Interesting Albright tweet from Vela FWIW

[RoyTheHammer]

If he doesn't, it says a lot about the depth on the defense.

For sure.. and i don't think speed is the most important trait for a SLB in the 43. Especially when you have a MLB like Sean Lee and a guy on the weakside like Carter who are both fast enough to go sideline to sideline on any play.

 

[AsthmaField]

If he doesn't, it says a lot about the depth on the defense.

Well, if you're running this 43 scheme and you could have 3 of the following LB's for your backups, who would be your odd man out?
Magee 5-11, 228
Holloman 6-2, 240
Sims 6-0, 230
Albright 6-5, 255

Magee, Holloman, and Sims are all pretty much prototypical LB's for Kiffin's defense. They all run around a 4.5 - 4.6 and being shorter players, they have great lateral movement and change of direction. They are all pretty adept at coverage.

Then there is Albright, who is basically Ware and Spencer's size.

I wouldn't mind at all if RoyTheHammer is right about this... I just don't think he will be.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Well, if you're running this 43 scheme and you could have 3 of the following LB's for your backups, who would be your odd man out?
Magee 5-11, 228
Holloman 6-2, 240
Sims 6-0, 230
Albright 6-5, 255

Magee, Holloman, and Sims are all pretty much prototypical LB's for Kiffin's defense. They all run around a 4.5 - 4.6 and being shorter players, they have great lateral movement and change of direction. They are all pretty adept at coverage.

Then there is Albright, who is basically Ware and Spencer's size.

I wouldn't mind at all if RoyTheHammer is right about this... I just don't think he will be.

Just the fact that you're asking us to pick who we'd want based solely on the players heights and weights is where our disconnect is on this issue.

I just want the best players to make the team, no matter who they are.. i just think Albright could offer us something good paired with Carter and Lee in this D.

 

[AsthmaField]

Just the fact that you're asking us to pick who we'd want based solely on the players heights and weights is where our disconnect is on this issue.

I just want the best players to make the team, no matter who they are.. i just think Albright could offer us something good paired with Carter and Lee in this D.

I'm just saying we can't keep them all and that Albright is the logical odd man out because he isn't an ideal fit for the system like the other three guys are.

I certainly could be wrong about this though. Lord knows I've been wrong enough before about who they keep.

Like you, I just want the best players on the 53. What is best for the team.

I will drop it now though, because you're a good poster and I don't want to re-argue something you and I have already gone over enough times.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I'm just saying we can't keep them all and that Albright is the logical odd man out because he isn't an ideal fit for the system like the other three guys are.

I certainly could be wrong about this though. Lord knows I've been wrong enough before about who they keep.

Like you, I just want the best players on the 53. What is best for the team.

I will drop it now though, because you're a good poster and I don't want to re-argue something you and I have already gone over enough times.

Yea, its all good man. I just disagree that prototypical size makes one an ideal fit without taking into account many other factors. I've never seen a football player passed over because he was bigger and stronger, with similar athleticism to some of the other guys.. especially one who also had a good football intelligence and solid instincts.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Well, if you're running this 43 scheme and you could have 3 of the following LB's for your backups, who would be your odd man out?
Magee 5-11, 228
Holloman 6-2, 240
Sims 6-0, 230
Albright 6-5, 255

Magee, Holloman, and Sims are all pretty much prototypical LB's for Kiffin's defense. They all run around a 4.5 - 4.6 and being shorter players, they have great lateral movement and change of direction. They are all pretty adept at coverage.

Then there is Albright, who is basically Ware and Spencer's size.

I wouldn't mind at all if RoyTheHammer is right about this... I just don't think he will be.

If it were a "Jimmy" led defense Albright wouldn't make the cut at OLB. Not fast enough.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yea, its all good man. I just disagree that prototypical size makes one an ideal fit without taking into account many other factors. I've never seen a football player passed over because he was bigger and stronger, with similar athleticism to some of the other guys.. especially one who also had a good football intelligence and solid instincts.

Yeah, to me, that was understood... similar LB skills I mean. If Albright is simply a better football player and the other guys just aren't very good, then of course, you keep the better player... in this case Albright.

However, if they all understand the position and it comes down to who can run, and cover, then I think the physical aspect wins out for the other guys.

Appreciate the debate, as always RTH.

 

[AsthmaField]

If it were a "Jimmy" led defense Albright wouldn't make the cut at OLB. Not fast enough.

In a Jimmy Johnson defense, it would be a stone, cold lock that he'd go with the smaller, faster guys. He always did.

However, who knows with Kiffin? RoyTheHammer did bring up one time that in Tampa Kiffin had a guy with similar measurables playing SOLB. They might like his intangibles enough that it overcomes his lack of speed, etc.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

In a Jimmy Johnson defense, it would be a stone, cold lock that he'd go with the smaller, faster guys. He always did.

However, who knows with Kiffin? RoyTheHammer did bring up one time that in Tampa Kiffin had a guy with similar measurables playing SOLB. They might like his intangibles enough that it overcomes his lack of speed, etc.

..and honestly, if you look at everything closer, compare Albright to a guy who's showing well in TC so far by the reports, Brandon Magee. You'd think Magee would be much better in coverage because he's a "smaller, quicker" guy, right?

Well, aside from their 40 times (Albright around 4.85, Magee around 4.75) Albright posted considerably better times in almost every other judged measurable. 20, 10, broad jump, vertical, 20 shuttle, and the 3 cone.

So really, Albright is the bigger, stronger, AND more athletic and agile player.

 

[AsthmaField]

..and honestly, if you look at everything closer, compare Albright to a guy who's showing well in TC so far by the reports, Brandon Magee. You'd think Magee would be much better in coverage because he's a "smaller, quicker" guy, right?

Well, aside from their 40 times (Albright around 4.85, Magee around 4.75) Albright posted considerably better times in almost every other judged measurable. 20, 10, broad jump, vertical, 20 shuttle, and the 3 cone.

So really, Albright is the bigger, stronger, AND more athletic and agile player.

lol, I know, I know. He did have good combine numbers on everything except the 40. It is a big reason I'd love to see him get some time at DE.

I'm pulling for him man and we really don't have that much longer to wait to find out.

Plus, you've already been proven right and me wrong about one thing: I said they would put him at DE and you said they'd keep him at OLB... and you were right.

So maybe you're right about them keeping him over some of the smaller, faster guys.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

lol, I know, I know. He did have good combine numbers on everything except the 40. It is a big reason I'd love to see him get some time at DE.

I'm pulling for him man and we really don't have that much longer to wait to find out.

Plus, you've already been proven right and me wrong about one thing: I said they would put him at DE and you said they'd keep him at OLB... and you were right.

So maybe you're right about them keeping him over some of the smaller, faster guys.

Im just saying.. maybe some of the smaller "faster" guys aren't as much faster than him on the football field as we think.

Like you said, we'll find out how it all shakes out soon enough though. Im anxious to see everyone in some preseason games already, haha.

Sucks when we finally have a great bunch of talented LB's we switch to the 43. lol Whoever gets cut i hope we can find a way to keep them around.

 

[AsthmaField]

Im just saying.. maybe some of the smaller "faster" guys aren't as much faster than him on the football field as we think.

Like you said, we'll find out how it all shakes out soon enough though. Im anxious to see everyone in some preseason games already, haha.

Sucks when we finally have a great bunch of talented LB's we switch to the 43. lol Whoever gets cut i hope we can find a way to keep them around.

We will be cutting some good players at LB, I think.

I am absolutely beyond ready to see some football. Can't wait for the HOF game.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

..and honestly, if you look at everything closer, compare Albright to a guy who's showing well in TC so far by the reports, Brandon Magee. You'd think Magee would be much better in coverage because he's a "smaller, quicker" guy, right?

Well, aside from their 40 times (Albright around 4.85, Magee around 4.75) Albright posted considerably better times in almost every other judged measurable. 20, 10, broad jump, vertical, 20 shuttle, and the 3 cone.

So really, Albright is the bigger, stronger, AND more athletic and agile player.

PS.. quicker and more agile than Holloman, too. So that "smaller, faster" thing doesn't really hold up.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

We will be cutting some good players at LB, I think.

I am absolutely beyond ready to see some football. Can't wait for the HOF game.

Only one more week.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I still think they should give him a look at DE though. He has good speed and change of direction for that spot... but maybe he simply can't anchor against the run good enough. IDK.

This makes a lot of sense to me. Frankly it may his ony chance.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

This makes a lot of sense to me. Frankly it may his ony chance.

..and yet Kiffin/Marinelli don't think so. Weird..

 

[xwalker]

Well, if you're running this 43 scheme and you could have 3 of the following LB's for your backups, who would be your odd man out?
Magee 5-11, 228
Holloman 6-2, 240
Sims 6-0, 230
Albright 6-5, 255

Magee, Holloman, and Sims are all pretty much prototypical LB's for Kiffin's defense. They all run around a 4.5 - 4.6 and being shorter players, they have great lateral movement and change of direction. They are all pretty adept at coverage.

Then there is Albright, who is basically Ware and Spencer's size.

I wouldn't mind at all if RoyTheHammer is right about this... I just don't think he will be.

Albright had better 3-cone and short-shuttle time than Holloman, Sims and Magee. He had a better 10-yard time and vertical than Holloman and Magee. Albright was coming off a leg injury at the time he was tested.

Kiffin's scheme uses a lot of zone where a QB must try to throw over LBs but in front of DBs to make completions in the middle of the field. On a throw with an average trajectory, a receiver would have to be down field an extra 8 feet in order for the QB to throw over a defender that has 6" of additional vertical reach.

Many reports indicated that TE Gavin Escobar was a coverage mis-match due to his length (height, arm length). Who would match-up better in coverage against a TE similar to Escobar, Magee at 5-11 with 28-3/4" arms and a 29" vert or Alex Albright at 6-5 with 33" arms and a 36" vert?

All of the above is just about coverage. It seems obvious that Albright is going have have an advantage against the run at 6-5, 254 compared to Magee at 5-11, 228.

On a final note, Albright was 1 of the two best Special Teams players last season and might be #1 this season if McCray does not make the team.

 

[AsthmaField]

Albright had better 3-cone and short-shuttle time than Holloman, Sims and Magee. He had a better 10-yard time and vertical than Holloman and Magee. Albright was coming off a leg injury at the time he was tested.

Kiffin's scheme uses a lot of zone where a QB must try to throw over LBs but in front of DBs to make completions in the middle of the field. On a throw with an average trajectory, a receiver would have to be down field an extra 8 feet in order for the QB to throw over a defender that has 6" of additional vertical reach.

Many reports indicated that TE Gavin Escobar was a coverage mis-match due to his length (height, arm length). Who would match-up better in coverage against a TE similar to Escobar, Magee at 5-11 with 28-3/4" arms and a 29" vert or Alex Albright at 6-5 with 33" arms and a 36" vert?

All of the above is just about coverage. It seems obvious that Albright is going have have an advantage against the run at 6-5, 254 compared to Magee at 5-11, 228.

On a final note, Albright was 1 of the two best Special Teams players last season and might be #1 this season if McCray does not make the team.

If the combine measurements are the end-all, be-all for determining if a guy is a good player in a certain scheme, it should surprise us all if Albright isn't the starter at SOLB.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up coming out of camp. According to you he might be the best LB we have.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

If the combine measurements are the end-all, be-all for determining if a guy is a good player in a certain scheme, it should surprise us all if Albright isn't the starter at SOLB.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up coming out of camp. According to you he might be the best LB we have.

I mean, to be fair, you were trying to have us pick "which one doesn't belong" based solely off just their heights and weights, seemingly saying that prototypical size is the end all be all for who fits best in the defense.

I think walker, like i already did, was just trying to show that just because a guy is smaller, it doesn't make him more agile, athletic, or better in coverage. Like i said, i've never seen a football player at any position be deducted points because he was bigger and stronger than the other guy.

Like you said, it will be an interesting competition.. i just don't want us to waste the talent that i believe we have in the guy. I also think he'd be a great compliment to the "smaller, speedy" backers that we already have in Carter and Lee, with his strength, size, physicality, and agility on the strong side.

 

[AsthmaField]

I mean, to be fair, you were trying to have us pick "which one doesn't belong" based solely off just their heights and weights, seemingly saying that prototypical size is the end all be all for who fits best in the defense.

I think walker, like i already did, was just trying to show that just because a guy is smaller, it doesn't make him more agile, athletic, or better in coverage. Like i said, i've never seen a football player at any position be deducted points because he was bigger and stronger than the other guy.

Like you said, it will be an interesting competition.. i just don't want us to waste the talent that i believe we have in the guy. I also think he'd be a great compliment to the "smaller, speedy" backers that we already have in Carter and Lee, with his strength, size, physicality, and agility on the strong side.

I understand all of that. What I'm trying to say is that on the field, Albright doesn't look like he plays faster or have a quicker change of direction than the other guys. He just doesn't. And he certainly wouldn't be the first guy to not play to his combine numbers. Y'all are acting like his combine numbers mean he absolutely plays faster and changes directions faster and is better in coverage than the younger guys that Kiffin specifically brought in. They don't mean that. It means he did better in those drills at the combine, that's it. If you just look at what happens at the combine, then you'd think a slug would win a footrace with Frederick, and he can't tear apart wet tissue.

I mean, it isn't like the league looked at Albright and saw a big, strong, fast guy and teams were lining up to get him. He wasn't even drafted. Had teams thought the guy had exceptional quickness and change of direction at 6-5, 250, I can safely say that some team would have probably at least spent a 7th round pick on the guy. But they didn't. And that is because he doesn't play like some super quick, giant with elite change of direction like you're making him out to be.

I have seen camp reports that talk about how quick Holloman and Magee look, and I have also seen a couple that talk about Albright looking slow out there and they're wondering if Albright is even going to make the team.

I do like Albright, but his combine numbers don't make him faster on the field than the guys that Kiffin specifically signed off on and brought in to play the position. It means he nailed the drills at the combine.

Like I said to XWalker, if he is what he's making him out to be, then he will no doubt lock up the SOLB position any day now, and I will gladly admit I am wrong. Gladly.

Until then, I will have a very hard time believing that Albright is a faster, quicker player than Magee, Holloman, Durant, and Sims... regardless of what happened at the combine.