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-   -   Article: Position Spotlight: Linebackers (https://blackandgold.com/saints/68825-position-spotlight-linebackers.html)

saintsfan1976 10-14-2014 06:37 PM
Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
1 Attachment(s)
Gallette as a true OLB? I don't see it. He's a DE hybrid. This echoes the need for a rangy OLB who can fly. Think Navarro Bowman.

Quote:
My take: I never know where to list Galette in these things, since he essentially plays defensive end. But I'll keep him here since he's listed as an outside linebacker -- and since he's actually playing more as a true 3-4 outside linebacker at times this season. That part of Galette's game has been up and down (like the rest of the defense, he's struggled at times in the open field). But he has remained decent as a pass-rusher.

Galette hasn't been as consistently disruptive as last season, but he has certainly been the Saints' best pass-rusher. He made the biggest defensive play of the season with his safety in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, and he almost made another one but couldn't hang on to a potential interception. If that performance is a sign of things to come, the Saints will be in better shape going forward.


Lofton has also been off to a very good start -- probably the best stretch of his three-year tenure with the Saints. He was the MVP of the Saints' first victory of the season against Minnesota. What has especially stood out with Lofton is how often he's made some aggressive, powerful hits at the line of scrimmage or behind the line of scrimmage.

Haralson has also had some nice moments while playing a lot more often than he did last season. Hawthorne and Humber have been more inconsistent, though, when it comes to tackling and open-field angles. And every linebacker, including Lofton, is just average in pass coverage.

The Saints' run defense hit rock bottom in Week 4 against Dallas and DeMarco Murray. But they responded great with a borderline-dominant performance against Tampa Bay's run game in Week 5.

ESPN scouting Insider Matt Williamson's take: "I think Galette's been good. I think (the other linebackers) are just a bunch of guys. I don't see big qualities there. It wouldn't blow me away if they used an early-round pick on an athletic, coverage second-level defender next year, somebody that can really run in the dome. ... I think Lofton's a good player. I don't think he's special, I don't think he's a Pro Bowler, but I think he's an above-average linebacker. I think their linebackers are OK. I think you're fine if your D-line is playing like it did last year and the secondary is playing up to their capabilities. But when things aren't going well, those guys look pretty average."
New Orleans Saints position spotlight: Linebackers - ESPN

Danno 10-14-2014 06:42 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
It wouldn't blow me away if they used an early-round pick on an athletic, coverage second-level defender next year, somebody that can really run in the dome
Obviously he has no clue of how our front office drafts.

Without looking, name the last LB we selected in the 1st 2 rounds.

saintsfan1976 10-14-2014 08:59 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Mark Fields? I didn't look so man I really hope that's an actual Saint.

rezburna 10-14-2014 10:59 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Bowman is a ILB.

dizzle88 10-15-2014 04:31 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
He thinks Lofton is average in pass coverage

None of our linebackers can cover, they are all very poor in coverage, not even close to average

saintsfan1976 10-15-2014 06:59 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rezburna (Post 618398)
Bowman is a ILB.
Who rushes from the outside A LOT

saintsfan1976 10-15-2014 07:02 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Top ILB
Top ILB Prospects 2015 NFL Draft|Top 10 College MLBs 2015 NFL Draft

Top OLB
Top Pass Rushers 2015 NFL Draft |Top 3-4 Outside Linebacker Prospects 2015 NFL Draft |

jeanpierre 10-15-2014 07:16 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
If Matt Williamson thinks Galette has been good and that the rest is just a bunch of guys, then he obviously doesn't watch Saints games or is like most ESPN hacks, in that, he doesn't have a f***ing clue...

Parys Haralson is the only guy I'd keep under contract among the linebackers besides Ramon Humber...

Powell I'd get on the field now, rookie mistakes and all, to see what he's got; then, I'd know what my hand is as a GM/Coach going into the offseason, moving forward...

And Joe Vitt would be relieved as Linebackers Coach...

I get Payton needs his guys on staff, but I'd have his title as Assistant Head Coach - Bus Coordinator/Vanity Key Master...

Mardigras9 10-15-2014 09:27 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Wait, what, we have linebackers?

Danno 10-15-2014 10:01 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 618432)
If Matt Williamson thinks Galette has been good and that the rest is just a bunch of guys, then he obviously doesn't watch Saints games or is like most ESPN hacks, in that, he doesn't have a f***ing clue...

Parys Haralson is the only guy I'd keep under contract among the linebackers besides Ramon Humber...
Unfortunately Humber is our worst LB in coverage, and overall grades out just a notch above Lofton, who is our 2nd worst defender thru 5 games.

Cruize 10-15-2014 10:38 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
No playmakers at all. JR is a situational pass rush specialist. He's not nor will he ever be a true OLB. PH is a serviceable vet. Powell has skills. Right now, my guess is the staff would rather have PH out there not making mistakes over Powell possibly making some plays. The Saints season is the next 5 games. Brutal stretch.

Rugby Saint II 10-15-2014 10:56 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Our LB'ers can be described in one word..........turrible. :roll:

saintsfan1976 10-15-2014 11:33 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 618471)
Our LB'ers can be described in one word..........turrible. :roll:
I'd say average. Curtis Lofton is IMO playing some good football this year. Unless you have seen something I haven't Parys has been relatively solid as well. But behind those two we have what?

Danno 10-15-2014 12:12 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 618485)
I'd say average. Curtis Lofton is IMO playing some good football this year. Unless you have seen something I haven't Parys has been relatively solid as well. But behind those two we have what?
I saw where Haralson actually graded out one of the best 3-4 OLB in the NFL so far this year, although I think he's a two-down LB so that number is skewed.

Lofton has graded out as our 2nd worst player on the entire defense, only ahead of Roman Vaccaro.

dizzle88 10-15-2014 12:16 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno (Post 618496)
I saw where Haralson actually graded out one of the best 3-4 OLB in the NFL so far this year, although I think he's a two-down LB so that number is skewed.

Lofton has graded out as our 2nd worst player on the entire defense, only ahead of Roman Vaccaro.
Roman Vaccaro? Lmao.

hagan714 10-15-2014 12:49 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Haralson is the closest thing we have to an all around LB

everyone else excels in one area and one area alone

that is the problem.

Jr gets ridden out of plays to easy. his speed is used against him.

ILB? all run defenders

can not blame Vit for this collection of LB.

Williams at least believed an above average all around LB is worth more than a LB that excels at one thing and one thing only.

|Mitch| 10-15-2014 12:58 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 618501)
ILB? all run defenders
Benardrick McKinney is the answer, my thinking anyway...

K Major 10-15-2014 01:55 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 618502)
Benardrick McKinney is the answer, my thinking anyway...
+1. We would have to be stupid not to give this guy a serious look in next year's draft.

halloween 65 10-15-2014 09:59 PM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
I would look for an ILB to stick next to Lofton to shore the middle up, it's a big problem area right now, he needs to be big with cover skills. I would convert to a true 3-4, it's more solid. Powell, I have to see on the field to see if he fits the OLB for the 3-4, JR. can be used if the right LB. coach and DC are in place but we would still be thin at back-ups, here is where Harrellson would be used to do his thing (short yardage). From what I've see we could have a pro- bowl set of lb.'s and it still wouldn't matter, without a push up the middle from the big boys up front the rest of the D is meaningless no matter what the scheme may be. We need a nose tackle, a mammath of a man to take on double teams on a consistant basis, Hicks, Jordan, and Jenkins could rotate in and out and we would see pressure. Also even if Lofton has graded poor to me watching game after game he has been our saving grace cover skills or not.

hagan714 10-16-2014 04:51 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 618502)
Benardrick McKinney is the answer, my thinking anyway...
my fear with him is as soon as he got here he would be moved to the outside and Harlison would be shown the door. at least that would not be a square peg in a round hole deal. oval but not square.

dizzle88 10-16-2014 10:05 AM
Re: Position Spotlight: Linebackers
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hagan714 (Post 618625)
my fear with him is as soon as he got here he would be moved to the outside and Harlison would be shown the door. at least that would not be a square peg in a round hole deal. oval but not square.
Our coaching staff do that all the time, hey here's Jo-lonn dunbar, a pretty decent middle linebacker, I know let's make him play outside.....


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