Why is Jo-Lonn Dunbar not being given a chance to start at Sam?

we need speed at the SAM, which Dunbar does not have. He did line up at MLB on friday and looked ok though.

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Herring might be a balanced good mix of skills.

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yeah all signs point to Herring being a quality LB, as good or better than Shanle. I'm counting on Casillas to be huge this year along with Tez Wilson late into the season.

I mean, did you see Tez friday night? He's built like a brick shithouse. the wing span on the dude is insane.

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looked suprisingly athletic.

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he's white so its a surprise?

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he looked suprisingly athletic.
Speedy guy. Looks to have some range.
Excited to see some depth at our LBer positions

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Well, he's a converted Safety that excels in coverage, specifically drop zone, so I'd be pretty surprised if he wasn't athletic. I would be more concerned with his physicality vs the run. He looked fine to me.

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didn't know he lacked that much comparative speed compared to Shanle.

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Scott Shanle 4.72
Jo-Lonn Dunbar 4.85
LINK

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Scott Shanle 4.72
Jo-Lonn Dunbar 4.85
LINK

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I question where that site gets its #'s from.

They've got Jenkins 40 time listed at a flat 4.40 which he didn't even do at OSU's fast track

Also, if those #'s come from combine/prodays then I'm willing bet good money that 32 year old Scott Shanle is shade slower than 22 year old Scott Shanle that ran the 4.72

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I question where that site gets its #'s from.

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The time looks right for Dunbar LINK and even though Shanle has probably lost a step, Dunbar's 4.85 is still slow by OLB standards.

He was a undersized MLB (similar to Vilma) coming out of college. I think they like him more than Marvin Mitchell so he's now the #2 MLB. I think last year was his real opportunity to make it at either side OLB. He started at SLB until early Dec. when he went IR with a hammy. He obviously didn't impress enough as evidenced by bringing in so many other LBs.

reviewing his college scouting report-

Undersized but feisty middle linebacker who was the leader of a very good Boston College defense this past season, who was was named a team captain when only a junior and a first-time starter, indicating how much his teammates thought of the defender.

As a senior, Dunbar was a major part of a unit which led the country at stopping the run for most of last year’s campaign. His stature, at 6 feet even and 231 pounds, belies the toughness with which he approaches the game. It should be noted that some of his size limitations were hidden due to the fact the Golden Eagles had monstrous run stuffers protecting their middle linebacker over the past two seasons.

During his career at Boston College, Dunbar's production outmatched potential with 269 total tackles in 25 career starts. Injuries were an issue, as he was never able to complete an entire season as a starter. For example, an ankle injury hampered his play for a stretch of his senior campaign.

Athletically, Dunbar does not automatically jump off the screen. His overall speed and agility are average, posting forty yard dash times in the high 4.8’s, as well as a 4.45 short shuttle and 7.05 three cone drill. Dunbar numbers might not leap off the page, nor is he the most physically talented player on the field at any given time, but he is a natural athlete - this is a linebacker who was recruited as a running back.

Dunbar could be a special player: a linebacker which displayed a nose for the ball leading to four touchdowns throughout his defensive career, a playmaker who relied on his instincts, attitude, and guts to get the job done.

Good enough for NFL teams to give him a look at a late round prospect.

i agree he will help fill in and he is aggressive

Because he was given several opportunities to start. He is not agile enough, and cannot cover. He also blows his assignments. The staff has stated that he will be better served at his more natural position in the middle.