Figuring Out the LB Depth Chart
 

Not sure where Vilma Stands , Wilson and Galette coming back , Addition of Heralson , minus Smith and Butler , Hawthorne and Lofton doing a decent Job , Humber laying people out , Im lost !

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They have some work to be done

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Agreed

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I think Parys Haralson starts opposite Wilson/Galette; he has too much experience as a true 3-4 LB. He'll steal the starting spot from the weaker of the two

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Almost forgot today's cut day ... 480 guys will be on the market , there may be more moves coming

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Great shout on picking through the pieces of who gets cut although clearly we didn't want to get caught short so were happy to shop a potential 7th round pick if Haralson (I'm going to call him Woody) makes the roster.

I don't think we need to panic just yet. I have wanted Galette to start from the moment we announced we were moving to 3-4. I also wanted to see Wilson step up and I believe he is doing a fine job. 'Woody', if fit, should indeed probably edge the weaker of those two guys out.

Where it gets interesting is in the middle. Lofton has to start right? But Humber has impressed me massively and I would definitely put him in ahead of Vilma whether or not JV is fit and good to go. Hawthorne has also been making some plays when he has lined up.

We are not in a terrible position right now at all but I would suggest that if our Defence was a cat, we just exhausted 8 of our 9 lives. Therein lies our biggest problem. However we are good right now.

Side note: If Kenny V wasn't making so many waves back in the Safety position, how long would it have taken for the conversations to start about how we 'should have drafted Jarvis Jones' .... :)

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Why all of the panic... Its a work in progress and if we cant figure who will be where when then neither can the opposing teams to game plan...

Enjoy the ride.

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I think the Parys Haralson acquisition solidified Rufus Johnson's spot on the practice squad. We'll probably roll with Wilson, Gallette, Haralson, Richardson, and Martin on the first 53. Any injuries would either force a call upon Johnson or another venture into the open market for a "stop gap". When Smith went down I had a little "oh sh!t" moment, but the fine find of Haralson has eased my nerves quite a bit. We should be fine personnel wise to start off, barring anymore injuries. Our scheming is where I'm most interested now.

Re: Figuring Out the LB Depth Chart
 

Lofton and Hawthorne will start inside. Vilma will rotate in on the inside and outside like last year.

Gallette and Haralson will start outside, with Wilson rotating in.

Humber will also get some play at LB.

That's 7 LB's. That's all you need. 4 starters, 3 flexible extras.

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With cuts coming we may find another player that we want to bring in to solidify the LB'ers. We certainly need to be glued to the waiver wire.

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Rez, I would be shocked if they don't keep 8. I don't see how Eric Martin makes it to our practice squad if we cut him. Someone else will surely pick him up. Johnson hasn't made quite as big a "splash" as Martin. There's less risk with an attempt to get him to the practice squad. I also think the starting ILBs will be Lofton and Hawthorne, but I think there will be a heavy rotation there with Vilma AND Humber coming in to spell the other two often. We are set up for this because of Vilma and Lofton's equal ability to run the D up front. There is even a possibility of keeping Jay Richardson but counting him as a "DE roster spot" because of his versatility and penciling Martin in as the last OLB. Hell, who knows?! This sh!t is gonna be interesting!

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I can see them trying to keep one more, but I'm not counting on it. I'm ready for the 8th. Let's see what they all got.

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All im hearing about is how the niners fans thought a 7th round pick was too low for haralson and that he's a very good player, only thing that kept him from playing was aldon smith

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About the upcoming cuts for the league... Most people are happy with what they have.

Until they see what is available. :-)

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Well, color me shocked. They just let Martin go. There goes my speculation ability. Ha

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Also speculated that Butler may be able to return after week 6...

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My guess would be something like Haralson/Hawthorne/Lofton/Galette on run downs, with Wilson and Vilma replacing Haralson and Lofton on pass downs in the base set.

If Butler comes back then that adds another good player in the rotation. I think these pass rushers are going to be much better than most people expect.

Wouldn't mind letting Vilma go if a good trade presents itself. Humber looks like a very solid player and Hawthorne is playing like the guy from Seattle.

I like Richardson as a good backup who can play either the strong side LB or as a down lineman. He has played really well considering he has been out of the league for a couple years.

Re: Figuring Out the LB Depth Chart
 

ILB - David Hawthorne, Curtis Lofton
Jonathan Vilma - pass down specialist
Ramon Humber - is a run thumper that has shown little in the pass
Kevin Reddick

OLB - Martez Wilson - has played OLB
Parys Haralson - gets the start because he is well rounded ( dam grrrr)
Junior Galette - is still a one trick pony at this point ( show me something)

the rest are all projects at this point
Rufus Johnson
Eric Martin
Baraka Atkins

I am really worried at this point. lets get people health and pray one or two of them has improved there over all game. if not the safeties are going to be really busy

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I'm thinking they may find someone on the wavier wire. I hope they keep Vilma because he may still be our best cover MLB.

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Rotoworld wasn't so optimistic.

"Butler is technically eligible to return in Week 8, but is fully expected to miss the whole season after going down in June. Perhaps the Saints' dire pass-rushing situation has them taking an optimistic view with Butler's recovery, but it's a hail mary that's not going to connect. Signed through 2014, Butler should be 100 percent for next summer's camp. He was an ascendant player before going down." - Aug 27 - 5:59 PM

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I put more faith in the coaches/medical staff rather than Rotoworld. If they feel the need to designate Butler to return, they must know something...

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I still wonder if we have seen the last of Vilma on the field.