Sign Robert Mathis for OLB?

[tm1119]

I havent seen this thrown around yet.

Hes been a very consistent sack artist as a very undersized(6'2 245) 4-3 DE. Anybody else think he could make a very good situational pass rusher as a an OLB in the 3-4 scheme? Now that hes on the wrong side of 30 I can see the rebuilding Colts letting him walk. I would definitely take a shot on him believing that he can get 10+ sacks as just a pass rusher. Butler would have to step up and play a bit more because of Mathis' limitations in a new scheme but I still think it wold work out well.

 

[supercowboy8]

sign a veteran undersized career long 4-3 DE to play 3-4 SOLB that is coming from a team that is going to let him walk because they are switching to the 3-4 and doesn't feel he can play the position.

Ah, no thanks.

He has never stood up and played PB, weak vs the run, and has never dropped back to cover.


People need to understand 3-4 SOLB does alot more than just rush the passer.

 

[Tobal]

I've said it before I'd approach him and see the interest level, he's a pressure players and thats what many of us feel we need.

 

[tm1119]

sign a veteran undersized career long 4-3 DE to play 3-4 SOLB that is coming from a team that is going to let him walk because they are switching to the 3-4 and doesn't feel he can play the position.

Ah, no thanks.

He has never stood up and played PB, weak vs the run, and has never dropped back to cover.


People need to understand 3-4 SOLB does alot more than just rush the passer.

Note I said Butler would have to play more and Mathis would be situational. What Im saying is that he would make a good investment(assuming he doesnt get big $) to get after the QB 25-30 snaps a game in during passing situations. He would be the pass rusher on the other side of Ware that we've been missing .

 

[jobberone]

You don't sign aging vets to play a previously unplayed position like 4-3 DE to 3-4 SOLB. You sign a project you can easily afford or even place on the PS for that sort of thing. Even if he could drop into coverage I suspect he couldn't hold up against the run well.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

He's a defensive end not an outside linebacker.

 

[supercowboy8]

Note I said Butler would have to play more and Mathis would be situational. What Im saying is that he would make a good investment(assuming he doesnt get big $) to get after the QB 25-30 snaps a game in during passing situations. He would be the pass rusher on the other side of Ware that we've been missing .

No I saw that but I still don't like the Idea of Butler playing SOLB when he can't cover or stuff the run either.

I would rather over pay to bring Spencer back than have Butler and over pay for Mathis both give up big running plays and let TEs catch a ton of footballs every game.

 

[blackbull]

Position doesn't matter in football. Either you can play or you can't play.

 

[gimmesix]

Although I agree with a lot that has been said in this thread, at this point I'm for getting pressure people and figuring out how to make them work in the lineup. (For example, using more of the 5-2 front.)

The problem with this defense has been overvaluing a lot of the players that are on it. I'm for getting a proven pass rusher rather than doing that again, provided Mathis will not cost too much since he's on the wrong side of 30.

Now, I'm only saying Mathis should be an option if available. Any proven pass rusher needs to be an option rather than putting out the same old same old we've seen the past few years where Ware is the only one who can consistently pressure the passer.

 

[blackbull]

Championship experience has to mean something, right?

 

[Future]

our OLBs rush the passer from the hand-on-the-ground position all the time. For a reasonable deal, I'd be all over mathis. If he's weak against the run, so be it, but he would be a great addition in nickel situations...which we run over 60% of the time.

 

[jobberone]

You must be able to drop in coverage as a LB. While I can't say Mathis can't do that I suspect he wouldn't be great at it. Why would you sign an aging vet to an at least decent sized contract to play a position he's never played before. Experiment with a draftee if you must or just get someone who has played the position before.

 

[BAT]

You must be able to drop in coverage as a LB. While I can't say Mathis can't do that I suspect he wouldn't be great at it. Why would you sign an aging vet to an at least decent sized contract to play a position he's never played before. Experiment with a draftee if you must or just get someone who has played the position before.

Mathis set the edge on the strongside as a 4-3 DE with the Colts. He could do the same as a 3-4 SOLB. Mathis is a proven pressure player and he can hold his own agains the run.

The bigger question is can he cover. He is more athletic than Spencer and Greg Ellis. So if those guys could do it, why do people doubt the more athletic player like Mathis?

And for an older player, he still racks up more sacks than the younger potential-filled Anthony Spencer. For his career, he's only had ONE season with less than 7 sacks. And 7 sacks was his second worst sack season. 7 sacks would be Spencer's career high. Like Jason Babin, Mathis is still playing at his peak - averaging 10 sacks his last 4 seasons.

Another more athletic, more productive and younger option is Cliff Avril. Like Mathis, he is a legit pass rusher who's arrow is pointing UP instead of side ways.

 

[jswalker1981]

Mathis set the edge on the strongside as a 4-3 DE with the Colts. He could do the same as a 3-4 SOLB. Mathis is a proven pressure player and he can hold his own agains the run.

The bigger question is can he cover. He is more athletic than Spencer and Greg Ellis. So if those guys could do it, why do people doubt the more athletic player like Mathis?

And for an older player, he still racks up more sacks than the younger potential-filled Anthony Spencer. For his career, he's only had ONE season with less than 7 sacks. And 7 sacks was his second worst sack season. 7 sacks would be Spencer's career high. Like Jason Babin, Mathis is still playing at his peak - averaging 10 sacks his last 4 seasons.

Another more athletic, more productive and younger option is Cliff Avril. Like Mathis, he is a legit pass rusher who's arrow is pointing UP instead of side ways.

This. On both Mathis and Avril.

 

[jazzcat22]

No Thanks, yet another post of an aging player, undersize, and project to be a situational player, yet hindering the progress of drat picks. Then when these draft picks are realease, we complain of bad drafting as they go on to be stars for other teams.....that equates to more losing IMO.

This is what mid to late round draft picks and / or undrafted FA's are for. And because they are YOUNG, it's the hope they can develop into a valuable starter, in return, having a good draft in the eyes of fans and media idiots.

Therfore, the team goes on the win playoff games, and when a team wins playoff games, they go on to win SB's......don't let your team be a victim of signing older undersize situational players.....

Hmmmm....kind of sounds like a DTV commercial....:laugh2:

 

[Eskimo]

I'd sign him as a vet DE pass rush specialist but I don't think he should be the OLB starter in the base defense. As teams play 3-WR sets more and more as the base defense we play the nickel more and more. I think over 60% of our defensive snaps last year were in the nickel alignment.

I do think we need to be careful about overpaying. I'd give him 3 years at $6M/yr with 4.5M guaranteed with perhaps a nonsense fourth of fifth year that we never intend for him to play to spread out the signing bonus if need be.

He is still a very good pressure player and could be the complement to Ware that we have been looking for since Ellis left.

 

[Sarge]

Position doesn't matter in football. Either you can play or you can't play.

 

[NeonDeion21]

I'd sign him as a vet DE pass rush specialist but I don't think he should be the OLB starter in the base defense. As teams play 3-WR sets more and more as the base defense we play the nickel more and more. I think over 60% of our defensive snaps last year were in the nickel alignment.

I do think we need to be careful about overpaying. I'd give him 3 years at $6M/yr with 4.5M guaranteed with perhaps a nonsense fourth of fifth year that we never intend for him to play to spread out the signing bonus if need be.

He is still a very good pressure player and could be the complement to Ware that we have been looking for since Ellis left.

I agree with this. Bring him in on 3rd downs and obvious passing situations. Will he want to come here to do that? I doubt it. I am sure he will get offers to start somewhere. But I like this idea.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Position doesn't matter in football. Either you can play or you can't play.

:laugh2:

 

[Risen Star]

Position doesn't matter in football. Either you can play or you can't play.

Tell that to Hugh Douglas. A stiff in a 3-4, a stud in a 4-3.