I can name at least 5 solid linebackers, some WILL NOT break the bank. Channing Crowder- 6'2 250 (definitely going to be expensive) Angelo Crowell- 6'1 246 LeRoy Hill- 6'1 238 Pierre Woods - 6'5 250 and my favorite. Karlos Dansby- 6'4 250. yes he did go to the super bowl. doesnt mean he will emphatically demand money. i would be happy with either Pierre Woods, or Karlos Dansby. Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine are going to, (quote me), make Vernon Gholston the player he was drafted to be, it might take him 2 or 3 season, but that is the same learning curve it took James Harrison or our very own Calvin Pace. Pierre Woods' size fits the 3-4 defense, as well as Dansby's size and tenacity. what you think?
some good ideas, but you confuse me on the "not breaking the bank" and then saying that Crowder is going to be expensive....? anyway, Crowell is good, but always hurt. When healthy he can cover. I wonder if he has the leverage to take on guards if he has to in the run game. There will be plays when it happens. Pierre Woods sucks. Fuck that Patsie. Dansby is a beautiful idea, but he will demand a top 5 salary because he is a pro bowler who went to the SB. Gholston may take that long - but at #6 no one here has that patience... I do, i'll wait with you.
I know I'm catching a lot of flack on the Rhodes part. I'm not saying I want to see Rhodes replaced, but IMO he had a marginal season. I have read part of this is where Mangina had him lined up. My bone of contention with Rhodes is his inability to smack receivers in the mouth. He's fast, and displays good coverage; but coming up to make a tackle he is more of a wrap up guy than a drop a shoulder and kill you guy. I guess that doesn't matter as long as he's making the tackle, but I think he could be a stronger force on the field. He can see the whole field. A lot of times when a receiver catches the ball they are utterly exposed. Rhodes has to come up with more force and drop the shoulder, rather than the wrap up. This is just my opinion, I know he is a good player, but he could be a much stronger force.
he is never going to make the "jacked up!" segment on ESPN, but he is going to be accounted for in every game he plays. belichick has said great things about Rhodes, and Rex Ryan wanted to draft Rhodes and put him next to Ed Reed in Baltimore- we have a very good safety. He is as good as Pro Bowl Cardinal Adrian Wilson. They are basically the same player. Give up the dream of seeing him truck someone, he's not that kind of safety. I have seen him hit hard in the Patriots game last year.
