Re: Top 15 SLB's in the NFL, #4 will shock you
 

we will see what Allen does. not all that surprised even with the way Allen used Kikaha at the end of the season.

Re: Top 15 SLB's in the NFL, #4 will shock you
 

someone is wrong here...
either the writer for rating a third-stringer as a pro-bowler, or Ryan/Allen/Vitt for not starting him.

my guess is a combination

Re: Top 15 SLB's in the NFL, #4 will shock you
 

I think its a combination of several things.

We acquired him late in pre-season so it probably took a while for him to learn everything.

Kikaha was playing really well for most of the season, so no real need to start him.

Dennis Allen took over.

He's had limited snaps so I'd guess he was inserted into special packages that played to his strengths and limited his weaknesses. We really don't know what he could do as a 3 down LB.

Re: Top 15 SLB's in the NFL, #4 will shock you
 

Probably a good analogy. A little smaller, but sound technique, very disciplined, plays within his strengths, brings the wood when the opportunity is there, more athletic than people give him credit for.