Since we might be looking to eventually scoop another ILB in this year's draft. Who do you think the best person would be and what round would we get him???
I think Derek M. Smith, who was just released by the Niners, could be a good signing at ILB if he comes here for a decent price. (One of the best Terrell Owens' quotes: "Who the hell is Derek M. Smith?")
He sucks...I have no idea why they started him over Brandon Moore and neither do most 49ers fans. I really like Ezra Butler, Leman, and Larson in the draft and would love to come away with one of htem at ILB. Jameel McClain is also a guy to watch...
Who knows about Red Keith, ILB from Central Michigan? He had a couple of big seasons and has good size (6-0, 242). Is he a potential fit at ILB in the 3-4?
He doesn't suck. He's been hurt...and he's getting older, but if he comes CHEAP, he'd help this team out greatly. He led the Niners in tackles from 2001-2006. He's had trouble staying healthy lately, but if he's in good shape and he's completely recovered, I'd like to see him in Green and White. Smith's a tackling machine and you need solid tackling when you have a garbage run defense. I've been talking about Ezra Butler for a while now. I saw him play against Fresno in '05 and '06. He's always around the ball. Nevada runs a strange 3-4 defense...it's sort of a mix of 3-3-5 and 3-4. Butler played a role similar to a regular 3-4 OLB for the Pack. He lined up at outside linebacker and at defensive end. Nevada uses Butler like Terrell Suggs is used in Baltimore.
Mmmm...hurt and aging...two reasons to sign any guy. Leading a mediocre team in tackles doesn't mean a whole lot to me...Brandon Moore has made more plays than him the past 3 seasons period. He's also more stout, better against the run, and more versatile. Having alot of tackles doesn't make you a great tackler. Plus, the guy hasn't had a very good season since '03 (or '04 I guess) and he's gonna be 34.
Definitely Phillp Wheeler from georgia tech. He is as good as it gets for a middle LB he is big, fast blitzes well (averaged 7-8 sacks/season) and is fast enough to cover crossing and seam routes. I think he is good enough for early mid 2nd round but probably won't be picked until early mid third because of talent at other positions. If we get him in the third I will be doing backflips.
I agree on this one... Wheeler would be a steal in the third round. I had a chance to watch him play live last year vs. Miami and the same way Calvin Johnson was all over the place for the offense for GT, Wheeler was all over the place for the defense. This would be an excellent draft pick.
If Shaw Crable would be there in the 3rd i think he would be a nice pickup. He may also be able to play OLB. Let?s see if he put on some weight for the combine. The last time we picked a Michigan LB, it worked out pretty well.
...but the one before we picked David Harris sucks in my opinion. I'm so glad I won't have to see unathletic Victor Hobson on the field for the Jets anymore.
Leman is a Mangini Wet Dream!!! The dude just makes plays. So what if he runs a 4.8 Forty if he's got tremendous instinct and smarts. He's got the size to play the 3-4 ILB spot too.
I've been singing Leman's praises since 2006, the guy is going to be a solid LB. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jonathan Goff, around 6'3" + and close to 240 lbs. Goff is perfect in the middle in a 3-4 defense. He's legit he's made great plays against stiff competition, like Tenn & Florida. Smart kid and Team Captain.
Crable couldn't play ILB in the 3-4 unless he bulked up big time. He's an OLB all the way. He's another guy who should blow up at combine...I dn't know why he isn't talked about more often as it is though...
Is Erin Henderson considered big enough for a 3-4 ILB? I know Maryland plays a 3-4 and his older brother has played 3-4 in the NFL.
Yeah sadly Shawn Crable showed during the senior bowl practices that he had trouble with the hit and shed and that his best asset was as a pass rusher. While I originally expected him to be able to play ILB or WOLB, I think that my previously conceived versatility of him was wrong and that he is a WOLB all the way. According to what I've read, his lower legs are too long and thin.
I love Wheeler as a prospect, I think someone is going to be very excitedin 2-3 years with their 3rd round pick. I don't think he is a fit for us. He bulked up big time for the draft but has always played very light. This helps him be extremely quick but I don't see how he can fit in the 3-4 if people claim Vilma can't.
I wouldn't say Hobson sucks. In my opinion he is very solid. He's never going to be a pro bowler but he is a good plugger and a respectable pickup in my opinion.
Agreed. He covers well, is a good tackler and plays well against the run. So what if he has no other pass rushing move than a straight-up bull rush? He's decent at it. The man can push both tackles and guards back into the quarterback. Solid is probably the perfect word for him. No better, but no worse.
