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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.
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Re: Saints' plan to fix linebacker woes: More is better
Typically when the Saints are loaded at LB... this is what it looks like.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/80b097ef1...dejho1_250.gif |
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https://media2.giphy.com/media/aDx0mEazuBGTK/giphy.gif https://media4.giphy.com/media/m1Wxx...296ca20103faff https://media0.giphy.com/media/ei97T...296ca20103faff |
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. |
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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. |
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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. http://saintsreport.com/forums/attac...t.lelito.1.jpg |
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.
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Come on Dude ... that's wishful thinking right there. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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This is why I stick to cats and boobs... http://memeguy.com/photos/thumbs/fam...nts-101270.gif |
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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. |
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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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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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