Southerland just seems to be an intriguing possibility.

It rather sounds like the coaching staff has already half-written-off Cory Redding; here’s hoping he comes into camp and convinces them he can still be a productive player in the middle.

Today’s FB is a run blocker, a pass blocker, and an occasional pass catcher and runner. But once upon a time a FB was the primary ball-carrier, and the Half-Back was what we call a scat-back. If a team went without a lead blocker and employed a similar system, then a FB would be as valuable as any HB.

That might feel like I am reaching, but it makes my point as basic as I can. You are assigning positions when you mean to assign “roles.” You are believing that a “pass-rusher” is worth being drafted that high, while a player who is a run stopper and occasional HB/FB/TE coverage man is not a premium player. We both agree on that.

However, linebackers, as we’ve seen in Seattle the past few years, can have MANY roles. Julian Peterson, in a role somewhat unlike his 49ers days, became a situational DE a good portion of the time. So in addition to his normal run stuffing/coverage role, a typical 4-3 LB role in an uninteresting Marshall defense, he also had the Mark Anderson, Darryl Tapp situational pass rusher role. So on top of his 70+ tackles than any healthy linebacker is given in a basic 4-3, he has the opportunity to have (and was very good in) the 4-3 spot that is an important pass rushing role. That he was able to fill both roles showed versatility that LBs often do not have, and with his freakish strength for a 240 lb linebacker and great quickness and speed he was showcased in our defense well.

Hill actually is a better guy in the traditional 4-3 run stopping/occasional coverage role. He was on pace for over 90 tackles, and looked stronger than Peterson at times. His rookie year he played the role we gave Peterson and looked good doing it. He is not quite the speed rusher that Peterson is, but in Peterson’s role should have done a great job this year, and if we re-sign him may get a chance to do that.

Despite the extra versatility we were paying for from Peterson, his coverage ability was no longer great, and his run stopping ability was fine, but not outstanding. So we were paying him as a pass rusher and a “wow” player. Hill would be less expensive and fit the role better, but he is no where near as versatile.

A pure pass rusher will earn 10M a year, and you say can earn your above 90 grade because of the importance of the value. I agree. However, I believe that a LB that can do enough things can also be worth that above 90 grade. We were giving Peterson great money(for a guy coming off a very serious injury and a so-so recovery year) to be that guy that could cover, run stop, and pass rush with equal ability. He didn’t turn out to be that player even though he was worth the money, but it looks like Curry IS that player. He is bigger, as fast or faster, and looks to be better in run stopping and possibly better in coverage, while having the same potential Peterson had at pass rushing. Before we got him, Peterson’s best pass rushing year was 03 when he had 7 sacks, besides that he had 3 and 4 sacks a couple times. His ability to do anything, along with his pure athleticism made him possibly the best LB in the league, and similar to what Doug said, I think Curry can be the player we thought we were getting with Peterson.

With so many abilities, Curry will never have to be taken off the field. He’ll excel at almost anything we could ask him to do, and if he doesn’t, it’s because we are asking him to be a CB. I think he looks like he could play SS adequately in a pinch, interesting considering he has the same 40 time quite a few starting safeties have and he looks like a DB running forward. Kinda reminds me of the scouting report on Peterson actually.