Woodley, Worldlis, Timmons, Jones

Well, these 4 make a very formidable LB corp, and quite honestly one of the tops in the league. Problem is 3 of them are OLB and none are great ILB. My question now is can Jones be groomed as an ILB? Is he smart enough, or could he handle the middle and shedding blockers for run stopping? JJ as an ILB has been mentioned by fans, and not the FO. JJ has a lot to prove in his 2nd year, and the jury is still out on him. Cutting Woodley seems like a given as of today, but does that help this team because when healthy he is a beast. So, does the FO roll with these guys, and groom an ILB from this bunch, or cut Woodley, and draft a rookie? As fans we want instant success and adding a rookie LB sets us back IMO. As for Williams, I just don't see him as an NFL impact starting LB, and def not the answer for us.......so, how do you think this plays out?

 

Woodley isn't going anywhere. It makes zero fiscal sense to cut him and it leaves us ridiculously thin at OLB. I have a feeling the release of Foote is an indication of Spence's return to form. At least that's the only way cutting Foote makes sense to me. He just didn't cost us much and definitely had a role here.

 

GARVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

wondering why you are down on Williams. I thought at years end he was playing at a very high level

 

I'm curious to the reasons why you think this? Just wondering. I feel like he is as good as gone for the same reasons... It makes little sense fiscally to keep him. I'd bet we cut Woodley (either pre or post June 1) and draft someone to fill in or get a more reasonably priced FA to be a solid back up. It's gonna be hard to pass up the 26million it saves us over the next to years to keep him around.

 

depends if they have still some faith on him or not

 

To me, Williams is a new age Foote. Makes nothing happen, and creates nothing either. Average LB at best, but that just my op

 

Vince is a good ILB with OLB size ( close to it ) and he's smart, football smart and he proved that. He's just too slow in coverage. Garvin is a Large Safety that has been moved to ILB and has better coverage skills. Once he learns the position better he'll overtake Williams on the ILB depth chart. Spence may be back, he came back last year for a while but injuryed his hand right away which is why he didn't remain active. I'm pulling for this kid, he's the best ILB option we have if healthy enough to play.

Jones at ILB.......... I would like this move IF he focused on getting faster/quicker which he isn't, he's focusing on getting bigger/stronger= different muscle fibers.

Woodley & Worilds would be a very formidable OLB team when healthy and a stronger JJ would be nice.
Inside don't forget about Sly, he knows this is it, Spence/Williams/Garvin are ahead of him and if he's going to stay he MUST fight and improve.

Cajun-

 

Woodley and Worilds are beast on the left... The other side leaves muuuuuuch to be asked for. Woodley being released sends a message, and saves BANK over the next 2 years which is something we don't see a lot of around here... I only hope they use the savings wisely. I also hope Worilds will use his rich year to prove he was worth the tag and future consideration. Williams played well towards the end and I expect him to be better this year. If spence comes back that is awesome, and if the love affair with Garvin pans out, then good things will come. We just need a little depth on the outskirts as well as the D line. Oh and some new corners and better safety's then we'll be set. Still excited for the upcoming year.

 

One thing I forgot....if the D line doesn't improve, the LBers won't be anymore successful than last season. Starts at the nose tackle

 

Well said Steel Elvis!

 

True!

 

I do agree with this. that's why if one of the stud nt is there at 15 I would not be mad if we took him.

 

Woodley fate probably depends on who they draft. If they draft an OLB high or middle rounds, he could be gone. But if Woodley takes a significant pay cut then he could stick around because I'm not sure if JJ will be ready next year. Keeping all three OLBs would be ideal and use them in a rotational basis. I would start Woodley on the right and Worilds on the left and let JJ come in to spell either.

 

I would me upset and it doesn't make much sense in today's NFL. A stud NT would only play two downs. Unless he has some pass rush ability. You might be able to get a good one later in the draft instead of wasting your number 15 pick on a player that would only be in there on a part time basis.

I believe McCleadon can handle the nose well. IMO he didn't fail at his job last year as he was hardly in there. Where we failed was in our sub-package with the two DTs, Troy playing linebacker and two rookie linebackers.

 

Woodley is not really ROLB material in our base defense.

now if we use that sub package, then that's where Woodley and worilds can be a good tandum. then we are more of a 4-3 package and the two bigger DE or OLB'ers (Woodley and worilds) would be formidable. with our lack of another seasoned base DE, this could become a norm for our pass rush. this is also where we need the better or more mobile ILB'ers on the field too. whether it's troy or garvin or a draft pick like dion bailey, those are the new age types that would be needed next to Timmons. there will be more ground to cover and we can still have some better run support out of that package.

if we stay in our base package JJ and worilds would be the way to go and Williams will be fine next to Timmons in the middle.

it's a matter of being able to get these packages on the field in time if teams run hurry up offenses against us.

this sub package has a lot of different componants needed and a lot of options for us. I think DL just didn't have enough seasoned players in it last year, but that could change in the draft and this second year with garvin and Thomas help deep. it could also mean we bring garvin/bailey in next to Timmons and still allow troy to roam close to the line , cover TE's or RB's out of the backfield same as bailey could do. or be groomed to do eventually. I think we will see a lot more of this package this year and I think it looks better with Woodley staying with worilds and our inside guys more seasoned in it. it would however take Williams and JJ off the field more and a young base package DE. this is where heyward and mclendon could shine from the inside as a duo. it also is more of a strength for arnfelt and possibly woods as backups.

 

Pretty much this imo

 

I think Garvin is going to grow into a beast. He has all the attributes and learned to play lber pretty quickly. Lebeau said he won't be known for just that block for very long. If DL is going to give him a compliment like that I think this kid has got it. He also has the coverage ability to cover TEs and RBs.

 

Mac has spoken of the sub-package a few times and I must say the sub package is what kept in games late in the season but is NOT something we need to continue with. Hopefully Spence/Williams/Garvin can solidify the inside position and let Troy return to where he needs to be.

The NT position is NOT key for Woodley's/Worilds success and drafting one with the 15th pick would upset me. The 5-tech DE are their keys.

Cajun-

 

i too like garvin .remind me a little jamie collins

 

It costs us more against the cap plus they have to find and pay a suitable replacement. In the end you're paying 14-15 million for the next two years for an unknown commodity. At least with Woodley we have a beast when healthy.

 

Yes but at 30 when most players start getting injuredmorefrequently is he ever gogoing to be hhealthy He is ana unknown as well.