Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

College proved that.

I'm ready to see him in action vs pros.

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

A linebacker who might actually snag an interception or two?!? Do such things really exist?

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

Yeah when they talk D I don't believe a word of what they say until its done.

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s-aqFLK2Gz.../skepticat.jpg

Especially when it comes to our Bozo defense. :bng:

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

Ellerbe has, but he is playing the WILL (Weakside Middle) L'Backer position...

Stephone Anthony and Hawthorne are set at the MIKE (Middle) backer...

http://blackandgold.com/u/5271-albums105-picture862.png

Note: You will see there's a bar at the Line of Scrimmage (LOS); that graphic shows the position the linemen are to stack (i.e. 0-tech Nose Tackle, 3-tech tackle, 5-tech end)...

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

This will help also, and yes, it's the 3-4 primer from Yea Alabama...

http://blackandgold.com/u/5271-albums105-picture863.png

Note: SAM (Strongside) Linebacker is over the Tight End, MIKE (Middle) Linebacker (Usually protected by NT and 3-Tech Tackle/End), WILL (Weakside) Linebacker in middle lined up over the 5-Tech Defensive End, and then the JACK or LEO on the outside of the uncovered (usually Left Tackle) side...

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

Correct. The SAM, MIKE and WILL still have similar skill sets and responsibilities as their 4-3 counterparts. Its just a slight shift n gaps and the MIKE has to take on OG's more often than the 4-3 MLB.

But as we saw with Vilma, the subtle differences can make an A-player become a B-player and vice versa. He was an A-player 4-3 MLB but looked like a B-player in the Jets 3-4.

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

And this hits on a key point, Stephone Anthony is 6' 3"/243 lbs; he's big enough to take on offensive linemen throughout a game...

Jon Vilma was 6' 1/2" 230 lbs; extraordinary athlete in his Jets days; solid, experienced as a Saint, but not the physical player he was and, as we now know, was bravely playing through a debilitating, degenerative knee condition...

We've got to continue to draft/acquire these bigger linebackers to gain more size upfront, thereby stacking, congesting those running lanes, forcing the game into a passing game which is virtually unstoppable in today's game and rule set, but at least allows these defensive backs to get turnovers...

No one gets shutdown anymore, the game is won on turnovers, sack/forced fumbles and interceptions...

Re: Early returns have been impressive as Saints rookie Stephone Anthony settles in at middle linebacker
 

I am hopeful that he will kick butt and take names.