Talkin' Linebackers With A Rams Writer

Spagnuolo clearly learned from Jim Johnson… because that’s what the Eagles did during his tenure as well.

They do have James Lauranitis, who’s basically a young Antonio Pierce.

And its probably just another case of Madden’izing the team. If in Madden your players at a certain position are rated in the 70s or less, people will complain.

And this year sure wasn’t one of the years where you felt like there were many good 43 style LB’s…especially someone who can play both OLB spots..and stay on field for all 3 downs if need be.Mason Foster also comes to mind for this year.
It sure seems like not only that but we do kind of cheat investing in the LB spots in favor of DL and DB.
I’d sure like to see us solidify LB,as it is critical to helping our DB’s pass cov and stopping Vick/McCoy etc. in space.
And if Sash isn’t really good in the “Deon Grant” role then we shouldn’t think twice about investing in elite S help when available.
Also,I keep hearing Lawson brought up for being better suited for 43..whats the deal with him?Anyone know?Maybe I’ll ask the 9er fans…

And this year sure wasn’t one of the years where you felt like there were many good 43 style LB’s…especially someone who can play both OLB spots..and stay on field for all 3 downs if need be.Mason Foster also comes to mind for this year.
It sure seems like not only that but we do kind of cheat investing in the LB spots in favor of DL and DB.
I’d sure like to see us solidify LB,as it is critical to helping our DB’s pass cov and stopping Vick/McCoy etc. in space.
And if Sash isn’t really good in the “Deon Grant” role then we shouldn’t think twice about investing in elite S help when available.
Also,I keep hearing Lawson brought up for being better suited for 43..whats the deal with him?Anyone know?Maybe I’ll ask the 9er fans…

I posted a fan shot on here and I’ll give you a hint he played in that Giant-Colt game and his name ain’t RWayne!

weird. I agree that there are only 3-4 elite linebackers and everyone else looks mediocre compared to them because they need to do excel at a lot of things.

For example, small guys that can cover will be easily pushed by big guards in the run game and big linebackers that can take on guards will get easily burned by any decent TE.

Wow i dont know about that statement, an elite LB is an elite LB no matter the system. Ray Lewis won his only superbowl as a 4-3 inside LB but he still excels in a 3-4, London Fletcher gives the same production regardless of system, I just think there aren’t many good all around LB’s period, regardless of the system but to say only 3-4 linebackers are elite is kinda saying Lance Briggs, Urlacher, Ben Leber, Johnathan Vilma, Brackett, Tulloch, Beason, Lofton all dont exist. They are all Elite LB’s in a 4-3 system that would all be fine in a 3-4…..LB is a mentality and i think there just aren’t a lot of guys who can play the position well from an all around standpoint period. So you guys who continue to try to figure what system a guy can fit in need to focus more on who has the mentality, regardless of size.

There are also some guys in a 3-4 that would blow the #’s out of the water if they were in a 4-3 i.e. Willis and Mayo….. A good LB can play in any system at any time period, Those guys are just hard to come by and i think they always have been.

is there really such a thing in the NFL as an elite group of LBs in a 4-3 defense?