Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

who would you slide outside with Wilson taking ILB?

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

If our D can just improve 10 or 11 spots & do MUCH better with turnovers we will be awesome this season!!

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

Maybe Hawthorne, or one of the rookies.

I think Mike is probably his ideal position, but if the goal is to put the best 4 LB's out there he may be forced to play SAM with Lofton and Vilma inside. I can't see sliding Lofton or Vilma outside.

I think Wilson can be a very good SAM, but an excellent MIKE.

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

Shouldn't be hard. Thats what we had in 2011 and we have more talent now.

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

i think Butler injury has put Wilson at OLB for the season. He can play ILB without to much adjustment because he played it a lot in college.

Now Jr is the big question mark and his play or lack will effect the entire line up at the second level. we all know he can rush and is pretty darn good at it. He has major issue in run support and we have yet to see him try to do pass coverage. he definitely has his work cut out for him and if he does step it up it will be huge. So huge i would say he would be defensive player of the year for the saints.

If not the only other real options is Hawthorne and Vilma filling the OLB spot.

Butler being out really puts the heat on Jr. more than Wilson

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

I agree, Wilson would be great paid with Lofton but I don't like the idea of anyone else on the team playing SAM yet... If Butler had not gone down it would be a different story. As it stands Wilson is the only viable option at SAM with some proven success as a pass rusher, but we know Hawthorne can play ILB.

seems like IR always snags someone promising from us before the season...

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

Will Smith at SAM? Interesting.

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

What's big John Jenkins up to?

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

Trying Will Smith at Sam was probably a very quick experiment. Considering we're all skeptical of his ability to play the Jack LB spot where he'd mostly pass rush and do very little in coverage... I think Coach probably got his answer pretty quick trying him at the Sam where he would play tons in coverage; At least I hope so.

Re: Five Saints will draw attention when camp opens
 

In a 1-gap 3-4...The SOLB will be in charge of the outside of the TE on running plays and will normally either blitz or be manned up on the TE in pass plays.

Smith has 2 of those 3 covered. Not sure how long he can cover a TE before exposure.