TheDeuce, your boy was talking big on Sportscenter
 

Ray Lewis. Didn't give billick a vote of confidence, didn't demand to be traded, but didn't deny he would accept one and move on either. Said he has fallen off because when he was dominant, they had DTs that assured him he would never be touched and would be allowed to make plays, and that changed. Weren't they a 4-3 in that dominant defensive Superbowl year? I still don't want him, really not now since we don't have DTs either and he sounded kinda whiney, but just wanted to pass that on if you didn't see it.

RE: TheDeuce, your boy was talking big on Sportscenter
 

whodi i don't think it is whiny as much as it is a fact that even good lb's need a good d-line in front of them. i think it just keeps teaching me how much this is a complete team game and never won or loss by one player or position. i agree with you on the fact that we don't have good dt's. i also don't want ray only because he will demand big money and i think we could spend that on other areas of need or on that specific area of need. just on more then one guy. whodi do you think we have upgraded our lb's at all in free agency or because we have guys who are coming back with a little more experience? i am hopeful but don't know. i am also hopeful that getting a new d-coord. will help us on d too. what do you think man?

I think we upgraded our LBs when we fired Rick Venturi and Jim Haslett. But bringing in Simmons and Fujita were solid moves. Not enough for me though, I think we need a star. Aj Hawk. If we didn't get him, I could live with it, depending on who we drafted, and if we got a LB in the second round. We still need a MLB, and Hawk can be just that, or D'Qwell Jackson if he is around in the second. But we are getting there.

As far as Ray, he just seemed like he was whining to me. Especially when he started talking about how other LBs got to "run free." It's been how many years now? And is that the reason he keeps getting hurt, cause he is being touched? Seems kinda fragile if so. Get better at shedding a block instead of whining.

i would like us to get another lb too. i didn't see ray on tv but yeah if he was making a bunch of complaints about everyone else at some point it might be you ray. your getting older bro. it tends to happen. i thouhgt he had only said the thing about the d-line guys not being there.

Naw, he started talking about how he watched films of other guys(which he had plenty of time to do since he was hurt) being able to run free, and they showed clips of Urlacher and Joey Porter. Quit whining Ray, you're better than that, or I thought you were. Step your game up. He is basically saying the only way he can be effective is if he has a clean uniform until he makes the tackle.

well i thought he was better then that too. he is getting older. he has been in the league for what like 8 years or more

He was drafted in 1996.

that is a good amount of time

Whodi, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read in a couple of places that this year's ILB draft class isn't too thrilling. I'd be opposed to using a high pick on an ILB. I like Hawk and Carpenter, but neither really strike me as ILBs (again, I could be wrong, I've been out of the loop for awhile).

It is my impression that this year's ILB is already on the team. I don't know who it'll be, but I don't think we'll be trading for one or drafting one (not this year anyway).

I'd put a priority on OL and DTs over LBs on our needs list as of now.

We have a winner. I'd be all in favor of trying to implement a ball control offense this season and just grind it out every game. 2 quality O-linemen wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. I'd even be ok with trading down and managing 3 O-linemen on the first day.

D'Brick, Mangold and Davin Joseph would be a hugely successful draft to my thinking.

But then, The Immortal Mario Williams is fine with me too.

well whodi says that hawk can play any LB spot... which according to all the experts.. is wrong... he is more suited for a OLB spot on a 4-3 system....

well bringing in Hawk would allow you to slide Fujita or Bockwoldt to the inside. We will see how that goes. Also, while this draft isnt deep with ILB's, there are a few guys that could come in and play right away. D'Qwell Jackson and Abdul Hodge probably could start for a lot of teams from day 1. Both are second round guys.

Exactly what does "more suited" have to do with "can play inside?" Hawk is the most versatile LB in the draft. He can play any LB position EASILY, and the EXPERTS have said so. I don't know what "experts" you have been listening to, but they are feeding you false info. Hawk is the real deal wherever we put him. And even if we don't take him, we better take a LB in the second. What good is an offense that won't be on the field caus eour defense stillc an't stop anyone?

your friends over at scout.com

hawk can play inside, no question.

That said he can play ILB, but is better suited for OLB? Those friends? Yup, that's exactly what they said. How that means he CAN'T play inside is anyone's guess.............

He was the leader of Ohio State's defense. LEADER.

Bockwoldt isn't exactly a ILB either. I don't see where the big fuss is. People change positions coming out of college. Like Thomas Davis, Michael Boulware, and others. Hawk would be a major upgrade over what we have at ILB. Poeple change positions all the time coming out of college, so what's the big deal? Marcus Randall is playing LB for crying out loud

Amen. Just people who don't want the guy making a big deal over nothing. It is unquestioned Hawk is the best LB in the draft PERIOD. And some experts call him the best player and best pick. That's just some. Whether he is the best LB is agreed on by ALL.

He has no holes in his game. I haven't been able to say that about too many prospects.

I must admit that this is the one guy in the draft I haven't been able to find a knock on. If there's anybody in this draft that I would call a sure bet, it's Hawk.

Wanted to comment on that Lewis thing yesterday but didn't have a computer... he did sound a bit whiny but he did make a lot of sense. Can't do crap if you have crap in front of you. Makes you wonder if our linebackers are better than they really are don't ya think?

It makes for a good excuse. Our DT's suck!!!!! :(

hey... sullly is gonna hit his stride this year.. watch.... then he gonna hit the breakfast line... n the lunch line... the snack bar...

...and then hopefully the unemployment line...and then the welfare line. :D

I'd prefer that line where there is a firing squad standing in front of him.

Fujita and Bockwoldt are not suited to play the inside.

I didn't follow Hawk, so I'll take your guys word for it. However, any ILB will be hindered behind our DTs - DTs are still a priority over LBs in my mind. I wouldn't be upset with Hawk at all, but I would take that pick to be less wise than others.

I think Fujita is capable of playing MLB. If you flank him with Hawk and Simmons, then you got something. I say that because Hawk and Simmons have great sideline to sideline speed to make plays. Espiecally if the guys up front decide to show up and play.

Ok, JimBone, I may be inclined to believe that. With the right kind of help he may be able to be successful - but he just isn't a natural 4-3 ILB.

I think if you flank him with the right people he can do it...but i will also agree with you in that it is not his natural position and he may be better suited for the outside...but he does have the tools to play inside.

now that's funny...but on some realness
I think Sully has no choice but to MAN THE **** UP!
I don't think Payton is goin for that lazy,underachieving BS from a first rounder....
"I want em blowin snot bubbles"...

JimBone, gottcha.

Chaching, agreed. The Sully "experiment" is over, and it was a failure. He can keep a spot on the roster, if he takes a pay cut and appears that he'll be useful in a DT rotation.