IDP Spotlight: Kirk Morrison (Group 1) (1 Viewer)

2008 IDP Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The IDP Forum here has grown quickly over the past few years and is probably the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things related to IDPs. In what we hope to make an annual tradition, the IDP Spotlight series will be a key part of our preseason effort this year. As many of you know from what has been done with offensive players over the years, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we hope to publish IDP Spotlights for approximately 50-60 players, which should account for most of the key IDP starters for this year and possibly years to come.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week (or possibly longer) of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways.

1) At the end of the week (or longer when necessary), we will tally the projections into a consensus.

2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Kirk Morrison, ILB, Oakland Raiders

Player Page Link: Kirk Morrison Player Page

Each published article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For DLs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, PD
For LBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PD
For DBs: Solos, Assists, Sacks, INT, PDNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

Morrison has been a top-10 LB for the past 2 years in a row. How do you think all the changes going on in Oakland this offseason will impact his production?

I think Morrison should continue to be as close to a lock as a LB1 as can be found.

The changes in the secondary, Hall and Wilson, theoretically should give the front 7 more opportunities to make plays as the downfield options are better covered. A healthy Burgess may hurry the QB's into a few more poor decisions that fall into Morrison's hands.

I've heard rumblings that he may move to SLB, but doubt Kiffin will try to fix something that is not broke.

There is no knocking Kirk Morrison.

A great motor. A splendid understanding of the game of football - he could play any position if you asked him to.

And he sits in the middle of a team that doesnt appear to be a world beater by any measure, allowing for the tackle opportunities to continue.

The only thing bad you can say... is that he has other good player around him who can get-after-it.

If you don't think the addition of Gibril Wilson may have some impact on him, I dont think you know Gibril Wilson very well.

Wilson can make tackles like nobody else the Raiders have had in the secondary since Morrison has been there.

It could also put some life into Michael Huff as he moves to FS. Then there is Mr Thomas Howard who can simply fly to the ball.

Kirks numbers will be pressed to repeat what he did the last three years. But you should not bet against him or his production.

Maybe Gibril, Huff, Hall and Asomugha will allow him to blitz now, because they always have him glued to the center of the field.

Tackles 92

Assists 22

Sacks 3

Ints 3

Didn’t realize Morrison has been this good. Has the intangibles you look for in a “Mike”. His 14 PD’s were 3rd among LB’s (FBG has him with 10, NFL.com 14) and his 4 picks were tied for 4th best. Pretty good numbers considering Oakland ranked 31st in pass plays against (29.1).

Not a sack guy, but he’s a tackling machine. 3 down backer who will where the dot. Gibril Wilson could have a negative affect on his numbers, being a better football team on both sides of the ball could as well.

Still … one of the better IDP LB’s for dynasty and redraft. Sounds like you want to keep an eye on Ed Hartwell’s play this summer, should he impress, Oakland may try to find him a spot with the starters and this could bump Morrison to “Sam”.

PROJECTIONS 88 Solos / 30 Asst / 1 sacks / 2 INT’s / 9 PD’s He’s should be good for a FF and FR or two. (as long as he mans the middle)

Morrison is one of three Top-15 LB's dynasty LB's (as ranked by FBG's) who was not initially drafted in the first two rounds (the others are Witherspoon and Briggs). In fact, Morrison was even snubbed when teammate (and near-NFL dropout) Matt McCoy was drafted ahead of him out of SD State. What has Morrison done about the snub?? Rock the NFL and make the other 30+ teams who passed on him two times in '05 pay dearly.

Ala Zach Thomas, Morrison's measurables are unimpressive. However, ala Zach Thomas, Morrison has amazing football instincts. With the Raiders starting a semi-rookie QB this year, I see many tackle opportunities for Morrison yet again. Anything lower than 100-25 would be disappointing. He should have a few picks, 8-12 PD's and a sack or two.

Top 10 numbers...yet again. Great story.

Kirk Morrison is one of the top LB in the NFL today. He grew up a fan of the Oakland Raiders and is living his dream as their defensive anchor. You can tell the way he plays he has a passion for football and for his Raiders, his motor is going 100% of the time, he's all over the field, makes tons of tackles and makes a good amount of "big plays".

I see Kirk improving on his numbers slightly from last year, not because of scheme or new teammates. I see him improving because he studies the game and is always looking to get better.

105 tackles

23 assists

3 sacks (I think they'll let him blitz a little this year)

11 PD

He should be good for 3-4 INT, involved on at least a couple of FF/FR and I can see him taking one to the house this year!

Top 5 LB is in his grasp.

Chachi said:

Kirk Morrison is one of the top LB in the NFL today. He grew up a fan of the Oakland Raiders and is living his dream as their defensive anchor. You can tell the way he plays he has a passion for football and for his Raiders, his motor is going 100% of the time, he's all over the field, makes tons of tackles and makes a good amount of "big plays". I see Kirk improving on his numbers slightly from last year, not because of scheme or new teammates. I see him improving because he studies the game and is always looking to get better. 105 tackles23 assists3 sacks (I think they'll let him blitz a little this year)11 PDHe should be good for 3-4 INT, involved on at least a couple of FF/FR and I can see him taking one to the house this year! Top 5 LB is in his grasp.

Click to expand...

Cant argue with anything here. Dude can just flat out play ball, and I agree on him being a possible top 5 LB.

Has anybody heard any recent news about the whole Hartwell trying out at MLB thing, and Morrison possibly moving to SLB? If that doesn't amount to anything, which I doubt that it will, Morrison should be a very safe pick this year and nice LB1. He might get to blitz a little more this year.

95-28

3.5 Sacks

3 Int's

1 FF

6 PD

Bdub said:

Has anybody heard any recent news about the whole Hartwell trying out at MLB thing, and Morrison possibly moving to SLB?

Click to expand...

It was a misinterpeted/typo'd article.