Why is Carpenter playing inside?

[Concord]

We might not have seen him as Cleveland and New England did. They had him slotted inside.

We probably had every intention of using him and starting him at LOLB.

But this was pre-Ellis.

I don't think Ellis has the Athletic ability that Carpenter does for the OLB spot.

Seems like a waste inside.

 

[AbeBeta]

And what makes you think that quite possibly Carpenter couldn't beat out Ayodele after a few weeks?

How are we sure that Ellis' role won't diminish as the season goes along and teams adjust to him? Could Carpenter not go back to the outside?

We are just doing what we can to get him in the packages and it might only be temporary.

I understand the guy is versatile and I'm happy with having several great ILBs.

It still strikes me as odd that we went out, invested in an ILB, are going to extend another. And seem to have drafted another -- when admittedly, Burnett is also more of an inside guy. That's a great deal of talent that maybe doesn't get on the field enough.

 

[Alexander]

So what happens when we find out that Ellis can't really cover?

With Ellis, think McGinest. Was he trotting downfield covering tight ends in man coverage all the time? No. And if he gets exposed, then we can always go back to Plan A which is what you thought we should be doing anyways.

I guess you will have to see it for yourself, but if you think about what New England has done for years, that is exactly what we might see out of this defense.

 

[Alexander]

And seem to have drafted another -- when admittedly, Burnett is also more of an inside guy.

Since when?

 

[AbeBeta]

there is concern that one of the innovators of the 3-4 defense might not have a good idea what to do with them. Have a little faith.

I sure hope so -- because last year there weren't enough chocolate chips in the D's ice cream if you know what I'm saying.

 

[Alexander]

I don't think Ellis has the Athletic ability that Carpenter does for the OLB spot.

Seems like a waste inside.

It's becoming clear to me that you fellows might not truly understand the responsibilties of an ILB in the 3-4 and might be viewing this through 4-3 goggles.

Answer this question: Does Coach Parcells strike you as a dunce who would just "waste" a player because he could?

He wants to get the best eleven on the field in his defense.

 

[AbeBeta]

Since when?

since the day he was drafted and bill said "I see him eventually moving inside"

 

[Alexander]

I sure hope so -- because last year there weren't enough chocolate chips in the D's ice cream if you know what I'm saying.

But it still performed remarkably well considering we tried to piece it together in one offseason.

I certainly didn't think it could be done and have it perform as well as it did with the youth that it had.

 

[Alexander]

since the day he was drafted and bill said "I see him eventually moving inside"

And you might have missed that recently he has backtracked on that after a year evaluating the player. There was a press conference last week that said this.

 

[theogt]

since the day he was drafted and bill said "I see him eventually moving inside"

Well if he was always intended to move inside then you have your answer re: Burnett. You also have your answer re: Carpenter. So all your questions are answered.

 

[AbeBeta]

And you might have missed that recently he has backtracked on that after a year evaluating the player. There was a press conference last week that said this.

i wonder if that evaluation stems from talent or necessity?

 

[Alexander]

There are two flies in the ointment: Ellis and Burnett.

Nobody, including the staff, expected both to be playing as well as they have.

And I would guess they are glad they now have the "problem" of trying to figure out how to best use what they have.

Personally, I think Coach Parcells is like a child in a candy store and is trying to figure what to eat first.

 

[BARRYRAY]

It is my belief that we will trade somebody at lb and that there will be shuffling, Ellis if this guy works out at lb is going to be a real find for somebody not unlike Glover, we will miss him next year, wish we could do a two year deal for him, he has versatility again not unlike Glover. Have you seen him snuff the run as a lb and his rushing is actually better standing up, if his coverage is average he will do fine especially on the early downs..

 

[The Realist]

Ok then, but why if we are waiting for more "troops" to arrive, do we bring in troops that aren't natural fits to the position?

Jerry: "Going to a 3-4 doesn't mean you just add 1 more LB. It really means you have to add another 4, 5, 6 LB's to your team".

Going into last year's draft we had 1 starting caliber 3-4 LB and he was a maybe (James).

We needed to add several (BC, Ayodele, and maybe Ellis at SOLB).

Your question goes back to BPA to a certain extent.

But then again, it's not like we had an abundance of big, smart, physical, tough ILB's pre-BC.

Which 6-5/250 starting caliber SOLB should we have taken in the last 2 drafts in your opinion?

 

[Alexander]

i wonder if that evaluation stems from talent or necessity?

It could be both. Who knows or cares?

But the inside talk about Burnett last year wasn't exactly concrete either. It was a theoretical comment he made in a press conference.

 

[AbeBeta]

Which 6-5/250 starting caliber SOLB should we have taken in the last 2 drafts in your opinion?

as I've said throughout the thread -- I'm not arguing that we should have taken someone else.

Although I would have loved to get Merriman in round 2 of the 2005 draft since you asked.

 

[Alexander]

It is my belief that we will trade somebody at lb and that there will be shuffling, Ellis if this guy works out at lb is going to be a real find for somebody not unlike Glover, we will miss him next year, wish we could do a two year deal for him, he has versatility again not unlike Glover. Have you seen him snuff the run as a lb and his rushing is actually better standing up, if his coverage is average he will do fine especially on the early downs..

I am completely convinced we will trade Shanle or Fowler or Singleton.

With some or all of these players out of the picture, I am sure it changes the perspective or at least it should.

 

[AbeBeta]

I am completely convinced we will trade Shanle or Fowler or Singleton.

With some or all of these players out of the picture, I am sure it changes the perspective or at least it should.

just not for Ashely Lelie

 

[The Realist]

And you might have missed that recently he has backtracked on that after a year evaluating the player. There was a press conference last week that said this.

Was that the part where he said KB looks like a real good cover LB and is playing inside in the nickel?

 

[Concord]

It's becoming clear to me that you fellows might not truly understand the responsibilties of an ILB in the 3-4 and might be viewing this through 4-3 goggles.

Answer this question: Does Coach Parcells strike you as a dunce who would just "waste" a player because he could?

He wants to get the best eleven on the field in his defense.

Inside Linebackers are not going to be the pass rushing forces that OLB's are...And that's what I think Carpenter would be good at...Pass rushing and better than Ellis...Plus I don't think Ellis will be as good in pass coverage.

Parcells makes mistakes...he's not God.