Who Fills In For Sean Lee At Middle Linebacker Spot?

[KingintheNorth]

Always down to see some onfield suplexes. Regardless of the 15 yard penalties.

Occasionally? Yes. Not to where it's a constant problem like a Vontaze Burfict at Arizona State. We need more rage on defense but it needs to be a controlled rage.

 

[xwalker]

Pulling for McClain. Always down to see some onfield suplexes. Regardless of the 15 yard penalties.

I reviewed about 6 of his games from 2012 and I didn't see that type of behaviour.

 

[LatinMind]

We're not going to replace Sean Lee with McClain and he probably will have to be taken out on 3rd downs if he gets the first 2 snaps in games.

Why would he need to be taken out on 3rd down? He has shown in Oakland that he does drop back into coverage very well. Im guessing thats the biggest reason he's in Dallas because he has exp doing what Dallas wants its mike to do. Something none of the other guys have....Experience.

 

[CCBoy]

His passes defended were on par with a good cornerback.

 

[noshame]

If we can get the guy to perform he could be the biggest defensive addition since Haley.

 

[Risen Star]

If we can get the guy to perform he could be the biggest defensive addition since Haley.

Rod. H. Marinelli.

 

[noshame]

Rod. H. Marinelli.

Ooops...player But I'm sure some here believe we could suit him up.

 

[Alexander]

How about doing their job and getting an interview? Even if it's an extremely short one where he says he grateful for another chance and maybe is asked what kind of shape he's in.

Has it occurred to you that perhaps he is not even granting interviews?

 

[speedkilz88]

Why would he need to be taken out on 3rd down? He has shown in Oakland that he does drop back into coverage very well. Im guessing thats the biggest reason he's in Dallas because he has exp doing what Dallas wants its mike to do. Something none of the other guys have....Experience.

He seem to have some stamina issues that led to problems in the nickel when he was with the Raiders. Raiders ended up taking him out of nickel responsibilities.

 

[Fredd]

If he comes to camp willing and wanting to play, then the LB corps get more depth...he will push the others regardless of who wins the job...looking forward to TC actually starting so the speculation can dwindle

 

[MichaelWinicki]

A week from now the McClain question (will he or won't he) will probably be answered.

IF he's still in camp, the odds shoot straight up for him being the starter vs. the Niners.

 

[jobberone]

I wish someone in the media could get some definitive information out of Rolando McClain. A quote or something that takes a peek inside McClain's head about suiting up for Dallas.

Perhaps it is best not to look into Rolando's head.

 

[DallasEast]

Perhaps it is best not to look into Rolando's head.

Point taken. Then again, I hope he has a good handle on what's rattling around inside his head too.

 

[Bullflop]

McClain is bound to have had his fill of unfavorable responses to his past actions to have any inclination towards putlicly stating his intentions at this juncture. Why can't we simply be pleased to see someone with his talents become available at such a low risk to the team? If this guy comes to camp and wins the MLB spot, the rewards could be huge. If not, the cost is practically nil. Be glad for that.

 

[xwalker]

Why would he need to be taken out on 3rd down? He has shown in Oakland that he does drop back into coverage very well. Im guessing thats the biggest reason he's in Dallas because he has exp doing what Dallas wants its mike to do. Something none of the other guys have....Experience.

After reviewing several of his games from 2012, it is my contention that he was removed from the Nickel because he got fatigued playing 100% of the defensive snaps. He was visibly fatigued in the last game where he played in the Nickel; although, that game was in Denver which obviously contributed to the problem.

I think he has the talent to play Nickel if his weight is down at the lower end of his weight range; however, his real value is as the MLB in the base defense. Even if his weight is down, he's a really big guy to be running around back there for 100% of the snaps.

I expect to see Holloman as one of the Nickel LBs. I guess that Carter is most likely to be the other one, but I really don't know. If a 3rd Safety steps up his game in TC, then they could move Church up to play LB in the Nickel in some situations with the 3rd guy replacing him at Safety.

 

[LatinMind]

After reviewing several of his games from 2012, it is my contention that he was removed from the Nickel because he got fatigued playing 100% of the defensive snaps. He was visibly fatigued in the last game where he played in the Nickel; although, that game was in Denver which obviously contributed to the problem.

I think he has the talent to play Nickel if his weight is down at the lower end of his weight range; however, his real value is as the MLB in the base defense. Even if his weight is down, he's a really big guy to be running around back there for 100% of the snaps.

I expect to see Holloman as one of the Nickel LBs. I guess that Carter is most likely to be the other one, but I really don't know. If a 3rd Safety steps up his game in TC, then they could move Church up to play LB in the Nickel in some situations with the 3rd guy replacing him at Safety.

I havent seen this defense run a 3 safety set. As much as people talk about it, even in chicago Marinelli always seem to run 2 safeties. If anything, if Hamilton shows alot i think he could subfor JJ if he struggles. But i dont see 3 safeties being on the field at any point.

 

[xwalker]

I havent seen this defense run a 3 safety set. As much as people talk about it, even in chicago Marinelli always seem to run 2 safeties. If anything, if Hamilton shows alot i think he could subfor JJ if he struggles. But i dont see 3 safeties being on the field at any point.

Yes, I don't think that would be Marinelli's 1st choice; however, his options seem limited in regards to the Nickel LB position. Durant didn't play Nickel in Detroit and Broaddus says that he has issues in coverage. Carter should be able to do it, but his primary issues last season were in coverage. The rookies have some upside in that area, but I don't think they really want to play rookies at LB if they can avoid it. I don't think Wilber fits the mold of a coverage LB.

IIRC, in Chicago they had some depth of LBs that had good coverage ability.

 

[speedkilz88]

If Wilcox, Hamilton, (and maybe even Johnson) play well then I wouldn't be shocked if they did move Church up in the nickel. But it sounds like Carter is doing much better. Jeff Sullivan predicted Carter to be the top defensive player this season. I don't think that was a wild guess. Coaches are supposedly expecting a lot from him also.

 

[xwalker]

If Wilcox, Hamilton, (and maybe even Johnson) play well then I wouldn't be shocked if they did move Church up in the nickel. But it sounds like Carter is doing much better. Jeff Sullivan predicted Carter to be the top defensive player this season. I don't think that was a wild guess. Coaches are supposedly expecting a lot from him also.

I think the probabilities are in favor of Carter being much better.

1. He was not bad in all games. He actually made a lot of good plays, but it's the few were he failed then then went into a funk for the rest of the game that caused him problems.

2. He seems to be a slow learner. He said that Sean Lee is constantly quizzing him on the defense even when they're away from a football setting.

3. Being in the 2nd year of the scheme not only helps the players, but it gives the coaches film to review and determine what players can and can't do well within the scheme. They made changes in the 2nd year of Callahan's OL scheme to hide the problems that Doug Free had in the 1st year. Hopefully, Marinelli and his staff can do the same.

4. Having a 1-tech that can draw double-teams would help the LBs. There were many snaps last season were the 1-tech was single blocked which really screws up the entire basis of this front 7 scheme.

 

[jobberone]

Point taken. Then again, I hope he has a good handle on what's rattling around inside his head too.

As long as I don't have to look at it