Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Stephone Anthony is a solidly cautionary tale about the tendencies of amateur evaluation. After leading the team in tackles as a rookie and starting in every game, most fans had him pegged as a solid first-round pick. He was strong and athletic. He made some eye-popping plays in the run game and showed enough in the passing game to suggest that his limitations there could be overcome. But a second consecutive 7-9 season prompted a deep review of the New Orleans Saints strengths and weaknesses, and after a closer look Sean Payton and co. determined that Anthony hurt more than he helped as a MLB.

Many of the problems arose from an ability to properly command the defense. Anthony has all the physical tools, but the game is still too fast for him. And you can’t have that for the guy that has the headset in his helmet. A MLB needs to understand the nuances of formations. They need to properly align their defense to counteract the offense, and to do so in the split seconds before the snap. Anthony, for all the leadership traits he showed in college, was never cerebral enough to operate an NFL-level defensive scheme.

So the Saints decided to move him over to SLB. As a SLB, Anthony could run and hit. His assignment would be more simple, and he could just use his athleticism to make plays. Although SLBs don’t see the field as much as the other LB positions, fans all though Anthony would thrive in the role. It seemed perfect.

But again, the fans were wrong. Despite all the positive moments he showed as a run defender, he had too many bad tendencies. He was too susceptible to play action and misdirection, and was such a dire liability in pass coverage that his label changed.

https://whodatdish.com/2017/06/03/ne...phone-anthony/

This would be a shame when he is a proven commodity as a ILB in a 94 defense.

Once again I would be shocked if he had no trade value for a 34 team. Or since he is going into his 3 rd year of a 4 year deal stick with him and let him walk in the 5th year and get a comp pick if at all possible. Even that would be disappointing course of action.

Never know what another two years under a new coach will do for him.

Maybe he is the speed rushing DE we have been looking for?

But for the love of all that is holy just do not cut the kid

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

He'll either start, get cut or be a backup. The author left one of the alternatives out. Izzit preseason yet?

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Sad but true. Can't argue with any of that.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

He started strong but then I guess he couldn't keep up. It's a mystery what happened with this guy.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Typical of a lot of freak college athletes.

His athleticism alone made him stand out in college.

Once a player moves to the NFL his reaction time and on-field awareness must improve or they just won't cut it.

Many players progress, some don't. It appears that he just didn't progress mentally.

He's not the 1st and won't be the last (WR's do it constantly). Perhaps Nolan can help him develop.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

You get to the NFL and this happens...

http://31.media.tumblr.com/bafffbe0c...yegdo1_250.gif

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

He will go somewhere else and ball.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

So another swing an miss. This is why the NFL, need a minor league.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Coming out of college there was many mixed scouting reports on this guy, NFL.com didn't project him as a long time starter (NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Stephone Anthony).

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

He's a guy I wanted to draft in round 2.

Loved his athleticism and hitting.

I'm hoping Nolan will revitalize his career.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Once the dust has settled, here is my "shocker" prediction at linebacker ...

Manti Te'o ... yes Manti will be the starter at MLB (assuming he is healthy).

Flame away:).

Edit: I still have no idea what Stephone will do under the tutelage of Nolan however I'm pulling for him.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Te'o? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cmon man!!!

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Lol .. here me out J.

Teo is a smart guy and has a high football IQ. I went back and looked at some of his game tape & knowing his overall speed, you can see the react/read skills that allows him to get to the RB quicker (is able to diagnose pre/post snap). Jonathan Vilma was not the 4.4 guy later in his career but he found himself around the ball a lot by understanding the game.

Look at Teo's pedigree ...solid 2nd rounder & he was a starting MLB for the Chargers 3+ years. I'm not as high on Klein (5th rounder spot starter) as some here are. Teo ... when healthy, I think will be the better MLB. I still have a few games to watch from his San Diego days, but he could do good things in New Orleans.

I know this will sound cliche', but ... "I can't wait until training camp!".

Side note - I'm hoping Anthony is that guy in the middle but he has his work cut out for him this camp.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

There are three options apparently.......play, get cut or get traded.

If he is a half way decent back up at MLB he might ride out his contract and we can let him walk for a comp pick after we pay him to ride the pine.

He earns a starting spot under Nolan at some point this year and we get the player we hoped for.

We trade him to a 3-4 team where I think he'll play better. If not he's getting cut.

Personally, I think we have very good depth at MLB and should move him to another team for a mid round pick. He did lead the team in tackles year before last.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

With all of the linebackers in camp we may see more 3/4 defense and I can see Anthony as an inside guy just not qb of defense.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Everyone's remembering the Tide trucking his butt over and over again (with an NFL O-line and NFL RB's). But the Tide was the only team to do that. I'd imagine he's gotten stronger by now.

I'm just glad we have some serious competition from top to bottom now.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

I love a good bold prediction! I think he'll be our starting Sam LB personally.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

They have one. Its called the SEC. Never go wrong drafting SEC players.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Let's see what Nolan can do with him.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

It's no mystery. They took him out of the middle and put him in a postion that he was completely unfamiliar with. Talk about putting a square peg in a round hole, this is it. And who do they bring in to replace him? Someone who was worse than he was. Laurinitis couldn't cover a lawn chair. Anthony was good at cover RBs coming out of the backfield and a good tackler. You wanna know what happen to Anthony, that's what happen to him. I'd like to know who thought it was a good idea to take him out of the middle and put him on the strong side? I'll bet that person is no longer with the team.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

A 34 ILB that is skilled at read and react is does not a make the transition to a 43 MLB. A 43 MB needs good instincts and that is what Anthony lacks. He is not a lost cause. reps and coaching help. depends how low the floor is.

There in is the issue. drafting players to fit a system only to switch to another the following year. this is why our defense is in the state it is in. lack of stability at DC is the biggest issue

I still wonder if he can play DE.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Spatial orientation. SA must bring his A game on opportunities at MIKE this camp. Season 3 will be pivotal.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

This 3-4 or 4-3 argument is BS. Lack of discipline is the problem. If every player did what he is supposed to do when a play is called and not try to freelance, 90% of the D's problems would be solved. You can't have the responsibility of covering the RB but then see the QB scramble and decide to leave your guy to go after the QB or crash inside when you are suppose to hold containment on the outside. It's not that hard to learn what you're supposed to do on a particular play and if all 11 guys do that the D will be successful.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Ahhhh... if it were only that easy. I'd argue MLB is an extremely difficult (run support, getting the flat in coverage, leadership etc) position to play at this level. If there is anyone who can get the best out of Stephone, coach Mike Nolan will be your guy.

Side note - I've mentioned this before but sometimes I wonder if SA or another player may be subject to a trade? I can't find the sound byte at the moment from Oakland Coach Del Rio but he basically stated that the LB position hasn't been "solved" ... even after the draft. Football is a numbers game and we have a lot of LB's in camp so they won't be able to keep em all.

Just something I thought worth mentioning as we await the start of training camp :cool:.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Depressing to think at one stage we had 4 pro bowl linebackers forming the dome patrol, the closest linebacker we've had to pro bowl level recently was Vilma in 2009.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

If taking a rookie lb with as many tackles as he did his 1st season out of the MLB spot his 2nd season and replacing him with a broken down vet that didn't make the season, I look no further than the DC and head coach for screwing this kid up. He more than likely be feeling pretty comfortable going into his 3rd seaon if given the chance to play last season. NE will pick him up and he'll be a pro bowler the next 10 years under a real DC that understands how things work.

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

look at his scouting reports. 34 is his skill set because of his lack of instincts. 43 MLB and 34 ILB are not inter changeable. very few players are that good

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Thank you!!!

Re: Stephone Anthony will either start or get cut. Likely the latter.
 

Or not.