Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

METAIRIE, La. -- For the New Orleans Saints’ revamped linebacker corps, it feels a lot like Who’s at Mike, What’s at Will and I Don’t Know’s at Sam.

But the crowded competition should begin to sort itself out Tuesday as the Saints kick off four weeks of OTA and minicamp practices.

Even new linebackers coach Mike Nolan seems to agree that the linebacker depth chart is one of the most intriguing mysteries of the Saints’ offseason.

Nolan was asked during rookie minicamp, “Do you have any idea …” And before the question was even finished, Nolan interjected, “… how it’s gonna work out?”

“No, not at all,” Nolan answered. “And I’m glad about that because the competition is gonna be there for some time.”

New Orleans Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better - NFC South- ESPN

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Our defensive depth, or lack there of, was exposed last season. Coming into this season it is beginning to look as though it may be a strength ... at all three levels.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Typically when the Saints are loaded at LB... this is what it looks like.

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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Ellerbe, Manti Teo and to an extent Anzalone have injury histories.

I sure hope this AJ Klein dude is good in the middle.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Anzalone's were well in the past, though. I don't count the broken arm late last season as a worrisome injury.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Smashmouth... you need to read this book.

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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

I see five men competing for 3 spots. AJ, Robertson and Anzalone all have ability to play multiple spots, so training camp will tell the story.

MLB- AJ, Te'o, or Robertson
WLB- Ellerbe or Robertson
SAM- Anzalone or AJ

Hopefully the light comes on for Stephone in year #3.

Dark horse - > ADAM BIGHILL (special teams).

Edit: IIRC, post draft presser Sean mentioned that he would start Anzalone at WLB.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Did you watch Klein at all when he was in for the injured Kuechly? You really tell Kuechly wasn't in there. I personally feel we have a very solid group, many of which were held back by crappy coaching and a questionable line in front of them.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

I saw a guy who really struggles in coverage and has allowed 76.8% of passes into his coverage to be completed for his career. Plus he ain't playing next to Thomas Davis anymore.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

I know the blurb by Sam Monson quoting the 76.8% number. Do you know in what context that applies? How many attempts, position being played, opposing team and players, etc? How about a breakdown by season? Lots of variables involved. That's why I don't trust numbers without going to the source. Do you know where those numbers are? Probably need a PFF subscription to access them.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Admittedly I'm ignorant to that info. I'm going to try digging up some better info.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

I'm only assuming it is from PFF because where Monson works.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Is AJ this sideline to sideline dawg we've been waiting for? I certainly hope he comes close but we simply don't know how well the linebacker group will pan out until training camp starts. Put me in the guarded optimism camp.

I'm still shaking off the bad taste James L left last season. Time will tell.

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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

Who the hell knows. Anthony's light bulb could click and go on and Elerbie could have his first injury free year. The pieces are there potentially but as others have said three of those guys probably won't play the majority of the season.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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Come on Dude ... that's wishful thinking right there.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

You first must keep your LB clean from the OL at the second level.

This was the bigger area of failure last year than the quality of LB.

LB play starts and ends with the DL play.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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...

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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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 ;).

Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
 

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.

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.