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Message
Linebacker position 2014
Posted on 2/12/14 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 12:51 pm
A post by WDF got me thinking about the linebacker position going into 2014.
On defence we have impact players at every position:
Safety Vaccaro
Corner Lewis
D-line Jordan
Linebacker ?
Because of their contracts Lofton and Hawthorn are on the team as ILBers going into next year. It is possible a young ILB steps up and claims a start but as far as FA goes a upgrade there is doubtful.
As we can't upgrade the entire defence from front to back in a single year would a elite pass rusher from the OLB position make the secondary improve via more pressure on opposing QB's enough to warrant a 1st round pick?
There are a lot of really good ILBers in this years draft. Not so much it seems at OLB.
I like Dee Ford for his size 6'2' 247 and good speed. MVP senior bowl. Two sack in title game.
I don't like his lack of playing time but that seems to be a more common condition these days.
Is there a OLB yall would consider as a 1st round possibility for us? Can our secondary which needs some depth be aided more by securing another player who can rush the QB?
Our current group of OLBers
55 Dawson, Keyunta
93 Galette, Junior (more end)
98 Haralson, Parys
59 Johnson, Rufus
58 Knox, Kyle (200 lbs?)
90 Butler, Victor
On defence we have impact players at every position:
Safety Vaccaro
Corner Lewis
D-line Jordan
Linebacker ?
Because of their contracts Lofton and Hawthorn are on the team as ILBers going into next year. It is possible a young ILB steps up and claims a start but as far as FA goes a upgrade there is doubtful.
As we can't upgrade the entire defence from front to back in a single year would a elite pass rusher from the OLB position make the secondary improve via more pressure on opposing QB's enough to warrant a 1st round pick?
There are a lot of really good ILBers in this years draft. Not so much it seems at OLB.
I like Dee Ford for his size 6'2' 247 and good speed. MVP senior bowl. Two sack in title game.
I don't like his lack of playing time but that seems to be a more common condition these days.
Is there a OLB yall would consider as a 1st round possibility for us? Can our secondary which needs some depth be aided more by securing another player who can rush the QB?
Our current group of OLBers
55 Dawson, Keyunta
93 Galette, Junior (more end)
98 Haralson, Parys
59 Johnson, Rufus
58 Knox, Kyle (200 lbs?)
90 Butler, Victor
8
Posted on 2/12/14 at 12:57 pm to goatmilker
Lofton isn't an impact player? He's not flashy, but the guys a really good player.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:00 pm to JPLIII
I don't think so. Not like the three from the other positions I listed. JMO I think he is a solid player in the NFL just doesn't have the wheels to run side to side from what I have seen so far.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:02 pm to goatmilker
Lofton is a good thumper. He's improved in coverage, but it's still not great.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:04 pm to goatmilker
Can't wait to see what V But can do next season.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:07 pm to Melvin
Rob misses I'm sure 
But still has not played a down.
But still has not played a down.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:11 pm to goatmilker
Those pecs though 
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:12 pm to goatmilker
quote:
98 Haralson, Parys
He's actually a free agent, which I hope the can remedy.
Honestly with the way we play, I really think Hawthorne needs to be replaced. He seemed to be poor in coverage and isn't the tackler Lofton is. He also didn't seem fast on the field.
It also depends on what we do with Harper since he basically lived in the box as an extra LB when he was healthy.
Hopefully Butler adds some speed and coverage ability, but we really need another fast ILB to have our bases covered.
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 1:16 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:14 pm to bonethug0108
Yeah I just went to the Saints site to see the lineup.
Not like they give a crap about their own site.
Not like they give a crap about their own site.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:15 pm to goatmilker
Hawthorne looked a lot better this year.
but even so... PFF didn't like him.
I was torn on that. I mean I don't take their grades as seriously as some might. I find their stuff to be informative but I don't let it form my opinion.
he was banged up in 2012 and contributed far less then he did this past season.
I think we knew what we were getting in Lofton. A guy who is a run thumping middle backer. Is he a true sideline-to-sideline guy? I don't think so. But that isn't a shot at him. He's dependable for the most part I think.
I'd like to see us add some depth here. I guess I'm just paranoid but it always seems like we have a rash of injuries that hit this unit each season.
Hawthorne, Vilma, and Chamberlain in 2012.
Butler, Haralson, and yes even Will Smith in 2013 (little bit of sarcasm there).
as far as drafting a OLB?? I don't know. Dee Ford looks like a beast and I'd bet he could be a productive player. His speed and quickness were giving O-linemen problems at the Senior Bowl all week.
maybe another guy like Van Noy from BYU as another possibility?
but even so... PFF didn't like him.
I was torn on that. I mean I don't take their grades as seriously as some might. I find their stuff to be informative but I don't let it form my opinion.
he was banged up in 2012 and contributed far less then he did this past season.
I think we knew what we were getting in Lofton. A guy who is a run thumping middle backer. Is he a true sideline-to-sideline guy? I don't think so. But that isn't a shot at him. He's dependable for the most part I think.
quote:
There are a lot of really good ILBers in this years draft.
I'd like to see us add some depth here. I guess I'm just paranoid but it always seems like we have a rash of injuries that hit this unit each season.
Hawthorne, Vilma, and Chamberlain in 2012.
Butler, Haralson, and yes even Will Smith in 2013 (little bit of sarcasm there).
as far as drafting a OLB?? I don't know. Dee Ford looks like a beast and I'd bet he could be a productive player. His speed and quickness were giving O-linemen problems at the Senior Bowl all week.
maybe another guy like Van Noy from BYU as another possibility?
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:26 pm to LooseCannon22282
quote:
Hawthorne looked a lot better this year.
I agree about not taking PFF numbers to heart, but I have to agree with them about Hawthorne. From what I saw he played about as well as last year, which is extremely disappointing.
And while he played every game, he was only in on 70% of the snaps. The only starter to play less while playing every game was Hicks(66%), and I remember him getting dinged up a few times(not to mention our great dline rotation; really not much to rotate with Hawthorne in contrast).
And the whole reason we got him was for coverage in he looks terrible half the time while doing it.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:50 pm to bonethug0108
I really don't see us addressing the OLB early in the draft. V. Butler will be our upgrade at that unit. I would love to see us grab one of the better CB or S with our 1st pick.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 1:55 pm to goatmilker
I'm not as low on Hawthorne and Lofton as most. Are they superstars? No. But they're probably mid range among NFL starters. I'll say that I just don't think they're in absolute immediate need of upgrade next season.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:00 pm to goatmilker
quote:
I don't think so. Not like the three from the other positions I listed. JMO I think he is a solid player in the NFL just doesn't have the wheels to run side to side from what I have seen so far.
Wellllllll.......he's legit. The dude's just solid as frick....you know what you are going to get from him every game. Superstar? No. But he's one of the least of our worries on defense. And to be honest, I also like the way Hawthorne played this year. The problem is, he's been here a few years and this was his only decent season. The way our LB core has been lacking for so long, I'm just happy to have some consistent decent play.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:14 pm to Brettesaurus Rex
quote:
t I just don't think they're in absolute immediate need of upgrade next season.
Me either. Was looking at the possibility of upgrading OLB in this thread.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:19 pm to bonethug0108
quote:
And the whole reason we got him was for coverage in he looks terrible half the time while doing it.
when the Saints brought him in, they were still using the 4-3 defense. He was penciled in as a starter at OLB the day the Saints signed him pretty much.
Hawthorne played as a OLB in Seattle, correct?
for a little while there in the offseason last year, I was wondering how he would fit into Rob Ryan's defense.
it was just a thought. I mean Hawthorne was brought in after the Saints tabbed Spagnuolo as the defensive coordinator.
but I guess having a revolving door at DC might make you wonder about stuff like that at times.
from a production stand point, Hawthorne was better in 2013. He only played in 10 games in 2012 and didn't really pile up his numbers in tackles when he did play. I don't know if that was because he was still battling his injury or if it was just that he wasn't adjusting to Spags defense all that well. shite, none of the players really seemed to anyway. So I guess it was a little of both.
this year, he and Lofton led the team in tackles. I don't know if that is something to hang our hat on but..
w it was an improvement from some of the previous years when the Saints had more guys from the secondary helping to top out that list. Guys like Harper, Greer, Jenkins, and even Patrick Robinson were way up there in tackles.
This post was edited on 2/12/14 at 2:21 pm
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:20 pm to goatmilker
I think Lofton is just fine.
In fact, I think he was getting more comfortable as time went on (while Hawthorne did not).
As people have said, he's not a game-changer, but he's solid.
However, he needs to be paired with someone who can compensate for his weaknesses in coverage (and lateral speed?).
In fact, I think he was getting more comfortable as time went on (while Hawthorne did not).
As people have said, he's not a game-changer, but he's solid.
However, he needs to be paired with someone who can compensate for his weaknesses in coverage (and lateral speed?).
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:37 pm to Hoodoo Man
I like Lofton too. Vic But will be a starter this year and make a huge impact. I have one question on defense and that's our CBs/depth at CB. I like Corey White, but I don't think he's anything more than a nickel back. P-Rob will be back so that's good. I guess the question lies in whether or not Greer can come back 100%.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 2:38 pm to goatmilker
quote:
Was looking at the possibility of upgrading OLB in this thread.
we haven't seen Butler play a down for the Saints. But I'm optimistic. Supposedly he played well when given the chance in Dallas. Unfortunately for him, he backed up Demarcus Ware.
I thought Galette rushed the passer pretty well in 2013. Maybe he could polish up his run defense a little more but I thought he did good. I mean he was a raw player who hadn't really gotten as many opportunities in the previous seasons.
I think a guy like Dee Ford is a real possibility at #27. But if he continues to gain momentum at the Combine or at his Pro Day... you never know.
Posted on 2/12/14 at 7:01 pm to JPLIII
quote:
Wellllllll.......he's legit. The dude's just solid as frick....you know what you are going to get from him every game. Superstar? No. But he's one of the least of our worries on defense. And to be honest, I also like the way Hawthorne played this year. The problem is, he's been here a few years and this was his only decent season. The way our LB core has been lacking for so long, I'm just happy to have some consistent decent play.
All of this!!!!!! I am a big Lofton fan. He is not a superstar but you can pencil him in every Sunday and the guy makes tackles.
Is he flashy; no......but you need guys like him on a defense that are consistent.
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