New starting ROLB?
 

Who do you guys think it will be, after the release of Arrington. Will we insert a rokie? sign a high profile free agent, or promote someone we already have like Clemons or Holdman(pending on whether we resign or not)

I personally do not like the idea of Holdman starting for our defense or really any of our current line backers to be honest.
Maybe we can find a diamond in the rough in the draft like Lofa Tatupu, and Odell Thurman last year. It sounds like a new CBA is going to get done so a free agent is a good possibility too.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Anyone but Holdman, please.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Holdman is a free agent and gone. There's a possibility that Clemons or McCune could step in if the coaching staff believes they are capable of doing so. Remember when Lemar Marshall was an unknown free agent and filled in for Arrington wonderfully. So, if the staff thinks Clemons or McCune could step in, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt.

If the CBA is reached, we might go to free agency and sign a guy like Witherspoon, but I doubt it.

This year's draft class of LBs is supposedly very deep. So perhaps we'll get someone in the draft.

Right now, I have no idea what we are going to do.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

id guess clemons, since he was used on most 3rd downs last year over lavar, id like to see him develop more, plus greg williams lvoes him. he could be our peter boulware who is a pass rush specialist from the linebacker spot, we blitz a lot anyways. wishful thinking

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

I think there is a possibility they move Marshall back to outside and put McCune at MLB. I am not sold on Clemons yet. HE was behind Holdman and we all saw how bad he was

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

i agree with clemons because,as you said,williams really likes him.besides,the money is better off being spent elsewhere

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Hillenmeyer with the Bears might be an option. He's a RFA and I've not heard many people talking about him, so he might come at a bargain. He's fast and can keep with backs and tight ends, but, as usual, with that speed, he is a little small. The only other real dings I've read about him are that he's a little shallow in the zones and he overplays the ball once in a while. He does get after the QB though (is this starting to sound like anyone else who just left?). The consensus is that he just needs a little more playing time and time in the weight room.

The Colts have an entire stable of linebackers hitting the market (June, Thornton, Brackett, Morris). Any of those guys could be worth a run, but June and Thornton will probably be too expensive.

We'd all love to have Peterson from the 49ers, but I'd settle for bringing back Derrick Smith, move him to the middle and bring Marshall outside.

There are several good 'backers out there, but it will come down to what the team can afford this year.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic]I think there is a possibility they move Marshall back to outside and put McCune at MLB. I am not sold on Clemons yet. HE was behind Holdman and we all saw how bad he was[/QUOTE]

This scenario makes the most sense to me, based on the way the roster is currently comprised. Holdman is horrible. McCune's natural position is MLB and Marshall's natural position is OLB. It would make a lot of sense.

Question is can McCune handle the mental demands that Williams puts on his MLB? If not, he'd keep Marshall there. Secondly, is McCune even ready?

I love Chris Clemons as a situational pass rusher, but not sold on him as an every down LB.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Sign Witherspoon.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]Sign Witherspoon.[/QUOTE]

[size=4][color=seagreen][b]$$$$$[/b][/color][/size]

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Draft D'Qwell Jackson and move him or Marshall to Lavars old spot. Or move Lamar back to the Outside and let McCune take over the Middle.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

If the CBA is extended I think we'd definitely have the cash to bring him aboard.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Actually, I forgot about Scott Fujita. He was a monster in KC, but flopped when he went to Dallas and tried to fit into a 3-4 scheme. If he comes at a reasonable price, he'd be great on the weak side.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

I would expect an FA rather than the McCune scenario--I'm not sure he's ready. But maybe that's wrong.

But, as with everything else these days, we'll have to wait and see with the CBA.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10]This scenario makes the most sense to me, based on the way the roster is currently comprised. Holdman is horrible. McCune's natural position is MLB and Marshall's natural position is OLB. It would make a lot of sense.

Question is can McCune handle the mental demands that Williams puts on his MLB? If not, he'd keep Marshall there. Secondly, is McCune even ready?

I love Chris Clemons as a situational pass rusher, but not sold on him as an every down LB.[/QUOTE]

You sure about Marshall's natural postitiong being OLB? For some reason, I thought Marshall was a natural MLB.

Either way, if we do move LM to the outside, I'd like to see my man Khary Campbell get a shot in the middle before McCune.

Here's another thought, bring back Shawn Barber. Although word is he could be headed to Philly.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS]You sure about Marshall's natural postitiong being OLB? For some reason, I thought Marshall was a natural MLB.

Either way, if we do move LM to the outside, I'd like to see my man Khary Campbell get a shot in the middle before McCune.

Here's another thought, bring back Shawn Barber. Although word is he could be headed to Philly.[/QUOTE]

I completely forget about Campbell. We all know he can tackle, I just wonder how his coverage skills are.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

shawn barber is available, and broken down...

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS]You sure about Marshall's natural postitiong being OLB? For some reason, I thought Marshall was a natural MLB.[/QUOTE]

He doesn't really have a natural position. He played safety in college and was moved to linebacker in the NFL. And, as we all know, he's played both inside and outside linebacker.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

I think they'll leave LaMar in the middle. He's adjusted well there and will only get better, IMO. I think Clemons goes to camp competing with a FA for the outside spot.

Furthermore, if they move Marshall back there will be a re-adjustment period and so that's two players adjusting the defense. Chances are they just want one guy picking up the schemes.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

Chris Clemons is a free agent. If a cba deal is reached, we will definatly have enough money to bring in a high profile free agent.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=bigm29]Chris Clemons is a free agent. If a cba deal is reached, we will definatly have enough money to bring in a high profile free agent.[/QUOTE]

But is linebacker where we really need a high profile free agent? I know signing big-names to every position is popular, but does it make sense? We have bigger needs at defensive end, wideout, cornerback, etc.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

I'm all for Witherspoon and I don't think he would be a huge signing, just an upgrade over what we have. Honestly, even with the people already in the market, Pryce is the only one who is jumping out at me.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]I'm all for Witherspoon and I don't think he would be a huge signing, just an upgrade over what we have. Honestly, even with the people already in the market, Pryce is the only one who is jumping out at me.[/QUOTE]

looks like cba will be ok. so right upgrades (in this order) should probably be WR(multiple), DE, LB, CB

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

I wish people would stop trying to pick up every free agent out there. Will witherspoon, TO, Isaac Bruce, Archuletta, ect. We have capable people in our system already. McCune is going to be a good LB. He has speed and he is mid 20's in age. He went into the military, then finished college. He has his head in the right place and I believe he is a bright guy.(not 100% sure) The best move we have is move Marshall outside, McCune to the middle and rotate Campbell. If you can sign a veteran to fill in here and there great. We dont need to go out and sign the best possible, or highest profile player every single year. I think what ever money we have we need to spend on depth. We have talent at all positions and no depth.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

McCune is going to be a beast whether it is at MLB or OLB. I liked him before we drafted him. I saw this thing on NFL network and he said that his favorite players were Lavar and Ray Lewis. I liked him right after that but they went on to say more. He was in the army or something, i forget now. He is older but he has one of the best characters. He, like lavar, is physically gifted enough to be the best but I hope his mental aspect of the game can improve under Williams before it gets ****ed up beyond repair like Lavar's

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic]I wish people would stop trying to pick up every free agent out there. Will witherspoon, TO, Isaac Bruce, Archuletta, ect. We have capable people in our system already. McCune is going to be a good LB. He has speed and he is mid 20's in age. He went into the military, then finished college. He has his head in the right place and I believe he is a bright guy.(not 100% sure) The best move we have is move Marshall outside, McCune to the middle and rotate Campbell. If you can sign a veteran to fill in here and there great. We dont need to go out and sign the best possible, or highest profile player every single year. I think what ever money we have we need to spend on depth. We have talent at all positions and no depth.[/QUOTE]

I'ld be sorta suprised if they moved Marshall back outside. He'll get some looks there during camp, but I'm thinking he stay's put.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic]I wish people would stop trying to pick up every free agent out there. Will witherspoon, TO, Isaac Bruce, Archuletta, ect. We have capable people in our system already. McCune is going to be a good LB. He has speed and he is mid 20's in age. He went into the military, then finished college. He has his head in the right place and I believe he is a bright guy.(not 100% sure) The best move we have is move Marshall outside, McCune to the middle and rotate Campbell. If you can sign a veteran to fill in here and there great. We dont need to go out and sign the best possible, or highest profile player every single year. I think what ever money we have we need to spend on depth. We have talent at all positions and no depth.[/QUOTE]

don't hold a vendetta against free agents because of a harshe past. this is the joe gibbs era and we need several free agents in order to win the superbowl. case and point.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

Holdman - gone.
Clemons - third down pass rusher
neither is good enough to be a starter. I think we get someone either through the draft or free agency.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

People probably didn't think Marshall was starting-caliber 2 seasons ago, before he took over for LaVar.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

I wonder if they were happy with McCune's progression last year. If so, we did draft him, so he should have a shot. Is the weak side linebacker determined by the hash mark, or by the number of blockers the offense is showing on one side?

If it's by the number of blockers, I think the weak side linebacker should be a vet, so as not to overpursue on cut back running plays.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS]You sure about Marshall's natural postitiong being OLB? For some reason, I thought Marshall was a natural MLB.

Either way, if we do move LM to the outside, I'd like to see my man Khary Campbell get a shot in the middle before McCune.

Here's another thought, bring back Shawn Barber. Although word is he could be headed to Philly.[/QUOTE]

he played safety in college

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

I vote move Lemar back outside and let McCune and Campbell compete at mike. If they can't call signals then keep LM inside and go with Clemons. I don't think we need any FA LB's that's for sure. GW can get the youngsters ready to play.

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=Dirtbag359]Draft D'Qwell Jackson and move him or Marshall to Lavars old spot. Or move Lamar back to the Outside and let McCune take over the Middle.[/QUOTE]

I like this move for the 53rd pick if D'Qwell's available and there isn't a pass-receiving stud on the board. Lamar is better at the WLB position.

Skins reportedly had interest in Ray Lewis, so they might be thinking of moving Marshall back outside.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=70Chip]I vote move Lemar back outside and let McCune and Campbell compete at mike. If they can't call signals then keep LM inside and go with Clemons. I don't think we need any FA LB's that's for sure. GW can get the youngsters ready to play.[/QUOTE]

Nahhh, I'm betting they let LaMar stay put - I'm thinking they really want to develope him there.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

mccune would come in at OLB, LM is good at making the calls and either he or washington is going to play middle.

if its not clemons or mccune, its probably a draft pick.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

i really hope they use mccune...that guy will kill somebody

i just hope he knows the system and is ready

Re: New staring ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic]I think there is a possibility they move Marshall back to outside and put McCune at MLB. I am not sold on Clemons yet. HE was behind Holdman and we all saw how bad he was[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I have to agree McCune would be a nice fit at MLB, but since LeMar has settled in there, maybe McCune can take Arrington's spot. I have wanted to see this guy play really bad all year, after he ran 4.4 in last year's combine and he benches 560 plus pounds, maybe he should play DE? If we don't promote McCune, I'm not sold on Clemons either (kinda small) and we will need a free agent if a promotion doesn't work. Did I mention I miss LaVar??? I wish he and Joe could have found their way together, but LaVar's complaining to the media was too much for gibbs to bear....still will miss his playmaking, attitude, and neck thicker than a tree trunk. McCune is next up, so time to start him in the LB rotation. Holdman sucks.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

McCune is interesting, but I think Clemons has earned the right to be next in line for a starting job. But, whatever, I defer to the coaches.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]McCune is interesting, but I think Clemons has earned the right to be next in line for a starting job. But, whatever, I defer to the coaches.[/QUOTE]

I think its a given that Clemons is the man on third and long. Its just a question of wether he can play every down or not. To this point, he has been in on situations where he was simply going balls out after the quarterback and not having to make decisions or demonstrate discipline. The real test for a linebacker is when the opposing offensive coordinator forces him to decide. A bootleg for example or the misdirection toss play that has become so popular the last five years.

Re: New starting ROLB?
 

It would be nice to know that the "quarterback of our defense" was the same guy two years running.