All these players are gonna give CNS many more schemes to his already complicated defense. I can't wait to see what he will do with them
Question: 2009 Linebacker signees may cause a shift?
- Thread starter NATidefan
- Start date
- Status
Very few HS players can come in a contibute the first year. Hightower did it last year but I think it was mostly out of neccesity. As we add quality players, playing time is going to get harder for a freshman unless he is an absolute stud with brains. That will be a good problem to have.
Terrific call. Upshaw IMO is the best Jack candidate we have on the team, and that will include Stinson when he gets on campus. The reason Fanney continued to start this year was because he made massive improvements over his first year's performance. Upshaw will indeed have the chance to unseat him... and the battle should be interesting.
All in all right now, I would almost rather see Rolando playing with his hand down on passing downs and one of the blue-chippers at ILB... Ro's a man in all aspects of the game and his future in the NFL likely lies in moving to DE or a hybrid OL/DE type. Have always believed we would be better off with him at this position since he hit campus... depth at LB has just never let us.
The most relevant statistic with regard to the Jack linebacker position is this...
The two starters at the Jack position the past two seasons, Keith Saunders and Brandon Fanney, combined to have, in 27 games... one sack and five QB hurries.
Fanney was a good bit improved last season, particularly against the run, but I don't care if he's a senior or not, if we can find a legitimate pass rushing threat off the edge at the Jack position -- whether it be Hightower, Patrick, Upshaw, or whoever -- Fanney will likely be watching most of the games from the sideline.
The two starters at the Jack position the past two seasons, Keith Saunders and Brandon Fanney, combined to have, in 27 games... one sack and five QB hurries.
Fanney was a good bit improved last season, particularly against the run, but I don't care if he's a senior or not, if we can find a legitimate pass rushing threat off the edge at the Jack position -- whether it be Hightower, Patrick, Upshaw, or whoever -- Fanney will likely be watching most of the games from the sideline.
First time post,long time lurking. Little bit confused about the shots at ro's pass coverage other than ints he was 2nd on the team in every other pass defense category considering he was only asoph lb that could be considered impressive if we are going to base our opinion of him as a coverage backer on the utah game where the 3rd best d in the country played relatively poorly as a whole we are allowing ourselves to forget what he has done through his short career.
I respect every view on this board I just disagree with this1
Posted via Mobile Device
I respect every view on this board I just disagree with this1
A la James Harrison of the Steelers. I believe Ro would flourish in a role similar to that.
Like it or not I think this is McClain's weakness, pass coverage.First time post,long time lurking. Little bit confused about the shots at ro's pass coverage other than ints he was 2nd on the team in every other pass defense category considering he was only asoph lb that could be considered impressive if we are going to base our opinion of him as a coverage backer on the utah game where the 3rd best d in the country played relatively poorly as a whole we are allowing ourselves to forget what he has done through his short career.
I respect every view on this board I just disagree with this1
Posted via Mobile Device
I read where two unnamed pro scouts were giving their two cents on McClain and both said this is where he needs to improve (pass coverage) although they like him very much.I think he's a great run stopper and very, very smart. I also think he's extremely tough.
McClain is huge. I think due to his size he does have some challenges while playing in space. I would not be surprised to see him play with his hand on the ground a good bit in passing situations in the NFL.
First off,welcome Tidejuice and RTR!First time post,long time lurking. Little bit confused about the shots at ro's pass coverage other than ints he was 2nd on the team in every other pass defense category considering he was only asoph lb that could be considered impressive if we are going to base our opinion of him as a coverage backer on the utah game where the 3rd best d in the country played relatively poorly as a whole we are allowing ourselves to forget what he has done through his short career.
I respect every view on this board I just disagree with this1
Posted via Mobile Device
I agree with you on this. I read an article a couple months ago,I think at espn but not sure,was an interview with an unamed pro scout. He was asked his opinion re; the best l.b.er and he mentioned the u.s.c. & ohio st. fellas but stated that Mclain to him was better. He mentioned his smarts,toughness AND pass coverage ability!
Must be a scout for the Lions. Seriously, this is the weakness of his game... and will always be for one reason - his height and hips. At his size, he just doesn't have the ability to turn and cover as well as guys 2-3 inches shorter than him. This is not a statement based on one game... it's fact. And, it is not disrespectful to RM to mention it... just as we would freely mention that the weakness in Andre Smith's game was pass blocking.
The article was in sports illustrated sorry I can not provide the link, but dig and ye shall find. the interviewer asked a group of scouts who they thought the best linebacker in the country was and they all singled out RM,imphasising his cover skills as a strength. He does everything u ask for in alb as far as coverage is concerned and does so very well. Clogs up passing lanes, bats down passes, reads the qb like abook, he's not a safety he's a lb and one of the better ALL AROUND backers in the country. I hate to argue with people who's opinion irespect a great deal but I've been quiet on this subject for a LONG time. Look up his stats, go back and watch games, there might be weaknesses in ros game but as a coverage LINEBACKER he is 1st class.
Posted via Mobile Device
We will have the LUXURY of moving guys around thanks to guys like Patrick, Athcison, and Johnson.
Johnson could come in and allow Hightower or even McClain to move on passing downs.
We are also recruiting more versatility at the LB spot. Patrick could really play three LB spots, depending on weight gain throughout his career.
Atchison, while most pencil in at the Sam, could play Will with about 15lbs and help incredibly in pass coverage over the middle.
Johnson could come in and allow Hightower or even McClain to move on passing downs.
We are also recruiting more versatility at the LB spot. Patrick could really play three LB spots, depending on weight gain throughout his career.
Atchison, while most pencil in at the Sam, could play Will with about 15lbs and help incredibly in pass coverage over the middle.
Well the fact of the matter is ro isn't going anywhere but back to the mike, he will be the captain and heart and soul of this defense now that rashaad is gone. However, with CNS statements I wouldn't be surprised to see hightower at the jack, and ill go out on a limb and say nico ends up at will and jerrel harris at the sam
You're right... he won't move anywhere because he will still be the best we have at ILB after everyone gets there in the fall - probably by a big margin. Don't think any one of your other predictions will stand, however, except for Nico at the other ILB spot. JMO though.Well the fact of the matter is ro isn't going anywhere but back to the mike, he will be the captain and heart and soul of this defense now that rashaad is gone. However, with CNS statements I wouldn't be surprised to see hightower at the jack, and ill go out on a limb and say nico ends up at will and jerrel harris at the sam
Posted via Mobile Device
If you watch film on Ro and Nico J. or Troy P. of the Steelers you will see the difference. Troy comes out of nowhere like a missile on pass plays and runs down receivers once they get the ball. Ro doesn't. While he may make the tackle it is usually 20 yds downfield because he does have great instinct at the angles in which to cut off the play. A faster LB will be able to go across the field to make the play. Nico did that throughout that all-star game. I don't see it as a slam on Ro by any of these guys, but rather a weakness he has that is no fault of his own. He's just too big and while it's great on stopping the run, it is a liabilty on passing schemes that use short routes with fast players (see Utah and Florida). Ro is a beast so don't look at it as "he ain't no good." because he is, and a lesser player would not have been able to compensate nearly as well as Ro has.The article was in sports illustrated sorry I can not provide the link, but dig and ye shall find. the interviewer asked a group of scouts who they thought the best linebacker in the country was and they all singled out RM,imphasising his cover skills as a strength. He does everything u ask for in alb as far as coverage is concerned and does so very well. Clogs up passing lanes, bats down passes, reads the qb like abook, he's not a safety he's a lb and one of the better ALL AROUND backers in the country. I hate to argue with people who's opinion irespect a great deal but I've been quiet on this subject for a LONG time. Look up his stats, go back and watch games, there might be weaknesses in ros game but as a coverage LINEBACKER he is 1st class.
Posted via Mobile Device
What is going on with Chris Jordan? I know he was tried at RB briefly in the fall (if I remember correctly) before being moved to LB. Anyone know how he is progressing? What chance does he have to break into the rotation or is there just too much talent ahead of him. He seemed like a very athletic prospect with a good upside.
Very well said.
As you pointed out, no one is slamming McClain. It's just this is a part of his game that needs some work and mainly due to his size.
I think most people here on Tide Fans agree that McClain is an outstanding LB.
I hate to be so argumentative being afirst time poster, but ifeel like there has been a misrepresentation of RMs ability onthis board. above BR mentions hip fluidity a trait you look for in a db not a lb, and height by that justification Petey smith should should be ideal for pass coverage and iget the idea we dont believe that to be the case.pc2 tries to compare ro with troy palamalu who happens to be 1 of the best safeties in the nfl. that to me shows a misunderstanding of the role of amlb in pass coverage. there is aterm coaches like to use when a lb gets in 1on1 situations with a rb or wr.... A MISMATCH! A mlb role in pass coverage involves filling up passing lanes disguising himself in zone schemes and providing help in pass defense situations. maybe you guys want dre kirkpatrick to be our mlb of the future..... jk
What ever happened with Prince Hall? I knew he fell out of favor with Coach Saban early in the season, but was able to contribute later on. That kid was a beast his freshman year.
I am beginning to think you are RM's agent.
What I heard on the raido was two unnamed NFL scouts gave their assessment of RM and both liked him very much, but they said he needed to improve his pass coverage.
I don't think anyone on this board is questioning RM's ability, but I think most football players have something they need to work on. I believe you could describe these scouts critique as constructive criticism. As much as I like RM, I don't think he is the second coming of Lawrence Taylor just yet.
He's not perfect and can improve before he moves on to the NFL which I figure he will do after the 2009 season.- Status
