Thoughts on Bradie James?

[Rack]

According to the messageboards he's a huge liability in coverage, but according to the two NFL HCs who have over 60 years combined coaching LBs in the NFL, he's good enough to play in nickel.

Makes one wonder.

Anyone with at least half a brain can see he sucks in coverage.


He's in the nickel cuz of his ability to get to the QB.



Seriously, I wanna see someone try and say he's good in coverage and back it up with more then "Well the coach has him on nickel so he must be good in coverage".


Once upon a time Julius Jones was starting ahead of Marion Barber... a coaches decision.

 

[ethiostar]

I though Bradie had an outstanding year, it wasn't flawless but he had a great year. He led the team in tackles (solo, assists and total) tied 2nd in sacks (only ware has more), caused 3 fumbles (again, only Ware has more with 6). He still leaves something left to be desired as far as coverage but most LBs do.

Compared with other players in the league playing ILB; he is 6th in tot, 7th in solo tckl and 1st in sacks.

FYI.....Here is a comparision of stats for Bradie and arguabley the best ILB in the game right now. Of course, it goes without saying that there is more Ray brings to the table outside of numbers.

According to NFL.com
.......................Total...Solo...Asst...Sck
Ray Lewis.......... 117.... 85.....32.....3.5
Bradie James...... 116.... 80.....36.....8.0


Bradie is a very solid player!

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Overrated by whom?

Overrated, to me, implies that he's considered more than just a solid player.

Most tend to think he's a solid player. Do you think he plays less than solid based on what he's asked to do?

He is serviceable.

My problem with Bradie is:
He thinks he is a Pro Bowler and a leader on this team. Neither of which is true.

 

[ENGCowboy]

Bradie is a perfect example of what Roy Williams SS should be, a solid NFL vet getting paid mid range vet starter money. Knows his role and does what hes asked. I love the guys attitude and work rate - the grass is always greener on the otherside until you get there

 

[dbair1967]

Bradie James:

Over rated
One of our many players who needs to shut up

how is he overrated? nobody ever proclaims he is a superstar or even a dominant player...most of the level headed people see him for what he is...hard working guy who made alot of plays this yr, especially the 2nd half of the season...plays with some emotion...he was a 4th rd pick who has turned into a good player...other than Ware, Ratliff and Newman he was by far the best player on our defense this yr

 

[dbair1967]

He is serviceable.

My problem with Bradie is:
He thinks he is a Pro Bowler and a leader on this team. Neither of which is true.

huh?

as for the probowl comment, when has he ever acted like he was better than he is...he did however deserve to be in the probowl this yr, w/o a doubt

 

[WoodysGirl]

He is serviceable.

My problem with Bradie is:
He thinks he is a Pro Bowler and a leader on this team. Neither of which is true.

The team votes him as a leader, so there's no question why he's viewed as one.

 

[MONT17]

Brady James is a joke... he got mad at the media because the Cowboys almost lost to the Bengals b4 they lost to the Rams!

 

[BAT]

Anyone with at least half a brain can see he sucks in coverage.


He's in the nickel cuz of his ability to get to the QB.
Seriously, I wanna see someone try and say he's good in coverage and back it up with more then "Well the coach has him on nickel so he must be good in coverage".


Once upon a time Julius Jones was starting ahead of Marion Barber... a coaches decision.

BULLSEYE! James is most effective rushing the passer from his nickel LB spot. The problem is two-fold, James is a liability in coverage PLUS when he rushes the passer Ware becomes responsible for covering the backs. Having Ware cover James' deficiencies is not maximizing Ware's strengths.


And anyone who thinks that James is NOT a liability in coverage is completely BLIND.

 

[bbgun]

I was very happy with his play. He's not a complete linebacker, and he'll always have problems defending those ten-yard crossing routes by the TE and RB, but he's come a long way since that radio show scolding by Jon Kitna.

http://img504.*************/img504/7356/ch21sundec72008064525pmqt2.jpg

 

[BAT]

I though Bradie had an outstanding year, it wasn't flawless but he had a great year. He led the team in tackles (solo, assists and total) tied 2nd in sacks (only ware has more), caused 3 fumbles (again, only Ware has more with 6). He still leaves something left to be desired as far as coverage but most LBs do.

Compared with other players in the league playing ILB; he is 6th in tot, 7th in solo tckl and 1st in sacks.

FYI.....Here is a comparision of stats for Bradie and arguabley the best ILB in the game right now. Of course, it goes without saying that there is more Ray brings to the table outside of numbers.

According to NFL.com
.......................Total...Solo...Asst...Sck
Ray Lewis.......... 117.... 85.....32.....3.5
Bradie James...... 116.... 80.....36.....8.0


Bradie is a very solid player!

No one is saying that James is NOT a solid player. He did have his best year EVER this past season, primarily due to Wade leting him pass rush out of the 4-6 (Bear, Bum, whatever you want to call it) front.


But you cannot seriously be comparing him to Ray Lewis, even in Lewis' advanced age his numbers are nearly identical to James BEST EVER (near pro-bowl) season. And do not even try to compare the intangibles. Ray Lewis is a true leader, motivator and ALL PRO, every one of his teammates and coaches swear by the guy.


Lewis does not cry about pro bowls, he wants SUPER bowls. He has always been about winning, not excuse making.

 

[Macnalty]

Bradie is a perfect example of what Roy Williams SS should be, a solid NFL vet getting paid mid range vet starter money. Knows his role and does what hes asked. I love the guys attitude and work rate - the grass is always greener on the other side until you get there

Well said my friend, good to hear you on the zone, I am from Birkenhead living in Big D, sorry to hear about your weather this year. Back to Bradie, I thought this was an outstanding year for him, expectations are not for the pro bowl with this guy. Move your magnifying glass to another position.

 

[jobberone]

I'd like to have a run stopper who can cover as well. Those are hard to find anymore. The league has changed since the days of Chuck Howley. And I think Ray and James play the same roles. I'd like to have a Burnett that can run stop. Again hard to get.

Don't underestimate Bradie. But he's not all pro either.

 

[TNCowboy]

FYI, James will be on ESPN radio in 10 minutes.

James is a vastly improved player, but he isn't in the same league with Lewis. Stats - especially tackles - rarely tell the story of a LBer.

 

[ethiostar]

No one is saying that James is NOT a solid player.

And noone is saying he is an all world either.

He did have his best year EVER this past season, primarily due to Wade leting him pass rush out of the 4-6(Bear, Bum, whatever you want to call it) front.

Since he plays in Wade's system i would consider that a good thing.

But you cannot seriously be comparing him to Ray Lewis, even in Lewis' advanced age his numbers are nearly identical to James BEST EVER (near pro-bowl) season. And do not even try to compare the intangibles. Ray Lewis is a true leader, motivator and ALL PRO, every one of his teammates and coaches swear by the guy.

If i was choosing between the two of them, of course i would take Lewis. That goes without saying. I merely posted the stats to show he compares to one of the best in the game. I also provided some stats to show where he ranks among other ILB's in the league. and clearly he fairs well among his peers.

As for the intangibles, i pretty much said the same thing in the first post, if you care to go back and read it closely.

Lewis does not cry about pro bowls, he wants SUPER bowls. He has always been about winning, not excuse making.

I've heard once, this year, about Bradie being miffed about not being a pro bowler. I might be wrong. Personally, his play this year was deserving of a consideration.

Again, as for Lewis, you're preaching to the choir. I don't think there is one poster in this forum who doesn't think very highly of him.

 

[BAT]

And noone is saying he is an all world either.

Actually, James thinks he is. He cried about not getting in the pro bowl this season (which he was deserving) AND last season too (not deserving).

Since he plays in Wade's system i would consider that a good thing.

Absolutely. But Wade's system inflates a specific set stats. Your stats did not show TFLs, INTs or pass deflections. Other than sacks (blew up toward the end of the year), Bradie James does not make a lot of big plays, or prevent big plays.

If i was choosing between the two of them, of course i would take Lewis. That goes without saying. I merely posted the stats to show he compares to one of the best in the game. I also provided some stats to show where he ranks among other ILB's in the league. and clearly he fairs well among his peers.

As for the intangibles, i pretty much said the same thing in the first post, if you care to go back and read it closely.

Hey I agree, James had his best year ever in 2008. Not sure if it is a breakout year or an anomaly though. While I liked what he did this year, I cannot stand him as a leader/motivator/intimidator, or team spokesman.

I've heard once, this year, about Bradie being miffed about not being a pro bowler. I might be wrong. Personally, his play this year was deserving of a consideration.

Again, as for Lewis, you're preaching to the choir. I don't think there is one poster in this forum who doesn't think very highly of him.

Like I stated above, James has whined about not getting enough accolades in the past. Then he talks out of the other side of his mouth saying that there are too many guys who think they are superstars on the team. He also contradicts himself constantly, making excuses for his teams poor play or calling out teammates for not being team players.

Not to mention how easy he is to get soundbites from, Werder bragged that all he had to do was compliment James and then give him a leading question and he spilled like he was injected w/truth serum.

Not trying to be confrontational, I agree that James had a great year, just have a lot of concern for his ability to lead the team to any postseason consistency, let alone championships. James has been the ad hoc D leader the last 4 seasons, and the D has completely unravelled in crucial situations in December and January.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Actually, James thinks he is. He cried about not getting in the pro bowl this season (which he was deserving) AND last season too (not deserving).

To be fair, James hasn't actually cried about it. It's been reported that he was miffed, but otherwise, there are no actual quotes by him suggesting he was robbed.

His teammates were pretty vocal about it this year, tho.

 

[Chuck 54]

Brady James is one of the stalwarts of our defense. I'm all in favor of bringing in an even bigger, better, badder ILB...we do use two, you know. But no way in the world would I be thinking about getting rid of him.

 

[BAT]

To be fair, James hasn't actually cried about it. It's been reported that he was miffed, but otherwise, there are no actual quotes by him suggesting he was robbed.

His teammates were pretty vocal about it this year, tho.

He was "miffed" this year, and rightfully so, but he definitely "cried" about it last year.

 

[khiladi]

The fact is right now it appears Phillips will remain as HC, and if so in control of the defense. Hence James is a quality fit here and played at a high level the 2nd half of this season.


Even if another coach were to come in, if we continue to employ the 3-4 what James does well is very obvious from looking at tape. I have a hard time believing they'd totally change what we are doing.

James was absolutely horrible in Parcell's version of the 3-4... He wasn't that good when Brian Stewart was coaching it as well... Wade knows how to hide a player's deficiencies...