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2007 LB class (1 Viewer)

Warhogs

Footballguy
Seems like the 2007 LB class is off to a good start with guys like Willis, Harris and Beason playing well. Puz was also thought to be a great player who suffered an early injury. I am sort of new to IDP but it looks like a great LB class so far. Was it thought to be that good at draft time? Just curious how good people think this LB class is and what the thoughts were before the season.

 
Here's our early April pre-draft discussion thread. You might also do a search for our draft day IDP extravaganza thread or search for posts made by Chaos Commish or Bloom on Harris specifically from before April. Always great football discussion in the offseason if you have been one of the many that take some time away from fake football leagues in the winter and early spring.

Anyway, I think the general consensus from those who follow the college game much more closely than I was that this season's crop of backers was very good on top (Wills, Poz, Beason, Spencer) but was weaker in the middle ranks than in prior seasons. There were a number of interesting players in the middle rounds. Some (eg Harris, Baldwin, Durant) made some nice pre-draft moves, others (Alexander, Davis, Everett) slipped some, some were pretty controversial (Timmons).

In terms of consensus grades, though, I think the entire 2007 draft, linebackers included, was considered a down year with some nice prospects in the first 40-50, but pretty weak afterwards.

The IDP crop is and will always be situation dependent. Willis, Poz and Beason all ended up in nice situations. Harris is making the most out of his preseason situation. Timmons, Davis, Durant and Spencer all ended up in plus-minus situations and either busted (Davis) or are waiting in the wings with lesser known talents like Okwo, Black, Waters (injury) etc.

The most recent classes of IDP linebackers continue to produce as well in the boxscore as they have on the field for their teams. Thurman/Tatupu to Hawk/Sims/Ryans to Willis/Beason/Harris/Poz have made the last three crops of rookie seasons immediately impressive. Newbies take note, however, that it isn't always like this. DJ Williams/Vilma weren't as impressive although very well thought of, and guys like Ray Lewis among many others took some time to develop into their current stud roles.

 
Thanks Jene. I think one of the toughest adjustments for newer IDP players like myself will be learning when to cut bait with youngsters that have not made an impact and when to be patient. I guess the same can be said of an entire roster whether it be an IDP player or a young WR/QB or RB.

 
Thanks Jene. I think one of the toughest adjustments for newer IDP players like myself will be learning when to cut bait with youngsters that have not made an impact and when to be patient. I guess the same can be said of an entire roster whether it be an IDP player or a young WR/QB or RB.
Completely agree. See my sig for details. :PI generally hold elite talent and/or stud opportunity a little longer. I kept DJ Williams around for years and would do the same with guys like Ruud, Crowder. On the other hand, marginal opportunity or questionable talent (Fincher, James Anderson, etc) can go as soon as the opportunity is gone or they prove the talent isn't enough.Of this year's LB crop, now that Harris is starting, there is no one I'd hold through next training camp if things don't break well next summer. There are a number of guys that we'll be discussing as the season winds down -- Timmons, Waters, Black, Durant, Okwo to name a few -- that should stay on a roster until they get an opportunity. I'm not sure any of them are a Barrett Ruud, however, i.e. a guy that you hold for three seasons to see what develops. One of them may explode late -- my money would be on Durant or Waters -- but it's hard to hold a spot for a guy who's apparently a character risk (Durant) or an injury risk (Waters) who weren't consensus elite talents coming out of college.
 

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