Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints

Attached Thumbnails · 08-10-2011, 06:37 AM

Much like the defensive line, the linebacker position suddenly is one of the most crowded on the team, as no fewer than nine players have legitimate shots of making the final New Orleans Saints roster.
Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma might be the only sure bet. He continues to be the quarterback of the defense, and the eighth-year veteran doesn't appear to be slowing down as he's coming off his third consecutive 100-plus tackle season.
But the competition is pretty intense on the outside.
Incumbent Scott Shanle has been running with the first-team defense at the weakside position. But he's being pushed by Jonathan Casillas, who won the starting job last season before suffering a foot injury. Also, rookie Nate Bussey, a seventh-round pick from Illinois, figures to have an uphill battle to make the final roster.
The starting spot at the strong-side position might not be determined until the final preseason game.

Read the rest

Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com

homerj07 · 08-10-2011, 07:02 AM

Interesting - I still think I would like another veteran presence in the mix!!

Crusader · 08-10-2011, 07:09 AM

I think its a better route to go to just develop the young guys we have.

Danno · 08-10-2011, 07:19 AM

So Dunbar is back to his college spot at MLB? Excellent! He should make a good back-up there.

Rugby Saint II · 08-10-2011, 01:10 PM

Right now it's our weakest position. It's time for Cassillas to prove that he was qualified to start last year before his injury. Out of the rest of the players we need one more to step up and earn a starting spot. Regardless, we have GW and he will make our LB'ers look better than they really are.

darstep · 08-10-2011, 01:27 PM

I'm hoping the front 3/4 help raise the bar and free up those guys to get to the ball. 3rd and long all day long for the opposition. I hope we lose nothing when pieces are substituted. I hope they have to flip a coin on which guy starts and the reps they get is just a way of keeping everybody fresh and healthy. We will rise and fall with our new front 7 mix.

Budsdrinker · 08-10-2011, 02:10 PM

Well they just cut Danny Clark.

Maverick2299 · 08-10-2011, 03:41 PM

I think they still want to bring in Roth too. So that might be another reason Clark go cut.

biloxi-indian · 08-10-2011, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Magic

What happened to Marvin Mitchell?

He was not resigned by the Saints. I have not read where he signed with anyone else.

turbo_dog · 08-12-2011, 11:49 AM

Glad to hear Herring is playing well. I guess my memory is failing, because I thought Clark was cut last year and played for the Giants.

Where is Sedrick Hodge on this list?? LOL

08-10-2011, 06:37 AM	#1
Threaded by strato Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas" Posts: 7,586 Rating: (0 votes - average) Much like the defensive line, the linebacker position suddenly is one of the most crowded on the team, as no fewer than nine players have legitimate shots of making the final New Orleans Saints roster. Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma might be the only sure bet. He continues to be the quarterback of the defense, and the eighth-year veteran doesn't appear to be slowing down as he's coming off his third consecutive 100-plus tackle season. But the competition is pretty intense on the outside. Incumbent Scott Shanle has been running with the first-team defense at the weakside position. But he's being pushed by Jonathan Casillas, who won the starting job last season before suffering a foot injury. Also, rookie Nate Bussey, a seventh-round pick from Illinois, figures to have an uphill battle to make the final roster. The starting spot at the strong-side position might not be determined until the final preseason game. Read the rest Linebacker position suddenly crowded for New Orleans Saints \| NOLA.com Attached Thumbnails
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08-10-2011, 07:09 AM	#3
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 7,984	I think its a better route to go to just develop the young guys we have. strato likes this.
	Last edited by Crusader; 08-10-2011 at 07:23 AM.. Reason: Spelling worse than foreverfans cats.

08-10-2011, 03:48 PM	#9
biloxi-indian Site Donor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southlake, TX Posts: 1,706	Originally Posted by Mr Magic What happened to Marvin Mitchell? He was not resigned by the Saints. I have not read where he signed with anyone else.

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08-10-2011, 07:02 AM	#2
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	Interesting - I still think I would like another veteran presence in the mix!!

08-10-2011, 07:19 AM	#4
Danno Site Donor 2014 Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,640	So Dunbar is back to his college spot at MLB? Excellent! He should make a good back-up there.

08-10-2011, 01:10 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,725	Right now it's our weakest position. It's time for Cassillas to prove that he was qualified to start last year before his injury. Out of the rest of the players we need one more to step up and earn a starting spot. Regardless, we have GW and he will make our LB'ers look better than they really are.

08-10-2011, 01:27 PM	#6
darstep SaintSince67 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PortCity Posts: 2,044	I'm hoping the front 3/4 help raise the bar and free up those guys to get to the ball. 3rd and long all day long for the opposition. I hope we lose nothing when pieces are substituted. I hope they have to flip a coin on which guy starts and the reps they get is just a way of keeping everybody fresh and healthy. We will rise and fall with our new front 7 mix.

08-10-2011, 02:10 PM	#7
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Well they just cut Danny Clark.

08-10-2011, 03:41 PM	#8
Maverick2299 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: VA Posts: 368	I think they still want to bring in Roth too. So that might be another reason Clark go cut.

08-12-2011, 11:49 AM	#10
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,540	Glad to hear Herring is playing well. I guess my memory is failing, because I thought Clark was cut last year and played for the Giants. Where is Sedrick Hodge on this list?? LOL