Sean Spence = Jack Ham

It's way too early to tell about Spence. He could be the next Polamalu or the next Bruce Davis.

 

He could be one of those!

 

One thing for sure, nobody can predict how good or how bad he will be. That will be up to him. Talking about how little Ham was, Christ, Jack Lambert played Middle LB at about 218 lbs. He was real little and the meanest SOB on the field, a MONSTER! So, one thing for sure, if he is just playing special teams and not getting on the field like Worlids and Slyvester, then we will know that he is just average and will never be a Jack Ham. On ther other hand, if he is on the field making the same type of plays he made in college on defense as a rookie, then we will know that he is that good and needs to be on the field.

One thing I think that is blown out of proportion is who calls the defense. Foote is not the only one who can call it, I bet. How about Troy, or Timmons, or even Clark. They have all been around and know the system. So if Foote go's down or is just getting killed out their on the field, not being able to cover TE's or RB's out of the backfield then its time for a move to be made. Maybe Spence can play the Buck LB and take Farrior's place.

Here are a few things abot the Mack & Buck LB's:

What Are Some Traits Of a Mack and a Buck Linebacker?Defensive terminology varies largely depending on the coach's scheme. In a traditional 4-3 defense, linebackers are commonly identified as Sam, Mike and Will - match the first letters of where they would line up in relation to the offensive formation - strong, middle and weak.

The buck linebacker in the Steelers' defense is more like the mike - or middle - linebacker. That position holds responsibility for defensive play calls, alignment and communication on the field. As far as between the whistle, the buck is commonly the player filling gaps against the run, along with short middle zone pass coverage.

The mack linebacker is more of a scrape-and pursue defender (partially resembling the role of a will linebacker in a 4-3 defense). He's responsible for the outside edge, and takes a wider angle to get outside the box and contain the run. A mack doesn't need to have that same downhill attacking style of the buck, and is commonly more athletic.

Now Here is what Steelers LB coach Keith Butler said about Spence:

What Role Will Sean Spence Play? Lawrence Timmons is the Steelers' starting mack linebacker, and LBs coach Keith Butler made no bones about stating third-round draft pick Sean Spence would be a mack linebacker.

Now here is what is happening in the NFL with all the passing offenses:

In todays pass-happy league, smaller LB's and DB's are playing in Nickel and Dime packages likw how the Steelers played the Patriots last year in Pittbburgh. The NT and the Buck came off the field in lue of SS Troy Polamalu down in the box with SS's Ryan Clark and Ryan Mundy playing a Cover 2 shell.

This is what the league has come to which make it easy to get Spence on the field down in the box and put Troy else where. They Steelers play the whole game like that against the Patriots last year. You can bet when the Steelers get into a track meet with one of the new genration passing offense's, Larry Foote and THE RESORT Ta'amu will not be in the game!

 

i'm not so worried about his size............. i recall most so called experts saying the same thing about sam mills, and they couldn't keep the guy out of the pro bowl........... if the kid can prove that his game film is no fluke, them unleash him and move out of the way.

 

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/spo ... z1xCT6TXyI

 

"He's showed me some things ... I wouldn't say he's not going to play. The fact of the matter is, since I've been here, we've never had a rookie start for us -- not Lawrence Timmons, not LaMarr Woodley, not anybody. So we'll see with him. He may not start, but he's probably going to get some playing time."[/quote]




he seems to have forgotten about kendrell bell............

 

I don't think Butler was with the Steelers when Bell started (2001)... Pretty sure he came to us in 2003??

 

That's right. Mike Archer was the LB coach at the time. Kendrell bell though came in with more accolades and just blew camp up. That's also when they had to cut Kirkland due to his salary I believe. So I'm not sure if they really had any other choice but to start Bell. Last time a rookie LB started before bell was Lambert. So chances are, Spence is not starting, this year anyways.

 

I think it has more to do with learning the system more then anything. Bell wasn't asked to do anything more then to attack

 

You're implying Bell didn't learn or know the system properly?

 

Exactly what I am saying they asked him to do more then just attack and to red and react and read tyhe offense he couldnt

 

we cut Kirkland before we got Bell signed Mike Jones (who LOL some might get that joke) to replace Kirkland

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BellKe20.htm

When did he learn the system?

 

"Sean Spence reminds me of a poor man's Derrick Brooks. He's a run and hit LB with exceptional instincts and closing speed. The way he attacks the LOS reminds me a little of Troy. The guy has the tools to be a playmaker. I'm interested to see how they intend to use him. He really is an unusual talent but he does have limitations as well."

Sorta like that guy Zack (Thomas) I think his last name was, who used to play linebacker for the Dolphins. He was fast, always in on the tackles, always on the ball and never tired. Not the biggest but a playmaker.

 

jerry O. was to small too,but tough as nails and smart. spence has that and is far more athletic then he was. spence will be fine. i liked the part about timmons moving over to the other side that wasen't out of the question. it would add alot of speed to the ball and two of the most athletic ilb's we have, on the field at the same time.

 

i like what DLB has to say about spence as far as where he is in shorts anyway. i think the kid will see an increased amount of snaps compared to most rookie LB'ers. we didn't only draft talent this year, all these guys have good heads on their shoulders too. it makes a huge difference.

 

Lol me and my stepdad were talking about this kid last night he didn't know much about him I started telling him what verybody is saying about it him and the first thing he said was jack ham

 

steel, i know it's hard to compare a rookie to a hall of famer, but the kid has insticts like ham. he's smaller in stature, like ham. he's tough as nails like ham. if he plays 3/4 of how ham played he will be good. just alot of good football knowledge exudes from these two.

you can't ask for more out of a player. it makes the coaches job alot easier. not to mention their teamates. they know and knew where these guys were each play and could count on them not being out of position and doing what they are supposed to be doing. i see alot of the same traits in spence as had ham. this is a good thing. i'm sure whipple was asked about him before the draft. he still holds ties here. he saw alot of the kid. i've seen them both play and this kid is no slouch. he's just a tick short, that's all. he and timmons will be a nice duo one day, no matter what keith said draft day. he's already changed his thinking about that. DLB is also talking about him already, that's not by accident. we have a better bunch of LB'ers this year then most think. they are young, fresh, smart and are ready to prove something. nice combo. will they be andy,jack and jack? maybe not, but even close makes them very good.

 

I really said(screamed) wtf when we drafted him but then I started watching highlights and reqd he wasn't still 218 pounds and it started growing on me. The more I read and watched this dde is a baller plain and simple. He has a nose for the football and is always where he is supposed to be. After reading about him picking up the defense quicker then anybody has and his athletic interception given in shorts but still I'm loving the pick now and truelt believe he will be the starter by wee 10

 

one thing i like also is his tackling. he's not the big hitter type but is a really good wrap up the legs tackler. a little more old school. also similar to ham. he was a good tackler without the monster hits. getting them to the ground is the objective. no legs, no go.