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MLB position!!!
- Thread starter El Tejano
- Start date
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
El Tejano said:
I think it'd be excellent! I think he's going to be a force to reckon with for years to come. If he were to start this year don't you think it'd be an outside LB? I would think one of the vets would start as MLB and Demeco would eventually win the spot later on.
South Texan
Waterboy
I am very excited with Ryans potential (as well as a couple of the other rookies) and think in the coming years he will make a HUGE impact on the Defense.
... However...
I would hate to see him or any rookie pushed in over his head the first year. This is a whole new caliber of players he is facing as opposed to college, and I really don't want him to have a mental meltdown because he doesn't do as well out of the starting gates as he did in college. Give him time to get used to the pro's. Play him when possible (special teams and games we can stand an occasional rookie mistake) but don't start him at the beginning of this year, till he has a chance to learn how the Big Boys play. We have a lot of depth at LB so let's take advantage of it. I would hope we could ease all of the rookies that will end up starters into their spots by the end of the season, but I bet with Mario he will be starting DE from day 1. Then again, he is probably exceptional enough to handle it.
Experience is the best teacher, let's just give it to the rookies in doses they can handle!
... However...
I would hate to see him or any rookie pushed in over his head the first year. This is a whole new caliber of players he is facing as opposed to college, and I really don't want him to have a mental meltdown because he doesn't do as well out of the starting gates as he did in college. Give him time to get used to the pro's. Play him when possible (special teams and games we can stand an occasional rookie mistake) but don't start him at the beginning of this year, till he has a chance to learn how the Big Boys play. We have a lot of depth at LB so let's take advantage of it. I would hope we could ease all of the rookies that will end up starters into their spots by the end of the season, but I bet with Mario he will be starting DE from day 1. Then again, he is probably exceptional enough to handle it.
Experience is the best teacher, let's just give it to the rookies in doses they can handle!
I'm expecting our LBs to be Ryans on the strong side, Cowart in the middle, and Greenwood on the weakside on first and second down. On third down, I expect Ryans to move to the middle and Orr come in on the strong side. Wong will shake things up if he's able to play, but we'll know more about everybody's roles by then.HOU-TEX said:I think it'd be excellent! I think he's going to be a force to reckon with for years to come. If he were to start this year don't you think it'd be an outside LB? I would think one of the vets would start as MLB and Demeco would eventually win the spot later on.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
AFD1717 said:
That sounds pretty sweet to me!
You know there's some that are weary of our LB's, but to tell ya the truth I kind of like the way it looks right now. The only ones I question are Cowart (because I do not know much about him)and Wong (due to injury and strength).
threetoedpete
Hall of Fame
Greenway, Cowart, Anderson will be our starting LB's opening day. If their not, Pilly will run us out of Reliant stadium. And a winable game will go down the tubes. No Rookie is going to cover Westbrook. I don't care who he is. AND...further...you better have a SSLB with some lead in is pocket to jam and slow down the Pilly TE's at the line of scrimage or...it's going to be embarassing.AFD1717 said:
Frills
Waterboy
threetoedpete said:
Greenwood is pretty good in coverage (despite being a little overrated) and will do most of the work on Westbrook. The fact that their WRs are terrible will mean that we can put a safety on him much of the time too. As far as our SSLB having "lead in his pocket" I think D-Wreck can bring it just fine. I'm not worried about him.
TexanFan881
All Pro
I'm not going to underestimate Rainier. He seemed to not even have much of a chance before and all of a sudden he's leading the battle at the MLB position.
TexanFan881 said:
I don't know if anybody remembers the quote, back before the draft when the new coaching staff was watching tape on the current players, and one of the coaches said their MLB was not on the roster yet. It really seems like Rainer and Cowart are the two biggest canidates to play MLB. Yeah with Cowart being a little knicked up I am sure others will fill in Polk, Evans or whoever.
It really seems like the strong side will be one of the former 3-4 OLBs Orr, Anderson and maybe Pettway. And of course Wong when he comes back.
It really seems like the weakside needs quickness. Although Ryans might be a MLB down the road. I am sure they do not want to overwhelm him. Since Greenwood is over paid and over rated, I really seem him being here only this year, kinda like a stop gap for Ryans to develop.
BlueThunder
Waterboy
I can't really figure out any of the LBer moves..Exspecially the Wali Rainer move.I would expect Greenwood to be somewhere in the lineup along with maybe Cowart starting at MLB and maybe Peek on the WS..Something like this
....................................QB...RB
...WR ...SWR....TE,,X,,,X,,,C,,,X,,,,X...............WR
.....CB................DE DT,,,, DT,,,,,,DE.............CB
........................JB,,,SP,,,,,TJ,,,,,,,MW
............SS...SSLB,,,,,,,,MLB,,,WSLB ,,,,,,,,,,FS
.............?....M.G,,,,,,,,,,SC,,,,,,AP
Thats what I would think starting out because Greenwood has played SSLB and Coward has played MLB but who knows who will earn the spots till we get on the field.I know TJ should be rotated off the bench.The rookie should get a little time,,heck,,they didn't get the LBers or any players I was targeting...The'll figure it out and we will have a good team when we start adjusting and fixing things...It may not be the best we will do but will compete and get better as players learn there assignments ..Peek can play anywhere,,he has that kind of talent,the question is he's never done it..
This year is a free year for the young coaches but that don't mean we don't want to win..Were just going to have to let them feel what its like to be 1 and 15..I hope we don';t have to go there but sometimes its the best thing..I know the lord is going to be with us all and were going to have fun ,,,2 wins and were better 9 wins and I think the staff went above expectation of the average football man...I still want a playoff!
We are laying the foundation for the future this year..I think a 15 rank on defense is ok,,because we just didn't know what we have but we will come draft day 2007!
Greenwood may be over rated by some but by others he could be the minute man off the bench because he has played every position in the 43 and is a 100 tackle + guy..Heck the guy never can get settled in because he's always being moved every year..
....................................QB...RB
...WR ...SWR....TE,,X,,,X,,,C,,,X,,,,X...............WR
.....CB................DE DT,,,, DT,,,,,,DE.............CB
........................JB,,,SP,,,,,TJ,,,,,,,MW
............SS...SSLB,,,,,,,,MLB,,,WSLB ,,,,,,,,,,FS
.............?....M.G,,,,,,,,,,SC,,,,,,AP
Thats what I would think starting out because Greenwood has played SSLB and Coward has played MLB but who knows who will earn the spots till we get on the field.I know TJ should be rotated off the bench.The rookie should get a little time,,heck,,they didn't get the LBers or any players I was targeting...The'll figure it out and we will have a good team when we start adjusting and fixing things...It may not be the best we will do but will compete and get better as players learn there assignments ..Peek can play anywhere,,he has that kind of talent,the question is he's never done it..
This year is a free year for the young coaches but that don't mean we don't want to win..Were just going to have to let them feel what its like to be 1 and 15..I hope we don';t have to go there but sometimes its the best thing..I know the lord is going to be with us all and were going to have fun ,,,2 wins and were better 9 wins and I think the staff went above expectation of the average football man...I still want a playoff!
We are laying the foundation for the future this year..I think a 15 rank on defense is ok,,because we just didn't know what we have but we will come draft day 2007!
Greenwood may be over rated by some but by others he could be the minute man off the bench because he has played every position in the 43 and is a 100 tackle + guy..Heck the guy never can get settled in because he's always being moved every year..
Number19
Hall of Fame
I haven't a clue as to how many LB's will be carried this next season, one or two may make the team basically for their special teams play, but here is how I see these positional battles shaping up going into training camp:
Greenwood and Ryans as the weak side LB's;
Cowart and Rainer in the middle;
and with Anderson battling Polk on the strong side.
Pettway may figure in the equation on the strongside, but will probabably not make the starting roster. Orr may be there somewhere and has the best chance of being the seventh LB. Ryans will be taking snaps also in the middle and Wong will be starting the season on the PUP list.
I do think that even as a rookie, Ryans will prove to be our best LB coming out of training camp, and how do you not start your best player? I think we may see Greenwood, Ryans and Polk starting on opening day.
Evans, Pierce and Green will be training camp fodder. Fred Brock will be on the practice squad.
To backtrack a little, Orr came out of Michigan as a DE and has excellant pass rush abilities. But as an every down LB, he may be too limited in his skill level, being limited to a third down, blitz specialist.
Negative comments, going into the '03 draft, was that Orr was vulnerable at the point of attack in run support, lacked change-of-direction skills and was weak in over-all awareness. He has never been projected as more than a 3rd down specialist; whereas Charlie Anderson, coming out of Mississippi as a DE, had the skills to be projected to OLB at the pro level. His progress will be interesting since he carries a label of having promising upside.
Greenwood and Ryans as the weak side LB's;
Cowart and Rainer in the middle;
and with Anderson battling Polk on the strong side.
Pettway may figure in the equation on the strongside, but will probabably not make the starting roster. Orr may be there somewhere and has the best chance of being the seventh LB. Ryans will be taking snaps also in the middle and Wong will be starting the season on the PUP list.
I do think that even as a rookie, Ryans will prove to be our best LB coming out of training camp, and how do you not start your best player? I think we may see Greenwood, Ryans and Polk starting on opening day.
Evans, Pierce and Green will be training camp fodder. Fred Brock will be on the practice squad.
To backtrack a little, Orr came out of Michigan as a DE and has excellant pass rush abilities. But as an every down LB, he may be too limited in his skill level, being limited to a third down, blitz specialist.
Negative comments, going into the '03 draft, was that Orr was vulnerable at the point of attack in run support, lacked change-of-direction skills and was weak in over-all awareness. He has never been projected as more than a 3rd down specialist; whereas Charlie Anderson, coming out of Mississippi as a DE, had the skills to be projected to OLB at the pro level. His progress will be interesting since he carries a label of having promising upside.
bigbrewster2000
Veteran
You have Mario on the wrong side. And I hate to break it to you but right now I think that there is little chance that TJ will beat out Anthony Weaver for the 3 gap DT spot.BlueThunder said:
the wonger need food
All Pro
HJam72 said:
He's an OLB in a 4-3 also. At least he was with Minnesota.
BlueThunder
Waterboy
bigbrewster2000 said:
Thats what i'm talking about,right there
TwinSisters
Veteran
the wonger need food said:
Wong was a tweener that the Vikings wanted played at Middle LB. He left the Vikings because he wanted to move outside and use his speed skills. Looking at this clip maybe that knee never repaired? ( Not sure if it is the same one though )
http://www.nfl.com/ce/multi/0,3783,5099105,00.html
BlueThunder
Waterboy
bigbrewster2000 said:
Maybe we can put Weaver over at the starting LDE position and move Peek into the #3 rotation spot with Babin..I really think Weaver may be able to beat Mario out.He's only a rookie and this is the time to do it before Mario really turns into a player.Besides this don't we have another first round top 10 pick we can bench for our future...
wrestler4life
Waterboy
I think that should be left up to the coaches, who are much more able to put together a starting unit than you or I.BlueThunder said:Maybe we can put Weaver over at the starting LDE position and move Peek into the #3 rotation spot with Babin..I really think Weaver may be able to beat Mario out.He's only a rookie and this is the time to do it before Mario really turns into a player.Besides this don't we have another first round top 10 pick we can bench for our future...
BlueThunder
Waterboy
TwinSisters
Veteran
TK_Gamer said:can I get an AMEN!
Amen. Dom Capers forever! Long Live Chris Palmer!! Three Cheers for Pendry!!! God Bless Fangio!!!!
Ed Biles, why hath thou forsaken us?
Or maybe not...
my question is why haven't we tried ryans at the strongside backer position...he has the talent to play all three spots on the field...as far as opening day goes i would not be surprised to see greenwood cowart polk as the starters but look for rainer orr and ryans to get some serious playing time...wong when healthy will probably push polk to the bench...and then you have anderson and evans pushing for pt
MorKnolle
All Pro
BlueThunder said:
BlueThunder said:Maybe we can put Weaver over at the starting LDE position and move Peek into the #3 rotation spot with Babin..I really think Weaver may be able to beat Mario out.He's only a rookie and this is the time to do it before Mario really turns into a player.Besides this don't we have another first round top 10 pick we can bench for our future...
All I can say is I'm glad you're not in charge of our defense. As another poster pointed out, you have Mario on the wrong side of your original schematic, and there is no way Weaver is going to beat Mario out. Weaver will be a full time DT, and even if Weaver did beat Mario out for SDE then Mario would move to WDE and relocate Peek and Babin to the bench, as it is though Mario will be SDE and Peek and Babin will compete for WDE. Also, Greenwood is a WLB, Ryans is probably best suited for WLB or maybe MLB, Wong is either a WLB or MLB, Cowart and Rainer are MLBs, and Terry Pierce if he makes the team is a MLB. Shantee Orr will likely be the starting SLB and Charlie Anderson will probably be the backup, Dashon Polk won't make the team.
Number19 said:
No way Polk will play over Orr, I don't see Polk making the team. Orr is currently the starting SLB and Charlie Anderson and maybe Kenneth Pettway will probably be the backups there. I think Terry Pierce could maybe make the team, although with Cowart and Rainer ahead of him at MLB I'm not sure he'll be around unless he switches to SLB.
TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
I beleive that Cowart will start as our MLB in the preseason, and DeMeco Ryans will get the spot after preseason. Unless he can break the roster as a strongside linebacker before or during preseason. I think he would be a good player at both strongside and middle linebacker, and i think he should develop in whatever he feels the most comfortable.
This is going to be the next roster update i beleive: Greenwood WLB. Cowart is our MLB. Wong SLB.
In training camp we will see how these change.
This is going to be the next roster update i beleive: Greenwood WLB. Cowart is our MLB. Wong SLB.
In training camp we will see how these change.
TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
aj. said:
No good. Well i guess the SLB spot will go to DeMeco. Thanks for the info.
Number19
Hall of Fame
For comparison, in 2005:MorKnolle said:
..................................Orr.........Polk
Games Started..............12............11
Solo Tackles.................34............62
Ast Tackles..................11............30
Orr is weak at the point of attack. He is also weak in pass defense, particularly in covering RB's and TE's in man-coverage. His best position would be on the weak side, but this is where Ryans should eventually settle in.
Number19
Hall of Fame
During the mini-camps, Ryans took snaps on the weak side and in the middle.
His natural position is on the weak side, however if protected by effective interior line play, and left free to flow to the ball, he would be extremely effective in the middle, much like Vilma's rookie season. However, like Vilma, if not protected, he becomes less effective, which is why the weak side is his natural position.
His natural position is on the weak side, however if protected by effective interior line play, and left free to flow to the ball, he would be extremely effective in the middle, much like Vilma's rookie season. However, like Vilma, if not protected, he becomes less effective, which is why the weak side is his natural position.
Number19
Hall of Fame
Thanks for the info. With Greenwood and Ryans on the left side, I figured Orr would be getting his reps on the strong side. I wasn't aware that Cowart was already injured. I knew that Rainer was pushing for the top spot in the middle, with Ryans also taking reps there. With Cowart sidelined, it stands to reason that Polk would move back inside, where he played last season. With (a healthy) Cowart, Rainer and Ryans all taking reps in the middle, I just figured that the strong side was our weak position and that this is where Polk would be taking his reps.aj. said:
With Polk moved back inside, that would leave Orr number 1 on the strong side. It would be unreasonable - but a pleasant surprise - to expect Anderson, with only two seasons at LB under his belt; or Pettway,with only one; to be ready to assume a starting role.
I actually don't like either Orr or Polk at SSLB. Our defense is going to be vulnerable at this position. We will need strong support from the secondary.
MorKnolle
All Pro
Number19 said:
Polk played MLB in our joke of a 3-4 while Orr played OLB, so Orr's main duties were pass rushing while Polk was supposed to clog the middle and make tackles, so your numbers are somewhat misleading. Orr also led our team in sacks last year with 7 to Polk's 3.5. Orr is most suited for SLB in this system since they will be the primary pass rusher among the LBs, not to mention Orr is also 4 years younger. In minicamp Orr was at SLB with the 1st team, Polk rarely saw any reps at all.
threetoedpete
Hall of Fame
Maddict5 said:
If we don't get someone nimble enough to cover the water bug...he's going to kill us. Especailly if they get the tightends into the seam for McNab. I look at what they have on the offensive line... and what we have at DT...I don''t know about LT, but I have no doubt, we could very well start the water bug on his way to the '07 Pro bowl. Our best two LBs are injured and Anderson is the bigest LB on the roster is all I know. It's the difference between a 235 LB standing up at the point of attack and a 250 pound LB Standing @ the point of attack. My money is on the 250 pound guy. He's not my son, but I'd give him a look for the first game. We don't stuff their run, Mcnabb, the Te's and the water bug will eat us alive. Book it . PS, I'm saving this for september big guy. We'll see.
Number19
Hall of Fame
I was aware of this difference in position and thanks for pointing it out for the benefit of other readers. And thanks for the additional info, along with AJ. You just can't count on the "drive-by" media for anything useful. I'm ready for the season to start.MorKnolle said:
MorKnolle said:
Polk saw plenty of reps, just not with the first team. They rotate through drills; first team, second team, then a mix of second and third team ... with each team running the same sets a few times. No one sits out if they are healthy. Rookies and first year players stay 30 minutes after to assure they get their reps if they aren't getting enough during regular drills.
bigbrewster2000
Veteran
Hey Travis Johnson was not even a top 15 pick he was picked 16th last year. We had the 13th selection and traded back to 16. Why do you keep saying the guy is a top 10 pick? If the kid shows he can play then he will be on the field but until he does it I want the best guys on the field. I am glad that the coaches are making these guys earn their spots and not just giving the spots away.BlueThunder said:Maybe we can put Weaver over at the starting LDE position and move Peek into the #3 rotation spot with Babin..I really think Weaver may be able to beat Mario out.He's only a rookie and this is the time to do it before Mario really turns into a player.Besides this don't we have another first round top 10 pick we can bench for our future...