Lets examine these two questions

[ABQCOWBOY]

I like Rivers... But I'd also take Curtis Lofton. He would be a perfect understudy to Zach.

I doubt we get him, of course, but I think he's going to be a heck of a player for someone. Great instincts, heart, and motor.

To me, Rivers is a 43 OLB or a Cover2 MLB. I don't think he fits well into a 34. He has the same issues Carpenter has had in a 34 IMO. He doesn't shed well. However, I agree with you in that Connor, Mayo or Lofton, will be there. All are pretty decent ILB prospects. I believe that one or maybe even two of them will be there.

 

[cobra]

I don't think there was a starting ILB or ML that had fewer with the exception of Ryan Fowler with 54 and he only played in 14 games total. Heck, Zach Thomas had 52 in 5 games. Newman had 50 tackles 11 games started. Burnett had 53 himself.

That's the problem looking only at stats.

Proposition: there is a finite number of tackles to be had in any game and they are mutually exclusive.

If there are only X number of tackles to be had, how can you fault Ayodele for not having more if the rest of our team is getting more?

If Ayodele was the only LB on this team with the other LBs being of a quality of a usual team's linebacking corps, he'd have more tackles.

But Bradie got over a 100. Ware had 84. Roy had 92 etc. How much would expect Ayodele to be getting?

Put another way, you do realize that is an impossibility to have 4 LBs in a 3-4 whom all have 100 tackles? There aren't that many tackles to be had.

So, sure, just look at that number if you want.

But the reality is that we are just fine at ILB with depth that is excellent and appears to be so for the foreseeable future.

We are living in different worlds if you think that ILB is a weakness on this team.

If you think even Bradie James needs to be replaced, then I think we are in different worlds.

 

[jobberone]

ILB is not the need we have at DB but I would rate it number three. James could become a Pro Bowl quality starter this year or could slid back to 2006. We'll see. Zach is getting older and injuries are a concern. Akin is not starting quality. I wouldn't keep him on the club if at all possible. Burnett stays hurt a lot and is not a true ILB in a 3-4 IMO. He would be a serviable OLB in a 4-3. He is better suited at what he does as a third down cover LB. I would make plans to replace him. Carpenter has to do something this year or he will be gone when his contract is up. I won't say he can't play because I'm not certain. I suspect he is another servicable OLB in the 4-3.

So yes we need to think about an ILB who can play the 3-4. He must be strong, quick, reasonably fast, and be able to shed tacklers and cover. That's a tall order.

If a definite starting quality 3-4 ILB was available 2nd round and lower in this draft I wouild draft him if there was no player who was his equal at a position of need.

 

[jobberone]

That's the problem looking only at stats.

Proposition: there is a finite number of tackles to be had in any game and they are mutually exclusive.

If there are only X number of tackles to be had, how can you fault Ayodele for not having more if the rest of our team is getting more?

If Ayodele was the only LB on this team with the other LBs being of a quality of a usual team's linebacking corps, he'd have more tackles.

But Bradie got over a 100. Ware had 84. Roy had 92 etc. How much would expect Ayodele to be getting?

Put another way, you do realize that is an impossibility to have 4 LBs in a 3-4 whom all have 100 tackles? There aren't that many tackles to be had.

So, sure, just look at that number if you want.

But the reality is that we are just fine at ILB with depth that is excellent and appears to be so for the foreseeable future.

We are living in different worlds if you think that ILB is a weakness on this team.

If you think even Bradie James needs to be replaced, then I think we are in different worlds.

Taken individually your words make sense. But the problem is really is Akin missing assignments and tackles that he should make and not leave it to others to do his job or mop up. Akin just did not play well last year. I would be looking at his contract and his ability to help this team. I don't know what he would cost to get rid of. Too much and you keep him as a backup. IMO though he is not servicable and we should be looking for a replacement. I think Carp and Burnett will get every chance to upend him for the immediate backup to Zach. But down the road they shuld be looking hard at bringing in a player to grow into either James' or Zach's positions.

Fortunately these players are not that hard to develop and/or find. But finding a star is really having to draft one.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I get your point, Cobra, but I think part of the problem is that the WILB in Wade's scheme is designed to be a high tackle producer. There may be only a certain number of tackles to go around -- that's true -- but maybe some of the tackles a Ken Hamlin was making seven yards from the line of scrimmage should be being made by a linebacker three yards from the line of scrimmage.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That's the problem looking only at stats.

Proposition: there is a finite number of tackles to be had in any game and they are mutually exclusive.

If there are only X number of tackles to be had, how can you fault Ayodele for not having more if the rest of our team is getting more?

If Ayodele was the only LB on this team with the other LBs being of a quality of a usual team's linebacking corps, he'd have more tackles.

But Bradie got over a 100. Ware had 84. Roy had 92 etc. How much would expect Ayodele to be getting?

Put another way, you do realize that is an impossibility to have 4 LBs in a 3-4 whom all have 100 tackles? There aren't that many tackles to be had.

So, sure, just look at that number if you want.

But the reality is that we are just fine at ILB with depth that is excellent and appears to be so for the foreseeable future.

We are living in different worlds if you think that ILB is a weakness on this team.

If you think even Bradie James needs to be replaced, then I think we are in different worlds.

Well, this is what I would say. The 34 is designed to allow your ILBs to get high numbers of tackles. 100+ is not an uncommen number for 34 ILBs. I mean, if you look at other ILBs, it kinda tells a story IMO.

Seau 74
Bruschi 92
Ray Lewis 120
Bart Scott 93
Andre Davis 67 (10 games started)
D'Qwell Jackson 101
James Farrior 94
Larry Foote 81
Eric Barton 73
David Harris 127
Matt Wilhelm 97
Stephen Cooper 108
Derek Smith 78
Pat Willis 174
Bradie James 101
Akin Ayodele 57

I believe that this represents all of the starting ILBs in the NFL.

I guess what I would say is that if the ILB isn't making a lot of tackles but other positions are, that would suggest to me that the reason they are making a lot of tackles is because they are being forced to make them because the ILBs are not making the plays. I mean, that's how it works in a 34.

At the end of the day, I guess you are right, We are not in the same plain of existance where this question is concerned. I look at those numbers and I see a problem. Not a team strength.

Hopefully Thomas steps in and fixes this problem either by being more productive or by providing enough compatiton to allow for Ayodele to step it up. Lets hope that's the way it works out as opposed to Thomas being injured an unable to play. Either way, Thomas is not a long term solution. Carp is not an ILB (I wish he was but it doesn't appear as if that's the case), Burnett has had three full seasons to show and unless he beats somebody out this year, I think you have to conclude that he is not going to be a starter.

We definatly are not seeing the same things.

I mean, that's OK. It is what it is.