I know, I know, most of you are probably thinking, "Outside Linebacker? Why would we need to draft that position? Sure there was a lack of pressure in the first two games but we got a sack this week. A whole sack. Not half a sack. Aren't we set?" Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but most good teams tend to average more than 1 sack per game. Sometimes as many as 2 or more if you can believe it. And as you may have guessed by now, most of that pressure comes from, at least in the 3-4, the outside linebacker position. I know it is a crazy concept which is probably why our defense is having some trouble picking up the concept, but it is what it is. Let's take a look at our options as of now. We've got Bryan Thomas who after playing respectfully enough in the previous season has since reverted back to his pre 2006 form. I'm not sure why we thought someone would suddenly erase 4 (3?) years of underachieving and suddenly turn the lights on for good, but it should have come as no surprise that he is currently not leading the league in sacks. We've got Hobson, who by no fault of his own is, in my opinion, admirably playing a position he has no business playing. The kid is a solid Linebacker, but is not suited for the 3-4 outside linebacker slot. Finally David Bowens was brought in and I'm not sure what he necessarily did in the past to become a solution. So, if you follow the bouncing ball, we have mybe 1 potential 3-4 OLB and even that is uncertain. Well where does that lead us? A potential huge need in the offseason at Outside Linebacker. Let's take a look at the prospects and, as always, feel free to offer opinions, prospects, and comments as I am by no means an expert on college scouting although I do play one on TheGangGreen.com legler82 was kind enough to throw Vernon Gholston's name into the hat. Admittedly I had never heard of him as I try not to follow the Big Ten and especially Ohio State, but from all accounts, he seems like the real deal if he comes out. His body type reminds me of Shawn Merriman and if I get to watch him a little I wouldn't be surprised if he plays like him too. Who does that leave? Let's start a list (Seniors in no particular order): 1. Quentin Groves - Auburn - 6'3'' 254 - 23 sacks the last 3 years 2. Tommy Blake - T.C.U. - 6'3'' 252 - 19 sacks the last 3 years 3. Lawrence Jackson - Southern Cal - 6'5'' 265 - 20 sacks the last 3 years 4. Phillip Wheeler - Georgia Tech - 6'2'' 230 - 13 sacks the last 2 years That's about all I got for now. There is a chance some people step up there game and become quality prospects but these seem to be the sure bets. I'm not sure if Wheeler can play 3-4 OLB but the dude can flat out play and get at the QB, that I know. The other 3 would be converted 4-3 Defensive Ends. Size. I took a look at what I thought would be nine representatives to what would be considered the ideal 3-4 DE's in the league right now. I came up with the following stats: the average Height was 6'3.8', the average weight was 257.2 lbs, the height range was 6'3'' to 6'6'' and the weight range was 247 lbs to 272 lbs. I think this may be equally due to finagling the players measurements and due to the actual fit of that body type. What I mean is they are all probably similar body types, but not that similar. This is not a hard a fast requirement, but it does give you an idea of what type of payer to look for. Thoughts? Comments?
Here goes. With help from nfldraftcountdown: Converted college defensive ends: Derrick Harvey, Florida, Jr. He's 6-2, 262, and runs 4.76 Tyson Jackson, LSU, Jr. Compared to Carriker on one site (Walterfootball). Eight and a half sacks last year. Chris Long,Virginia. 6-4, 285. Can he play noseguard. I know he's not big and beefy, but got to love the genes. Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech. 6-5 258, 4.67 10.5 sacks in last two seasons. Backers: James Laurinaitis, Ohio St, Jr. He's 6-3, 244, and runs 4.60 Ben Moffit, South Florida. I just love this guy. 6-2, 240 Well, so far all of these guys are too small. Still like them as prospects. Brian Cushing, USC, Jr. 6-4 245. Love him too, a Jersey guy.
Unless Chris Ellis steps it up big this year, he is garbage. He let me down last year and didn't come to play plus he has character issues. He does have all the talent you would need and could potentially be a Jason Taylor like player, but I highly doubt it right now. Chris Long plays DE in UVA's 3-4 scheme and may be the best 3-4 DE prospect in the draft. I wouldn't mind having him, but I'm not sure if that is the biggest need in the world if Coleman turns out to be the answer. The other guys might work out. Thanks for the contributions!
No problem. I doubt Long would be available ianyway if we can manage eight wins. Groves is destined for top-10 too, he's a freak.
What about Calais Campbell, from Miami. He's a Jr. But if he decides to come out, would he translate to the 3-4 OLB?
What about moving Hobson inside with Harris next year assuming we take an OLB in the first round next year? It's hard to imagine Hobson would be less effective in that role than Vilma. Hobson seems tough at the point of attack and seems like he can take on blocks well. The guy can also tackle very well.
I honestly have no idea. I don't think there have been many players with his body type. I can't imagine seeing a 6'8'' LB running around rushing the passer but I don't know if he can hold up at the point of attack as an end. He may be destined for the 4-3 like Glenn Dorsey.
Nfldraftcoutdown has this prospect on their hotlist. And no, I do not work for this site, although it's better in updating - for free - than espninsider and Kiper 4. Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan Since coming to Ann Arbor as a very highly-touted prep recruit Crable had failed to live up to expectations but with David Harris, Prescott Burgess, LaMarr Woodley, and Leon Hall gone he was expected to step up as a senior and fulfill that vast potential and so far that's exactly what he's done. A great physical specimen at 6-5 and 241 lbs. with 4.65 speed, Crable is a bit of a OLB / DE hybrid who would appear to be a perfect fit for a 3-4 scheme at the next level. He's not yet a finished product but Crable is a playmaker who is on the rise.
my take if this game was not proof positive, to the fact that penningtons lack of arm strength, is killing us, nothing is!! it is not the fact that he cannot throw the deep ball, that is the problem, it is the lack of "zip", on the ball. those interceptions were not a result of bad throws, just throws that took 20min, to reach thier intended targets!! the defensive backs, have to much time to adjust to the ball, while it's in the air!! a great game manager, takes you only so far. if those throws had been made by, favre, or elway, we would be the "kings of n.y." same ball placement, different ball volocity!! penningtons balls look like he is throwing into a tsunami!!! next point: get rid of david barrett!!! he sucks!! he is the "toast" of new york!! i think for halloween, he's going as , elvis patterson!!. the jets almost never, make the takle, at the initial point of contact. this is football 101, for gosh sakes!!! did anyone hear greg buttle, on the radio, talking after the game? he said, "the jets don't miss many tackels". what!!!!! are you f*%k'n kidding me!!!greg, go wipe the crap off your face, from having your head up the organizations ass!!! your a schill, for the organization. then someone calls in, and takes you to task, and after you cut him off, you say, "who is this guy, to tell me, what this teams problems, are". you've got some set of balls, or maybe i should say, you don't have any, at all!!
Also, I heard that Blake's leave of absence is a result of a disagreement of sorts between him and the head coach. I don' think this raises character questions but I do think this guarantees that he comes out early since he is apparently still healthy.
That's great news. But what does OLB do when the run the middle straight up the middle. I don't think OLB's are our problem. They will help but they are not the problem.
Oh i think they're definitely the problem. The pass rush comes primarily from the OLB's in the 3-4. How many sacks do Bryan Thomas and Hobson have? We need an upgrade desperately.
I have wondered this, why Long is supposed to be such a great 3-4 DE and the best 3-4 DE prospect to come out in a very, very long time. Isn't he the same size as Shaun Ellis (6-4, 285 lbs.) who most say is still too small to play in the 3-4. When I think of DE in a 3-4, I think they should be at least over 290 lbs., and even that is a little small. So why the praise for him as a 3-4 DE? But if he really is going to be a great 3-4 end, then why isn't anybody talking about him as one of our picks if (when) we land in the top 10.
-He is the best DE prospect to come out in the last 6 months. Adam Carriker was probably a better prospect than Long. -The difference between 285 and 290 is not a lot. Neither is the difference between 285 and 300. However, I think it means even less when you consider he still has room to grow a la Brick. He is still in college, a lot of OL and DL put on some serious weight in their first couple seasons. -People consider him a great 3-4 prospect because he is one of the only players to actually play in a 3-4 in college. He plays in a very pro style 3-4 defense at Virginia which would prepare him more than say a DT at another school. -The thing I hear about Long is he uses his hands well which means it is tough for blockers to latch on and take him out of the play. This is ideal in the 3-4 because you can't afford to have any lineman out of the play because you are already short one. Also, it allows him to occupy blockers better. -I think there isn't a lot of talk about him for two reasons. One, he is on a historically mediocre UVA team and no one is really paying attention to them. Two, most people on the board seem to be at least comfortable with our current ends as opposed to terrified of our Nose Tackles. As a result, most people are focusing in on that position instead of the ends as it is a bigger perceived need. However, we all know you need to take the best player available and Long may be that guy depending on our pick. As an added bonus he would seem to fit in extremely well on our team. Unfortunately, it wouldn't solve our Nose Tackle problem. hope that helped!
