Vela's Blog - OLB Analysis

Deep_Freeze

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Woods said:
Wouldn't it be ironic that after all the various discussions on which of the 3 OLBs to draft, we end up drafting one on Day 2 instead? :laugh2:

I wouldn't be against that, just depends on who we get, lol.
 

Vintage

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Woods said:
Wouldn't it be ironic that after all the various discussions on which of the 3 OLBs to draft, we end up drafting one on Day 2 instead? :laugh2:

If Justice somehow slipped to 18, and Joseph was there in round two, and Anthony Smith in round three.

I might actually cry with rejoice.
 

Deep_Freeze

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Vintage said:
Really? Players that can cover, jam, rush the passer, take on blockers, shed blockers.......are common?

Is that why NE has such an interest in Carpenter? Because he is that common?

Not saying it is common, just saying that we can find an experienced LB via free agency that has a similar set of skills that Carpenter has. To Carpenter's credit, there are few young guys you can actually draft with his skill set though, instead of picking up a veteran.
 

Rack

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Deep_Freeze said:
Not saying it is common, just saying that we can find an experienced LB via free agency that has a similar set of skills that Carpenter has. To Carpenter's credit, there are few young guys you can actually draft with his skill set though, instead of picking up a veteran.


Name 1 OLB available in FA with those skills.


Even if you could think of one (you can't) he wouldn't have Carpenters instincts and passion for the game.


If there's anything you can find on a yearly basis it's a tweener that runs a 4.4-4.5 but has poor instincts.
 

Deep_Freeze

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Rack said:
Name 1 OLB available in FA with those skills.


Even if you could think of one (you can't) he wouldn't have Carpenters instincts and passion for the game.


If there's anything you can find on a yearly basis it's a tweener that runs a 4.4-4.5 but has poor instincts.

Well, Derek Smith is pretty good, heck we got one in Ayodele. My point is that if a guy fits your tweener with no instincts role, those are guys that are usually not signed by anyone anyway.
 

Vintage

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Deep_Freeze said:
Well, Derek Smith is pretty good, heck we got one in Ayodele. My point is that if a guy fits your tweener with no instincts role, those are guys that are usually not signed by anyone anyway.

Smith is an ILB. Secondly, Ayodele is playing ILB for us.

Carpenter can play both ILB and OLB. He has those aforementioned skills with the ability to rush the passer well.
 

Deep_Freeze

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Vintage said:
Smith is an ILB. Secondly, Ayodele is playing ILB for us.

Carpenter can play both ILB and OLB. He has those aforementioned skills with the ability to rush the passer well.

Ayodele did play on the outside though, but that's not the point. These are rookies, and it is pretty unknown what impact they will have when they actually lineup in the NFL.

I have said many times, I don't care who we draft at OLB, I was just supporting the fact that Manny could be used just as well as Carpenter, the main difference is we would have to wait a bit on Manny and use Singleton in the meantime til Manny is ready.

Carpenter will be ready sooner and presents a much more complete package up front. Manny will need some time to develop, but if given this time, he could develop into a truely freakish talent.

This team is built to win now, so we might not can wait on Manny. But that ain't my decision to make.
 

Vintage

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Deep_Freeze said:
Ayodele did play on the outside though, but that's not the point. These are rookies, and it is pretty unknown what impact they will have when they actually lineup in the NFL.

I have said many times, I don't care who we draft at OLB, I was just supporting the fact that Manny could be used just as well as Carpenter, the main difference is we would have to wait a bit on Manny and use Singleton in the meantime til Manny is ready.

Carpenter will be ready sooner and presents a much more complete package up front. Manny will need some time to develop, but if given this time, he could develop into a truely freakish talent.

This team is built to win now, so we might not can wait on Manny. But that ain't my decision to make.

He played OLB in a 4-3. Typically, that projects to an ILB in a 3-4. I agree....Manny could develop into a freak. But the key word in that sentence is "could."

Carpenter appears to be ready for day one. Ware did fine from day one. He seems to be the exception; not the norm. Just something to keep in mind, as well.
 

Deep_Freeze

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Vintage said:
He played OLB in a 4-3. Typically, that projects to an ILB in a 3-4. I agree....Manny could develop into a freak. But the key word in that sentence is "could."

Carpenter appears to be ready for day one. Ware did fine from day one. He seems to be the exception; not the norm. Just something to keep in mind, as well.

Question is, do you want to keep banging out hits or go for a homerun?

Personally, I could care less. I do know one thing, we aren't in a position to wait on someone, we need to win now, which would fit Carpenter. But does BP think he can hit a homerun with Manny? Who knows, the only thing we do know is the decision between the two (if both are available and BP chooses one) could be very telling of our direction for the future.
 

AsthmaField

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Deep_Freeze said:
Ayodele did play on the outside though, but that's not the point. These are rookies, and it is pretty unknown what impact they will have when they actually lineup in the NFL.

I have said many times, I don't care who we draft at OLB, I was just supporting the fact that Manny could be used just as well as Carpenter, the main difference is we would have to wait a bit on Manny and use Singleton in the meantime til Manny is ready.

Carpenter will be ready sooner and presents a much more complete package up front. Manny will need some time to develop, but if given this time, he could develop into a truely freakish talent.

This team is built to win now, so we might not can wait on Manny. But that ain't my decision to make.

I agree with that. I think there's a good chance that we end up with Lawson, just like I think there's a good chance we end up with Carpenter.

That's a good point that we could use Singleton (who actually was pretty stout against the run) along with Manny for much of his first season. 3rd and 14? In you go Manny. Sic'em! Second and two? Don't let 'em get it Al. I would be fine with Manny. The main reason I'd be fine with him is because if we draft him... then Parcells must like what he see's and think he'll fit our needs and use him accordingly. If they pass on him, then odds are, they feel similar to Rack.

I'd be very happy with Carpenter too... and like Rack says, people I think, are really underestimating Bobby's ability to rush the passer. He's a good one and NFC East QB's will rue the day we draft him, if we do.

But I think there's a good chance they would rue the day we drafted Manny as well. You could stick Wimbley in this conversation anywhere you wanted to also. For all we know, Bill has him ranked well ahead of both Bobby and Manny.

So, for me, it all comes down to who Parcells takes on draft day... because as far as who is the best between Lawson, Carpenter and Wimbley... I'm lost as ****. The more I look and study, the less I know who I want. Any of the three would be fine with me, just like 99% of everyone on this forum.

I'm just looking forward to having someone opposite Ware finally. Let's see offenses spend all their resources trying to stop Ware next year... Manny/Bobby/Kamerion will make them regret it. And when they decide to stop the bleeding on the strongside, Ware will be all over them.

I can't wait.
 

Sandman52

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I like the analysis that I am hearing about Lawson and Carpenter. The biggest question I have is, "is Carp's readiness for the SOLB really greater than Lawson's freak-like superstar potential?"
 

theogt

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Sandman52 said:
I like the analysis that I am hearing about Lawson and Carpenter. The biggest question I have is, "is Carp's readiness for the SOLB really greater than Lawson's freak-like superstar potential?"
The answer to that question depends on who you talk to of course. I think Carpenter's advantages are overstated and Lawson's advantages are pretty apparent. Others don't think so. Meh, it's an interesting debate nonetheless.
 

Rack

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Deep_Freeze said:
Question is, do you want to keep banging out hits or go for a homerun?


It's not possible that Carpenter can also be a homerun?



I like the analysis that I am hearing about Lawson and Carpenter. The biggest question I have is, "is Carp's readiness for the SOLB really greater than Lawson's freak-like superstar potential?"


Again, who says Carpenter can't also be a superstar?



I think Carpenter's advantages are overstated and Lawson's advantages are pretty apparent.


LMAO!



Meh, it's an interesting debate nonetheless

It would be more interesting if you actually had some knowledge to back up your claims.
 

Bizwah

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This is a good thread.

I wouldn't complain with either player, really. Ireland and Parcells will have done their research.

But it's Carpenter for my money.

I remember people touting Lawson early in the year. I did research on him. Now, I can't remember where I read this, or even where I can find it. But I heard some pretty worrisome things about Lawson.

One poster stated that he covered TEs as a LB, and covered them well. That's not what I read. I read that part of the reason he was moved to DE was because he had a difficult time in coverage. Kinda weird considering his freakish athleticism.

He also had weaknesses against the run. This is the biggest knock against him that I kept reading. He tried to run around blockers instead of taking them on, opening massive holes.

There are mixed opinions about his ability to add weight in the NFL. Some people say he has the frame to add about 20 pounds or so.....others say he doesn't.

I read that he isn't physical. That's definitely NOT what we need at any LB position.

Now, take this all with a grain of salt. These are merely things that I've read. I wouldn't be at all opposed to seeing us draft him. But I'd rather have Carpenter.

Oh, BTW......

Lawson measured out at 238 pounds on his Pro-Day....If he plays at that weight, he'll get crushed.
 

Deep_Freeze

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Sandman52 said:
I like the analysis that I am hearing about Lawson and Carpenter. The biggest question I have is, "is Carp's readiness for the SOLB really greater than Lawson's freak-like superstar potential?"

To me, it is more of what the individual team is looking for. Problem is, we need a big time pass rusher and we need someone ready to play right now, but we aren't in the position to draft AJ Hawk, lol. Both Lawson and Carpenter had dominating top 5 picks on the opposite side from them so they weren't the players receiving double teams.

Funny thing is both would contribute greatly to our team, but neither get me to the point where I wouldn't take the best player available regardless of position.
 

Rack

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theogt said:


Good to see you learning to laugh at yourself. Once you master that art, in your case, you'll be laughing 24/7.
 

Vintage

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OK.....I am ready to contribute with 100% drunkeness.


Anyways, Carpenter is the perfect fit for us at SOLB for the reasons I continually mention. He can jam, cover, take on blockers, shed blockers, has good size and speed, and is an all around player able to play ILB and SOLB.

Lawson is a pass rusher who would fit in best at WOLB.

Ware plays WOLB.

Again, unless we plan on mobing Ware to SOLB, Carpenter is the perfect fit.

He can contribute from day one and will continue to get better.
 
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