Outside Linebacker depth?

jjasso007 · 09-01-2013, 04:00 PM

Didn't see a post regarding this topic. Apologies if I missed it

As it currently stands, we have three linebackers listed as OLB: Galette, Wilson, and Haralson. Looking at the roster, this seems to be a potential problem. My thoughts regarding this are as follows:

1. Harper comes down as a potential "OLB" to rush seeing as Ryan likes using 3+ safeties on the field. That leaves players like Jenkins, Vaccaro and Bush in the back half of the field in defense. Also, Harper is a very good pass rusher and not as good in coverage.

2. We currently have six players listed as ILB, but Vilma has proven able to rush the QB and is decent in coverage. Also Hawthorne played OLB for us last year (albeit not very well). Either of these two could possibly move outside on certain downs, though I'd MUCH prefer Hawthorne to stay inside.

It just seemed strange to me that we only kept three outside linebackers, especially when two of them have been hurt most of the preseason and the third just got to the team period. Thoughts?

|Mitch| · 09-01-2013, 04:09 PM

We're all just as stumped as you are...

jeanpierre · 09-01-2013, 05:08 PM

When you've got no salary room to acquire a free agent and you've failed to make it a priority in the draft, this is with what you're left...

halloween 65 · 09-01-2013, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

When you've got no salary room to acquire a free agent and you've failed to make it a priority in the draft, this is with what you're left...

I might smell a trade?

|Mitch| · 09-01-2013, 05:34 PM

With keeping 6 ILBs and only 3 OLBs, they have to be figuring that some can play inside and out...

Guys like Hawthorne, Herring, and Reddick perhaps? And we exactly don't know Ryans scheme; he likes to move players around a bunch...

Lord_Saint83 · 09-01-2013, 06:01 PM

I wish we had money to get dumervil when he was a fa. Talk about a mean duo galette/dumervil. Oh well thats in the past now.

The end is nigh

blackangold · 09-01-2013, 06:11 PM

1. isnt a good option as Harper is good at blitzing from the Safety position. As an OLB he will have to engage and avoid blockers, something he can't do.

The most viable option is for the starting line-up is Haralson at Jack for every snap and Wilson/Galette rotating in for the other position. Haralson is a potential pro-bowl OLB and Wilson/Galette should do very well opposite of him. The issue is the depth. I think Herring and Hawthorne could both be decent backups at the OLB position.

jeanpierre · 09-01-2013, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by blackangold

1. isnt a good option as Harper is good at blitzing from the Safety position. As an OLB he will have to engage and avoid blockers, something he can't do.

The most viable option is for the starting line-up is Haralson at Jack for every snap and Wilson/Galette rotating in for the other position. Haralson is a potential pro-bowl OLB and Wilson/Galette should do very well opposite of him. The issue is the depth. I think Herring and Hawthorne could both be decent backups at the OLB position.

Make no mistake, Galette is your Jack linebacker - pass rusher, back end pursuit on RB screens...

Haralson played the SAM in Frisco and that's where he will play; Martez, moved yet again to another position will split time with him there and roll in on pass rush packages...

Haralson will be a solid pro for us, but he was ostensibly replaced by the current ProBowlers who draw their NFL checks in San Francisco...

You're a little short on Herring and Hawthorne as they're excellent depth at all the LB positions; they could start and be effective as well...

Harper, my feelings on his game are well-documented...

Having a great weekend

papz · 09-01-2013, 06:13 PM

The transition from MLB to OLB isn't typically a big concern unless you're very slow footed. Humber, Herring, and Hawthorne can all play outside in a pinch. So while on paper it looks a bit puzzling, but it not a big deal at all.

The Dude · 09-01-2013, 06:18 PM

******* be like!!!!

09-01-2013, 04:00 PM	#1
jjasso007 100th Post Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 187	Outside Linebacker depth? Didn't see a post regarding this topic. Apologies if I missed it As it currently stands, we have three linebackers listed as OLB: Galette, Wilson, and Haralson. Looking at the roster, this seems to be a potential problem. My thoughts regarding this are as follows: 1. Harper comes down as a potential "OLB" to rush seeing as Ryan likes using 3+ safeties on the field. That leaves players like Jenkins, Vaccaro and Bush in the back half of the field in defense. Also, Harper is a very good pass rusher and not as good in coverage. 2. We currently have six players listed as ILB, but Vilma has proven able to rush the QB and is decent in coverage. Also Hawthorne played OLB for us last year (albeit not very well). Either of these two could possibly move outside on certain downs, though I'd MUCH prefer Hawthorne to stay inside. It just seemed strange to me that we only kept three outside linebackers, especially when two of them have been hurt most of the preseason and the third just got to the team period. Thoughts? MarchingOn likes this.

09-01-2013, 04:09 PM	#2
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? We're all just as stumped as you are... roberth04 likes this.

09-01-2013, 05:08 PM	#3
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? When you've got no salary room to acquire a free agent and you've failed to make it a priority in the draft, this is with what you're left... ChrisXVI and MarchingOn like this.

09-01-2013, 05:30 PM	#4
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? Originally Posted by jeanpierre When you've got no salary room to acquire a free agent and you've failed to make it a priority in the draft, this is with what you're left... I might smell a trade?

09-01-2013, 05:34 PM	#5
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? With keeping 6 ILBs and only 3 OLBs, they have to be figuring that some can play inside and out... Guys like Hawthorne, Herring, and Reddick perhaps? And we exactly don't know Ryans scheme; he likes to move players around a bunch... MarchingOn likes this.

09-01-2013, 06:01 PM	#6
Lord_Saint83 100% Blunt Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Saint Gabriel, La Posts: 2,754	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? I wish we had money to get dumervil when he was a fa. Talk about a mean duo galette/dumervil. Oh well thats in the past now. The end is nigh

09-01-2013, 06:11 PM	#7
blackangold 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,422	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? 1. isnt a good option as Harper is good at blitzing from the Safety position. As an OLB he will have to engage and avoid blockers, something he can't do. The most viable option is for the starting line-up is Haralson at Jack for every snap and Wilson/Galette rotating in for the other position. Haralson is a potential pro-bowl OLB and Wilson/Galette should do very well opposite of him. The issue is the depth. I think Herring and Hawthorne could both be decent backups at the OLB position.

09-01-2013, 08:29 PM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? Originally Posted by blackangold 1. isnt a good option as Harper is good at blitzing from the Safety position. As an OLB he will have to engage and avoid blockers, something he can't do. The most viable option is for the starting line-up is Haralson at Jack for every snap and Wilson/Galette rotating in for the other position. Haralson is a potential pro-bowl OLB and Wilson/Galette should do very well opposite of him. The issue is the depth. I think Herring and Hawthorne could both be decent backups at the OLB position. Make no mistake, Galette is your Jack linebacker - pass rusher, back end pursuit on RB screens... Haralson played the SAM in Frisco and that's where he will play; Martez, moved yet again to another position will split time with him there and roll in on pass rush packages... Haralson will be a solid pro for us, but he was ostensibly replaced by the current ProBowlers who draw their NFL checks in San Francisco... You're a little short on Herring and Hawthorne as they're excellent depth at all the LB positions; they could start and be effective as well... Harper, my feelings on his game are well-documented... Having a great weekend \|Mitch\|, K Major and MarchingOn like this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

09-01-2013, 06:13 PM	#9
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,768	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? The transition from MLB to OLB isn't typically a big concern unless you're very slow footed. Humber, Herring, and Hawthorne can all play outside in a pinch. So while on paper it looks a bit puzzling, but it not a big deal at all. jeanpierre likes this.

09-01-2013, 06:18 PM	#10
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055	Re: Outside Linebacker depth? ******* be like!!!!
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,055

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