JoeRedskin
04-20-2012, 08:32 AM
Thanks. I really wasn't sure of his coverage skills. I always thought the OLB was bad fit for him b/c he wasn't really an "edge" guy, either as a pass rusher or run defender - I agree that he seems much better as a clogger/inside rusher. I really just wasn't sure about his coverage skills.
The Goat
04-20-2012, 12:15 PM
Covers well for a LB (any LB, not exclusively one with a DL background), durable, and can play downhill. His weakness was that he wasn't an edge rusher. He can certainly provide a downhill rush between the tackles.
Moving him back between the tackles should help. The problem if he ever has to play MLB is that he won't really be able to go sideline to sideline. Although to be fair, Fletcher hasn't been a sideline to sideline guy since 2009. You only have to go as far as the ball-carrier is on any given play.
Good stuff to hear on Zo. Maybe if he drops to 265 lbs he'll cover more ground but like you said Tripp he's not a sideline to sideline guy.
...serious heft in the middle though I would love to see Zo stuffing the run.
CultBrennan59
04-20-2012, 12:20 PM
Lorenzo is a 74 on madden once moved to ILB. So basically he's going to be as good as Keyaron Fox was for us :) haha
Defensewins
04-20-2012, 12:55 PM
Said since day 1 when Jim Haslett switched us to 3-4 defense, Zo will make an interesting ILB. Size, speed and great instinct. But he has yet to be given a substantial chance to play there.
Pre-Kerrigan our greater need was OLB, so Zo was called there.
BUT even after we lucked into getting Kerrigan; in one of Jim Haslet's occasional boneheaded moves, he kept Alexander on the outside as back up and barely tried Zo at ILB last preseason. Even during the season Haslett hardly ever put him in the rotation at ILB. Mistake.
Rocky is 4-3 OLB. Not a 3-4 ILB. So two guys playing out of position. Not smart.
One thing Haslett and some others need to realize about Zo... in crunch time in real games he elevates his play. As Monksdown so correctly said earlier, Alexander really does bring the lumber. This is not seen in practice or preseason because the level of hitting is not the same. You can not judge players like Alexander or Fletcher in practice.
It will be fun to watch Alexander next to London Fletcher, Orakpo and Kerrigan. That is a strong LB corp. Add in Jarvis Jenkins to the D-line rotation and we will be better than last year.
If Alexander wins starting ILB job he will have to cut down some on special teams.
CapitalDefense
04-20-2012, 04:59 PM
I thought this thread meant he was being moved to DT, he is not a LB I am sorry. The kid has heart and will play anywhere you ask him to, but in space as a LB he is abused more often then not. Ask yourself this...
Do you want LA matched up with LeSean McCoy one on one? If so can you say TD PHILTHY? Yes, sometimes a LB is asked to cover a RB one on one. With LA you could never call a man to man defense because he would get destroyed by a RB, TE or OMG a WR! Yikes!