Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better

foreverfan · 05-23-2017, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

I'm watching some Panthers highlights from last season and trying to really get a read on AJ Klein's coverage abilities. I actually think he has really great awareness in zone coverage. He seems to really sense receiver's coming into his zone and doesn't get caught flat-footed. Very smart.

He seems to struggle a bit as the Mike in Cover 2 which isn't uncommon. Not many LB's can cover WR's on deep routes.

Hoping to find some plays where he's in man coverage on TE's. So far I've only seen him in man to man against RB's and he does have terrific lateral quickness.

Watching promotional videos where he makes all the tackles are worthless. You have to watch over 100 videos where he doesn't make the tackle to get a valid idea. Then it depends on the guys in front of him... who was hurt for the game... and what offensive line men were playing.

This is why I stick to cats and boobs...

spkb25 · 05-24-2017, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

I'm hoping for the best like everyone. But I'll be completely honest with you guys... I think we're still gonna suck at the LB position. We have a bunch of crap that we're hoping Mike Nolan can work a miracle with.

I'm not being pessimistic at all... remember, I'm hoping for the best here. Just taking the black and gold glasses off for a second.

this is an honest assessment and not some BS remark. I am with you. Piling guys so you hope something sticks

spkb25 · 05-24-2017, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by triman

I realistically think that we are incrementally better at LB. Of course that was very easy to do because we really bad.
If Ellerbe is not completely healthy I think we cut bait and keep younger talent.

Yep, depends on so many what ifs. What if Anthony becomes what we thought he would be? What if Ellerbe plays 12 games instead of the normal 8, which I still wouldn't cut him this year since he is our best talent at LB. What if the dude out of Florida stays healthy, etc. Incrementally better is a reasonable analysis. Possible it could be a little more but we don't know and have to hope.

ChrisXVI · 05-24-2017, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by spkb25

this is an honest assessment and not some BS remark. I am with you. Piling guys so you hope something sticks

I do have hope for AJ Klein. I sort of bought in to the criticism that he was bad in coverage but I spent a little time watching some Panthers games from last season and he didn't look that bad at all.

My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis.

K Major · 05-24-2017, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis.

I think we will see the best of what Anthony can do under Nolan's tutelage. Maybe, just maybe he can find the untapped potential.

On the other hand, did you by chance check out the sound byte from Raider HC Jack Del Rio discussing how he isn't sold on their LB position .. even after the draft? Sometimes I wonder if at any point Stephone (or any other young player we have) is subject to trade talk . We have a ton of guys in camp (specifically LB) & it's a numbers game so we can't hold on to all of them.

Just something to think about as we approach training camp

.

jlaw8920 · 05-24-2017, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by ChrisXVI

I do have hope for AJ Klein. I sort of bought in to the criticism that he was bad in coverage but I spent a little time watching some Panthers games from last season and he didn't look that bad at all.

My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis.

I agree, I think Klein looked good for the most part last year, and I'm honestly excited about him. The only thing that scares me a little bit is remembering when we played Carolina last year. The game when Kuechly got hurt in the 3rd quarter. We were losing 23-3, then dropped 17 to Carolina's 0 in the fourth, and almost came back to win. It seemed like the coverage drastically dropped off after Klein subbed in. At the same time, they had other injuries happen that game.

Rugby Saint II · 05-24-2017, 04:53 PM

Klein will be flanked by Ellerbe in a 4-2-5 I believe. Sam should have plenty of talented players when they play a baser 4-3.

Incidentally, if Anthony doesn't get up to speed with Nolan then we may move him to a 3-4 team where I believe he's better suited.

05-23-2017, 10:50 PM	#21
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by ChrisXVI I'm watching some Panthers highlights from last season and trying to really get a read on AJ Klein's coverage abilities. I actually think he has really great awareness in zone coverage. He seems to really sense receiver's coming into his zone and doesn't get caught flat-footed. Very smart. He seems to struggle a bit as the Mike in Cover 2 which isn't uncommon. Not many LB's can cover WR's on deep routes. Hoping to find some plays where he's in man coverage on TE's. So far I've only seen him in man to man against RB's and he does have terrific lateral quickness. Watching promotional videos where he makes all the tackles are worthless. You have to watch over 100 videos where he doesn't make the tackle to get a valid idea. Then it depends on the guys in front of him... who was hurt for the game... and what offensive line men were playing. This is why I stick to cats and boobs... jnormand likes this.

05-24-2017, 06:44 AM	#22
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by ChrisXVI I'm hoping for the best like everyone. But I'll be completely honest with you guys... I think we're still gonna suck at the LB position. We have a bunch of crap that we're hoping Mike Nolan can work a miracle with. I'm not being pessimistic at all... remember, I'm hoping for the best here. Just taking the black and gold glasses off for a second. this is an honest assessment and not some BS remark. I am with you. Piling guys so you hope something sticks ChrisXVI likes this.

05-24-2017, 06:58 AM	#23
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by triman I realistically think that we are incrementally better at LB. Of course that was very easy to do because we really bad. If Ellerbe is not completely healthy I think we cut bait and keep younger talent. Yep, depends on so many what ifs. What if Anthony becomes what we thought he would be? What if Ellerbe plays 12 games instead of the normal 8, which I still wouldn't cut him this year since he is our best talent at LB. What if the dude out of Florida stays healthy, etc. Incrementally better is a reasonable analysis. Possible it could be a little more but we don't know and have to hope.

05-24-2017, 07:24 AM	#24
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by spkb25 this is an honest assessment and not some BS remark. I am with you. Piling guys so you hope something sticks I do have hope for AJ Klein. I sort of bought in to the criticism that he was bad in coverage but I spent a little time watching some Panthers games from last season and he didn't look that bad at all. My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. spkb25 and Rugby Saint II like this.

05-24-2017, 09:07 AM	#25
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,619 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by ChrisXVI My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. I think we will see the best of what Anthony can do under Nolan's tutelage. Maybe, just maybe he can find the untapped potential. On the other hand, did you by chance check out the sound byte from Raider HC Jack Del Rio discussing how he isn't sold on their LB position .. even after the draft? Sometimes I wonder if at any point Stephone (or any other young player we have) is subject to trade talk . We have a ton of guys in camp (specifically LB) & it's a numbers game so we can't hold on to all of them. Just something to think about as we approach training camp .
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05-24-2017, 11:12 AM	#26
jlaw8920 100th Post Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 123	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Originally Posted by ChrisXVI I do have hope for AJ Klein. I sort of bought in to the criticism that he was bad in coverage but I spent a little time watching some Panthers games from last season and he didn't look that bad at all. My whole thing though is that we talk about Nolan being a great LB coach but he didn't exactly have to polish a turd when he had the likes of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis. I agree, I think Klein looked good for the most part last year, and I'm honestly excited about him. The only thing that scares me a little bit is remembering when we played Carolina last year. The game when Kuechly got hurt in the 3rd quarter. We were losing 23-3, then dropped 17 to Carolina's 0 in the fourth, and almost came back to win. It seemed like the coverage drastically dropped off after Klein subbed in. At the same time, they had other injuries happen that game.
jlaw8920 100th Post Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 123

05-24-2017, 04:53 PM	#27
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better Klein will be flanked by Ellerbe in a 4-2-5 I believe. Sam should have plenty of talented players when they play a baser 4-3. Incidentally, if Anthony doesn't get up to speed with Nolan then we may move him to a 3-4 team where I believe he's better suited.

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