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infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Hey, you saw my fight with sly over at hpf last year--I may be block headed but on this one I am block headed right. Personally, Ryans exceeded my expectations at MLB and I wouldn't jack with success like defensive rookie of the year. The point is really moot, as Kubiak has declared Ryans the MLB for years to come. He ain't changing a leader like that who is also a great player out of the position.
i totally agree...ryans needs to stay in the middle...we need better outside backers...greenwood included...now strongside backer is more of a need right now since shantee orr is playing out of position...should be a OLB in a 3/4 scheme...wong should be out the door...leaving us with anderson...umh no....everett in the 3rd...alexander doesn't really fit but you can't argue with his hitting ability...bradley in the 3rd...how about buster davis playing outside...a little small for the inside position maybe he'll be a good SOLB in the pros...other than that i think you could wait til 5th or 6th round and get justin warren and try him at the outside spot
Vinny
shiny happy fan
Teams are looking for 3-down middle linebackers who can play in any down an distance package...so, we have one in Ryans. Infantry is right, he won't be moved, he certainly isn't too small and he doesn't have to come out of the game like larger slower linebackers when teams go into a spread. In the middle he can make plays from side to side (instead of limiting his playmaking to one side of the field) and the team can move him around in long down and distance packages and use his blitzing skills on the outside from time to time.
gooneybird
Practice Squad
What is the proto-typical size?
Mike Singletary was 6-0, 230 lbs. Zach Thomas is 5-11, 228 lbs.
I think we should leave DeMeco where he is. Patrick Willis played Outside LB 2 years ago. Maybe we should draft him for the SAM.
Some pundits have written that we should get a veteran who can help teach DeMeco the pro game. Is Na'il Diggs a worth free agent signing. He is 6-4, 240 lbs.
Mike Singletary was 6-0, 230 lbs. Zach Thomas is 5-11, 228 lbs.
I think we should leave DeMeco where he is. Patrick Willis played Outside LB 2 years ago. Maybe we should draft him for the SAM.
Some pundits have written that we should get a veteran who can help teach DeMeco the pro game. Is Na'il Diggs a worth free agent signing. He is 6-4, 240 lbs.
bah007
Hall of Fame
Doesn't look like DeMeco needs any more veteran help than he already has. Kid is awesome.
If Diggs can play the SAM then I'm all for that. He was a pretty good player a few years ago.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
Willis could be a good SAM. he can move sideline to sideline very well too though. We could go with a 5-2 sometimes with that combinations which would be sweet...but of course we're kinda stretching it with 4 up front anyways.
I think we would bring in a veteran so Demeco can help teach Him the pro game. lol
TexansSeminole
Hall of Fame
Where are the top SLB prospects? This year it is a thin selection.
painekiller
All Pro
The voice of reason. On this site? Are you mad. Ryans had 16 games at MLB and he has to stay there forever, noway he can be even better at the WILL.
Plus that would give us 3 true Will LBs on the team. Greenwood is Texan for at least one more year due to to much dead money to cut him. Ryans is a true Will ,and if you draft another one you have 3 of them. If they take Willis, (not likely) I try Willis at Sam, and at Mike. I experiment with Ryans at all three positions. You have to get your three best guys out on the field where they fit the best together.
R
real
Guest
I don't even know how this came about, but I think that the idea of moving him at this point is border line insane. I thought about it earlier in the season, but as the season ended and I realized how good of a rookie season he had at the position I knew he wouldn't be moved. It doesn't make any sense at this point. The guy was a top three line backer all year as a rookie. Put up pro bowl numbers. If he keeps playing like that he'll be in the hall of fame. Why would you change a players position after coming off of a year like that? Why risk it? What if he has a bad or mediocre year at OLB ? If you think the media dogs us for passing on Reggie Bush, it'd be ten times worse if we made a move like that. It'd be like the Chargers saying we have to get our best players on the field so we're going to move L.T to the slot and start Michael Turner at half back, because it'd give us more talent on the field....Do you guys realize how ridiculous you sound ?
R
real
Guest
I actually think both OLB postitions is pretty strong this year...
Hottoddie
Veteran
What you call ridiculous, I call keeping an open mind. We're throwing out ideas on how to improve the team. You're assuming that DeMeco can't maintain the same level of play if he's moved back to his natural position, & the position that he was originally drafted for. I disagree with you.
I'm not saying he SHOULD be moved, just that it's an option I would look at if a solid MLB were available in the later rounds.
Hypothetically speaking, what if we traded down & Willis was the BPA? Would you pass on him because we already have a stud MLB? Would you force him to learn a position that he's not been groomed for in college? That'd give you 2 LB's playing out of their natural positions. While it would probably work, why wouldn't you just put them into their more natural positions & let them go wild?
All I'm saying is, just keep an open mind. It gives you more flexibility.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
I can see how everyone gets upset so easy about the suggestion of moving demeco.
I don't think using the argument that "he did amazing in the middle this year so we can't move him" is a very good one. As far as I know a 4-3 uses 3 linebackers. demeco is just one guy..one outstanding guy. we're going to keep him as long as we can and have him playing every single down. but what people need to realize is that we need to get the best 3 linebackers out there.
moving him outside would not be the end of the world. Like you were saying...let's just pretend...this is hypothetical so nobody come out a turn their face bright red yelling. If we trade down and draft patrick willis, and kubiak really likes him playing in the middle.then he moves demeco outside..and iguess we still have greenwood. kubiak would watch how they play in practice and preseason. if demeco isn't cutting outside...he then moves demeco back inside and puts p-willie outside. if this is a better fit for the TEAM...then he goes for it.
Its not the end of the world to move players to different positions to see how they fit. it may have messed mario up a little bit doing that in all the reg. season games at the beginning...but as a coach you have to try it.
Also Patrick Willis played olb untill the last year or 2. so he's accustomed to it. once he got moved inside he tore up the sec. i see both he and demeco being versatile enough to handle it.
I just hate the arguement that demeco did so well in the middle we can't move him.
lets look at this. again this is completely made up but yall get the point. lets say we draft Willis and he's outside....greenwood and ryans are last years #'s.
greenwood (109 tkls)----Ryans (155 tkls)----Willis(90???)
then what if we switched demeco and patrick and this happened to happen...
greenwood (109) -----Willis (135)-----Ryans (135)
demeco had 20 less tackles so by that means it was a bad idea...but patrick could of had 45 more tackles...so thats 25 more for our team...and thats what we have to look at not just oh it was a dumb move cuz demeco got less tkls.
no i know thats made up and i really have no idea what those numbers would look like....but that doesnt take into effect how that would help/hinder pressure on the qb, pass coverage, turnovers, as well as stamina/long term health for them in diff. positions.
now say we draft patrick willis or another MLB. and move demeco out
I think kubiak is going to do whatever is best for our team no matter what that means with players playing sitting, or switching positions. I really do not see demeco moving positions next season and think we will draft an olb in a later rd...and maybe get a fa or so.. I hope demeco has another stellar year and is a starter in the probowl for many hears. and D-MVP
bah007
Hall of Fame
It's still not a good arguement.
If it's not broke, dont fix it. You can only make it worse.
I can handle Greenwood outside.
DeMeco is awesome in the middle. Would you put Ray Lewis or Urlacher on the outside just so they could get more sacks?
We need to either sign or draft in the 3rd a guy who can either battle Orr or take the job from him.
Kubiak and Smith haven't made a mistake in the draft yet so I'll go with whatever they choose.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
im really looking forward to what they do and will go with them whatever they decide. and to answer your question about ray lewis and urlacher....call me crazy but if it means....we have a better defense because they are playing outside and someone else is inside....and we win more games cuz of that then yes i would.
but lets not kid ourselves....we're nowhere near the calibre of the ravens or bears....so moving them really seems more unlikely....considering we have 3 legit starters on our defense in mario, demeco, and dunta...so its a lot more likely we do it than them.
i get your point though.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
run-david-run
All Pro
The thing with moving DeMeco outside is that teams can then just run away from him. Teams are already avoiding running to the strongside because of Mario, putting Meco on that side as well would mean that teams would constantly run at Greenwood and Babin. Even if we know what the other team is doing, I would rather have my best player in a position to make a tackle then relying on Greenwood and Babin to stop a 3rd and 2.
PS- Willis has played OLB in college, Im sure such a transition would not be very hard for him. We should try to draft as many SEC defensive players of the year as possible.
PS- Willis has played OLB in college, Im sure such a transition would not be very hard for him. We should try to draft as many SEC defensive players of the year as possible.
R
real
Guest
Would you put Ray Lewis or Urlacher outside because you want to put another MLB inside ? If anyones going to adjust, guys are going to adjust according to them....
This whole thing is like saying the Chargers should start LT at the slot so they can get Michael Turner on the field and have as much talent out ther as possible...
This whole thing is like saying the Chargers should start LT at the slot so they can get Michael Turner on the field and have as much talent out ther as possible...
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
would that make the best team they could come up with ? I don't think so. just because there is more talent out there doesn't mean the offense will do more.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Don't know why people are wasting time discussing this so long as Kubiak is coach. He has stated on a couple occasions that Ryans is staying in the middle.
R
real
Guest
Fixed it.
R
real
Guest
You know, Urlacher started out as a Sam with the Bears and struggled. He moved inside after 4-5 games, and has been lights out ever since.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
Urlacher also used to play Safety in college. That dude just a badass.
Hottoddie
Veteran
Actually, it's a reasonable argument. The defense is still broken & if moving a player or two around will fix it, then you do it.
The draft has a funny way of playing out. No matter what scenario you plan for, you still can't plan for the unknown. Like a GM that starts waffling back & forth on a couple of players, a player that gets into trouble with the law, or sustains an injury riding a motorcycle (sound familiar?).
If your pick comes up & you have players "A"(MLB), "B"(OLB), & "C"(CB) rated the highest on your board & "A" is far superior at his position than "B" or "C" at their respective positions, but player "A" plays the same position as your stud player (DeMeco), do you pass on him? Or, do you try to find a way to fit both players into your system, even if it means shifting an established player to another position?
While DeMeco had a great year & has everyone excited about his future, he hasn't been entrenched at the MLB spot yet. I'm not saying he has to move, but we need to at least keep an open mind to the possibility of it. If bringing in a rookie at MLB & sliding DeMeco over improves the overall defense, then it's a win-win situation.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Except in Kubiak's mind (because it is friggin obvious) so all this is academic, or anti-academic as the case may be.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
this is almost funny...why would you want to move ryans in the first place...because of his size?...not every middle linebacker in the nfl is brian urlacher...not everyone is 6'4'' 260lbs and can run a 4.4 40...leave ryans be...he's earned that middle spot...let's focus on getting a SOLB...and worry about the positions of need...you know like DT, DE, CB, FS, LT, C, RB, QB, and WR
YoungTexanFan
All Pro
Well, glad to see 4 pages of off-topic nonsense.
Hottoddie
Veteran
He he, and to think it all started with this simple little comment.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
i think we ought to keep demeco in the middle as well...i'm just saying its not the only way we can go.
and here are our upgrades as follows...
Defense:
DE-1
DT-2? easily 1
LB-1 for sure
FS-yes
SS-maybe
CB-1
total= minimum 5
Offense:
LT-yes
C-Yes
RB-Yes
QB-Yes
WR2-yes
total =5
thats 10...lots of positions we can upgrade...so we have to do that as wisely as possible... would moving demeco outside to get another good mlb work...possible....would it be easier to just draft a good olb and keep demeco in the middle.. yes of course and thats what most of us think we should do.
the thing is our LB core isn't finished we still need somebody else...which is what this thread is about...I would rather see us find other positions in the first day...and maybe get a lb on the2nd day....
i'm hoping desomond bishop falls to 4...could be good with greenwood and demeco? i think so...there are prob. some others but he's my fave.
First day i really see us (depending on who falls at our 8spot) getting RB, CB, FS, OL probably 3 of those four.
painekiller
All Pro
Why because your team might be better with him at OLB, and another guy playing MLB. How, because that is his natural position and you might be able to draft the top MLB in this draft, a guy who might be as good as Singletary someday. If you could make your team better you do it, if it's not better, you change it back.
It is really simple, I still think the team should have played Pitts at LT when Spencer went down. Pitts was OK at LT, McKinney could have started at LG, Flanagan at OC, Weary at RG and Weigert at RT. It would have made the OL stronger at that point in time. But the team instead decided it was best to get Pitts more snaps at LG so he can develop where they want him, which is a better plan long term.
painekiller
All Pro
Remember you are defending my view that got spanked, so I agree with you. But your supporting logic is flawed. I am fine with both Willis and Ryans getting less tackles. Why? Because that means our defense is off the field more. If our team was a top 10 defense, they would have less plays against them. So remember more tackles can be a bad thing.
But like you said, if the teams trades down and Willis is the BPA, take him. Try him at SAM, WILL and MIKE. Try Ryans at WILL SAM and MIKE. See how they flow together and work as a team. Plus having guys like Ryans who can play multiple positions gives the DC plenty of options and help hide the defense being played.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
goog point in that hopefully our d would be on the field less. we're thinking similarly in this whole thing. having demeco practice outside during practice and a preseason game doesn't mean you have to keep him there the rest of his career. its just seeing all your different options.
all that i want to see is that our CB's have less tackles next season...and that our DL and LB have more. that will happen 2 differnet ways...getting more pressure on the qb, and have a better fs and cb2 that can deflect the pass/ intercept the ball ....i want them to make the play before the receiver gets the ball not after....but thats a whole new thread.
all that i want to see is that our CB's have less tackles next season...and that our DL and LB have more. that will happen 2 differnet ways...getting more pressure on the qb, and have a better fs and cb2 that can deflect the pass/ intercept the ball ....i want them to make the play before the receiver gets the ball not after....but thats a whole new thread.
Hottoddie
Veteran
However, there is another train of thought. Since we're talking about more tackles for the LB's (not necessarily, overall tackles), as Ole Miss Texan alluded to, that means that less plays are making it into the secondary. Thus, less yards for the opposition.
Ole Miss Texan
Hall of Fame
I've got the perfect guy for us to bring in and look at. He may be farely expensive but I doubt any other teams will be in the bidding.
This guy is a true athlete, very smart, and awesome tackler. He also went to Stanford....here's a video for y'all to look at.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tICYqiHRniw
This guy is a true athlete, very smart, and awesome tackler. He also went to Stanford....here's a video for y'all to look at.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tICYqiHRniw
beerlover
Hall of Fame
beerlover
Hall of Fame
bigbrewster2000
Veteran
sometimes you have to look at the production on the field and throw away the physical stats. He had the 2nd most tackles and most solos this year. He was a 1 man wrecking crew in the middle of the field. Who cares if he is not prototypical, he gets the job done well. Don't mess with a good thing. If he puts up the same or similar #'s next season he will be a starter in the pro bowl not just an alternate. He apparently handles the centers and guards just fine without being 250. Look at production on the field.
threetoedpete
Hall of Fame
Yes and that is the point we're tring to make. ...Ok the ZBS center is there at the 40 and so are the second teired DBs....but what is also out there is guys like Buster Davis, David Harris, and the Kid from Pitsburgh H.B Blade. All of them are prototipical MLBs. And if they can play at a high level, put Meco outside without loosing very much in moblity, why not ? That looks to me as a great value. They could do the same thing with the rush end. But the sacks need to go up. I don't KNOW that Demeeco is a Lawrence Taylor guy. All I'm tring to point out is that I'd like to have a player in the fold, since there are so many available prospects this year at the forty, to find out for sure. If Meeco gives us 8 to twelve sacks a year from the will...why not give it a try ? I'm wondering where our society would be if everyone took the attitude some of you are taking ? Man doesn't have wings ,the feet work fine threrefore...don't change anything. One thing we do know for sure at this point...we can not send five with our group of linebackers playing in their current positions and get there. Insane...please.
MorKnolle
All Pro
I'll throw in my 
on LB rankings:
1st) Patrick Willis - he's an ideal fit at MLB but could play ILB in a 3-4 or OLB in a 4-3 as well. He's easily the most talented LB in this draft, I would consider taking him at #8 if a few other people are gone and we can't get a decent trade back deal.
2nd) Lawrence Timmons - he's a very good OLB for a 4-3, I wouldn't want to consider him at #8 but if we traded back to the 12 or lower range (not sure I see that happening) then he'd definitely be on my radar.
3rd) David Harris - he played MLB at Michigan but could play either that or SLB in a 4-3 (exactly the position we're needing), or could play ILB in a 3-4. He could be available at our 2nd round pick and depending on who else is available I'd definitely look at taking him there.
4th) Paul Posluszny - he is likely going to be taken somewhere in the late 1st round, likely by Philly or New Orleans. If he's around at our 2nd round pick I'd consider him, but there are a decent amount of guys that will likely be there that I'd prefer.
5th) Jon Beason - good player but not a particularly good fit for what we need, he'd be great in a cover 2 system and in more of a regular system he's best fitted for WLB.
6th) Earl Everett - probably a little better suited to play WLB as opposed to SLB but he could be solid at either. I don't think I like him enough to take him with our 2nd round pick but I doubt he lasts until our 3rd.
7th) Rufus Alexander - had a bit of an off year and it sounds like a decent amount of people are down on him right now. If that causes him to fall to the 3rd round I'd definitely take a hard look at him, although he is small and is also much better suited for WLB than SLB so he's not exactly the position we're needing.
8th) HB Blades - also played MLB in college but could be a decent fit at SLB, a decent bit better than Shantee Orr for sure. I'd maybe look for him with our 3rd round pick, but that entirely depends on who else is available.
9th) Brandon Siler - another MLB in college, probably best suited for MLB in the NFL, not sure how well he'd transition to SLB though.
10th) Buster Davis - don't like him for us.
Other later round guys:
Rory Johnson - very athletic OLB from Ole Miss. He's better suited for WLB than SLB but I'd be willing to look at him in the 5th round or later.
Desmond Bishop - solid OLB from Cal. I'd also be willing to look at him starting in the 5th round.
Tony Taylor - Pretty solid, could be a decent SLB but probably better suited for MLB or WLB. Would maybe look at in the 5th or later.
Prescott Burgess - I think he should gain some weight and convert to a DE, he's decent at pass rushing but not overly good at anything else. I would consider him in the 5th or later.
Stewart Bradley - pretty big guy that could be a decent option at SLB, would consider looking at him in the 5th or later.
on LB rankings:1st) Patrick Willis - he's an ideal fit at MLB but could play ILB in a 3-4 or OLB in a 4-3 as well. He's easily the most talented LB in this draft, I would consider taking him at #8 if a few other people are gone and we can't get a decent trade back deal.
2nd) Lawrence Timmons - he's a very good OLB for a 4-3, I wouldn't want to consider him at #8 but if we traded back to the 12 or lower range (not sure I see that happening) then he'd definitely be on my radar.
3rd) David Harris - he played MLB at Michigan but could play either that or SLB in a 4-3 (exactly the position we're needing), or could play ILB in a 3-4. He could be available at our 2nd round pick and depending on who else is available I'd definitely look at taking him there.
4th) Paul Posluszny - he is likely going to be taken somewhere in the late 1st round, likely by Philly or New Orleans. If he's around at our 2nd round pick I'd consider him, but there are a decent amount of guys that will likely be there that I'd prefer.
5th) Jon Beason - good player but not a particularly good fit for what we need, he'd be great in a cover 2 system and in more of a regular system he's best fitted for WLB.
6th) Earl Everett - probably a little better suited to play WLB as opposed to SLB but he could be solid at either. I don't think I like him enough to take him with our 2nd round pick but I doubt he lasts until our 3rd.
7th) Rufus Alexander - had a bit of an off year and it sounds like a decent amount of people are down on him right now. If that causes him to fall to the 3rd round I'd definitely take a hard look at him, although he is small and is also much better suited for WLB than SLB so he's not exactly the position we're needing.
8th) HB Blades - also played MLB in college but could be a decent fit at SLB, a decent bit better than Shantee Orr for sure. I'd maybe look for him with our 3rd round pick, but that entirely depends on who else is available.
9th) Brandon Siler - another MLB in college, probably best suited for MLB in the NFL, not sure how well he'd transition to SLB though.
10th) Buster Davis - don't like him for us.
Other later round guys:
Rory Johnson - very athletic OLB from Ole Miss. He's better suited for WLB than SLB but I'd be willing to look at him in the 5th round or later.
Desmond Bishop - solid OLB from Cal. I'd also be willing to look at him starting in the 5th round.
Tony Taylor - Pretty solid, could be a decent SLB but probably better suited for MLB or WLB. Would maybe look at in the 5th or later.
Prescott Burgess - I think he should gain some weight and convert to a DE, he's decent at pass rushing but not overly good at anything else. I would consider him in the 5th or later.
Stewart Bradley - pretty big guy that could be a decent option at SLB, would consider looking at him in the 5th or later.
YoungTexanFan
All Pro
Good to see someone else actually making an attempt to post on the topic.
YoungTexanFan
All Pro
I'll throw in my
1st) Patrick Willis - he's an ideal fit at MLB but could play ILB in a 3-4 or OLB in a 4-3 as well. He's easily the most talented LB in this draft, I would consider taking him at #8 if a few other people are gone and we can't get a decent trade back deal. I don't see him lasting till our 2nd rounder at all, and I can't really justify us taking him in the first, even after a trade back. He is gritty, but I feel that we can make better use of our picks with different players. Basicly, I'd rather look elsewhere.
2nd) Lawrence Timmons - he's a very good OLB for a 4-3, I wouldn't want to consider him at #8 but if we traded back to the 12 or lower range (not sure I see that happening) then he'd definitely be on my radar. This is the guy I want as an OLB for us next year. I don't think he will fall to the second, but he just might. If he does, it is easy. The guy is the best fit out of any LB for our team.
4th) Paul Posluszny - he is likely going to be taken somewhere in the late 1st round, likely by Philly or New Orleans. If he's around at our 2nd round pick I'd consider him, but there are a decent amount of guys that will likely be there that I'd prefer. This is a guy I'm excited to have in the draft. Not for us, but it just means that one of the better LB's will fall because of his name and hype. He will go 1st round, pushing an OLB down further to us.
5th) Jon Beason - good player but not a particularly good fit for what we need, he'd be great in a cover 2 system and in more of a regular system he's best fitted for WLB. A super athletic OLB. He is probally more of an ideal WLB, but I think he is capable of excelling at SLB as well.
7th) Rufus Alexander - had a bit of an off year and it sounds like a decent amount of people are down on him right now. If that causes him to fall to the 3rd round I'd definitely take a hard look at him, although he is small and is also much better suited for WLB than SLB so he's not exactly the position we're needing. Think of him as a compact wrecking ball. He has for some reason fallen out of favor in many circles, but he is talented. He screams MLB to me, but will probally end up as a WLB. I like the guy.
8th) HB Blades - also played MLB in college but could be a decent fit at SLB, a decent bit better than Shantee Orr for sure. I'd maybe look for him with our 3rd round pick, but that entirely depends on who else is available.
Can be a monster. Has good enough bulk to play at SAM, and should wind up there in the pros. I do not forsee him being a MLB or WLB.
Just what I think.
MorKnolle
All Pro
I agree with the vast majority of that. I don't see any way Timmons falls to us in the 2nd, I think he's clearly the 2nd best LB in this draft, and is a nice fit for almost any type of system, and with some teams like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Carolina in the 12-14 range I'm a little hard-pressed to see him fall past those picks. As for Alexander, he didn't play as well at all for most of this year, other than the UT game he seemed to have some of that fire that he played with last year. Last year I saw him as a player that was very similar to Demeco, a little smaller and maybe slightly more athletic, but this year he was lacking something, just didn't seem into it for most of the year, which is why a lot of teams aren't as fond of him now. After only weighing in at 227 lbs. at the Senior Bowl he either needs to gain 10+ lbs. and work out well at Combine or else he'll be locked in as a WLB in the draft.
bah007
Hall of Fame
I'll throw in my
1st) Patrick Willis - he's an ideal fit at MLB but could play ILB in a 3-4 or OLB in a 4-3 as well. He's easily the most talented LB in this draft, I would consider taking him at #8 if a few other people are gone and we can't get a decent trade back deal.
2nd) Lawrence Timmons - he's a very good OLB for a 4-3, I wouldn't want to consider him at #8 but if we traded back to the 12 or lower range (not sure I see that happening) then he'd definitely be on my radar.
3rd) David Harris - he played MLB at Michigan but could play either that or SLB in a 4-3 (exactly the position we're needing), or could play ILB in a 3-4. He could be available at our 2nd round pick and depending on who else is available I'd definitely look at taking him there.
4th) Paul Posluszny - he is likely going to be taken somewhere in the late 1st round, likely by Philly or New Orleans. If he's around at our 2nd round pick I'd consider him, but there are a decent amount of guys that will likely be there that I'd prefer.
5th) Jon Beason - good player but not a particularly good fit for what we need, he'd be great in a cover 2 system and in more of a regular system he's best fitted for WLB.
6th) Earl Everett - probably a little better suited to play WLB as opposed to SLB but he could be solid at either. I don't think I like him enough to take him with our 2nd round pick but I doubt he lasts until our 3rd.
7th) Rufus Alexander - had a bit of an off year and it sounds like a decent amount of people are down on him right now. If that causes him to fall to the 3rd round I'd definitely take a hard look at him, although he is small and is also much better suited for WLB than SLB so he's not exactly the position we're needing.
8th) HB Blades - also played MLB in college but could be a decent fit at SLB, a decent bit better than Shantee Orr for sure. I'd maybe look for him with our 3rd round pick, but that entirely depends on who else is available.
9th) Brandon Siler - another MLB in college, probably best suited for MLB in the NFL, not sure how well he'd transition to SLB though.
10th) Buster Davis - don't like him for us.
Other later round guys:
Rory Johnson - very athletic OLB from Ole Miss. He's better suited for WLB than SLB but I'd be willing to look at him in the 5th round or later.
Desmond Bishop - solid OLB from Cal. I'd also be willing to look at him starting in the 5th round.
Tony Taylor - Pretty solid, could be a decent SLB but probably better suited for MLB or WLB. Would maybe look at in the 5th or later.
Prescott Burgess - I think he should gain some weight and convert to a DE, he's decent at pass rushing but not overly good at anything else. I would consider him in the 5th or later.
Stewart Bradley - pretty big guy that could be a decent option at SLB, would consider looking at him in the 5th or later.
Where's Juwan Simpson from Alabama?
He was a two-year starter & while he was never a playmaker he was always very solid.
There doesn't seem to be a vast amount of upside but he rarely makes mistakes & is stout against the run.
MorKnolle
All Pro
Simpson is decent, although I don't particularly like how he fits our team. He weighed in at the Senior Bowl at 223 lbs. so he's very undersized, he's pretty athletic but nothing overly special, and he's a pretty solid player. I personally see him going to a cover 2 team like the Colts, Buc, Vikings, etc. in the 4th round or lower, but I'm not a big fan of us taking him, especially with his spotty character history.
beerlover
Hall of Fame
it would be a mistake to use a 1st day pick on a OLB given the overall needs of the Texans & the fact Greenwood/Orr/Wong/Evans/Ryans are adequate & will only get better playing together as a unit.
I'd prefer using a 2nd day pick on a OLB- Rory Johnson, Desmond Bishop, Prescott Burgess or Stewart Bradley
I'd prefer using a 2nd day pick on a OLB- Rory Johnson, Desmond Bishop, Prescott Burgess or Stewart Bradley