So who are the solid WLB's available to us?

JKool · 05-22-2008, 10:27 AM

I just don't see Vilma playing the SAM. He's just not big enough, and coming off injury, that is a tough position in terms of its demands on change in direction, etc. I think if Vilma isn't playing MIKE, he'd have to play WILL at this point.

Fortunately, we could use a simple scheme that reduces the importance of the WLB and a Shanle or a new guy could be protected there (in the base anyway).

Doctor Saint · 05-22-2008, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by JKool

I just don't see Vilma playing the SAM. He's just not big enough, and coming off injury, that is a tough position in terms of its demands on change in direction, etc. I think if Vilma isn't playing MIKE, he'd have to play WILL at this point.

Fortunately, we could use a simple scheme that reduces the importance of the WLB and a Shanle or a new guy could be protected there (in the base anyway).

so you see fujita playing strong side and shanle at weak? vilma would obviously be middle. i think a healthy vilma would be dominant no matter which position at LB he plays. if he is healthy and we can land another LB via FA or trade then i think vilma is the most versatile and will allow whomever we land to play their strongest position. I foresee vilma playing MLB and fujita at strong side tho. shanle will play weak unless we bring in another LB to cut out all the remaining strands of last years horrific LB crew

JKool · 05-22-2008, 11:19 AM

I think Vilma could easily play the WLB. I've been mildly advocating a LB system where the WLB is open to "free style" a bit more, with more of a run stopper in at MLB.

In my mind, as long as Fugita is healthy, he is the right guy for our SLB position. He's got good size and decent (to good) coverage skills. He also plays pretty strong at the point of attack. Overall, I'm pleased with his play for us, even if he's never going to be a star.

Shanle and Simoneau (contrary to common opinion these days) are both serviceable NFL linebackers, but they're not going to scare anyone and don't impress me much.

Doctor Saint · 05-22-2008, 11:59 AM

i think even better than the idea of the LB roaming i would like to see a safety like troy polamaulu be brought in where he can roam all over the field. if we had a safety that could do that he could very well be a key addition not only to our secondary but also to our front 7. i think that would be an even bigger addition rather than bringing in another LB

Papa Voodoo · 05-22-2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by JKool

I think Vilma could easily play the WLB. I've been mildly advocating a LB system where the WLB is open to "free style" a bit more, with more of a run stopper in at MLB.

In my mind, as long as Fugita is healthy, he is the right guy for our SLB position. He's got good size and decent (to good) coverage skills. He also plays pretty strong at the point of attack. Overall, I'm pleased with his play for us, even if he's never going to be a star.

Shanle and Simoneau (contrary to common opinion these days) are both serviceable NFL linebackers, but they're not going to scare anyone and don't impress me much.

So how about Trotter at MLB and move Vilma to WLB? Maybe rotate him out on obvious passing downs?

saintsrule · 05-22-2008, 01:39 PM

It's been awhile since I have been here, I didn't know Morgan retired.

LordOfEntropy · 05-22-2008, 02:28 PM

Yeah, his leg rehab didn't work out. So he just retired, gave up on the rehab, and left us screwed at WLB.

It's not much of a surprise though, as number of us were saying he wouldn't last past game 3 anyway. So I guess we just get to deal with the problem we expected a little earlier than we expected.

JKool · 05-23-2008, 11:27 PM

Papa, I like that idea.

Dr. S, I think that would be a good thing. However, the way our secondary has played, I don't think we need a head-hunter type safety; we're really in the market for a coverage guy. However, I see how your idea could work. We'd need much better play out of our corners, though.

hagan714 · 05-24-2008, 05:13 AM

Vilma's strengths are are working through traffic from sideline to sideline. Sorry we do not have a LB that can do this other than Vilma. He stays in the middle.

05-22-2008, 10:27 AM	#21
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? I just don't see Vilma playing the SAM. He's just not big enough, and coming off injury, that is a tough position in terms of its demands on change in direction, etc. I think if Vilma isn't playing MIKE, he'd have to play WILL at this point. Fortunately, we could use a simple scheme that reduces the importance of the WLB and a Shanle or a new guy could be protected there (in the base anyway).

05-22-2008, 11:03 AM	#22
Doctor Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? Originally Posted by JKool I just don't see Vilma playing the SAM. He's just not big enough, and coming off injury, that is a tough position in terms of its demands on change in direction, etc. I think if Vilma isn't playing MIKE, he'd have to play WILL at this point. Fortunately, we could use a simple scheme that reduces the importance of the WLB and a Shanle or a new guy could be protected there (in the base anyway). so you see fujita playing strong side and shanle at weak? vilma would obviously be middle. i think a healthy vilma would be dominant no matter which position at LB he plays. if he is healthy and we can land another LB via FA or trade then i think vilma is the most versatile and will allow whomever we land to play their strongest position. I foresee vilma playing MLB and fujita at strong side tho. shanle will play weak unless we bring in another LB to cut out all the remaining strands of last years horrific LB crew
Doctor Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11

05-22-2008, 11:19 AM	#23
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? I think Vilma could easily play the WLB. I've been mildly advocating a LB system where the WLB is open to "free style" a bit more, with more of a run stopper in at MLB. In my mind, as long as Fugita is healthy, he is the right guy for our SLB position. He's got good size and decent (to good) coverage skills. He also plays pretty strong at the point of attack. Overall, I'm pleased with his play for us, even if he's never going to be a star. Shanle and Simoneau (contrary to common opinion these days) are both serviceable NFL linebackers, but they're not going to scare anyone and don't impress me much.
	"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

05-22-2008, 11:59 AM	#24
Doctor Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? i think even better than the idea of the LB roaming i would like to see a safety like troy polamaulu be brought in where he can roam all over the field. if we had a safety that could do that he could very well be a key addition not only to our secondary but also to our front 7. i think that would be an even bigger addition rather than bringing in another LB
Doctor Saint Rookie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 11

05-22-2008, 12:51 PM	#25
Papa Voodoo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,633	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? Originally Posted by JKool I think Vilma could easily play the WLB. I've been mildly advocating a LB system where the WLB is open to "free style" a bit more, with more of a run stopper in at MLB. In my mind, as long as Fugita is healthy, he is the right guy for our SLB position. He's got good size and decent (to good) coverage skills. He also plays pretty strong at the point of attack. Overall, I'm pleased with his play for us, even if he's never going to be a star. Shanle and Simoneau (contrary to common opinion these days) are both serviceable NFL linebackers, but they're not going to scare anyone and don't impress me much. So how about Trotter at MLB and move Vilma to WLB? Maybe rotate him out on obvious passing downs?
	Last edited by Papa Voodoo; 05-22-2008 at 12:55 PM..

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05-22-2008, 01:39 PM	#26
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? It's been awhile since I have been here, I didn't know Morgan retired.
saintsrule 500th Post Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 657

05-22-2008, 02:28 PM	#27
LordOfEntropy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 1,838	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? Yeah, his leg rehab didn't work out. So he just retired, gave up on the rehab, and left us screwed at WLB. It's not much of a surprise though, as number of us were saying he wouldn't last past game 3 anyway. So I guess we just get to deal with the problem we expected a little earlier than we expected.

05-23-2008, 11:27 PM	#28
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? Papa, I like that idea. Dr. S, I think that would be a good thing. However, the way our secondary has played, I don't think we need a head-hunter type safety; we're really in the market for a coverage guy. However, I see how your idea could work. We'd need much better play out of our corners, though.

05-24-2008, 05:13 AM	#29
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: So who are the solid WLB's available to us? Vilma's strengths are are working through traffic from sideline to sideline. Sorry we do not have a LB that can do this other than Vilma. He stays in the middle.