Starting LB's this year

[MinnesotaCowboy]

I think I could live with Brady, Fowler, Fujita, Ware and Shanle w/Shanle coming in on passing downs for Fowler. I don't think Dat will play again. If we could get someone like Carpenter in the draft he may replace one of the above. Also Burnette may show enough improvement to creep in to the starting lineup. And like some I think Thornton could be a terror this year. I believe I am one of the few who likes Fujita since I haven't seen his name much (or any in this post). He would have to be resigned as he had a one yr. contract.

 

[Clove]

Problem is that the Oline is a huge glaring weakness. RT and C are our biggest needs. If the Boys are are able to land both Bentley and Barry in FA, then I wouldn't mind taken Lawson at 18. He is worth the pick, but we have other glaring needsright now. I don't know if we have a real shot at Bentely as he might draw the franchise tag. I wouldn't mind spending on Fonotui either. He could easily take over for LA and BP could make him loose weight. Fonutui and Mike Williams have serious weight issues. They both need to start getting in shape so that by July they can both cut about 20-30lbs. Williams is another possibility as he might be a salary cap cut.

No way did I say pick up Lawson in the 1st round. I said in the 3rd round - He should be there.

 

[neosapien23]

I think I could live with Brady, Fowler, Fujita, Ware and Shanle w/Shanle coming in on passing downs for Fowler. I don't think Dat will play again. If we could get someone like Carpenter in the draft he may replace one of the above. Also Burnette may show enough improvement to creep in to the starting lineup. And like some I think Thornton could be a terror this year. I believe I am one of the few who likes Fujita since I haven't seen his name much (or any in this post). He would have to be resigned as he had a one yr. contract.

I don't know how fast Thornton is. I looked up his 40 yard dash and could only get his pro day work out which had him timed at 4.82 which isn't very fast for a dude that only weighs 240 lbs. If he ran a 4.5 low 4.6 at the combine, I wouldn't mind him starting. I don't know if he will have Lawson speed though. As for Burnett, he better step up. We need him in the inside and gave up a high number 2 to get him.

 

[neosapien23]

No way did I say pick up Lawson in the 1st round. I said in the 3rd round - He should be there.

Dude, Lawson will be the one of the first DEs taken in the draft. He is way too fast not to be. People thought Ware would be a late 2nd pick until the combine. I could see him having a freakish workout. The dude is like 6'6" weighs 250lbs and runs a 4.43, a team will fall in love with him. I don't even know if he will be there at 18. A player rises and falls at the combine.

 

[Rush 2112]

Size is obviously not an issue. You are not alone listening to all the PC's. We need playmakers.

He took an ILB in Banks and moved him outside. Go figure.

Howard can play in this scheme just fine. Lawson also a thought.

If size isn't an issue why would the man mention on so many occassions?

BP doesn't impress me as someone who has diarhea of the mouth.

 

[Nors]

For all the Howard/size doubters. Porter was 242 out of college and is a stud 3-4 OLB......





OLB-DE JOEY PORTER
(6-2 1/4, 242, 4.65) Colorado State
Notes: Played H-back in 1995 and ’96. Played 11 games and started one in ’95, catching four passes for 45 yards and zero touchdowns. Caught 9-165-0 in ’96, when he started the season opener. Moved to defensive end in ’97 and, although he started only two games, had 35 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Started all but one game in ’98 and had 53 tackles, 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage on running plays and 15 sacks. Also picked off a pass and was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division selection.
Positives: Very good athletic ability and speed for a defensive end. Can get up the field quickly and win a footrace to the outside. Covers a lot of ground and has very good chase-down speed. Has quick hands and quick feet. Has been a good special-team player. Is getting bigger and better.

Negatives: A tweener who is small for a down end and a projection at linebacker. Lacks experience on defense. Slow to find the ball at times. Struggles to come off blocks. Gets outsized a lot. Does not have the frame to get much bigger.

Summary: Porter is physically best-suited for outside linebacker if a team will be very patient with him, or else he’ll be a third-down pass rusher and special-team player who might develop into something more than that.

 

[neosapien23]

Howard would be a good 2nd-3rd pick. He can still put on 10lbs because of his relative youth. I wouldn't use a 1st on him though.

 

[blindzebra]

i love the bz well not thought out blanket statements.

The "he sucks" comment!

Now back to reality......

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=F1376BA0-F0A6-165F-56F7E3C6D715B0F3

Short Shots

Petitti and Sean Ryan (foot) rode stationary bikes on the sideline during practice. Ryan is expected to miss 4-5 weeks with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot . . . Parcells said he is impressed with linebacker Scott Shanle, who started the final three games of 2004 at strong-side linebacker in place of Al Singleton (abdominal/groin) and currently is playing behind Dat Nguyen at the Jack linebacker spot weak side) inside. Parcells said Shanle is better in pass coverage than Bradie James, who is working with the first team at the Mike linebacker spot . .


SCOUTING
LINEBACKER SCOTT SHANLE
Year: Third
What you need to know: At first glance, Shanle seems to be in a bad spot. He is behind Dat Nguyen on the depth chart as the weakside inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. But Shanle, who was one of coach Bill Parcells' projects from last season, is obviously doing something right. The coaches rave about him.
"I think Shanle is doing very well," Parcells said. "I like him as a player. He makes plays in the game. He can run. I like him."
Shanle likely will be utilized in nickel situations because he is a better pass defender than Bradie James, who is currently the starter at the strongside inside linebacker, and some of the other young players in training camp.
Parcells said a big factor in determining which linebackers he will keep is what players can not do. The best-case scenario is finding a group of linebackers who are good defenders, good pass defenders and good special-teams players.
These players are also called "starters."
The linebackers who will be backing them up are the ones who can do one or two of those roles really well and are not a liability in the other. Which is a big reason why the coaches are high on Shanle.
He has quickness, he is pretty good in coverage, and he showed some aptitude at getting to the quarterback last season.

James sucks in coverage too, so what's the point?

Oh, that's right, you never have one.

Shanle was awful the second half of the year, his playing time went down after the PHI #2 debacle, and Fowler started over him at the end of the season. Which was interesting since we were short at LB as it was.

Shanle will be lucky to make the 53 man roster next season.

 

[Rush 2112]

4-3 DE in college vs 4-3 OLB who is use to hiding behind 4 down lineman.

You're got him at 240, I've got him at 230.

As I've said before he shows up more than 240, runs sub 4.5 and lifts 20-25 reps I'm interested in 2.

Dad played for us.

 

[Nors]

James sucks in coverage too, so what's the point?

Oh, that's right, you never have one.

Shanle was awful the second half of the year, his playing time went down after the PHI #2 debacle, and Fowler started over him at the end of the season. Which was interesting since we were short at LB as it was.

Shanle will be lucky to make the 53 man roster next season.

BZ - Bla Bla - Every year you say Shanle sucks and what happens - he starts most of the season! Starting Nickel. You wouldn't know what coverage was if it hit you in the ***. Parcells forgot more football than you ever knew.

Same bla bla bla every year on Henson a stud and Romo sucks. Good news is late at night when you are dazed and bemused - you can soon watch Henson playing in NFLe! If he wins the job in camp.

 

[Nors]

4-3 DE in college vs 4-3 OLB who is use to hiding behind 4 down lineman.

You're got him at 240, I've got him at 230.

As I've said before he shows up more than 240, runs sub 4.5 and lifts 20-25 reps I'm interested in 2.

Dad played for us.

Dad played for KC too. All references I have show him at 240. Porter was 242. Burnett was 236 and BP drafted him.

He's going to run sub 4.5 and put on a measurable show. Is the Senior Bowl roster out yet? I'd like to see him like Ware last year show his stuff against top talent....thats bigger to me.

Boley, Bouleware, Suggs - too much emphasis on size sometimes. DJ Williams, Tatufu, Vilma, Thurmond all were perceived "too small".....

 

[blindzebra]

BZ - Bla Bla - Every year you say Shanle sucks and what happens - he starts most of the season! Starting Nickel. You wouldn't know what coverage was if it hit you in the ***. Parcells forgot more football than you ever knew.

Same bla bla bla every year on Henson a stud and Romo sucks. Good news is late at night when you are dazed and bemused - you can soon watch Henson playing in NFLe! If he wins the job in camp.

Every year?

What year did Shanle start again before this year when it took an career ending injury to Dat?

*** does Henson and Romo have to do with next years LBs?

A new low...or should that be high...on the utter nonsense scale.

That part I put in bold also reeks of an insult, you might want to be careful.

 

[Rush 2112]

Dad played for KC too. All references I have show him at 240. Porter was 242. Burnett was 236 and BP drafted him.

He's going to run sub 4.5 and put on a measurable show. Is the Senior Bowl roster out yet? I'd like to see him like Ware last year show his stuff against top talent....thats bigger to me.

Boley, Bouleware, Suggs - too much emphasis on size sometimes. DJ Williams, Tatufu, Vilma, Thurmond all were perceived "too small".....

Which Bouleware?

Note to self:

All those LB's hid behind four DL in college and are doing it now in the Pros except for the one guy who was a college DE (Suggs).

Donnie Edwards is an exception not the norm in a 3-4.

I believe BP is far more likely to build the 3-4 LB corp to mirror what he did in NE.

250+ across the board (or close to it) with McGinest going 270.

In a draft rich with big LB's I think Howard would be low on the totem pole.

Again, the only site I think is worth anything has him at 230.

Shows up just as athletic at 245 and plays well at Senior Bowl and I change my tune somewhat.

Senior Bowl rosters are only partial at this point. QB's and ACC players have been announced. Full rosters come out on Sunday.

 

[junk]

i love the bz well not thought out blanket statements.

The "he sucks" comment!

Now back to reality......

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=F1376BA0-F0A6-165F-56F7E3C6D715B0F3

Short Shots

Petitti and Sean Ryan (foot) rode stationary bikes on the sideline during practice. Ryan is expected to miss 4-5 weeks with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot . . . Parcells said he is impressed with linebacker Scott Shanle, who started the final three games of 2004 at strong-side linebacker in place of Al Singleton (abdominal/groin) and currently is playing behind Dat Nguyen at the Jack linebacker spot weak side) inside. Parcells said Shanle is better in pass coverage than Bradie James, who is working with the first team at the Mike linebacker spot . .


SCOUTING
LINEBACKER SCOTT SHANLE
Year: Third
What you need to know: At first glance, Shanle seems to be in a bad spot. He is behind Dat Nguyen on the depth chart as the weakside inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. But Shanle, who was one of coach Bill Parcells' projects from last season, is obviously doing something right. The coaches rave about him.
"I think Shanle is doing very well," Parcells said. "I like him as a player. He makes plays in the game. He can run. I like him."
Shanle likely will be utilized in nickel situations because he is a better pass defender than Bradie James, who is currently the starter at the strongside inside linebacker, and some of the other young players in training camp.
Parcells said a big factor in determining which linebackers he will keep is what players can not do. The best-case scenario is finding a group of linebackers who are good defenders, good pass defenders and good special-teams players.
These players are also called "starters."
The linebackers who will be backing them up are the ones who can do one or two of those roles really well and are not a liability in the other. Which is a big reason why the coaches are high on Shanle.
He has quickness, he is pretty good in coverage, and he showed some aptitude at getting to the quarterback last season.

Well, being better than James isn't exactly a glowing endorsement.

However, having said that, I really like Shanle as a nickel backer. Looked good in that role early, but when he was forced to play full time, he started to struggle and stopped making plays even in the nickel. Of course, there might have been one other factor there too....

 

[Nors]

Which Bouleware?

Note to self:

All those LB's hid behind four DL in college and are doing it now in the Pros except for the one guy who was a college DE (Suggs).

Donnie Edwards is an exception not the norm in a 3-4.

I believe BP is far more likely to build the 3-4 LB corp to mirror what he did in NE.

250+ across the board (or close to it) with McGinest going 270.

In a draft rich with big LB's I think Howard would be low on the totem pole.

Again, the only site I think is worth anything has him at 230.

Shows up just as athletic at 245 and plays well at Senior Bowl and I change my tune somewhat.

Senior Bowl rosters are only partial at this point. QB's and ACC players have been announced. Full rosters come out on Sunday.

Good stuff, thanks

 

[junk]

I think it's important to have people like Lawson who can seriously get after the QB like Ware.

Can you imagine having Ware and Lawson opposite lining up in a standup rushing position in a 3-4 not knowing which guy (if not both) is coming. They could do just like the Steelers, and have Ware or Lawson come to the middle of the line, to add a threat of a blitz thru the middle.

These 2 with addition of a huge DT and RW close to the line of scrimmage would be an absolute mad-house defense. Also, Lawson is faster than Ware and more agile, so you can't stand him up if you're a tight end, he can cover anyone (except receivers deep, but receivers within 10 yards). No running back or TE or FB or QB will outrun this cat.

The best news is, you can get him in the 3rd, since he's only built to play in a 3-4 as an OLB. He's way too small at 6'5 248 to play an every down DE in a 4-3, and would absolutely be wasted as an OLB in a 4-3. Only 8 teams are playing the 3-4 including us, and most are looking at other needs and the others are already set in that position.

I also would like a guy that is stout against the run and good in pass coverage as well as adding some pass rush. There's more to covering someone than pure speed. Ask B.J. Tucker.

Agreed, however, that an OLB upgrade is needed.

 

[junk]

Size is obviously not an issue. You are not alone listening to all the PC's. We need playmakers.

He took an ILB in Banks and moved him outside. Go figure.

Howard can play in this scheme just fine. Lawson also a thought.

Now size isn't an issue?

You sure change your mind to fit whatever you are trying to say on any particular day.

 

[Rush 2112]

I also would like a guy that is stout against the run and good in pass coverage as well as adding some pass rush. There's more to covering someone than pure speed. Ask B.J. Tucker.
Agreed, however, that an OLB upgrade is needed.

Ouch. That's not right.

 

[Nors]

Ouch. That's not right.

For every fast CB that does not make it in the NFL

There are 5,000 slow CB's that never get a shot at NFL

 

[Nors]

Now size isn't an issue?

You sure change your mind to fit whatever you are trying to say on any particular day.

I don't see a 6-3 240 pound 22 year old LB as small. Sorry.
Especially with 4.4 speed and edge rush skills.....

See 6-2 242 Porter out of college.