Our 1st and 2nd Unit Linebackers

[TheFinisher]

Im well aware of how many LB's are needed to run a 43 defense, thanks bud.

Im also aware that Albright has the abilities neccesary to play in a 43 defense and he may be just as good, if not better at the position than Durant or Sims would be.. which is one of the reasons i'd like to see a real competition for the spot.

Albright isn't really built to play LB in the Tampa 2. It's all about range and athleticism, size takes a backseat in this scheme.

He might make for nice depth at DE though.

 

[ThrowuptheXDez88]

Too early to guess who the backups will be.. From the highlights I've seen of the UFA's, there will be plenty of competition in pre-season to win those backup jobs.

 

[CF74]

Durant-Lee-Carter will be the starters..

 

[xwalker]

They said Wilber was moving there who is smaller than Albright and than added Holloman and Magee.

There are not very many 6' 5" 260 4-3 LBs out there.

He can be a back-up at LB in a pinch but all signs point to DE and with his coverage ability a zone blitz could become a staple of this defense.

Almost:
Seattle: K.J. Wright SLB 6'4 246
Chicago: Brian Urlacher MLB 6'4 258

 

[Echo9]

Where did you hear that?

I haven't heard that Albright is going to DE anywhere and I don't know if anyone else has either. Granted, there is a certain logic that plays into moving him. He does seem to be a better fit to back up Spencer and we do have a hole there (especially if Crawford focuses on DT). But any statement that says he's definitely going to move to DE is false at this point.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Albright isn't really built to play LB in the Tampa 2. It's all about range and athleticism, size takes a backseat in this scheme.

He might make for nice depth at DE though.

I think some of you are being a bit silly in thinking that just because he's a bigger LB, his ability wouldn't make him a good fit at backing up Sean Lee at MLB or even starting on the strong side for us. Durant, frankly, isn't that good a player, and isn't much more athletic or fast than Albright, if at all. For certain, Sims is the most athletic and speedy of the three though.

So again, my hope.. and everyone's.. should be an open competition for the spot. It can only bring out the best in all three players and show which one has the right tools for the job.

 

[dogberry]

Kiffen saying that there were only 5 players in the LB room would be a clue that Albright was in the DL room.

Of course Albright look sharp covering Rainey (?Pittsburg?).

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Kiffen saying that there were only 5 players in the LB room would be a clue that Albright was in the DL room.

Huh?

 

[blindzebra]

Huh?

His quote during the draft.

Said there were so many players at the DL meeting that he had to sit on the floor, but the LB meeting was empty...that is why he said we need LBs not DL on Friday of the draft.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

His quote during the draft.

Said there were so many players at the DL meeting that he had to sit on the floor, but the LB meeting was empty...that is why he said we need LBs not DL on Friday of the draft.

Hmm.. well i guess we will all find out soon enough. I think it'd be a waste to not have him compete for the strong side job, but Kiffin knows what he wants so wherever he puts him im sure will be for the best.

 

[blindzebra]

Hmm.. well i guess we will all find out soon enough. I think it'd be a waste to not have him compete for the strong side job, but Kiffin knows what he wants so wherever he puts him im sure will be for the best.

Based on Holloman and Magee it looks like they are valuing versatility.

Lee and Carter can play all 3 spots and to some extent it looks like both rookies can too.

Personally I love the fact that Albright can be plugged in at LB or DE, gives us tons of options for the actives on game day.

Would not shock me to see Wilcox or Johnson popping in at WLB either for a play or two.

Position flex appears to be more than a cool phrase around the Ranch these days.

 

[Frozen700]

I think some of you are being a bit silly in thinking that just because he's a bigger LB, his ability wouldn't make him a good fit at backing up Sean Lee at MLB or even starting on the strong side for us. Durant, frankly, isn't that good a player, and isn't much more athletic or fast than Albright, if at all. For certain, Sims is the most athletic and speedy of the three though.

So again, my hope.. and everyone's.. should be an open competition for the spot. It can only bring out the best in all three players and show which one has the right tools for the job.

And the Kettle calls the Pot black.....

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Almost:
Seattle: K.J. Wright SLB 6'4 246
Chicago: Brian Urlacher MLB 6'4 258

MLB is secured in Dallas with Lee and the addition of Durant, Albright will be a DE in the Kiffen Defense.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I think it's a bit presumptive that Albright will play anywhere. Kiffin has said before that he cannot tell how players perform until the players are on the field.

I think Albright can play the SAM. With his size, he is my preference truth be told.

 

[xwalker]

I think it's a bit presumptive that Albright will play anywhere. Kiffin has said before that he cannot tell how players perform until the players are on the field.

I think Albright can play the SAM. With his size, he is my preference truth be told.

I would be interesting to see him covering TEs.

They often say a TE like Escobar is a match-up problem because of his height. Those 6-6 TEs wouldn't have that advantage against Albright.

 

[Eskimo]

I would be interesting to see him covering TEs.

They often say a TE like Escobar is a match-up problem because of his height. Those 6-6 TEs wouldn't have that advantage against Albright.

The trouble is that tall players have high centers of gravity which makes it difficult to change directions quickly. This is what is needed in coverage. The receiver has the advantage of knowing where they are going so they can get by with being tall although they give up some ability to change directions quickly with the extra height.

Just think how many CBs have ever started a season in the NFL well above 6'1". By my recollection there have been very few such players.

 

[vicjagger]

QB? Romo/Orton is solid as hell. Also CB should be a strong point with Carr/Claiborne in their 2nd years with the team with OScan/Webb/Moore. TE, with Witten/Escobar/Hanna looks really good as well! DL could be very strong if everyone plays up to their potential heights (old guys stay healthy & play their prime games, young guys play better than we expect).

Yea, but that OL....not so much.

 

[gimmesix]

Smaller linebackers tend to be faster. It's a scheme based on speed and the ability to cover a lot of ground.

Yes. And Albright surprised me in showing he could cover a lot of ground.

That's what the scheme is based on, so it doesn't really matter what size you are if you can do it.

That's also the reason I believe Wilber was moved to end. Dallas doesn't think he has those movement skills.

It doesn't really matter to me either way. I'm just not counting out Albright at LB because of what I saw him do in coverage last year.

 

[CF74]

Personally, i'd let Durant, Albright, and Ernie Sims battle it out for starting Sam 'backer in training camp and may the best man win.

Sims probably has the most speed of the three and though I like his play, dude can't stay healthy. I hope they can stretch out his time by using him more on passing downs...

 

[RoyTheHammer]

And the Kettle calls the Pot black.....

Really, is Durant a future pro bowler?

Because a former scout who works for the Cowboys still thinks he's not even a three down linebacker.