1. This team makes me happy. They are showing improvement every week (barring the Jax drubbing... ugh) This was what I was praying for, and I got my wish granted for now. I can't be happier, win or lose. 2. I don't know why Victor Hobson isn't mentioned as much as he makes himself visible on the pitch - At first, I have to admit I thought Hobson was lead-footed, prone-to-miss-tackle, stop-gap linebacker that will not be here come next year. But well - he made me smile more than once, with a few turnovers that he created and most notably, his viscious sack of Brady. (Call all the penalty they want - it was a legitimate sack, and I hope Hobson keeps up his tackling attitude.) So... how do you guys think he is doing? I for one think he deserves more credit that he has earned so far. 3. I am hoping the Jets show up for next week again - basically Miami and Arizona showed the blueprint of how to beat the Bears. It remains to be seen whether that actually happens, but I am getting excited about it already. If the defense can improve once again with a few more confusion-leading packages, who knows? Hell, Giants could force interception on Grossman.
I love Hobson, but I believe his place is at INSIDE linebacker, because he's solid at shedding blocks and can tackle. -X-
Hobson is a very good tackler, and hits with velocity. still, he's slow and not very athletic. but i like the tenacity he (and Barton) play with. depending on Hobson's contract status, we'll see if he stays. i think a bunch of our Defensive players (who will be FA's) are in the same boat: they'll stay if no other team outbids us, but we won't overpay for them. i think Hobson is in that bunch. cheers
yea i thnk hed probably fit inside lb better but it seems like this 3-4 defense is a great fit for him!
Hobson is making plays at OLB but I have always believed since the day we drafted him that he'd be a better ILB than OLB. With that said, he's very valuable at this point because he is making plays at OLB in our 34 and I believe he could even be rotated in at ILB sometimes if necessary. He's good at shedding blocks, is big (250+), and is good at one-on-one tackling inside the box. Sounds like a good ILB to me.
When Hobson came out of Michigan and during the workouts, he was projected by many as a very solid inside linebacker prospect, particularly because he has very strong hands. The fact that we could use more speed on the outside makes it all the more sensible. -X-
yea, if we keep him, i would expect him to be the top backup olb, and probably a backup at ilb as well.....he is quietly having a pretty good year, along with bryan thomas....i really believe that we should hold on to b thomas and draft or sign a 3-4 olb that can rush the passer as the number 1 priority next offseason
You can never have enough LB's in a 3-4. Back when we ran at 3-4 with BP and Belly we had Mo Lewis, Cox, Marvin Jones, Cascadden, Phifer, Gordon, Pepper Johnson, and a few others all rotating all over the place with each one seeing a legit amount of time. I can almost guarantee you we draft a 3-4 OLB and make a nice rotation between BT, Hobson and the draftee. Similar to what NE had with Colvin, McGinest, and Vrabel all being starting material but rotating.
I said this since the draft when people where inquiring (I am a Michigan fan). Hobson is Not a Coverage LB and is Not a Sideline 2 Sideline guy, he never was. But he makes up for it by his nose for the play and his incredible tackling ability. When he gets you, your ass is down...eos. I never had a problem because IMO he is a solid LB to have against the run.or maybe I'm just biased... I mean, at the games when Askew or Hobson do something the fact that I scream "Michigan in da Houze!" :lol: Now, if we had my boy Cato June...... :wink: Go Blue!
does anyone else besides me think brad kassell should not be starting? really, is anthony schlegel that unprepared? as for hobson, i really like the guy, he really plays hard and is usually flying around the field
love the guy, hope he is here for a while. He had the highest bench in the draft that year, not sure if it was for the LB's or overall. I think he makes good decisions and is instinctive. He does not have great speed, but plays smart. We could try him inside and move Vilma out, but either way, hope he stays.
brad kassell is not starting, if he is, then that is news to me so idk what you're talking about......our 4 starting lb's are thomas, hobson, vilma, and barton, correct?
Honestly...Whats the deal with the Jets' ? A blind man can see that Hobson should be on the inside & Vilma should play on the outside...:shit: Why the Jets' consistently play Hobson outside & then comment on his lack of speed :breakdance: Really makes me wonder. Jets' like Jets' employing 5-man D-line down by goal line against Pats'& then Van Olfen had sack. Jets' are slowly coming to understand what they have & how to use what they have.
I know I'll get roasted for this, but he'd probably be a better inside LB then Vilma has shown to be, at least to this point..
Kassell isnt starting, but he played more in the game against the Putz than Barton did. I think he is better against the run than Barton. Barton gives ground in order to make a tackle 5 or more yds downfield. On Sunday Kassell was the one stepping up in the hole and stuffing the run. Eventhough he didnt make a lot of tackles his presence helped shut down the run against NE.
Hobson has a nice role, I don't think he's a starting OLB in a 3-4 long term. But he's a guy who can get 20-25 reps and do a nice job. I don't see Bryan Thomas in the long term plans, I just don't see them offering him more then backup money and some team will take a chance on him. Schlegel is learning the defense, learning an nfl defense is difficult enough as a rookie, but when you are leaning the 3-4 ILB thats very difficult. Notice how most of the 3-4 teams in the league have vets at that position. Vilma is not an OLB. If he played outside and they ran the ball in his direction he would get destroyed. Most OLB's in a 3-4 are at least 6-2/6-3 240. With that being said i think it's important to utilize his speed to get pressure on the qb. By next season they will really have the right mix of guys to be able to play a 3-4 effectively and to be able to switch to different fronts.
right right, my bad, but kassell is playing a hell of a lot, and i'm not really sure why...are the coaches just not high on schlegel?
Sowell, Schlegel is learning the system. That's an extemely difficult position to learn. Next year he'll be starting at MLB next to Vilma.
Dreesen: I agree with your assessment. Few 3rd round LBs start or see significant time on D in their first year unless the guys in front of them get injured. An ILB in the 3-4 has a lot to think about and learning the position is probably as close as a defensive player gets to what a QB has to learn. Nobody bashes Clemmons because he isnt the starter yet? Schlegel has three veterans (1 a probowler) learning the system in front of him. What would Mangini's motivation be in starting him over the veterans who were still struggling in the system? Third round LBs are supposed to learn the system and play special teams. Schlegel's failure to play special teams may be due to a lack of experience as well as having one of the most demanding ST coaches in the game and 4 experience ST LBS (Chatham, Kassell, Spencer, and Riddle) on the roster. With that said, I think you will see Schlegel on ST and defense sometime this season and sooner rather than later.
