Romo sucks... never thrown a good pass in his life. Not to mention his girl friend is dog ugly."
========
Cowboys fan: "How about T.O., one of the best, don't you agree?"
Commanders fan: "I hate him... every receiver on our roster is better than him... I'd take a UTEP redshirt before I'd let him play for us"
========
Cowboys fan: "Come on now, I know you gotta at least respect D-Ware, right?"
Commanders fan: "He's worse than T.O., and definitely the most overrated OLB in the NFL. He wouldn't be able to make the 'Skins roster on his best day of training camp."
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Cowboys fan: "But wouldn't you at least agree that the Cowboys have a nice team put together this year?"
Commanders fan: "No way, the Cowboys suck and are going 0-16 this year. Commanders in the Superbowl baby!!"
========
Pretty darn close to the truth when it comes to 'Skin fanboys, no?
:
Doomsday101
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I thought ESPN hated the Cowboys and was bias against them? :laugh2:
Tovya
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Sonny#9;2146616 said:That's the only one I can really disagree with -- dumb as a bag of hammers -- but definitely not ugly
(My favorite claims here are "Campbell is Quincy Carter" and "The Commanders have no talent, none")
No one really denies that the 'Skins have some talent, but they are the worst team in the NFC East.
As for you agreeing with the mockery I displayed concerning Commanders fanboys, I knew it was true... it wasn't a joke. I hear that stuff all the time, and really it's just absurd. Throw me Clinton Portis to share the backfield with MB3... I'd take him any day of the week. I'm no dumb fanboy, I promise you.
Sonny#9
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Tovya;2146622 said:
Unfortunately, every team has those unbearable homer-fans. Really, those Skins fans irritate the crap out of me. Anyone who claims the Commanders are going to the Super Bowl is full of it -- you can tell them I said so.
However, I think this could be a playoff caliber team.
If they continue to draft like they have in the past couple of years, this is going to be a very good team, very quickly. Despite the paucity of picks, they have drafted, very well. Getting 6 starters in something like 12 total picks.
thewireman
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Danny White;2145634 said:
Check now, theres 3 pages full of complaints
Bob Sacamano
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ok sonny*****, name the talent on your roster, if you're so inclined to support arguments w/ facts
we say you're talentless, prove us wrong...
we say you're talentless, prove us wrong...
tomson75
Brain Dead Shill
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Sonny#9;2146333 said:
There you go 'caring' again.
Seriously, I was responding to one comment you made, not the whole post....and judging by your continued bellyaching above, I'd say I'm pretty close to the mark.
...and I never said you shouldn't post here. I personally don't find you to be one of the more annoying skins fans. Just MILDLY annoying.
Bob Sacamano;2146731 said:
Not necessarily 'talentless', but rather lacking in the 'talent department'.
Bob Sacamano
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tomson75;2146802 said:Not necessarily 'talentless', but rather lacking in the 'talent department'.
I just want to hear an evaluation as to why we shouldn't be knocking their talent base...
DaBoys4Life
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considering how I am anti 
and throw them under the bus when they rag on the cowboys and I can not accept them giving us the number 1 LB corps ranking.
and throw them under the bus when they rag on the cowboys and I can not accept them giving us the number 1 LB corps ranking.
cobra
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I'll stand 100% behind the "Jason Campbell is Quincy Carter (without the drugs)" position.
They are identical.
Both are athletic and can move out of the pocket and pick up yards with their legs, though neither is a "running QB". Both try to be pocket passers.
Both stand tall in the pocket in a way that garners the meaningless "poise" appellation... (a brain-dead moron could stand strong on the railroad tracks until run over by a train, but that doesn't mean he had "poise" in a game of chicken).
Both have extremely strong arms that can chunk and rocket the ball.
Both have accuracy somewhere between a high school senior QB and a freshman UT quarterback, which is to say, god awful none.
Both have to have their playbooks and ability to call audibles limited.
Both can make some plays that make your jaw drop and say "Wow, did you see that throw?". And both then follow it up by overthrowing a wide open WR in the flats by 5 yards.
Both have terrible short yard touch and accuracy, as they can't seem to take the right amount of the ball.
Both are practically inaudbile in interviews and their own teams in the huddle. Both have had teammates say they have a hard time understanding them when they speak in the huddle.
Both of them can claim to have had great years in SEC football.
Both of them were stupidly traded up for and drafted too high.
Both of them are always raved about in practice and the off-season and claimed to spend a lot of hours watching tape---only to show and look like dog crap when the cameras are rolling on game time.
Heck, both of them even wear #17.
The only thing that distinguishes them is that QC had a drug problem, and we don't know that JC does.
But as far as on the field play, they are identical.
There is not a better set of comparable QBs then QC and JC.
They are identical.
Both are athletic and can move out of the pocket and pick up yards with their legs, though neither is a "running QB". Both try to be pocket passers.
Both stand tall in the pocket in a way that garners the meaningless "poise" appellation... (a brain-dead moron could stand strong on the railroad tracks until run over by a train, but that doesn't mean he had "poise" in a game of chicken).
Both have extremely strong arms that can chunk and rocket the ball.
Both have accuracy somewhere between a high school senior QB and a freshman UT quarterback, which is to say, god awful none.
Both have to have their playbooks and ability to call audibles limited.
Both can make some plays that make your jaw drop and say "Wow, did you see that throw?". And both then follow it up by overthrowing a wide open WR in the flats by 5 yards.
Both have terrible short yard touch and accuracy, as they can't seem to take the right amount of the ball.
Both are practically inaudbile in interviews and their own teams in the huddle. Both have had teammates say they have a hard time understanding them when they speak in the huddle.
Both of them can claim to have had great years in SEC football.
Both of them were stupidly traded up for and drafted too high.
Both of them are always raved about in practice and the off-season and claimed to spend a lot of hours watching tape---only to show and look like dog crap when the cameras are rolling on game time.
Heck, both of them even wear #17.
The only thing that distinguishes them is that QC had a drug problem, and we don't know that JC does.
But as far as on the field play, they are identical.
There is not a better set of comparable QBs then QC and JC.
Bob Sacamano
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hot damn, cobra, excellent stuff
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