Kwon done for the season...

When Highsmith was a rookie, they ran quite a few defensive plays with Dupree, Watt, and Highsmith on the field together. Often, but not always, that put Watt or Dupree inside. Dupree was every bit as good an edge rusher then as Highsmith is now and Watt was Watt, so it might make some sense to use some of that the rest of the way because it makes the defense more athletic and gets their best players on the field.

 

I know what they did back then, well Dupree isn't here anymore, the more likely options are Robinson plays more along with Charles the guy from the Falcons.

 

I was just wondering if he could transition

 

He could

 

Is this just willful ignorance? At that time, they had three edge rushers who all needed more playing time. Now they have four edge rushers who al need more playing time. It isn't that hard to figure out. They may just go with Robinson and bring Walker or Carpenter up from the practice squad, but something more creative would help recover some of the athleticism they lost when Alexander got hurt and they have gone that route before. Watt and Highsmith have both lined up inside before, though I don't think that was with a true inside linebacker's set of responsibilities.

 

I can see them using Highsmith at times but not Watt if needed.

I feel that Roberts and Robinson will be fine but they can't afford to lose either. Snake bit at the ILBer position.

Thank goodness...

 

They are and it leaves them in a difficult position that likely calls for some creativity. The ideal would be to move Herbig, but it is a lot to ask a rookie to make a switch after never playing there. I think Watt would make the best adjustment, but you don't want to take him off the edge on a regular basis. That probably leaves Highsmith as the best option. This team is very thin everywhere but outside linebacker right now, so it is tough to watch two of those guys sit at all times.

 

last week if nobody noticed, TJ was in coverage down the middle of the field. they may not have started him from the inside spot but he was covering like he was. no saying they will use him as such going forward but that game they did get him doing some of it.

 

I saw that. They also use Highsmith in coverage some, though that is mostly on the outside.

 

yea they both cover on the outside some but the depth he dropped down the middle was quite different. probably since we have depth at OLB it didn't kill us.

 

I know some people had mentioned Anthony Barr as an option. He signed with the Vikings, who also lost a linebacker Sunday.

 

crap!

 

The scenario now at ILB significantly reduces their chances of making the playoffs.

They will have to look at Herbig, Neal, Peterson, Allen as depth options. Possibly change their defensive scheme. Look closely at all the practice squad guys across the league and get the fastest one for coverage. Don’t take Watt, Highsmith away from the edge since this is the Steelers greatest advantage.

 

It could tie into moving them around more. Teams are getting way too good at taking one or both of them away. Look at what the Packers did. Love had way too much time to throw Sunday.

 

He led the team with 108 tackles and also had a pick and couple of fumble recoveries. I don't know the Falcons situation about why they cut him but I hope he plays well here.

 

it's a BIG problem.

we are ranked #31 in D, heading to 32!!!

I'd only add that most of the league flat out sucks. we may sneak in at #7 seed with 9 wins.

I hated when the added the 7th team to the playoffs. that means about half the league makes the playoffs, I don't like it.

 

Looks like a few teams are in need of ILBers.
Cowboys LBer may retire and not return.
Eagles need one.

There’s probably no bringing in someone off the couch.
It’s gotta be someone stepping up.

 

Maybe they can use Marcus Golden being the vet some snaps. And Herbig has played a bit in camp.

 

The ILB situation is bleak at best. Nobody is going to jump in and be all up to speed for this week. Neal is going to be closest since he’s been on the field most. We’ll probably have to run some hybrid look out there vs the Browns. Our communication may be off but hopefully it confused them even more.

 

All that time to respond and this is all you could come up with? Do better. They already did some of what I was talking about against the Packers in terms of responsibilities if not alignment.

 

It is going to be tough. No question about it. Injuries always affect what teams can do, but many are manageable. When the best players at a single position get wiped out due to injury, there just aren't always options.

I'm hoping that someone can come off the practice squad and surprise, and they are able to sprinkle him in along with using Neal while also trying to use more sophisticated looks that can hopefully confuse the offenses here and there to help give them an edge and maybe get off the field a few times a game with scheme. That's why coaches get paid. I know a coach can only do so much when they don't have the players, but the effort has to be there along with the creativity to try to get the most out of the situation.

 

I would hope the team is considering anything to overcome the losses at ILB. Watt and Highsmith are too valuable rushing the passer to use them at ILB. Herbig seems to be the edge player that would make the most sense to use a little bit in that role. I don't think they would just line him up to play a conventional ILB role. I think it would be something you might see in a certain defensive package with particular down-and-distance situations where he may come as a blitzer, or sometimes drop into coverage.

Maybe this is a game where the defense will blitz even more. They may run more run blitzes, so that you are blitzing gaps as if it's a run, but continue to the quarterback if the ball isn't handed off. The old run blitzing on the way to the quarterback strategy. Herbig would be awesome as a blitzer, but does he know enough about the responsibilities of the position, and will he hold up in coverage?

Even if they do try some things with Herbig, it's hard to imagine that they could put so much on him in a short period of time. With that said, he's a very good athlete with very good instincts and aggression on the field. I love the way he plays the game. Perhaps they are looking at that. I'm sure that the Browns are probably wondering what the defense is going to come up with and are thinking about possible personnel groups and packages they may see this week.

I love this part of the game with the chess match of coordinators. I am really interested to see what Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin come up with this Sunday.

 

I don't think they are moving any of those guys full-time to inside linebacker, but we should see three of them out there together at times Sunday. I don't think we are going to see much of Neal at linebacker. They are going to want him at safety to help stop the Browns' running game Sunday. They are facing a team with a powerful rushing attack, but a rookie at quarterback. This is also one where they will really miss Fitzpatrick's ability as a run defender if he is still out. They may also need athletic safeties to help contain Thompson-Robinson as a runner.

 

My point is none of the OLBs are going to play many snaps at ILB, it's a waste of time thinking this is an option.