Looking for a pass rush from the left

[Galian Beast]

It would seem that we are still looking for a pass rush from the outside.

Whether or not the Ellis experiment works out outside linebacker, he is still getting up there in age. And Singleton is no spring chicken.

It seems Carpenter has been moved inside where we just signed Akin Ayodele to a what 5 year contract? So maybe he still moves outside.

We also have Kevin Burnett working on the outside, but on the right side behind Ware. I think it's somewhat likely that they move him over at some point in the year. Perhaps he will spell both Ellis and Ware eventually. Which would leave Carpenter to spell Ayodele and maybe James. I've already mentioned how good I think our nickel will be maned by Carpenter and Burnett at linebacker, and ware and ellis on the ends.

 

[parchy]

Ellis and Carpenter won't be starting consistently at the same time at linebacker, or at least they shouldn't be. The time tables don't match up. Ellis won't be happy in this role for longer than a season (as if he already is), and I'll bet Carp moves back outside. It makes no sense to keep him inside where he'd sit on the bench until Akin or BJ tire. He came into the draft as an OLB, he left the draft as an OLB and I'd expect him to see most of his time there.

I think this is merely a case of the coaching staff testing versatility. Perhaps they saw that Carp "got" OLB, so they'd try some new stuff on him. Whatever the case, I will be extremely disappointed if he sits all season behind talent instead of playing at what amounts to a wide open position.

Burnett, on the other hand, I wouldn't mind seeing anywhere. I see him as one of this "plug-em-in" guys.