OLB/ILB Rankings
PFW OLB rankings 1. Derrick Brooks 2. Takeo Spikes 3. Keith Bulluck 4. Lavar Arrington 5. Joey Porter- This group shows how much over time the switch to generally 4-3 Defenses, has taken the game changing ability out of OLB hands. Brooks is still a good athelete but due to age is probably going to step down a notch, but Brooks has great insticts, not great at shedding blocks though. Takeo Spikes is the most complete player on this list, and due to insticts, the fact he is a bit younger, and his physicality would make him number 1 on my list. Keith Bulluck is good in coverage, with explosive atheleticism. Kind of like a younger Derrick Brooks, without the supporting cast. Arrington is injury-prone, and I thought overrated before his injury, due to his incredible physical tools. You also wonder about his overall game in that even though, he was thought of as the Redskins best defender, they were number 1 without him. Marcus Washingston, his teammate, was much better last year, although not a great in pass-coverage. His play against the run, and also as a pass-rusher makes him in my top 5. Terrell Suggs was ranked sixth on this list, but he is probably going to play DE, where I would rank him as equal to Simeon Rice, and Jason Taylor, but not above due to his below average play versus the Run. Joey Porter is streaky as a pass-rusher, and not as good versus the run. I am going to put Julian Peterson of San Fran in my top5 because he is going to be playing outside as a 3-4 LB, and I think if he bounces back health-wise could be number 1 at this position, next time. He is a complete player, when healthy, and a huge boost to 49er D. My Rankings 1. Spikes 2. Bullick 3. Brooks 4. M..Washingston 5. J.Peterson
Vikings insight-I think Napoleon Harris reminds me some of the Marcus Washington, The Vikings are going to use him in a similar way as Pass-Rusher on third down, due to below average pass-coverage skills, and he could be good against the run. He wasn't at the right position in Oakland, due to role a 3-4 ILB plays, is much different than a 4-3 OLB. Harris will be able to use his speed in space, and his lack of discipline will not hurt as much. I except Napoleon Harris to have a good season for the Vikings, it wouldn't shock me if he goes from outside the Top 15 to within the Top 10, but not quite Top 5 this season. I am not quite sure who is going to start on the outside. It will either be Sam Cowart (If EJ Henderson) beats him out, which I don't know that he will, as Cowart has been known to have a great mind at the MLB position, and was actually pretty good for the Jets last year. Raonall Smith a great talent, he played as well against Tennessee as I have seen any Vikings LB play since Dwayne Rudd in 98', but then he got injured. I think Donatarrios Thomas will improve due to his great athlectism, as long as he doesn't show EJ Henderson like bad insticts. I think eventually it will be Thomas starting at WLB, and being average. Keith Newman is really just a blitzing specialist.
ILB PFW 1. Ray Lewis 2. Brian Urlacher 3. Al Wilson 4. Zach Thomas 5. James Farrior. Lewis is a combination of speed, nastiness, and insticts, he is the most complete player here, with his only weakness as shedding blocks. Urlacher also can have trouble shedding blocks, and a bit of a risk-taker leading to problems at times. But He is a great athelete, who if he has someone in sight, the play is over. He does have durability concerns. Al Wilson has great speed, insticts, and quickness, Wilson also has surpising power for his game. Only real concern is lack of size. Zach Thomas gets buy on insticts, and determination, wasn't as good though last year due to poor DT play. James Farrior could have been the league MVP last year, he is extremely active with great insticts, and is the best of these 5 at shedding blocks. Jeremiah Trotter who is probably the best MLB at shedding blocks is 7th on this list, Trotter's injury risks, and trouble in space, have him lower despite his phenomal play versus the Run. I like Keith Brooking in the top 5, due to the fact he has played all three linebacker positions, and played them well.
My Rankings 1. Ray Lewis 2. Keith Brooking 3. Al Wilson 4. James Farrior 5. Brian Urlacher
Vikings apprisial- I think the Vikings LB will be their weak spot on D, but LB's generally aren't of great importance in the 4-3, as long as you aren't constantly out of position. I think the Vikings are about average here, which is an improvement from poor. The reasons they will be better in that they have a seasoned veteran in the middle, with a few years left. I think in Napoleon Harris you have someone that is going to play a role, he is suited for, and I think when you think linebackers in Round 2, 3 straight years, one has to be OK, I think.
Vikings insight-I think Napoleon Harris reminds me some of the Marcus Washington, The Vikings are going to use him in a similar way as Pass-Rusher on third down, due to below average pass-coverage skills, and he could be good against the run. He wasn't at the right position in Oakland, due to role a 3-4 ILB plays, is much different than a 4-3 OLB. Harris will be able to use his speed in space, and his lack of discipline will not hurt as much. I except Napoleon Harris to have a good season for the Vikings, it wouldn't shock me if he goes from outside the Top 15 to within the Top 10, but not quite Top 5 this season. I am not quite sure who is going to start on the outside. It will either be Sam Cowart (If EJ Henderson) beats him out, which I don't know that he will, as Cowart has been known to have a great mind at the MLB position, and was actually pretty good for the Jets last year. Raonall Smith a great talent, he played as well against Tennessee as I have seen any Vikings LB play since Dwayne Rudd in 98', but then he got injured. I think Donatarrios Thomas will improve due to his great athlectism, as long as he doesn't show EJ Henderson like bad insticts. I think eventually it will be Thomas starting at WLB, and being average. Keith Newman is really just a blitzing specialist.
ILB PFW 1. Ray Lewis 2. Brian Urlacher 3. Al Wilson 4. Zach Thomas 5. James Farrior. Lewis is a combination of speed, nastiness, and insticts, he is the most complete player here, with his only weakness as shedding blocks. Urlacher also can have trouble shedding blocks, and a bit of a risk-taker leading to problems at times. But He is a great athelete, who if he has someone in sight, the play is over. He does have durability concerns. Al Wilson has great speed, insticts, and quickness, Wilson also has surpising power for his game. Only real concern is lack of size. Zach Thomas gets buy on insticts, and determination, wasn't as good though last year due to poor DT play. James Farrior could have been the league MVP last year, he is extremely active with great insticts, and is the best of these 5 at shedding blocks. Jeremiah Trotter who is probably the best MLB at shedding blocks is 7th on this list, Trotter's injury risks, and trouble in space, have him lower despite his phenomal play versus the Run. I like Keith Brooking in the top 5, due to the fact he has played all three linebacker positions, and played them well.
My Rankings 1. Ray Lewis 2. Keith Brooking 3. Al Wilson 4. James Farrior 5. Brian Urlacher
Vikings apprisial- I think the Vikings LB will be their weak spot on D, but LB's generally aren't of great importance in the 4-3, as long as you aren't constantly out of position. I think the Vikings are about average here, which is an improvement from poor. The reasons they will be better in that they have a seasoned veteran in the middle, with a few years left. I think in Napoleon Harris you have someone that is going to play a role, he is suited for, and I think when you think linebackers in Round 2, 3 straight years, one has to be OK, I think.
posted by Stew at 10:10 PM
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