Possibly Bringing Durant Back

[jrumann59]

As long as he does not miss games during the 1st part of the season. He is good for for about 3 games missed due to injury

 

[Virginia-Dave]

At first I was thinking of Kevin- then I definitely know we will win the SB next year because he only goes to championship teams.

 

[Idgit]

I thought he would retire this year but this move is anticipating a 4 game ban.

Not unless it lets them move another player over. Durant doesn't give us anything at SAM.

It might be an indication they want to move slower with Jaylon than they've been suggesting.

 

[DCreppinBoysfan]

I wouldn't mind this. He was solid out there and didn't make many mistakes.

 

[gimmesix]

So we've got Lee, Hitchens, Smith, Wilber and possibly Nzeocha making the roster and Wilson likely suspended.

That leaves one spot open, so why not Durant over options like Kennan Gilchrist, Joseph Jones, John Lotulelei and Lucas Wacha? And if one of them does show up, like Lotulelei seemed to during OTA practices, who's to say that we can't keep one of them over Nzeocha or Wilber at this point? Nzeocha hasn't proven anything and Wilber primarily has been kept because of special teams.

 

[Stash]

So we've got Lee, Hitchens, Smith, Wilber and possibly Nzeocha making the roster and Wilson likely suspended.

That leaves one spot open, so why not Durant over options like Kennan Gilchrist, Joseph Jones, John Lotulelei and Lucas Wacha? And if one of them does show up, like Lotulelei seemed to during OTA practices, who's to say that we can't keep one of them over Nzeocha or Wilber at this point? Nzeocha hasn't proven anything and Wilber primarily has been kept because of special teams.

I just wonder who fills the strongside linebacker role if and when Wilson gets suspended or cut or whatever?

 

[KingintheNorth]

Giant ehh...

He's a non-factor. Would rather gamble on Daryl Washington, or give Mark Nzeocha the extra reps.

 

[ShiningStar]

wasnt Mark Nzeocha the next best thing? what happened?

 

[Tabascocat]

Yes because every single roster you make has the idea that the player will bring home a championship and will turn around the team. But please continue with this lame joke every time there is a roster move.

It is a running tradition to be the first to say it, lighten up Francis

 

[Section446]

Why not? At worst, he's a quality backup.

 

[gimmesix]

I just wonder who fills the strongside linebacker role if and when Wilson gets suspended or cut or whatever?

I think it will be the versatile Hitchens as long as Jaylon is ready to go at MLB. Of course because he is essentially a rookie, we could go the opposite way to work Jaylon into the lineup since SLB isn't on the field as much as the other two LB spots. Eventually, though, Jaylon should be the MLB, which would allow Hitchens to be moved. Considering that Hitchens was looking good in OTAs/minicamp, it's possible he was going to outplay Wilson anyway.

I think it's easy to forget in the eagerness to see what Smith can do that Hitchens was a 16-game starter last year. If Jaylon had been healthy and started last year, it wouldn't have been a surprise if Hitchens had ended up being the third starter over Wilson.

 

[Stash]

I think it will be the versatile Hitchens as long as Jaylon is ready to go at MLB. Of course because he is essentially a rookie, we could go the opposite way to work Jaylon into the lineup since SLB isn't on the field as much as the other two LB spots. Eventually, though, Jaylon should be the MLB, which would allow Hitchens to be moved. Considering that Hitchens was looking good in OTAs/minicamp, it's possible he was going to outplay Wilson anyway.

I think it's easy to forget in the eagerness to see what Smith can do that Hitchens was a 16-game starter last year. If Jaylon had been healthy and started last year, it wouldn't have been a surprise if Hitchens had ended up being the third starter over Wilson.

I agree that Hitchens is versatile, but to my knowledge, that versatility has extended only to middle and weak side linebacker.

I don't think it's as easy as saying "linebacker", we can play Hitchens there. There's are certain requirements and demands of each position, strong, weak, and middle.

 

[Idgit]

I think it will be the versatile Hitchens as long as Jaylon is ready to go at MLB. Of course because he is essentially a rookie, we could go the opposite way to work Jaylon into the lineup since SLB isn't on the field as much as the other two LB spots. Eventually, though, Jaylon should be the MLB, which would allow Hitchens to be moved. Considering that Hitchens was looking good in OTAs/minicamp, it's possible he was going to outplay Wilson anyway.

I think it's easy to forget in the eagerness to see what Smith can do that Hitchens was a 16-game starter last year.

Hitchens is a pretty good player. He's more a weakside/middle guy, though.

I agree, he's not going to give up snaps without a fight.

 

[CyberB0b]

He's a good rotational guy. I like him.

 

[gimmesix]

I agree that Hitchens is versatile, but to my knowledge, that versatility has extended only to middle and weak side linebacker.

I don't think it's as easy as saying "linebacker", we can play Hitchens there. There's are certain requirements and demands of each position, strong, weak, and middle.

When McClain was here and available to play the middle in 2015 for 11 games and Lee was playing WLB for 14 games, Hitchens receiving playing time and some starts at SLB. He also played SLB as a rookie some when Carter was injured. In fact, he played all three spots as a rookie.

 

[gimmesix]

Hitchens is a pretty good player. He's more a weakside/middle guy, though.

I agree, he's not going to give up snaps without a fight.

He's better suited for those two spots, but if Jaylon is the better option at MLB then I think it will be like it was when McClain was here, with Hitchens shifting to SLB.

 

[LocimusPrime]

He knows the system, isn't bad, won't get suspended or fined.

 

[jrumann59]

He knows the system, isn't bad, won't get suspended or fined.

but will get hurt. Which is just as bad as a suspension if not worse unless its season ender then he would go to IR. at least suspended you do not take up a roster spot.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Not sure why they sign Durant if Jaylon is expected to play.

 

[Idgit]

Not sure why they sign Durant if Jaylon is expected to play.

They must be thinking of moving Hitchens over to SAM with Wilson out, and they want coverage at WIL and MIKE. Don't love Hitchens at SAM, though. I can't imagine they'd put Jaylon there, coming off of the injury, right?