POLL: When Will Jarvis Jones Earn His First Start?

Yup. I went with the same.

People get over excited every year. I think Jones will see the field for sure, much like Woodley did as a rookie, but Worilds starts. Last year I heard Decastro would be one of the best OG's in the league on day 1. He got hurt, I know, but when he came back he saw growing pains just like every other rookie does. I'm not bashing DD, just sayin people need to pump the brakes.

 

Well I was excited about Carter when we drafted him, and I've been a little underwhelmed so far, but this is his third year and he's had time to get stronger. I'm excited to see him out there and I expect an improvement. I definitely don't think he's earned the right to be the #3 OLB yet, but he deserves that chance and he'll have it this preseason.

 

The poll asked when will Jones "earn" his 1st start and staying true to the poll I must and did vote 2014 or beyond.

No way he beats out Worilds or Woodley at OLBer. Sacks are but a part of playing OLBer in the NFL. The Greatest Play by an OLBer in SB history wasn't a sack but instead an int or a TD. This was because the OLB read the play pre-snap, adjusted his designed responsiblity and dropped into coverage. No Way a rookie has this ability and No way the DC gives him free reign to make that decision.

About Jarvis Jones: I'm excited and concerned all at the same time. He's a tweener. A talented pass rusher but a bit small for life of an OLB. He's athletic enough but a bit Large for an ILB. Can he bulk up and maintain his speed and skillset for OLB but would he( and the Steelers) be better served losing about 8-10 LBs and learn the ILB position. I can't wait to see his development begin.

Cajun-

 

Moving him to ILB isn't something I ever considered. It's an interesting idea though, considering that's basically exactly how Timmons' career played out. And we definitely have an opening there, as much as we all like Vince Williams. I think the main difference though is that we didn't need Timmons to be OLB. Not after drafting Woodley a few hours later. I'd be shocked if Worilds stays with the team next year, so chances are we will need him to be our next edge rusher.

I'm not sure he has the skillset to be an ILB. Maybe he does, I just don't know because I've barely ever seen him in coverage and have almost exclusively seen him line up on the edge.

 

I thought quite often when I looked at him on tape he looked like Timmons, and could possibly be an option on the inside.

But you're right. We drafted him to be an OLB, so I don't see him ever getting any reps inside unless there's a lot of injuries or something crazy.

 

Really, the only way it's an option is if we sign Jason Worilds to a long-term contract. At that point you have to consider it. Or if he's just a TOTAL bust on the outside, but even if that's the case, they won't know it for a couple years.

 

Thanks for not assuming I was suggesting he move to ILB. I was looking at our group of LB and noticed size wise he basically fits between the two positions.

I know little of Jones. Sure, I've seen clips of his play but that never tells the whole truth of a player. We already have a presumed one trick pony in pass rushing in Robinson ( who I really am pulling for ) and I truly hope Jones is more than the supposed sack artist he's been marketed at.

As far as coverage skills go an OLB needs this skillset as much as an ILB, maybe more, depending on the scheme being deployed of course.

Cajun-

 

Hmm, I've always placed more coverage skill importance on ILBs rather than OLBs, at least for us. OLBs spend more time rushing and less time in coverage, and see less man coverage, too. At least that's how it's been with these guys. I guess that could change based on the talent you have, like how when Timmons was filling in for Harrison, he dropped back more than our normal OLBs, because he was the best cover man and the worst edge rusher.

 

The reason I ended my statement with depending on scheme is because while a 3-4 ILB needs better coverage skills than the OLB the opposite may be true in the 4-3 scheme. We may be more of a 3-4 team but we do play 4-3 also, but we also go nickel or big nickel and LeBeau's version of Ryan's "46" defense. Having versatile players able to know mentally and be able physically to play a couple different positions is why we remain among the NFL's best defense year in year out.

Cajun-

 

I'd like to see both Jarvis Jones and Worilds have great camps that it is a tough decision to make. While it would never happen, maybe if they played so awesome Woodley would feel a little heat. That could only be a good problem to have. Ideally by week 3 whomever is starting has us asking James who?

 

I felt the same about DD. Everybody was acting like he was the best thing since sliced bread. But its a big step going from college and I knew he would have to learn.

The comment from Lebau about Jones has me excited though.

 

When do we play a 4-3? We play a lot of 2-4-5, with the OLBs acting as DEs, so it's sort of like a 4-2, but then they are primarily rushing and not dropping.

 

I mentioned in the other thread about carter moving to the inside, or if that was a possibility. they moved sly outside.

 

I am pretty sure this subject was brought up in another thread, right after the draft.
I hope JJ is learning both positions because with the history of these 2 OLB, he could very well
see a considerable amount of playing time. I hope he has studied and has hit the weight room.

 

LeBeau deploys "his" verison of the 4-3 usually on goal line defense using Hoke and Hampton as DTs cloggging the middle. The 2-4-5 is our version of the nickel. LeBeau in a genious move deployed 6 DBs in his version of the "46" when he finally shut down Brady and the cheatriots.

You mentioned coverage skills of ILB. Jones has been praised for his coverage skills and LB instincts during the OTAs and Mini camp. Just saying.

Cajun-