Our LB corp and a certain recently released pass rushing DE

[RIDETHEWALRUS]

This thread is not about Simeon Rice, if you would like to talk about him there is a super-duper-mega-merge thread about him. This thread is about our LBs.

Is our LB corp solidified to the point where we can have two average run-stoppers, but excellent pass rushers starting?

Out with the old, highway 57 and Lemar (definetely not a MLB) Marshall, and in with the new, tackling machine London Fletcher-Baker and Rocky (I'll put you on your back) McIntosh. Does the new tandem supporting Marcus Washington improve our run support from the second level to a point where our run D can be solid enough to have a DL that is average against the run but excellent against the pass?

I am skeptical, but I believe so (if healthy).

Rocky should be a monumental upgrade over Holdman against the run. Holdman had a tendency to drag people to the ground or just tie them up until a second tackler could arrive and finish the job. In limited action Rocky was the complete opposite of this usually laying solid hits, wrapping up, and putting RBs on their backs not allowing them to fall forward.

London Fletcher-Baker has been a durable, tackling machine his entire career. While I am nervous about bringing in the elderly LFB and the threat of an age related injury, he is clearly an upgrade over Marshall who was clearly undersized and poor against the run.

Washington is hopefully healthy and will return to his status as one of the top 10 LBs in the league, though he was infrequently recognized as such.

If we brought in a Simeon Rice, or any other pass rush 1st DE for that matter, we would likely have 4 defensive linemen who are better at penetration than they are at stuffing the run (presuming Griffin and Golston get the nod). Our LBs would have to be stellar at filling the gaps and finishing their tackles for this to work.

I believe our LB corp may just be the sort of group that can do this.

P.S. Mods if I should have posted this thought in the Simeon Rice thread instead of starting a new one, I apologize. However, I want this discussion to revolve around our linebackers and their ability to thrive if we were to bring in Rice rather than what Rice's role would be. I also ferared this legitimate question would get lost among the various coaches cussing and Rice is old commentary instead of being openly debated. Please don't NNT me:D

[Rex Tomb]

This thread is not about Simeon Rice, if you would like to talk about him there is a super-duper-mega-merge thread about him. This thread is about our LBs.

Is our LB corp solidified to the point where we can have two average run-stoppers, but excellent pass rushers starting?

Out with the old, highway 57 and Lemar (definetely not a MLB) Marshall, and in with the new, tackling machine London Fletcher-Baker and Rocky (I'll put you on your back) McIntosh. Does the new tandem supporting Marcus Washington improve our run support from the second level to a point where our run D can be solid enough to have a DL that is average against the run but excellent against the pass?

I am skeptical, but I believe so (if healthy).

Rocky should be a monumental upgrade over Holdman against the run. Holdman had a tendency to drag people to the ground or just tie them up until a second tackler could arrive and finish the job. In limited action Rocky was the complete opposite of this usually laying solid hits, wrapping up, and putting RBs on their backs not allowing them to fall forward.

London Fletcher-Baker has been a durable, tackling machine his entire career. While I am nervous about bringing in the elderly LFB and the threat of an age related injury, he is clearly an upgrade over Marshall who was clearly undersized and poor against the run.

Washington is hopefully healthy and will return to his status as one of the top 10 LBs in the league, though he was infrequently recognized as such.

If we brought in a Simeon Rice, or any other pass rush 1st DE for that matter, we would likely have 4 defensive linemen who are better at penetration than they are at stuffing the run (presuming Griffin and Golston get the nod). Our LBs would have to be stellar at filling the gaps and finishing their tackles for this to work.

I believe our LB corp may just be the sort of group that can do this.

P.S. Mods if I should have posted this thought in the Simeon Rice thread instead of starting a new one, I apologize. However, I want this discussion to revolve around our linebackers and their ability to thrive if we were to bring in Rice rather than what Rice's role would be. I also ferared this legitimate question would get lost among the various coaches cussing and Rice is old commentary instead of being openly debated. Please don't NNT me:D

You make some very interesting observations. I for one believe that Marcus Washington will have a stellar rebound year. I think he will be utilized for his pass rushing abilities off the edge in the C-gap. As I read it this offseason, Gregg Williams has devised several schemes to get Washington in the 3-point stance, effectively playing DE. This makes for an extremely intriguing possibility. Would he be set in the DE position or would he be coming off the edge like a 3rd DE? Hmmm...I can't wait for the season to begin.

[RIDETHEWALRUS]

You make some very interesting observations. I for one believe that Marcus Washington will have a stellar rebound year. I think he will be utilized for his pass rushing abilities off the edge in the C-gap. As I read it this offseason, Gregg Williams has devised several schemes to get Washington in the 3-point stance, effectively playing DE. This makes for an extremely intriguing possibility. Would he be set in the DE position or would he be coming off the edge like a 3rd DE? Hmmm...I can't wait for the season to begin.

The thing about using Washington the way Williams has indicated is that I don't believe that is the best way to utilize him (though I have a sneaky suspicion that he knows more than I do). Washington has not been used as a hand on the ground player yet in his career, rather he has always been an extremely solid player quitely filling holes and making tackles.

I personally do not think our best bet to create a pass rush would be to use Washington as a 3rd DE, but we will see. Soon!

[ZoEd]

I ain't gonna lie to ya I think last year was a fluke and due to players being nicked up or hurt all season long the D was forced to play outside their comfort zone. Because of this GW couldn't call formations that properly utilized the skill sets of our players. I think with key players injury free and the addition of LFB, Smoot, Landry and a starting Rocky Mac I don't feel there's a chance in hell this D won't be back in the top 10.

That being said, I think our Linebacking Corp will anchor an extremely agressive defensive allowing GW to go back to blitzing people from all directions leaving opposing O's guessing. Teams will struggle against us up the middle if you ask me, I don't care what the mediots say. Would a rush specialist DE that's weak against the run be a good move? Probably. Necessary, I don't think so. I think we'll get to the QB well enough with our current starters and blitzing from the corners. Just gotta wait and see.

[RIDETHEWALRUS]

I ain't gonna lie to ya I think last year was a fluke and due to players being nicked up or hurt all season long the D was forced to play outside their comfort zone. Because of this GW couldn't call formations that properly utilized the skill sets of our players. I think with key players injury free and the addition of LFB, Smoot, Landry and a starting Rocky Mac I don't feel there's a chance in hell this D won't be back in the top 10.

That being said, I think our Linebacking Corp will anchor an extremely agressive defensive allowing GW to go back to blitzing people from all directions leaving opposing O's guessing. Teams will struggle against us up the middle if you ask me, I don't care what the mediots say. Would a rush specialist DE that's weak against the run be a good move? Probably. Necessary, I don't think so. I think we'll get to the QB well enough with our current starters and blitzing from the corners. Just gotta wait and see.

I agree and disagree all in the same breath.

Last year was a fluke cause by injuries. However the year before we still had trouble putting pressure on the QB. I don't know how much more effective we will be at getting to QBs even with our upgrades. I envision us being a top 15 D as we curently stand, maybe top 10.

If we were able to apply pressure with just our front 4 we would still be free to bring people from other angles if our LBs could prevent runs from letting our line loose.

Training camp and Madden isn't enough. Man I hate the offseason.