Linebacker Reality Check

[Verdict]

I have a feeling that the front office doesn't think the sky is falling the way some posters believe it is here. I would hazard a guess that this is the team logic at linebacker going forward:

1. General Lee is here. We are good there. Check.
2. Jaylon is bowling now. We got a bargain there. Wait until he hits the field this year! Yeah, Baby! Yeah! Check.
3. Wilson is a knucklehead but he is ok. We only use him two downs anyway. We can survive a 4 or 6 game suspension with him.
4. Hitchens is nice, but we can draft his replacement in the mid rounds (3-5) probably with a comp pick.
5. We can draft a linebacker late too (5-7). That should get us through this year.
6. That comp pick we are going to get for Hitchens is going to look really good next year.

That's a bit, out there, but it's also not that far fetched, not only that we go that route, but actually, it could actually also be accurate in terms of how they are evaluating the situation. Maybe it is best for the team.

If Lee is healthy and Jaylon actually does rebound, where are we going to play the first round linebacker, at least in the short run. Moreover, if Lee manages to stay healthy and Jaylon rebounds, where would you play him for the next two or three years?

I'm not advocating that plan of action, I'm just saying that there is more than one way to look at this issue.

As a side note, I would NOT overpay Hitchens. I would draft a mid round guy to replace his production.

 

[ShiningStar]

Lee doesnt give us all 16 games.

it stinks after that.

 

[diefree666]

I have a feeling that the front office doesn't think the sky is falling the way some posters believe it is here. I would hazard a guess that this is the team logic at linebacker going forward:

1. General Lee is here. We are good there. Check.
2. Jaylon is bowling now. We got a bargain there. Wait until he hits the field this year! Yeah, Baby! Yeah! Check.
3. Wilson is a knucklehead but he is ok. We only use him two downs anyway. We can survive a 4 or 6 game suspension with him.
4. Hitchens is nice, but we can draft his replacement in the mid rounds (3-5) probably with a comp pick.
5. We can draft a linebacker late too (5-7). That should get us through this year.
6. That comp pick we are going to get for Hitchens is going to look really good next year.

That's a bit, out there, but it's also not that far fetched, not only that we go that route, but actually, it could actually also be accurate in terms of how they are evaluating the situation. Maybe it is best for the team.

If Lee is healthy and Jaylon actually does rebound, where are we going to play the first round linebacker, at least in the short run. Moreover, if Lee manages to stay healthy and Jaylon rebounds, where would you play him for the next two or three years?

I'm not advocating that plan of action, I'm just saying that there is more than one way to look at this issue.

As a side note, I would NOT overpay Hitchens. I would draft a mid round guy to replace his production.

a very reasonable way to look at things. Just hope the team is as well. However we do need to look hard at getting Lee's replacement; and that is not going to come in the middle rounds. He has to have the physical ability to go with the brain and those do not come late in the draft.

 

[MarkP88]

I really, really hope Smith is not factoring into their thinking at all. He's accomplished something great just by getting onto an NFL field and playing a full season. But I think there's a very good chance that physically, he's as good as he's going to ever be. He'll improve to some degree by the mental and confidence parts aligning. But that maybe only means he's just solid moving forward. We need better than that in the middle.

 

[Verdict]

a very reasonable way to look at things. Just hope the team is as well. However we do need to look hard at getting Lee's replacement; and that is not going to come in the middle rounds. He has to have the physical ability to go with the brain and those do not come late in the draft.

I would like to see us snag the linebacker from Oklahoma. He may be great value for us. He is the kind of linebacker that the Ravens always seem to draft. Bad ***, relentless, physical.

 

[Verdict]

I really, really hope Smith is not factoring into their thinking at all. He's accomplished something great just by getting onto an NFL field and playing a full season. But I think there's a very good chance that physically, he's as good as he's going to ever be. He'll improve to some degree by the mental and confidence parts aligning. But that maybe only means he's just solid moving forward. We need better than that in the middle.

There is no argument that if Jaylon doesn't play better, it's not currently good enough as is.

 

[diefree666]

I really, really hope Smith is not factoring into their thinking at all. He's accomplished something great just by getting onto an NFL field and playing a full season. But I think there's a very good chance that physically, he's as good as he's going to ever be. He'll improve to some degree by the mental and confidence parts aligning. But that maybe only means he's just solid moving forward. We need better than that in the middle.

well thank you doctor when did you examine Jaylon?

 

[diefree666]

I would like to see us snag the linebacker from Oklahoma. He may be great value for us. He is the kind of linebacker that the Ravens always seem to draft. Bad ***, relentless, physical.

does he have the BRAIN? That is what separates Lee from all others.

 

[Aviano90]

I don’t believe the sky is falling. The fog hasn’t lifted in 22 years for the sky to fall again.

 

[phildadon86]

well thank you doctor when did you examine Jaylon?

There was an entire group here that bet he would never play again

 

[LocimusPrime]

• They should not base their plans on the hopes that smith recovers and plays better. Plan for the worst and hope for the best
• A rookie most likely will not be able to perform at hitchens level this year - especially a 4-7 the Rnder
• if they don't sign a FA that is comperable to hitchens, then I give up on these fools. Going into the season with Lee, smith, and no hitchens means you're taking a step backwards.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I have a feeling that the front office doesn't think the sky is falling the way some posters believe it is here.

Based on what exactly?

 

[ShiningStar]

• They should not base their plans on the hopes that smith recovers and plays better. Plan for the worst and hope for the best
• A rookie most likely will not be able to perform at hitchens level this year - especially a 4-7 the Rnder
• if they don't sign a FA that is comperable to hitchens, then I give up on these fools. Going into the season with Lee, smith, and no hitchens means you're taking a step backwards.

thats been there plan for 20 years now.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If Lee is healthy and Jaylon actually does rebound

Based on the way he finished last season it's clear he has. Give this kid a normal NFL off season, mini camps, training camp and preseason with Lee at his side and Jaylon will be more than fine next year.

 

[Verdict]

• They should not base their plans on the hopes that smith recovers and plays better. Plan for the worst and hope for the best
• A rookie most likely will not be able to perform at hitchens level this year - especially a 4-7 the Rnder
• if they don't sign a FA that is comperable to hitchens, then I give up on these fools. Going into the season with Lee, smith, and no hitchens means you're taking a step backwards.

I think it all depends on Jaylon. Keep in mind he will be almost 5 months farther along at the time of the draft. The physical improvement may no longer be a "projection" by that point in time.

I agree that if Jaylon isn't 100 percent by draft day then you assume he won't be for this year and plan accordingly.

 

[Verdict]

Based on the way he finished last season it's clear he has. Give this kid a normal NFL off season, mini camps, training camp and preseason with Lee at his side and Jaylon will be more than fine next year.

I'm not for or against Jaylon. I don't think he was 100 percent at any point last year. I guess I am a bit more cautious than you are. But I will say I think it is possible he will get back to 100 percent.

 

[Proximo]

I think we should be drafting a LB high this year or next, regardless.

 

[bodi]

Jaylon still has to prove he can ACTTAULLY CUT ON THAT LEG

WHOOPIE I CAN BOWL AGAIN

I still draft a LBer in the first three rounds

 

[Sarge]

If this, if that. We need help at LB.

 

[northerncowboynation]

They could be thinking that way or they could be thinking:

1) When Lee misses time our ability to stop the run is horrible
2) Jaylon is still wearing the brace, bowling or not
3) someone could pay Hirtch more money than we're willing to pay him. We'll know before the draft so will wait and see
4) Maybe we should reverse out thought process on a DT 1 who could be a big addition to the run stopping process in case the General goes down again

Let's consider Vea if he falls to 19. Hey, I can always hope right. It's almost spring and hope springs eternal. Guard in the second round. MLB'er in the third. My list is complete