Assessing need: Middle linebacker
by Benne on Feb 9, 2011 10:06 AM PST
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"Fear the power of my pre-snap signals!"
Lofa Tatupu isn't a physically gifted athlete. We knew this the day he was drafted, and we know this today. He was, for a couple of years, able to make up for this deficiency with gifted game instincts, an astute eye for the ball-carrier, and a preternatural ability to sniff out plays at the line of scrimmage. From '05-'08, he has honed this ability of "small size, big heart" to impressive superficial numbers, a Pro Bowl spot or two, fan adoration, and a handsome contract extension.
Then he put on weight. Then he got hurt and missed most of '09..
Then his physical deficiencies caught up to him.
The Lofa Tatupu I saw in 2010 was hardly the same one I saw in 2005. He was bigger, yet less imposing. His speed, already questionable even in his glory days, vanished. His famed pre-snap adjustments, which earned him the title of "Defensive QB", seemed to have little effect as the defense collapsed around him. Perhaps the lowest point was getting outrun by Jay "Please Concuss Me So I Can Get Martz Fired" Cutler for a critical first-down in the Divisional Round.
Even the superficial stats faded. He recorded 58 solo tackles, good for 5th on the team. He also contributed 30 "assist" tackles, and let's not get into how ridiculously arbitrary those stats are and how nuanced football defense really is. If only I had the tape access John Morgan did.
One pick, one forced fumble, and lots of futility watching men more physically gifted than him run circles around him.
So after all that depressing crap, is Lofa Tatupu still worth keeping around? I hesitantly answer yes.
As nebulous as the "intangibles" and "Defensive QB" stuff sounds, football is an incredibly difficult sport to analyze even on basic levels like "did the RB pick up the blitz" and "did the safety get fooled by the pump fake". So much work is to be done on those levels, that I feel nowhere near comfortable asserting that Tatupu's signal-calling leadership efforts are meaningless. If the teammates like him, and the coaches like him, and if they all feel like he's contributing to the team, then who am I to argue?
From a layman's view, Tatupu has clearly declined. What little physical skill he's had is quickly disappearing, and the position absolutely must be addressed in the future. But for now, for the year 2011 (assuming we get a 2011 season, but that's for another article), Lofa Tatupu is our man to lead the charge at Middle Linebacker. Even if the Outside Linebackers outrun him in that charge.
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Nice writeup
Fortunately, MLB talent can usually be acquired in the late rounds and even via undrafted FA rookies. Perhaps somewhat unfortunately, the LB draft class is not very deep.
Seattle may well look to get Will Herring more snaps at OLB and move Heater to MLB in certain packages. They may look to re-load at OLB later in the draft and prep Heater for a full-time move to MLB if need be.
On the flip side, getting better protection up front to keep the traffic off Lofa could improve his production and extend his career. A healthier Cole, and better depth at DT, could accomplish this.
Seattle has options on the roster and could also look to find someone to groom without spending a high draft pick. Lofa isn’t killing the team right now on the field. The biggest issue with him may be his contract more than his play. Depending on the outcome of the CBA, I imagine that Lofa will be a prime candidate to renegotiate.
One last concern. It seems as though the concussions are starting to pile up. That really worries me.
"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin
Heater IS a middle linebacker, playing out of position for the past few seasons.
Which he’s done an admirable job at, but he’s a little too small to be playing OLB. It’s time to move on to someone younger and faster at MLB; if the Seahawks can trade Lofa, they should.
I agree with this entirely
I love Lofa to death, and I do think beefing up the D-line (especially NT) will do a lot to lessen his load and maximize his production in the areas where he does still excel.
However, I think his value is as high as it’s ever going to be, and while he may be serviceable (or even good) this year, by the time his contract reaches its final year, he is definitely not going to be worth it. If they can retrieve something of value for him now (especially a draft pick—3rd round??), I think the team will be better off in the long run.
"Retarded isn't a race." -Thingray
by Matt Erickson on Feb 9, 2011 12:15 PM PST up reply actions
“Seattle may well look to get Will Herring more snaps at OLB and move Heater to MLB in certain packages. They may look to re-load at OLB later in the draft and prep Heater for a full-time move to MLB if need be.”
I would agree this is the answer , Herring is a beast that doesn’t get enough minutes and Heater has learned from Lofa and would be just as effective in the middle.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Scruffy & Towlie might be a little busy these days, so...
by J.L. White on Feb 9, 2011 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 7 recs
hahaha honest mistake Bruce!
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLl-eYluc_7WXTVK1eVqoR_CdRl5vurNrc8WWpsbjTEuu2L5yu5A
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
I agree
Tatupu earlier in his career compared to now is a huge dropoff. Do you remember Hawthorne at middle linebacker last year ? Hawthorne was pretty good there he picked like 3-4 passes I believe and had himself a similar number of sacks, I wonder if we could move him back there, he was pretty explosive.
by Matt509 on Feb 9, 2011 9:17 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Yeah Matt509, Hawthorne was and is still an Animal at any LB spot and could be the next leader in the middle
He gets you those couple of picks, force fumbles, tipped passes etc that Lofa was able to create earlier in his career. Lofa was great for years but now its like watching a great field leader that can command the defense on the field but at times is a liability due to his loss of a step. He has been so beat up by bearing the brunt of the punishment for a couple now and its taken its toll on him physically and from that fanshot with PC after the Bears game mentally as well. It would be ideal if he past the torch to Heater, Hawthorne was a menace in Lofa’s absence a season or so back and leads by example which Lofa always has but can no longer do at a physical level. Thus being said so much props for Tatupu and his contribution to the franchise, I’d put him in the Milloy category of guys you have the utmost respect for as leaders and for their in game IQ but have lost that crucial step it takes to keep up with the hundreds younger physical freaks all over the NFL. Both those guys are gonna be really good coaches though.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Hawthorne is fit for the job
at mlb, and Lofa is a sentimental favorite who I think is holding us back. Thanks for your service Lofa, but we need to put the team first.
I added a poll. It may not directly reflect what Beanne is saying.
But I’m curious what FG thinks we should do.
as sad as it is i had to vote yes here,
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
I voted yes, with the caveats that I explained above and below by others.
It’s a position of need, but I’d rather the FO focus on other priorities. Like DT, CB, SS, maybe another pass-rusher, C if Spencer leaves, RT, and on and on.
Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or the headlights of an oncoming train?
by Benne on Feb 9, 2011 7:54 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Draft Mason Foster in the second
Then shuffle heater to the middle. Trade Tats if you can for something in the late third or fourth.
I like Mason, but is he a second round talent?
"I've seen prison breaks with more organization and cooperation than this"
If he lasts until the top of the 4th I will give my left nut to draft him
But I bet he is gone end of the second, start of the third at the latest. He impressed people at the Senior Bowl.
Right now, he's not seen as 2nd-round prospect by most draftniks
but things could always change.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Feb 10, 2011 8:49 PM PST up reply actions
I've seen a couple now that have him in the 2nd
But….
2nd round is really wild at this time of year. I would love to see him at the top of the 4th. I think he is a great instinctive player.
Lofa really looks to be declining
But the key to success in today’s NFL seems to be pass defense. I would look to improve our talent at CB and DE first. Although adding a pass rushing OLB and moving Heater to the middle makes sense to me also.
I say yes with this caveat:
Not this year. Too many other priorities. So, assuming some of those get addressed, I can see us getting by with Tats for a year but he could undermine the defense after that.
Go Pack?
Well, I said no, but
this could work too. I guess it depends on whether a good replacement is there for us to sign. I kind-of feel this way about Hassleback, the difference being in the replacements, that young qb’s need bench time to adjust to the pros. (imo)
maybe another year at most but why not trade em' now to a squad desperate for a MLB...
and can get something for him in our vastly needy defense. Herring can ball why not go with Herring, Heater, and Curry?
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Smart teams know when
to trade their aging stars for a 4th round pick and reload. If you hang on to guys too long you get nothing in return.
by Patches Pal on Feb 9, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, I just might take a 4th for Tatupu...
I’d be that much more worried about the LB corps though.
Go Pack?
I voted no, but with the same reasoning that Cheddar provided with his yes vote.
Not this year, too many other priorities.
However, like many have said, Hawthorne has shown the ability to play inside and outside. This gives us some flexibility. Being able to replace Tats with either a MLB or OLB (shifting Heater to MLB) increases the chance that we could upgrade without spending too much (in draft picks, trade or contract). if we see an opportunity to upgrade MLB that doesn’t hinder our ability to fill more pressing needs, than obviously take it. If not, than I’m ok with going into next year with Tats as our starting MLB.
I wouldn't mind creating a bit of a hole this year at OLB
If it meant avoiding a situation down the road where Lofa is no longer capable whatsoever of starting at MLB, yet has another year or two on his contract.
"Retarded isn't a race." -Thingray
by Matt Erickson on Feb 9, 2011 12:18 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, that wouldn't bother me too much either.
I just don’t want to create a hole, then spend a valuable resource to fill it. If we traded Lofa away, then patched something together with a late pick/UFA/cheap vet, that might work out pretty well.
so your saying we don't have enough depth to shuffle the linebacking core we already have?
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Right, I think we'd have to add something.
If Lofa were traded we could move Heater inside, but who backs him up? That would push Herring into the starter role on one side and Curry on the other. That gives us Matt McCoy to back up all three positions? (Maybe Hill comes back, but I don’t think we can count on that, or him staying healthy if he does). So we’d need to find an answer (or two) somewhere. I think we could do that with minimal resources. However, if we can’t, then I don’t think that it makes sense to trade Lofa.
where is your faith in Joe Pawalek and maybe converting Dexter Davis :P
I can dig it from the depth perspective but someone has to step up and I think Heater is a good face for the D in the middle if anything find someone to take Heaters current position.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
So I totally don't mean to be a jerk, but this is one of my pet peeves:
The linebacking “core” would mean the center or heart of the linebackers. The linebacking “corps”, pronounced the same way, means the cadre or set or group or team or whatever of linebackers. So our linebacking core is Tats, Hawthorne, Curry(?), Herring(?) whereas the linebacking corps is Tats, Hawthorne, Curry, Herring, Pawelek, McCoy, and Davis.
I also say all this to help YOU look smarter!
I almost put a (?) by Tatupu, which makes me think: I’m not so sure our linebacker corps is solid anywhere. I’m only comfortable saying Hawthorne is the core based on guys’ performance the last 2 years…aaaaand I feel like I need a thesaurus now.
Go Pack?
by Cheddar28 on Feb 9, 2011 11:49 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Nothing can help me look smarter but thanks, core, corps, I just want...
our linebackers to the opposing teams QB into a CORPSE!
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
I really dont understand the Herring love.
We talk about what kind of athlete Tats is/was, but Herring is the same way. Somewhat small and fast, great in pass coverage, but a liability against the run and not very athletic.
Heater did his job last year, but didn’t really stand out until the last six games or so. I would go so far to say that physically he would be an upgrade over Lofa at MLB, but when he started there in 09 he made a lot of huge plays with a lot of blown coverage and mistakes. Perhaps the coaching staff could help him more now, or maybe he understands the game better, but there is cause for concern with LB shuffling with anyone who’s currently on our roster.
7 picks for 7 quarterbacks in Draft 2011! EFF IT!
by Seatown_Sport_Head321 on Feb 9, 2011 11:04 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Tats was very good before the injuries.
Comparing Herring to Tatupu isn’t exactly a reason not to play him more.
Not saying it is.
But there is cause for concern. herring has already been in the league for three years now, has yet to crack the starting line-up (minus injuries) and, if a steep decline like lofas is possible, then its distinctly possible Herring will suffer the same dilemma. I think he’s coached up to his talents and used very well in packages, but a physical beast he is not. I just think he’s a good situational player and serviceable depth but not much more.
7 picks for 7 quarterbacks in Draft 2011! EFF IT!
by Seatown_Sport_Head321 on Feb 9, 2011 11:50 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I'm not sure you need much more.
The problem with Lofa is that the Hawks committed to him, they wouldn’t need to do that with Herring. If he falls off a cliff in three years then plug in another player.
Seattle has tried to make it’s linebackers premier players but thats never really shown to be a recipe for success. Even Pittsburgh, who have fielded some of the best linebacking corps of the past decade or more, have had pretty consistent turnover at the position.
by Nate Dogg on Feb 9, 2011 12:35 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
yeah Dogg its all about chemistry and who the LB's compliment a particular system.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Pittsburgh has had two of its starting linebackers for the past 8 seasons.....
In Harrison and Farrior. Also Foote for 8 seasons and Lamar Woodley as a starter since 2008. Not only that but they have had Timmons (Tomlins 1st 1st round pick) as a two year starter who has roughly 50 more tackles then Lofa this year with more sacks and forced fumbles. Point being, considerably less turnover then what the Seahawks have gone through over the past 5 seasons and with better supporting talent.
Yes, Lofa seems to be on a steep decline, but with so many other holes to fill why sub out a proven leader of the defense for Herring who is similar in physical talent but not proven in offensive recognition and has inferior tangibles? Subbing proven mediocrity for unproven mediocrity while also potentially hurting our LB depth and D-packages seems like a wash at best just to get Heater in at ILB, who also has concerns.
Don’t get me wrong I’m all for upgrading talent for the betterment of the team, even if it means letting go some of my favorite players. I just dont see any real upgrade on our roster as it stands currently.
7 picks for 7 quarterbacks in Draft 2011! EFF IT!
by Seatown_Sport_Head321 on Feb 9, 2011 1:50 PM PST up reply actions
ok but Herring is healthy and stronger than Lofa and he's smart so no he isn't Lofa in his prime...
and yes he probably would put a better year in than Tats especially recovering from knee surgery. Lets face it 12th its time for a new general.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Harrison is an outside linebacker.
Farrior and Foote were long time starters but the list of Steeler linebackers since 2000 is fairly long considering that they’ve consistently been some of the best in football.
OLB:
Woodley
Harrison
Haggans
Porter
Gildon
ILB:
Farrior
Timmons
Foote
Bell*
Holmes
Kirkland
Only Timmons and Farrior were first round picks, the rest were 2nd to 4th round players that they were able to plug in once the players in front of them priced themselves off the team or declined.
*Interesting fact, Kendrell Bell missed 4 games in 2002. That is the most missed games in a season of any Steeler linebacker since 2000. In 30 of the 44 Steeler linebacker seasons since 2000 the player started all 16 games.
please don't talk about the Steelers anymore bro.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Unfortunatley they've had an amazing recipe for success.
If there was any team in the NFL I’d want the Hawks to imitate it’d be Pittsburgh.
by Nate Dogg on Feb 9, 2011 3:13 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
paikns me to say it but...
Your right. I’m likin the way things in green bay are lookin right now though too. Top offense and defense, most of it built the draft.
7 picks for 7 quarterbacks in Draft 2011! EFF IT!
by Seatown_Sport_Head321 on Feb 9, 2011 8:01 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I've thought about this quite a bit...
and keep wondering if our talent wouldn’t be better suited to a 3-4.
Lofa with 3 LB’s to assist him would limit his need to range everywhere, since it seems his mobility is restricted. Plus I love the idea of the defense not knowing where the 4th rusher (or blitzed 5th-6th rushers) would come from.
If we don’t bring back Mebane, suddenly Cole/Red fills out 2 of our 3 DL slots and Clemons shifts to more OLB/added depth there, and all we need is another DT to back up Cole and another DE to play opposite Red. Balmer can back up both DE’s, and suddenly our defense has a whole new and incredibly more flexible look.
"Life does not cease to be funny when people die, anymore than it ceases to be serious when people laugh." - George Bernard Shaw
by Tyler Jorgensen on Feb 19, 2011 12:08 PM PST up reply actions
Herring wasn't a superstar last year
He’s a converted safety that made a few plays this year. He’s pretty solid for a backup and is well-above replacement level, but the guy’s no pro bowl-er.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Feb 9, 2011 3:45 PM PST up reply actions
Hawthorn won at ML due to his physical gifts. Tatupu dominated there due to his mental know-how of the game. When Tatupu was at his best, our DL was FAR superior to what it is now. He could count on our DTs (Tubbs and Rocky I believe in ’05) to clog the middle and our outside guys to do their job. So really, that only left Tatupu to worry about his linebackers and DBs.
These past two years our DL has been pretty horrid, at least compared to ‘05/’06. I feel like Tatupu now has far more to worry about and think about than he did in his early years. Perhaps his increased size was him realizing he had to bulk up to take the hits he was going to take, knowing he no longer had large middle men up front to keep the pressure off? Just a thought.
Mora asked him to bulk up.
They wanted a big front 7. Hence the Cole signing and drafting Curry.
Go Pack?
Is it just me...
…or since John left has there been an increase in the proliferation of the NO SUBJECT-LINERS!!! If I have to remember than so do you!
(this is sarcasm…kinda)
by CMoney87 on Feb 9, 2011 7:37 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I agree with everything said,
but also think this season we saw what happens when a smart MLB doesn’t have the athleticism and skills around him (in terms of teammates) to succeed. Simply put our DEF sucked this year. Lofa’s best years were when we had some fairly nice talent on the D-line and in fellow LBs, allowing him to use his smarts to direct his undersized body to the right place. Heaters fun to watch, but still out of place often. Curry, is well Curry, raw athleticism and lacking in football instinct or smarts (hopefully just for now). He can’t play his game without worrying about what his teammates might do wrong. I doubt he was overly concerned with what Peterson was going to do.
I’m not sure why but I’m confident that a good portion of Lofa’s rapid decline is due to the team decline. I think with the right surrounding tools he’ll be able to surprise with a good 2 or 3 more years of quality football.
agree with you Lofa still has a couple in him but we could fill another position we are lack more in...
by getting a fourth rounder and putting some trust in Heater to conduct things. Curry is such an amazing athlete and if he doesn’t come around this year with a better D-line this year we can really start questioning his ceiling. If Heater gets the role of MLB then he will know where he has to be at all times and not be forced to break out into weird areas to compensate for a weak pass rush and be the effective run stopper he is. Herring is undersized like Lofa but he is tough as rocks and is always on the ball and seems to have way more stopping power than Lofa does. I’m not saying Lofa can’t still play football but I am saying he shouldn’t do it with Seattle any longer.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Lofa isn't that guy, either. Not anymore.
If we can trade Lofa (emphasis on “if”) and move Heater to MLB, we can get a younger, bigger and faster OLB that could improve our D, with minimal cost. Right now we have two MLBs starting, and Lofa isn’t good enough to make up for the lack of talent around him.
If we can’t trade Lofa (or no one wants him), he’ll get another season to prove he’s not washed up….but I don’t think Carroll would give him more time than that.
I'm really surprised how many people voted yes!
We have a lot of needs above linebacker depth. Tat is a leader needed where we have very little. Perhaps his production has declined, but his experience and leadership is needed as we bring in these young guys(hopefully some beasts at the DL and cornerback spot!)
by RawkEmHawkEmBirdbots on Feb 9, 2011 11:28 AM PST reply actions
His leadership isn't showing up in any meaningful way and he's been a much worse player after a string of injuries.
I think MLB might be the second biggest hole of the defense behind corner.
Yeah, the defense hasn't look any more "organized" with a healthy Lofa this season, compared to last.
I frequently say Lofa near the ballcarrier, but rarely able to actually make a play. In any case, coaches are the true leaders; players generally only lead by example.
I have to make it clear...
we don’t exactly suffer with Tats at MLB by anymeans but the whole thing is can we be better as a team by getting something we lack in the draft for him. Tats is a playing coach now and as amazing as a leader on the field he is and a master of directing traffic we need someone else to step up as the field general to take his place regardless of how long he stays with us. Tru is a vet but a quite leader, and Lawyer is like Braveheart on the field but its starting to look like the scene where he yells “freedom” out there. Heater is the guy, he has to get more vocal to fill Tats cleats but there isn’t a player on the field the works harder than him.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Correct me if I'm wrong
But wasn’t Lofa playing on two bum knees towards the end of the season that he will (has?) need surgery on. I thought I read that somewhere
He's the middle linebacker
He damn well better be near the top of the team tackle stats. It’s a stat built for middle linebackers.
yes he was.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Re: Tackles
He’s credit with 88 total tackles, which is his 58 solo plus 30 assists. Total tackles is an especially empty stat, unfortunately.
I love Lofa..... I have his jersey
But if there is any chance of getting anything for him, then it is the time to do it. We are in the middle of a rebuild that he will be too old for when we get done with it. I’d take a fourth for him and tell him thankyou for the memories.
Start up front
A gigantic nose tackle would sure help Lofa out. An extra second to beat blockers to their spots would really allow Lofa’s best strength (fast reads… fast reactions) to become exponentially more valuable. Phil Taylor comes to mind.
nice call on Phil Taylor...
not as fast a say a Raji but a HUGE guy and you would be hard pressed to run through a gap on either side of a guy like that and if you did it would take you a lil longer till POOWWW you get lit up by Heater.
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
try running through this dude, not likely.
http://packerchatters.com/wp-content/uploads/NFLDraft_PhilTaylor.jpg
"I was 11 or 12 and Quinton was like 30. He was the only dude on the Pop Warner team who had a full mustache and a beard. And he used to drive to Pop Warner games. You're not supposed to be doing that. It was crazy." -Marshawn Lynch
Injuries sped up his decline
And he’s not a starting LB anymore.
Either he loses his starting job (to whom I don’t know) or they send him loose via trade.
Fire Gus "What's a screen?" Bradley.
Linebacker might have been as big of a problem as the secondary this year.
We had so many runs get into the second level and the quick slant (in the KC game especially) killed us. I really like Matthews from Oregon and Mason Foster, of course. The thing is, Casey Matthews could go in the fifth.
ILB
according to the internet.
by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Feb 9, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions
He played inside at Oregon
and I don’t see him being converted to outside. He’s just fast and hits hard. Plus his brother is pretty good. I was surprised to see him projected to go in the fifth.
by BurtonOerney on Feb 10, 2011 5:55 PM PST up reply actions
I voted no.
While tats is on the decline for sure. We have so many other needs that I feel we can still get away with using him for at least another year.
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.
Why I voted yes
I think this is a very good question but here is the thing that I think many people have relied on, and that is Curry is a bust and Lofa is undersized. And that is easy for people to accept however IMHO it has very little to do with either player and everything to do with our DL, OL’s have been swallowing up our DL and LBers for the last 3 seasons this takes a toll especially if you are a little smaller. Stiffen up our DL this year and replace or if he makes it a good year get value for Lofa next year.
Tats is still better than a lot of the 4-3 linebackers around.
Replacing him might make financial sense, but typical MLBs aren’t supposed to cover so much ground so fast, anyhow. We’ve been spoiled by his great play. Health is why many in his position are so important. It the position takes a lot of pounding and Lofa did maintain a healthy 2010 season. Smart MLBs that can impact the passing-game don’t exactly grow on trees.
That said, Hawthorne can hold down the position just fine and we could dig up a perhaps more common WLB or SLB, depending on where the best place for Curry is. I tend to think SLB is his spot, as he’s big enough to pound on the TEs on the strong side.
Until we have a better play to put in at Lofa’s spot, keep him. Finding a better player won’t be easy and we have enough other roster spots to fill without wasting resources on a position we are at the very least competent at.
Comparing players from 3-4 schemes isn’t really logical. Unless we are moving to a 3-4 and evaluating players thusly, there is little reason (if any) to contrast with players from a different scheme.
Hasseldone.
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