Linebackers, linebackers, linebackers

[Zekeats]

Yes there is such a thing as having too many linebackers, especially in a 4-3. Think about it, most 4-3 teams keep anywhere from 6-8 linebackers on the team. I think our scouts over value the position way too much. 3 linebackers are on the field in the base defense. Base defenses see the field about an average of 25% of the time. Most of the time defenses are in nickel and dime packages which call for 1-2 linebackers to be left in the game.
We now have McClain, Lee, Hitchens, Brinkley, Gachkar, Wilber, Rivers, Smith, Watson, Davis, Anderson, Lawrence, Wilson and Nzeocha. 14 players at a position where 75% of the time only 2 linebackers will be on the field. The picks could have been spent better elsewhere like interior defensive line, defensive backs or even running back. I would have went DB heavy considering that most of the time you will have 5-6 defensive backs in the game at the same time.
I just don't understand why we always seem to focus in on linebackers. The 3-4 I could understand, but a 4-3 it just doesn't add up to me.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I'm all for competition... And I know Lee and Romac have injury concerns... but 12? First of all we play the 4-3. Not the 3-4.. Second we'll probably Carry 7 on the final Roster.. Third we spent free agency money on Gachkar, Brinkley and Rivers.. My only beef with the draft was that they could of used the two picks on another CB and WR/KR type of guy...

 

[DogFace]

Does seem like a lot.

 

[perrykemp]

Why not?

It's the offseason. Is there any harm in it?

 

[Floatyworm]

I'm all for competition... And I know Lee and Romac have injury concerns... but 12? First of all we play the 4-3. Not the 3-4.. Second we'll probably Carry 7 on the final Roster.. Third we spent free agency money on Gachkar, Brinkley and Rivers.. My only beef with the draft was that they could of used the two picks on another CB and WR/KR type of guy...

agree....

I think what this is really telling you 12=0

 

[Vinnie2u]

Why not?

It's the offseason. Is there any harm in it?

If you spent free agency money on 3 and you only going to carry 7.. Why even waste draft picks or money...

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Can we cut Rivers? Im assuming his contract didnt have a ton of guaranteed money.

I know it looks bad to cut someone you just signed.

 

[iceberg]

Can we cut Rivers? Im assuming his contract didnt have a ton of guaranteed money.

I know it looks bad to cut someone you just signed.

More than likely to upset people.

 

[Knotamus]

hmmm...Does Minnesota need LB's via trade?...just asking

Fact: Philly traded a proven talented RB for a good young LB'er

Scenario: Anthony Hitchens gets traded to Minnesota for another proven RB?

Hey, I have all the faith in the world in our FO and I really do like our RB's (unlike most who think a rookie was going to come in and replace DM's production).. Seems interesting that we draft another Anthony Hitchens clone in the same round. We're definitely over loaded at LB. Not sure if that's bc of Injury risk or if the OTTO position rumors are true.. one thing is for sure, we wont keep them all, so we should try to get value from them via other teams.. if nothing else, it's worth speculating about.

 

[Fletch]

I'm all for competition... And I know Lee and Romac have injury concerns... but 12? First of all we play the 4-3. Not the 3-4.. Second we'll probably Carry 7 on the final Roster.. Third we spent free agency money on Gachkar, Brinkley and Rivers.. My only beef with the draft was that they could of used the two picks on another CB and WR/KR type of guy...

You didn't hear? We're taking three of those LB'S and making them switch over to RB. So those numbers aren't really exact.

 

[USMarineVet]

I agree it is a lot. And we definitely won't be able to keep all of them. But I think the FA signings were more for protection at the time; not knowing how the draft would pan out. The Cowboys obviously saw enough value in their 2 LB selections that they felt it was worth creating this conundrum. I smell trade bait once a team or two loses a LB to injury in camp. Whatever happens with them, you have to love the competition level it creates at the position. The rookies will have a wealth of experience to learn from, so you can't knock that. And I'm sure Marinelli is going to remind them every day that there are 12 of them fighting for 7 positions.

Do any of you think we may try to convert 1 or 2 of these guys into a hard-boppin' Safety because I can't see any more than 2 of these guys making the practice squad.

 

[visionary]

I'm all for competition... And I know Lee and Romac have injury concerns... but 12? First of all we play the 4-3. Not the 3-4.. Second we'll probably Carry 7 on the final Roster.. Third we spent free agency money on Gachkar, Brinkley and Rivers.. My only beef with the draft was that they could of used the two picks on another CB and WR/KR type of guy...

Some practical joker moved some chairs from the DL room to the LB room and the FO thought they needed 12 LBs?

 

[USMarineVet]

Yes there is such a thing as having too many linebackers, especially in a 4-3. Think about it, most 4-3 teams keep anywhere from 6-8 linebackers on the team. I think our scouts over value the position way too much. 3 linebackers are on the field in the base defense. Base defenses see the field about an average of 25% of the time. Most of the time defenses are in nickel and dime packages which call for 1-2 linebackers to be left in the game.
We now have McClain, Lee, Hitchens, Brinkley, Gachkar, Wilber, Rivers, Smith, Watson, Davis, Anderson, Lawrence, Wilson and Nzeocha. 14 players at a position where 75% of the time only 2 linebackers will be on the field. The picks could have been spent better elsewhere like interior defensive line, defensive backs or even running back. I would have went DB heavy considering that most of the time you will have 5-6 defensive backs in the game at the same time.
I just don't understand why we always seem to focus in on linebackers. The 3-4 I could understand, but a 4-3 it just doesn't add up to me.

No doubt the Boys have some fuzzy math going on there. All i can really say in defense of this is that we seem to be focusing on fixing one or two positions each year now. We can't keep them all but the excess at the position is going to create much needed competition and should provide a very solid core once everything is said and done.

I anticipate a trade or two before the season starts. Maybe we swing a deal for a RB, DT, CB or throw in another draft pick or 2 next year. I don't know. Could we be thinking of developing someone at another position?

We should know more once camp begins and we see who's getting the reps and where.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

say it two more times, and look in the mirror this time.

 

[Fredd]

perhaps they are going to switch over part time to a 3-4...a lot of their pass rushers are smallish (250 area, and we know about pick 60). In a 3-4, you spread out Lee, Hitch, McClain, and Gregory who will mostly rush the passer...ih? who knows....I have begun to have faith in the coaches and front office based on the decisions in the last few years...I am willing to see how this pans out, but I agree that we don't keep that many LB's (impossibility)

 

[Risen Star]

Why is this odd? It would only be strange if we had a bunch of top players there that we clearly couldn't keep.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No, they aren't switching over to a 3-4.

There's just going to be a lot of competition and there are a couple guys who are pegged as starters who do not have reputations for being able to play a full slate of games.

The numbers will be slimmed down considerably.

 

[9darter]

It's not too difficult to see a handful of those guys being either cut or moved to the PS.

 

[Galian Beast]

Last year 3 of our top 4 linebackers were all injured at some point in the season...

You need 5 to 6 linebackers to successfully run the 4-3 in this league where linebackers are easily injured.

 

[Alexander]

Last year 3 of our top 4 linebackers were all injured at some point in the season...

If the staff is that frightened of Lee and McClain being injured that they have to sign free agent insurance AND devote two draft choices to cover it, they have no business even having them on the team. They are then liabilities because their issues are sucking resources that could be used elsewhere on the roster.