I'm really excited about getting Fujita

[Asklesko]

I think the guy fits perfectly here. He went and asked for a trade from KC and when asked where he wanted to go he said a team that played the 3-4.

He is a bigger linebacker and he has the skills to rush the passer.

In the 4-3 scheme he got 4.5 sacks last year and 4 sacks the year before that.

Singleton has never gotten more than 1 sack in a season in his career. Coakley never got more than 2.5 sacks in a season and hadn't gotten more than 1 sack in a season since 1998. Nguyen has never gotten more than 2 sacks in a season and he has only done that once in his career.

Now, all of those guys played in the 4-3 where linebackers usually don't get as many sacks. But that is what Fujita has played in too and he has gotten 8.5 sacks in the last two years!

I believe he will be able to effectively rush the passer and still be able to cover.

He was the leading tackler in the KC defense for the last two years (I believe). So he has racked up a lot of sacks (for a 4-3 lineback) and a lot of tackles on a team that didn't have many good defensive weapons. Thus, you got to think teams were looking at him but he still produced.

I think he will quickly replace Singleton as the starter on the outside. Ware will start on the other side and then I think Burnet will start to really compete against James for the starting position next to Nguyen. But the good thing about Burnett is that he can start on multiple positions.

Fujita is still very young. He has a lot of promise and this is the first time he will get to show his skills off as a pass rusher. He believes he fits well in the 3-4 scheme and I think he is right.

I think we got a great, young player and I'm really excited with our linebackers right now.

Yeah, Fujita can definitely ball. I have always been impressed by his energy and speed when watching KC. There is really no downside to this acquisition.

 

[Nors]

I just call him Dat!

 

[NorthTexan95]

Many people (inlcuding me) use "Americanized" pronunciations of their last names.

So is it Ah-Damn? A-Dom? Or perhaps is the "A" pronounced "Americanized" as an "O"? Let us know, Adam. Inquiring minds are wanting to know.

 

[ddh33]

In addition to being a good player, he's also a little younger than I thought. He looks like the kind of versatile player who will do well here too. He should be able to drop into coverage and rush the quarterback. I'm guessing that he's going to be hard to keep off the field within a matter of weeks.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I'm sure I missed it, but how many years are left on his contract? Do we have him for just one? or more?

 

[Hostile]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

Did you clear that with Nors first?

 

[Hostile]

Did you clear that with Nors first?

I forgot.











On purpose.

 

[silver]

Fajita - my 2002 draft binder - found this

6-5 1/2 248
20 reps 225
1.50 10 yard (that was the fastest of any OLB
2.62 20 yard
4.59 40 yard
42 inch vert jump (insane)
10-2 Long jump
4.21 20 yard shuttle

those are very good measurables. remind me of some of the pats or steelers lb's like Mike Vrabel.

 

[Eskimo]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

I've got no major issues with that crew of LBs. 3 of them look like they have got good pass rush skills (Fujita, Burnett and Ware). I also think that in the long-run Burnett and Ware will prove themselves to be good in coverage.

I suspect the LB position is one that will get a further makeover next season with another first-day draft pick.

Hopefully Fujita plays well and we get him signed to an extension during the season as he is scheduled to be an URFA next year.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

Wow...I like that! War and Burnett are playmakers and Fujita and Nguyen are rock solid players. Talk about a major upgrade at LB from last year...

 

[Sandman52]

If Fujita is as productive with the Boys as he was with the Chiefs, I hope we keep him for next year and beyond.

 

[jimmy40]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

Fujita
Burnett
James
Ware
By week 5 uhhh maybe

 

[Nors]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

Great post - 100% agree

Very plausable scenario.

 

[Bizwah]

For the price I think this was a genius acquisition.

Fujita
Burnett
Nguyen
Ware

That is a potentially solid LB corps that is young enough to build some great chemistry.

Yes, I am already moving Burnett inside and James or Shanle back outside. Call it putting the best 4 LBs on the field and those are the best 4.

I would love to see this as well. When we drafted Burnett, I was picturing him on the inside with Dat. The question is, can he pick up the nuances of the position after having played on the outside all camp?

I have a question....If Fujita plays well, do we go about resigning him long term for next season? Do we try to hit the jackpot twice and draft an OLB in the draft (this is shaping up to be a very nice LB draft)?

 

[Eskimo]

I would love to see this as well. When we drafted Burnett, I was picturing him on the inside with Dat. The question is, can he pick up the nuances of the position after having played on the outside all camp?

I have a question....If Fujita plays well, do we go about resigning him long term for next season? Do we try to hit the jackpot twice and draft an OLB in the draft (this is shaping up to be a very nice LB draft)?

This is always one of those delicate issues - if Fujita ends up being a quality starter who we can re-sign at a reasonable cost then we should do so. OTOH, if a potential impact type 3-4 LB drops to us in the draft and is the top player on our board, then that should probably be the pick.

 

[Hostile]

I've got no major issues with that crew of LBs. 3 of them look like they have got good pass rush skills (Fujita, Burnett and Ware). I also think that in the long-run Burnett and Ware will prove themselves to be good in coverage.

I suspect the LB position is one that will get a further makeover next season with another first-day draft pick.

Hopefully Fujita plays well and we get him signed to an extension during the season as he is scheduled to be an URFA next year.

I consider Burnett to be a ball hawk. By that I mean that he will find the football. He's a very sure tackler. Those strengths fit well for ILB or MLB.

 

[Hostile]

Wow...I like that! War and Burnett are playmakers and Fujita and Nguyen are rock solid players. Talk about a major upgrade at LB from last year...

I like the youth factor of it especially. Young and hungry mixed with some savvy and leadership. I definitely think Fujita gives us some added veteran presence. I can't wait until he's up to speed.

 

[Hostile]

Fujita
Burnett
James
Ware
By week 5 uhhh maybe

James over Dat?

I don't see it personally.

 

[Hostile]

I would love to see this as well. When we drafted Burnett, I was picturing him on the inside with Dat. The question is, can he pick up the nuances of the position after having played on the outside all camp?

I have a question....If Fujita plays well, do we go about resigning him long term for next season? Do we try to hit the jackpot twice and draft an OLB in the draft (this is shaping up to be a very nice LB draft)?

I think we will definitely look to ink Fujita long term.

On Burnett, he is extremely smart. That is bonus #1. He also has a nose for the football. I don't think the transition would slow him down at all. Last year Shanle played outside when Singleton was injured. This year he switched inside. Same with Bradie James. I think Burnett has better skills than both of them.