Linebackers in the draft

[SportsGuru80]

Good draft for linebackers...

 

[stilltheguru88]

I don't know that he sucks. Could be better in the pros.

However a couple of weeks ago I read (wish I remember who it was...might have been Dane Brugler)...say that while studying tape of Malik, he realized how big the gap was between him and and Roquan was...basically saying Roquan was waay better at this point.

well Walter football said he doesn’t love the game and watching his tape I kinda saw that. Thats the main reason I don’t want him

 

[Nightman]

I was told LB is "good" and actually "strong" if we bring Hitchens back.

It is......how many play at once????

Lee/Hitchens- MIKE
Hitchens/JSmith- WILL
DWilson- SAM......plays about 20 snaps a game

Where does the stud play????? Left Bench???......lets Draft 3 or 4 and have the bestest LB squad ever

 

[Sydla]

It is......how many play at once????

Lee/Hitchens- MIKE
Hitchens/JSmith- WILL
DWilson- SAM......plays about 20 snaps a game

Where does the stud play????? Left Bench???......lets Draft 3 or 4 and have the bestest LB squad ever

LOL.

First, Lee plays the WILL, not the MIKE. Two, banking on Smith at this point is risky. Three, Hitchens is a situational LB and if you count on him to be a starting MIKE, you have issues. We tried your exact plan this year and guess what? We didn't get great LB play and when Lee got hurt, which is likely given his history, the defense fell apart largely due to inferior LB play.

Maybe it's just a terminology thing.......... but when I hear that LB is "strong" I would think that's one of the better LB corps in the NFL.

If you think Smith, Lee and Hitchens is one of the best LB groups in football, wow.

 

[Nightman]

LOL.

First, Lee plays the WILL, not the MIKE. Two, banking on Smith at this point is risky. Three, Hitchens is a situational LB and if you count on him to be a starting MIKE, you have issues. We tried your exact plan this year and guess what? We didn't get great LB play and when Lee got hurt, which is likely given his history, the defense fell apart largely due to inferior LB play.

Maybe it's just a terminology thing.......... but when I hear that LB is "strong" I would think that's one of the better LB corps in the NFL.

If you think Smith, Lee and Hitchens is one of the best LB groups in football, wow.

I think you are the perfect Chicken Little personification

Hitchens was hurt when Lee was hurt and JSmith wasn't ready
By the end of the year they were all firing......it you can't see that than you should stop talking football

 

[Nightman]

Jaylon Smith is Roquan Smith, only 25lbs heavier and with 2 years of experience

We need a top WR a lot more and can get a LBer in the 2nd or 3rd

 

[Sydla]

I think you are the perfect Chicken Little personification

Hitchens was hurt when Lee was hurt and JSmith wasn't ready
By the end of the year they were all firing......it you can't see that than you should stop talking football

LB needs help.

That’s clear to anyone who is paying attention.

And there are no sure fire top WRs in this draft anyway. Maybe Ridley.

 

[Sarge]

Roquan Smith's performance last night in the Rose Bowl ensured there is no way the 'Boys land him without moving up. Kid is a stud!

We would have had to move up regardless.

 

[rkell87]

well Walter football said he doesn’t love the game and watching his tape I kinda saw that. Thats the main reason I don’t want him

It's hard to love the game when you are being coached wrong and by people you didn't choose. Personality wise he is exactly what Garrett talks about being the RKG. Do you remember stephon Diggs a few years ago? One of the best WRs in the draft and it was clear as day to anybody that bothered to pay attention but as a top 5 recruit in the nation he made a poor decision and chose Maryland, so he got crap coaching on a crap team and got drafted in tom Brady range. Now he's one of the better receivers in the league in basically the same offense we run.

My point is, look at the talent and skills, try to assess when it's actually Malik's fault he didn't make the play and if it is can it be coached. One of his biggest issues is overrunning or over committing to his assignment, but why? Because he is athletic enough to recover and he knows he needs to make the play or it's most likely not getting made. So many times he helps bring down the ball carrier 20 yards down field way away from his assignment. He feels responsibility for every play on D.

If the coach he committed to hadn't been fired I think he returns for his senior year but at this point he needs professional coaching and he is much better suited to the pro game.

 

[texbumthelife]

This team does not need to devote a resource as precious as a first round pick to a linebacker. We have three quality backers right now. I would be ok with taking one in the second or third, but not in the first. I'd much rather see OL, DL or S in the first.

 

[blindzebra]

See, as much as I love R. Smith, I can't take that risk. I still have to get a real LB in here in FA.

Hitchens is a situational LB. You don't know what you have in J. Smith. Lee is an injury risk.

You need to bring in a vet LB here. It doesn't have to be a legit stud. It could be a mid-level guy like a Z. Brown like I mentioned above or maybe even a guy like Bowman.

But if they think they are good at LB and can then just draft a couple and it will be fine, that's shortsighted thinking that we saw explode in our face with the secondary this past season where it took almost 10 or so games before the rookies in the secondary started to gel and play better.

Injuries caused that more then anything.

 

[visionary]

LOL.

First, Lee plays the WILL, not the MIKE. Two, banking on Smith at this point is risky. Three, Hitchens is a situational LB and if you count on him to be a starting MIKE, you have issues. We tried your exact plan this year and guess what? We didn't get great LB play and when Lee got hurt, which is likely given his history, the defense fell apart largely due to inferior LB play.

Maybe it's just a terminology thing.......... but when I hear that LB is "strong" I would think that's one of the better LB corps in the NFL.

If you think Smith, Lee and Hitchens is one of the best LB groups in football, wow.

This defense needs a real starting MLB badly
Depending on Smith is crazy

 

[sbark]

I like his game. Always around the ball.
IIRC saw 2 games this past season while flipping through games.
https://dearoldgold.com/2017/11/22/projecting-josey-jewell-nfl/
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ell-the-outlaw-from-iowa-with-a-heart-of-gold
He won't wow anyone at the combine but has the smarts to find the ball carrier without that elite god given physical ability.

Nick DeLuca is someone I haven't read much of this year compared to last.

Can get a good look at DeLuca Sat in the FCS Championship game vrs JMU, beleive start time is 11:00 am central

have a good season, actually just returning to form from offseason surgery. Playing most of year tweaked, but speed starting to show up

also, watch the NDSU Bison freshman Jabril Cox at Will LB.....might well be the fasted player on the feild....shows very good instincts for age, got size as a freshman to make him a watch.

 

[slick325]

We would have had to move up regardless.

Agreed unless he had a poor performance yesterday and during the pre-draft festivities.

 

[CF74]

I’ll take 2 please...

 

[TheSkaven]

Roquan Smith's performance last night in the Rose Bowl ensured there is no way the 'Boys land him without moving up. Kid is a stud!

He would have been attainable had we lost in Week 17. A loss would have had us drafting at 13, I believe.

Edit: I’m wrong, we would have drafted 16, still not high enough (I believe)

 

[waving monkey]

This is the hardest position to plan for. Lee is a god sent. Sadly he is fragile. Doesn't matter the position you put him in. His ability to call the play is just as valuable as himself playing. Let's say Roquan is as good as a player as Lee. Awesome, then we get the same quality of play, but do we get the same last minute position calling by the Defensive Captain? Lee at 32 yrs of age(next season) is only going to get more brittle. That is not a knock on him, just a fact of life. He has the brains and heart of a lion but limitations of most people his size with the wear and tear he has endured..

With that said we have a great player in Hitchens. Say what you will, but not only can he play all 3 positions, but also do at least 2 of them at a starter mentality. While the Will is his best position, that is where Lee is. Lately he has done rather well at the MLB position. Many have seen Jaylen Smith really get better in the last few games at MLB but he is still limited with his injury and his position versatility. I truly hope we find a way to keep Hitchens. He is a jack of all trades but not sure if he can master one or not. Regardless a great player to have.

We can all agree we need LBs in a bad way. But let's say Roquan is available. Is 225 lbs gonna cut it at any of our LB positions? If not for the training, on paper, I would think he is a great Strong Safety. Has the weight and coverage ability. A weakness on tackling TE's and power backs. Sorry I am liking Jefferson in the 2nd round if we can pull it.

I would think he is a great Strong Safety.

 

[Hardline]

I watched Malik Jeffersons entire Longhorns career. He never played up to his 5 star recruiting potential.
But then again neither did ex Longhorn Jordan Hicks and we all seen how good he became in the NFL.

 

[Dwight]

This defense needs a real starting MLB badly
Depending on Smith is crazy

We have fans on here that feel that our current LB core is solid which puzzles me.

Also, I agree that a MLB is needed. I know it might be a pipe dream now but I hope we can get Roquan Smith. He would really help this defense out.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It is......how many play at once????

Lee/Hitchens- MIKE
Hitchens/JSmith- WILL
DWilson- SAM......plays about 20 snaps a game

Where does the stud play????? Left Bench???......lets Draft 3 or 4 and have the bestest LB squad ever

You sampling is the exact reason I don't see Hitchen coming back........he will not sign a multi-year deal to share the Will with Smith or Mike with Lee.