I think that in the beginning, Thomas will play weakside and Pace will be strong, and Gholston will rotate in on passing downs for Thomas, and then by around week 8 will take over completely relegating Thomas to a much smaller role. Just my take.
Pace will be best as the strongside outside linebacker. Sure, he'll be moved inside on occasion, but he will be most effective on the outside. Gholston is likely going to be a designated pass rusher in 2008. He's not going to be good in coverage in 2008. Fred Dean made the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year as a designated pass rusher. Heck, Gholston could be the next Fred Dean. Gholston might never become good in coverage, but still could be an extremely valuable player.
NO WAY! other way around. in the 3-4, the OLBS generally rush the passer or drop back into coverage. They need to be more athletic. ILBs can be bigger. They generally dont rush the pass rusher as much, they are typically run stuffers. i.e David Harris. and Calvin Pace. I can definitely see him at ILB
You don't draft a guy at 6 to be situational... Pace will not move inside, and Kellar will be on the field a lot just because of all the match up problems he creates... You put your best athletes on the field and let them play... don't make a simple game harder than it has to be...
Calvin Pace is a Rush S-OLB... not an I-LB... B Thomas is/will be the odd man out. You will see Pace, Gholston and Thomas on the field in passing situations, with Gholston moving up to DE and either Coleman or Ellis comnig off the field... again... it will be about keeping the players that can get to the QB on the field
The Ravens broke Suggs in as a pass rusher. Merriman was basically a pass rusher...still is...but he didn't start 'til midseason his rookie year IIRC. Ware was raw in his first season...and is easily the most fluid athlete of all these guys which aided his transition immensely...so did the fact that Parcells would not baby him early on. It's not like Gholston won't get a significant amount of snaps...and the 3-4 is rotation heavy anyway...so...there.
Gholston plays the run better than them, in my view, maybe it's because I've watched a lot of film on him... but his flexability to also play with his hand on the ground in the 3-4 will keep him on the field a lot... probably more and more as the year goes on... but he'll play over 60% of the Defensive snaps IMO.
