The Need for Speed

JKool · 07-09-2004, 11:55 AM

I agree mostly with WhoDat here.

Our DTs could be run stoppers: Sullivan COULD be, Young isn\'t, and Leisle could be. However, the point that 08 makes that I can understand is right. To occupy space, you don\'t simply have to hold up the Gs - you can get them turned or off balance or force a double team - this is what Young CAN and will do. I think he\'s going to be good.

I do think that our DTs are the team\'s biggest weakness right now (since the linebackers will only matter against the run IF these guys can get something done in front of them).

WhoDat, I do think that a 260 lb linebacker as opposed to a 230 lb one at Mike can make a huge difference. While I do think the smaller, more agile linebackers serve a very good purpose inside, a bigger backer can also hold up a guard so that an OLB or SS can make a play. The point is being oversized by 40 lbs and a few inches is VERY different from being oversized by over half a foot and 70-80 lbs when you are merely trying to stand up the blocker!

However, I also think that our DTs won\'t have to do as much work as some other teams, becuase simply going one on one with our DEs will be suicide for some teams. Howard, Grant, and Smith are going to be able to make plays at the point of attack if they are not properly blocked - this means less pressure on Sully and Young to cover the middle of the line.

Final thought: I really like teams who use the smaller linebackers in the middle, the defense against the pass and outside runs really benefits - but I\'m just not sure if we have the personnel; look what happened to Urlacher after Washington left - he got hammered A LOT. I\'m not sure a rookie or an injury prone MLB will be able to handle that for a whole game. I think Ruff makes the squad, and we see some sort of rotation inside.

07-09-2004, 11:55 AM	#1
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	The Need for Speed I agree mostly with WhoDat here. Our DTs could be run stoppers: Sullivan COULD be, Young isn\'t, and Leisle could be. However, the point that 08 makes that I can understand is right. To occupy space, you don\'t simply have to hold up the Gs - you can get them turned or off balance or force a double team - this is what Young CAN and will do. I think he\'s going to be good. I do think that our DTs are the team\'s biggest weakness right now (since the linebackers will only matter against the run IF these guys can get something done in front of them). WhoDat, I do think that a 260 lb linebacker as opposed to a 230 lb one at Mike can make a huge difference. While I do think the smaller, more agile linebackers serve a very good purpose inside, a bigger backer can also hold up a guard so that an OLB or SS can make a play. The point is being oversized by 40 lbs and a few inches is VERY different from being oversized by over half a foot and 70-80 lbs when you are merely trying to stand up the blocker! However, I also think that our DTs won\'t have to do as much work as some other teams, becuase simply going one on one with our DEs will be suicide for some teams. Howard, Grant, and Smith are going to be able to make plays at the point of attack if they are not properly blocked - this means less pressure on Sully and Young to cover the middle of the line. Final thought: I really like teams who use the smaller linebackers in the middle, the defense against the pass and outside runs really benefits - but I\'m just not sure if we have the personnel; look what happened to Urlacher after Washington left - he got hammered A LOT. I\'m not sure a rookie or an injury prone MLB will be able to handle that for a whole game. I think Ruff makes the squad, and we see some sort of rotation inside.
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