2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook

jeanpierre · 06-26-2016, 11:59 AM

SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 Pre-Camp

LINEBACKERS

WLB (2) 59 - Dannell Ellerbe, 54 - Nate Stupar, 97 - Tony Steward

MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 52 - Craig Robertson, 51 - Jeff Schoettmer

SLB (2) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti, 57 - Dillon Lee

LEO (3) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 55 - Davis Tull, *44 - Hau'oli Kikaha

Projected Starter Entering Training Camp

Reserve/Injured

Draft Pick/Future/UDRFA

Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports

Saints will probably keep six (6), maybe seven (7) linebackers on the final (53) initial roster; the Line/End Linebackers (LEO) were counted against the defensive line group, though either Edebali, Gwachum and/or Tull could be grouped with the linebackers as the Saints have 'em listed...

Early Rankings of our Linebackers would be:

50 - Stephone Anthony - spend a first round pick on a linebacker and voila' - he was outstanding; relieved of MIKE duties in favour of Laurinaitis' experience
53 - James Laurinaitis - one of the better MLB in the game; thought to be on the decline from a shoulder injury; brought in for defensive field general duties...
52 - Craig Robertson - will challenge for the WLB starting position as this guy can run; is also a very capable MLB with great instincts and good preparation
59 - Dannell Ellerbe - if he could only stay healthy, he'd be a pro-bowler, but missing five or more games can't be accepted, no matter the upside...
54 - Nate Stupar - from Penn St LB tradition and when given a chance, hasn't disappointed; will enhance special teams and has started at both WLB or MLB.
91 - Kasim Edebali - Has very limited coverage ability and change of direction, more of a pure pass rusher, smallish Defensive End
55 - Davis Tull - Elite athlete with uphill battle for Allen to make Tull a priority to find him a featured role; an ideal 34 LB, but that's not gonna happen with DA...
56 - Mike Mauti - Legacy player brought in for depth and special teams play; graded well last season when he played, though rarely tested...
57 - Dillon Lee - versatile, team player who sacrificed the spotlight, playing whereever asked and has great experience at all the linebacker positions...
58 - Obum Gwacham - Converted defender who's added muscle, but still looks too lean to anchor the edge as a DE, could better his chances as a SLB
97 - Tony Steward - good athlete who's had injury and personal misfortunes early on in his NFL career, trying to make the show...
51 - Jeff Schoettmer - Carolina MIKE Backer who was a standout leader making sure his teammates were lined up, has minimum NFL athleticism
44 - Hau'oli Kikaha - is likely lost for most, if not the entire season due to a third lifetime knee injury; he would have been ranked third (3rd)

Linebackers to watch who're likely to move up:
52 - Craig Robertson
55 - Davis Tull
57 - Dillon Lee

Notes/Observations:

While Davis Tull was a college DE and is an ideal a 3-4 NFL OLB, he could easily shift to SLB or WLB and has sideline to sideline athleticism as a MLBer...
...with the Kikaha injury, in addition to the recent stockpiling of 4-3 D-linemen in Lawrence Virgil and C.J. Wilson, we're likely to see a traditional 4-3 where linebackers will be expected to be thumpers behind the defensive linemen on running plays and drop back in zone coverage on passing plays...
If I were Dannell Ellerbe, I wouldn't buy property; his inability to stay healthy is probably one of the biggest reasons we signed so many linebackers...
Could you imagine this linebacker corps if we had spent the money on Broncos Linebacker Danny Trevathan instead of Colby Fleener?
When a top ten underrated list of 2016 Free Agent Signings is done next year James Laurinaitis, Craig Robertson and Nate Stupar should be on that list...
Edebali and Gwachum had better be jump out as pass rushers are they're going be quickly on the outside, looking in...
Watch out for LB Dillon Lee out of Alabama, being moved around at Bama did him no favors as a collegiate standout, but will be a big seller in the NFL...
IF Kikaha doesn't hurt himself, we could have looked really poised as a 3-4 front with plenty of depth...
Like many of our defensive linemen, the theme of versatility, being able to play more than one position will also be a characteristic of the linebacking corps..

06-26-2016, 11:59 AM	#11
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: 2016 New Orleans Saints: Roster Outlook SAINTS DEPTH CHART - 2016 Pre-Camp LINEBACKERS WLB (2) 59 - Dannell Ellerbe, 54 - Nate Stupar, 97 - Tony Steward MLB (2) 53 - James Laurinaitis, 52 - Craig Robertson, 51 - Jeff Schoettmer SLB (2) 50 - Stephone Anthony, 56 - Mike Mauti, 57 - Dillon Lee LEO (3) 91 - Kasim Edebali, 58 - Obum Gwacham, 55 - Davis Tull, 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha Projected Starter Entering Training Camp* Reserve/Injured Draft Pick/Future/UDRFA Note: Jersey Numbers based on Nola.com, Twitter, and NewOrleansSaints.com Images and Reports Saints will probably keep six (6), maybe seven (7) linebackers on the final (53) initial roster; the Line/End Linebackers (LEO) were counted against the defensive line group, though either Edebali, Gwachum and/or Tull could be grouped with the linebackers as the Saints have 'em listed... Early Rankings of our Linebackers would be: 50 - Stephone Anthony - spend a first round pick on a linebacker and voila' - he was outstanding; relieved of MIKE duties in favour of Laurinaitis' experience 53 - James Laurinaitis - one of the better MLB in the game; thought to be on the decline from a shoulder injury; brought in for defensive field general duties... 52 - Craig Robertson - will challenge for the WLB starting position as this guy can run; is also a very capable MLB with great instincts and good preparation 59 - Dannell Ellerbe - if he could only stay healthy, he'd be a pro-bowler, but missing five or more games can't be accepted, no matter the upside... 54 - Nate Stupar - from Penn St LB tradition and when given a chance, hasn't disappointed; will enhance special teams and has started at both WLB or MLB. 91 - Kasim Edebali - Has very limited coverage ability and change of direction, more of a pure pass rusher, smallish Defensive End 55 - Davis Tull - Elite athlete with uphill battle for Allen to make Tull a priority to find him a featured role; an ideal 34 LB, but that's not gonna happen with DA... 56 - Mike Mauti - Legacy player brought in for depth and special teams play; graded well last season when he played, though rarely tested... 57 - Dillon Lee - versatile, team player who sacrificed the spotlight, playing whereever asked and has great experience at all the linebacker positions... 58 - Obum Gwacham - Converted defender who's added muscle, but still looks too lean to anchor the edge as a DE, could better his chances as a SLB 97 - Tony Steward - good athlete who's had injury and personal misfortunes early on in his NFL career, trying to make the show... 51 - Jeff Schoettmer - Carolina MIKE Backer who was a standout leader making sure his teammates were lined up, has minimum NFL athleticism 44 - Hau'oli Kikaha - is likely lost for most, if not the entire season due to a third lifetime knee injury; he would have been ranked third (3rd) Linebackers to watch who're likely to move up: 52 - Craig Robertson 55 - Davis Tull 57 - Dillon Lee Notes/Observations: While Davis Tull was a college DE and is an ideal a 3-4 NFL OLB, he could easily shift to SLB or WLB and has sideline to sideline athleticism as a MLBer... ...with the Kikaha injury, in addition to the recent stockpiling of 4-3 D-linemen in Lawrence Virgil and C.J. Wilson, we're likely to see a traditional 4-3 where linebackers will be expected to be thumpers behind the defensive linemen on running plays and drop back in zone coverage on passing plays... If I were Dannell Ellerbe, I wouldn't buy property; his inability to stay healthy is probably one of the biggest reasons we signed so many linebackers... Could you imagine this linebacker corps if we had spent the money on Broncos Linebacker Danny Trevathan instead of Colby Fleener? When a top ten underrated list of 2016 Free Agent Signings is done next year James Laurinaitis, Craig Robertson and Nate Stupar should be on that list... Edebali and Gwachum had better be jump out as pass rushers are they're going be quickly on the outside, looking in... Watch out for LB Dillon Lee out of Alabama, being moved around at Bama did him no favors as a collegiate standout, but will be a big seller in the NFL... IF Kikaha doesn't hurt himself, we could have looked really poised as a 3-4 front with plenty of depth... Like many of our defensive linemen, the theme of versatility, being able to play more than one position will also be a characteristic of the linebacking corps.. Rugby Saint II, ChrisXVI and K Major like this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way... Last edited by jeanpierre; 06-27-2016 at 03:14 AM..

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