Our new look ILB position moving forward.

[LikeMike]

The question is: are we comfortable with only 4 ILBs including Sharpton who looks to be a long way to being ready again? If not, do we pick up a player from the street, do we trade for one, or do we make one of our OLBs into an ILB? Before the season there was some talk about Reed going inside on some plays...

[b0ng]

I am holding out hope that Sharpton can come back and be at least decent. Other than that we are probably going to be even weaker against short/intermediate passes going to TE's and slot guys.

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by LikeMike

The question is: are we comfortable with only 4 ILBs including Sharpton who looks to be a long way to being ready again? If not, do we pick up a player from the street, do we trade for one, or do we make one of our OLBs into an ILB? Before the season there was some talk about Reed going inside on some plays...

Is this Reed talk thing by fans, Media or coaching staff? Reed to Mo and OLB will be Braman?

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by SAMURAITEXAN

Is this Reed talk thing by fans, Media or coaching staff? Reed to Mo and OLB will be Braman?

Fans.

[rmartin65]

OLBs and ILBs have completely different skill sets. Reed, Barwin, Braman and Mericlus are not ILBs, their skill sets are not conducive to the position. Maybe, maybe Wade can cook something up, but I am not counting on it.

[speedfreek]

LOISEAU B@TCHES!!

TJ

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Tailgate

Demeco gone. Cushing out. Here is our new unit for the rest of 2012:

Tim Dobbins
Bradie James
Mister Alexander
Darryl Sharpton

Can this unit be enough come January? Whats the status on Sharpton? Can we expect him to make an impact post injury? Where can we find an upgrade, if possible?

If you're talking about January, I'm assuming you mean before the draft, as in Play-offs.

We drafted Merci in the first, & Barwin is underperforming there, if you ask me. It's time for Mercilus to step up & be what we drafted him to be. Put him in at WOLB, move Barwin to SOLB, where he's supposed to be. Move Reed inside to Mo, Leave Bradie James at Mike & groom Sharpton for that position when he returns.

Shouldn't be too big of a transition for Reed & imo he's better than Dobbins & Alexander.

[Tailgate]

Originally Posted by Fiddler

If you're talking about January, I'm assuming you mean before the draft, as in Play-offs.

We drafted Merci in the first, & Barwin is underperforming there, if you ask me. It's time for Mercilus to step up & be what we drafted him to be. Put him in at WOLB, move Barwin to SOLB, where he's supposed to be. Move Reed inside to Mo, Leave Bradie James at Mike & groom Sharpton for that position when he returns.

Shouldn't be too big of a transition for Reed & imo he's better than Dobbins & Alexander.

Very few guys would I want figuring out how to best replace Cush than Phillips.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by Tailgate

Very few guys would I want figuring out how to best replace Cush than Phillips.

I hear you. I'm just "hoping" based on who/what I believe to be play-makers & putting the most play-makers on the field as possible. So far, Alexander & Dobbins are role players. Reed is a play-maker, so is Barwin though we've only seen flashes (yesterday only) this year. Merci was drafted in the first round, so the expectation is that he is/will be a play-maker.

[wolf123]

I would put Reed at MLB in nickle and dime situations because he can cover, run and blitz well. That allows Barwin and Mercilous to rush from the edged and you can still blitz Reed up the middle. That's a hell of a 5 man rush to stop...

[SAMURAITEXAN]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Fans.

I see, thanks b0ng.

[LikeMike]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Fans.

I may be wrong, but I think I´ve read a Wade quote after the draft, that they will find ways to put Barwin, Reed and Mercilus on the field at the same time. And if I remember correctly, he was specifically calling Reed as an ILB a possiblity. Of course only in obvious passing situations...

But the question remains: are we condident that our 4 ILBs will suffice, or will we try to find another ILB somewhere?

[badboy]

Originally Posted by LikeMike

The question is: are we comfortable with only 4 ILBs including Sharpton who looks to be a long way to being ready again? If not, do we pick up a player from the street, do we trade for one, or do we make one of our OLBs into an ILB? Before the season there was some talk about Reed going inside on some plays...

Not sure we have any trade bait we could or should give up. Probably have to be a trade of a pick for a back up. I am not into panic mode yet. KJ and Joseph should hold down their guys with safeties maybe playing more shallow. I want to see our offense cranking to keep our defense off field even more & continue the high point total to allow if more scoring by opponent.

[coon]

If you look at the combine results, Braman, Reed, Barwin, and Mercilus all ran around 4.6 40 with a 4.2 20 yard shuttle. I would be most comfortable shifting Braman to the middle, he seems to looks the most athletic. All seem to be better options than Bradie James

[painekiller]

IIRC Jesse Nading got some time at ILB during training camp when Cush missed some time. He did not look bad. Dobbins is the next man up, Nading should be in the rotation and we wait a to hear on Sharpton.

As for Draft picks I want to add Shayne Skov into the conversation. I love Te'o but he is top 10 so he is long gone, Minter also looks like a solid 2nd round option for this team.

In Wade I trust!

[GP]

Originally Posted by painekiller

IIRC Jesse Nading got some time at ILB during training camp when Cush missed some time. He did not look bad. Dobbins is the next man up, Nading should be in the rotation and we wait a to hear on Sharpton.

As for Draft picks I want to add Shayne Skov into the conversation. I love Te'o but he is top 10 so he is long gone, Minter also looks like a solid 2nd round option for this team.

In Wade I trust!

If there is an ILB in 2013 that is worth it, I'd sell our draft for the guy. But he has to be THE guy who is the next big thing. No wiggle room, he has to be the business or I don't do it.

I'd then pretend Cushing will never play another down for us, and take the next new Cushing in the draft class and be done with it. Call it a draft for 2013. Wrap it up, pack up the laptops early and leave New York feeling like a million bucks. Then use free agency to fill gaps. Barwin is not a $$$ problem because he won't be brought back, which should help free up some cap space for FA.

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by painekiller

IIRC Jesse Nading got some time at ILB during training camp when Cush missed some time. He did not look bad. Dobbins is the next man up, Nading should be in the rotation and we wait a to hear on Sharpton.

As for Draft picks I want to add Shayne Skov into the conversation. I love Te'o but he is top 10 so he is long gone, Minter also looks like a solid 2nd round option for this team.

In Wade I trust!

Nading is like a cat with nine lives!

[Premier]

wasnt cushing an olb that wade converted.. different responsibilities but i look at guys like mercilus and think hes way too athletic not to be able to drop into coverage or go after te's and backs.. his skillset is probably best utilized getting after the qb but this is a special situation here.. obviously you dont replace the iq and intensity cushing brings...

[Errant Hothy]

Originally Posted by Premier

wasnt cushing an olb that wade converted.. different responsibilities but i look at guys like mercilus and think hes way too athletic not to be able to drop into coverage or go after te's and backs.. his skillset is probably best utilized getting after the qb but this is a special situation here.. obviously you dont replace the iq and intensity cushing brings...

He was an OLB in a 43 who made the move to ILB in a 34, which is a bit differenent than moving 34 OLB inside to become a 34 ILB.

[infantrycak]

Originally Posted by Errant Hothy

He was an OLB in a 43 who made the move to ILB in a 34, which is a bit differenent than moving 34 OLB inside to become a 34 ILB.

It is a bit different but sometimes the difference gets exaggerated. Jamie Sharper was a 4-3 OLB to get his SB ring with Baltimore and then became an excellent 3-4 ILB in Houston. Derrick Johnson played 4-3 OLB to begin with and now plays 3-4 ILB.