Either David Harris, if he falls to our highest 2nd rounder, or with that other second rounder, Zak DeOssie. These are two LB's that are 250 lbs, and fast. They would fit perfectly in the middle of a 3-4. I think we should get one of them and then re-evaluate the Vilma situation.
Don't we have Vilma, Barton and Schlegel? And isn't it very possible that Hobson would be moved inside? Don't you think we have more pressing needs then ILB at this point to be using a first day pick there?
Vilma-Barton-Kassell-Schlegal and possibly Victor Hobson as well if we were to acquire an OLB/DE via free agency or the draft. Sorry, but there is no way we should go after another ILB after anywhere in the draft. We just got Schlegal in last's year's 3rd round. CB,WR,RT,OG,DE,NT,OLB all come well before ILB.
Vilma is not very good in the 3-4. I hate to admit it, and I love Vilma as much as the next guy but he just does not fit, and his 230 pound frame just wont cut it. I think Hobson is only only legit ILB now. Barton is an OK ILB in the 3-4, but I am not sure how much longer he has with the Jets. Schlegal and Kassell are not much eiether. I think CB, RT, DE, OLB all come before that, but a lot of those could be solved through FA and at other points in the draft. Lets say we sign Marc Columbo (RT) and Kenyon Coleman (DE), draft Darrelle Revis (CB) and draft a OLB with our other 2nd rounder, or sign Joey Porter, then we can look at improving inside, with either of these two guys. LB's are the msot important thing in the 3-4, and ours are nothing special, we need a TRUE 3-4 ILB.
If you really want to exclude Vilma, which isn't right because he just experienced his 1st year in a 3-4 defense, fine. Eric Barton is still a good player with the ability to play the 3-4 well. Victor Hobson did well as an OLB, but could fit better at ILB. Plus, Schlegel is still in development and could be something big. Kassell is a solid backup. What makes any of the guys you mention 3-4 ILBs. But honestly, I don't care at all for your plan.
That is fine if you don't care for it, I am just throwing out my idea. You have to realize, this was everyone else's 1st year in the 3-4 also, and Vilma, our most talented player, was our weakest link. There is a reason that he never improved throughout the year, while the other 3 LB's did. Eric Barton is a good player, but getting older and may be a cap casualty soon. Hobson, I like, and I think would be a great ILB. Kassell and Schlegal are btoh solid backups like you said, but that is it. Kassell will never be a starter, I just don't see it, and Schlegal has the size, but no speed. He was never something great in college and was projected to be a 5th round pick last year, there was a reason for that. I know he has not played much, but I have not seen one thing I really liked out of him in his limited playing time here, or as a starter at Ohio State. I just don't see him being a starter ever. So that leaves Hobson and nobody next to him. We need a speedy, big guy, and that is exactly what makes "any of the guys you mention 3-4 ILBs." They just have the size and also played ILB in college. I am fine if you disagree, but these are my views on it.
Also, LB is the biggest need in a 3-4. Right now we are relatively weak. Vilma doesn't seem to really fit, Barton is an OK player, nothing special and Hobson is playing out of position. We need to get some LEGITIMATE solid LB's in there, and I see these two guys (DeOssie and Harris) as those kind of ILB.
Defensive line is by far the biggest need in a 3-4, not the linebackers. You could have 4 all pro linebackers but if you don't have 3 2 gap type lineman those linebackers will be useless. That's the reason why Vilma sucked last year, any ILB in a 3-4 that doesn't have a good line of space eaters in front of him will be mauled by guards all day. Does it really make a difference if you are 250 or 230 going up against someone who is 310? Either way you are not winning that battle. The reason why you don't like him in a 3-4 is that his skill set is different then what a typical 3-4 ILB skill set should be. A typical 3-4 ILB is supposed to play north south taking up gaps while in a 4-3 the MLB is free to go to the ball. So while this defense is not ideal for Vilma I highly doubt that if we put a massive 2 gap DT in front of him that he wouldn't become a force in this defense. If I recall the Patriots would have taken him if he was available over Wilfork. I believe that once our defensive line is improved and we have guys who actually draw double teams that all of our linebackers will be that much better. The front office needs to focus on lineman, once you can win the line of scrimmage battle with 3 guys you put the other 8 guys in the defense in a great position to make plays.
I also don't see why anyone is writing off Schlegel at this point. What have any of you seen in him that makes you confident in your ability to predict what he will become in the future?
