- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Defense Revamp: Free Agent LBs
Posted on 1/25/13 at 9:23 am
Posted on 1/25/13 at 9:23 am
With the colossal change, who might be of interest on the free agent market for our new 3-4 team?
Anthony Spencer, Dallas- Listing him so everyone can X him off their hope list. He did excel to a new level in the 3-4 but will definitely be far beyond the Saints budget IMO.
Paul Kruger, Baltimore- Graded as the #6 3-4 OLB by PFF. Would be golden but likely would be franchised (as long as a Flacco deal gets done) before letting him hit the market
Shaun Phillips, San Diego- now HERE is a real potential signee. I liked him even transitioning to a 4-3. He's among the players highest on my list of quality play with little national recognition. At age 32 he won't command a killer long term deal. He's still a player though with 9.5 sacks. Maybe Brees and Sproles can sell him on the SD to NOLA championship move.
Connor Barwin, Houston- numbers fell off in 2012 but he is still a high quality player. Very doubtful the Texans let him get out of town. So though good, not someone I would put on the radar.
Manny Lawson, Cincy- he has never panned out to his 1st Rd draft spot but he isn't a bum either. Certainly a player that might fit the Saints budget. Don't have a good read on him He's played 3-4 & 4-3. Anyone?
Dannell Ellerbe, Blatimore- thought of as the successor to Ray Lewis he is hitting UFA. I'm guessing too spendy. He would be a premier 3-4 ILB on most teams.
Larry Foote, Pittsburgh- missed that he was still playing. Getting old at the end of the line. High chance of retiring.
Tavares Gooden, San Francisco- the former Raven is a solid backup and deluxe special team player. At 28 he could still have upside. He could be a NOLA fit for affordability and him having the chance to compete for starter reps.
Larry Grant, San Francisco- they were able to keep him as an RFA this year. As an UFA he might get more attention. Another backup guy that could be a starting ILB on many teams (like the Saints). Filled in nicely when Willis was injured. Might come in budget range with upside at age 27.
Bradie James- getting old (32) but showed he still has some game left with the Texans. He couldn't cost much at all if wanted. The Monroe native might like his ring chances back home.
Phillips or Gooden look like the best fits outside. I like Grant for inside. James if he has enough gas left.
Anthony Spencer, Dallas- Listing him so everyone can X him off their hope list. He did excel to a new level in the 3-4 but will definitely be far beyond the Saints budget IMO.
Paul Kruger, Baltimore- Graded as the #6 3-4 OLB by PFF. Would be golden but likely would be franchised (as long as a Flacco deal gets done) before letting him hit the market
Shaun Phillips, San Diego- now HERE is a real potential signee. I liked him even transitioning to a 4-3. He's among the players highest on my list of quality play with little national recognition. At age 32 he won't command a killer long term deal. He's still a player though with 9.5 sacks. Maybe Brees and Sproles can sell him on the SD to NOLA championship move.
Connor Barwin, Houston- numbers fell off in 2012 but he is still a high quality player. Very doubtful the Texans let him get out of town. So though good, not someone I would put on the radar.
Manny Lawson, Cincy- he has never panned out to his 1st Rd draft spot but he isn't a bum either. Certainly a player that might fit the Saints budget. Don't have a good read on him He's played 3-4 & 4-3. Anyone?
Dannell Ellerbe, Blatimore- thought of as the successor to Ray Lewis he is hitting UFA. I'm guessing too spendy. He would be a premier 3-4 ILB on most teams.
Larry Foote, Pittsburgh- missed that he was still playing. Getting old at the end of the line. High chance of retiring.
Tavares Gooden, San Francisco- the former Raven is a solid backup and deluxe special team player. At 28 he could still have upside. He could be a NOLA fit for affordability and him having the chance to compete for starter reps.
Larry Grant, San Francisco- they were able to keep him as an RFA this year. As an UFA he might get more attention. Another backup guy that could be a starting ILB on many teams (like the Saints). Filled in nicely when Willis was injured. Might come in budget range with upside at age 27.
Bradie James- getting old (32) but showed he still has some game left with the Texans. He couldn't cost much at all if wanted. The Monroe native might like his ring chances back home.
Phillips or Gooden look like the best fits outside. I like Grant for inside. James if he has enough gas left.
5
Posted on 1/25/13 at 9:41 am to blueslover
I'm assuming Lofton and Vilma can play LBer in a 3-4. I'm very interested to see what Vilma does considering he wanted out of New York due to them switching to a 3-4.
I don't think we will be able to get Spencer, Ellerbe or Barwin.
I like James and Grant at the other MLBer spot if Vilma can't/won't play that position.
I think for the 3-4 to be most effective, you need a true pass rusher like Demarcus Ware, J.J. Watts, Aldon Smith or Terrel Suggs. I don't see that guy in your list and think we may have to move up to draft him.
Also, does this switch spell the end for Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma? And does it change your mind on Ellis? Could he play NT?
I don't think we will be able to get Spencer, Ellerbe or Barwin.
I like James and Grant at the other MLBer spot if Vilma can't/won't play that position.
I think for the 3-4 to be most effective, you need a true pass rusher like Demarcus Ware, J.J. Watts, Aldon Smith or Terrel Suggs. I don't see that guy in your list and think we may have to move up to draft him.
Also, does this switch spell the end for Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma? And does it change your mind on Ellis? Could he play NT?
Posted on 1/25/13 at 10:51 am to blueslover
Obviously depending on who stays or who goes, I see the lineup about like this
Wilson/Galette Lofton
Hawthorne Casillas/Chamberlain/Shanle/Vilma
If anything I think that big time rush OLB needs to be a priority, but I see that as more of a draft possibility
Wilson/Galette Lofton
Hawthorne Casillas/Chamberlain/Shanle/Vilma
If anything I think that big time rush OLB needs to be a priority, but I see that as more of a draft possibility
This post was edited on 1/25/13 at 10:53 am
Posted on 1/25/13 at 11:06 am to blueslover
The misconception is that the rush OLB is the most important position for a 3-4. This isn't true. NT is THE critical position, because he dictates the LOS and creates all the opportunities for the LB's.
As it stands, we don't have this guy. Maybe there's someone on our roster that fits this, but highly doubtful.
Here's how I see it. We target Casey Hampton and draft a groomer for the position. Hampton is old and not the same player, but he's good enough to make it work. Tez and Juniah I think will actually thrive in a 3-4, so I'm not worried about OLB. I see Jordan and Hicks working well at DE. The other issues are at our 2nd ILB and corners. Remember, most 3-4 schemes are actually zones, and we all know our CB's haven't done well in those coverages.
I list our priorities as follows:
NT
CB
ILB
S
OLB
So who has a list of NT free agents and draft prospects?
As it stands, we don't have this guy. Maybe there's someone on our roster that fits this, but highly doubtful.
Here's how I see it. We target Casey Hampton and draft a groomer for the position. Hampton is old and not the same player, but he's good enough to make it work. Tez and Juniah I think will actually thrive in a 3-4, so I'm not worried about OLB. I see Jordan and Hicks working well at DE. The other issues are at our 2nd ILB and corners. Remember, most 3-4 schemes are actually zones, and we all know our CB's haven't done well in those coverages.
I list our priorities as follows:
NT
CB
ILB
S
OLB
So who has a list of NT free agents and draft prospects?
Posted on 1/25/13 at 11:06 am to blueslover
quote:Unless he plays at a low rate he will be gone.
Connor Barwin
quote:That is just false he wasn't good this year for the Texans.
Bradie James- getting old (32) but showed he still has some game left with the Texans
Thats my only input as I live in Houston and hear them talk about the Texans everyday. So excited for the Saints move to a 3-4
Posted on 2/10/13 at 3:03 pm to blueslover
I really like Manny Lawson. He came into the league as a pure pass rusher, but I remember reading something about how good he is against the run now. Wouldn't mind him at all if the price is right. He will probably cost too much though.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News