We could have a "Double Boilermaker" on our hands.

[Doomsdayblitz]

Not many people know just how good a pass rusher & just plain penetrating pain in the butt Akin Ayodele was to offenses when he played his college ball at Purdue. As a Buckeye fan, I remember him all too well.

In fact, if you go by stats alone, Ayodele was even more of a terror to offenses than his fellow alum, Anthony Spencer. In his 3 yrs. as a starter, Ayodele had 191 tackles, 53 TFLs, and 28 sacks. His rookie counterpart, Spencer, in 3 yrs. as a starter, had 149 tackles, 44 TFLs, and 21 sacks.

Going by those figures, I would say 'ole Akin was at least as good getting into the opponents' backfield as Spencer was. Now that we have them both together, it should prove to be some exciting times at Cowboy's games. I just hope Wade Phillips & Co. take advantage of Ayodele's rush ability & team him up with Spencer. Man, just think, "Double Boilermaker" just might become the name of one of our blitz packages. We could have the QBs in the NFC East seeing double.

 

[BouncingCheese]

I think Akin is a better ILB working the run than as a pass-rusher; I mean, he wasn't exactly a world-beater in terms of getting sacks in Jacksonville, despite teams worrying about and double-teaming John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, as well as worrying about Paul Spicer...Akin was still never able to get many sacks.

Maybe Akin moves over to OLB this season while Burnett or Carp takes over for the ILB spot opposite James, or maybe Burnett and Carp take the ILB spots, all while Spencer is groomed for the OLB spot opposite Ware next year.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

We do have a termendous amount of talent at LB

 

[tomson75]

I see Akin and Carpenter in a very similar mold. Both players are a tad bit small to be full-time pass rushers in the NFL, but both have experience at doing so in college. I like the versatility these two bring to the linebacking corps. These two lined up in the middle, along with an increased use of stunts, is a good thing.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I see Akin and Carpenter in a very similar mold. Both players are a tad mit small to be full-time pass rushers in the NFL

I think that's the difference. Spencer is a solid 260+, while Akin struggled (per Parcells) to keep his weight up to 245 or so.

But maybe Akin can rush in some special packages. The great thing is, Wade blitzes his ILBs a lot, which should be good for him and Carpenter.

 

[tomson75]

I think that's the difference. Spencer is a solid 260+, while Akin struggled (per Parcells) to keep his weight up to 245 or so.

But maybe Akin can rush in some special packages. The great thing is, Wade blitzes his ILBs a lot, which should be good for him and Carpenter.

I agree.

It's gonna be one hell of a dogfight in camp this year. I think, regardless of the fact that I would really like to see Carp and Spencer EARN starting roles, that whomever does win these postions at linebacker...that we will have improved markedly at the postion. We've got some serious depth there now.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

I think that's the difference. Spencer is a solid 260+, while Akin struggled (per Parcells) to keep his weight up to 245 or so.

But maybe Akin can rush in some special packages. The great thing is, Wade blitzes his ILBs a lot, which should be good for him and Carpenter.

Akin is listed in PFW's 2002 Draft Guide as 6-2, 258. That's not a whole lot smaller than Spencer. If he played near 260 in college, I can't see why he would have trouble keeping on 245. On the DC.com official site, they have him at 6-2, 250. Kamerion Wimbley is 6-3, 245, & he seemed to do all right rushing the passer in the Browns' 3-4 defense last year. Even in the PFW summary, it says: "Best suited to be a pass-rushing LB in a Steelers-type 3-4 scheme.." The Steelers have an attacking 3-4 scheme similar to the one that Phillips runs.

As far as Jacksonville, I just don't think they used him right. Just look at Mike Vrabel. The Steelers didn't know how to best utilize his skills. It wasn't until he went to NE that he was used to the best of his ability. I look for Wade to come up with ways to use Ayodele for more than a MLB.

 

[Rack]

I think Akin is a better ILB working the run than as a pass-rusher; I mean, he wasn't exactly a world-beater in terms of getting sacks in Jacksonville, despite teams worrying about and double-teaming John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, as well as worrying about Paul Spicer...Akin was still never able to get many sacks.

Maybe Akin moves over to OLB this season while Burnett or Carp takes over for the ILB spot opposite James, or maybe Burnett and Carp take the ILB spots, all while Spencer is groomed for the OLB spot opposite Ware next year.

You do know you can rush the passer from the ILB spot, right?

You don't HAVE to line up at OLB to blitz.

 

[Doctor32]

Akin is listed in PFW's 2002 Draft Guide as 6-2, 258. That's not a whole lot smaller than Spencer. If he played near 260 in college, I can't see why he would have trouble keeping on 245. On the DC.com official site, they have him at 6-2, 250. Kamerion Wimbley is 6-3, 245, & he seemed to do all right rushing the passer in the Browns' 3-4 defense last year. Even in the PFW summary, it says: "Best suited to be a pass-rushing LB in a Steelers-type 3-4 scheme.." The Steelers have an attacking 3-4 scheme similar to the one that Phillips runs.

As far as Jacksonville, I just don't think they used him right. Just look at Mike Vrabel. The Steelers didn't know how to best utilize his skills. It wasn't until he went to NE that he was used to the best of his ability. I look for Wade to come up with ways to use Ayodele for more than a MLB.

Now that's a post. Nice job.
Negative or positive, this is an astute opinion based on research, facts and solid numbers - not some Monday Morning, Belly-Aching Knee Jerk rant.

Nicely done, and by the way - I agree. Carp could see more inside time to free up Akin to rotate outside as well. The Linebacking corps in '07 will be multi-faceted. Should be fun.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I think that's the difference. Spencer is a solid 260+, while Akin struggled (per Parcells) to keep his weight up to 245 or so.

But maybe Akin can rush in some special packages. The great thing is, Wade blitzes his ILBs a lot, which should be good for him and Carpenter.

I don't recall Parcells saying Ayodele couldn't keep his weight up. I've heard him say that about Burnett and Hatcher. Hatcher, only because he was a rookie, and hadn't learned how to manage his diet for the NFL.

 

[burmafrd]

One other thing to remember about Jacksonvile: Del Rio never liked Ayodele; since Ayodele was a part time model, I guess Del Rio thought he was not tough enough. I doubt Ayodele got a fair shake in Jacksonvile.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

Akin was a beast at Purdue! He was a stud DE that brought heat consistently. He can rush the passer, he just has to be used properly.