Backup LBs: Pope and Cooper (1 Viewer)

[ConstruxBoy]

Two of my "Sleeper/Backup" type LBs, Derrick Pope and Marquis Cooper, now are in a new situation with both fighting with top 4 LB draft picks. Pope - I grabbed him in the dynasty draft expecting him to take over for Zach Thomas, maybe as soon as this year. But now the Fins drafted Crowder, who is probably more talented and suited for the MLB spot. Seau also needs a backup at WLB, but Eddie Moore has been doing that and has looked decent. I guess if they switch to a 3-4, Pope and Crowder may be the ILBs long term. Cooper - I grabbed him to eventually take over for either Brooks or Quarles. Now there is talk that he may move to SLB to compete with Nece for that spot. I assume that Ruud was drafted to be the MLB, so he may not cut into Cooper's time. The problem is that Cooper is pretty undersized and I'm not sure if they are setting him up to fail by moving him to SLB. Are these guys still worth stashing on the bench, just in case?

 

[Bloom]

I am big fan of both cooper and pope... shhhh.Pope was an afterthought in the 7th round last year for miami, a guy who got on many people's radar for his outstanding special teams play. he was tough productive playmaking LB at alabama and made first team all-SEC, but was considered nothing special talent wise. Lo and behold, when zach thomas goes down, pope responds well in his starts, racking up tackles, getting a few sacks, and scoring a defensive TD. the dude just has a nose for the ball, and he will find work eventually, even if it is as an SLB (where he played at his best in college) - still considering that he is probably an FA in most IDP leagues, he's definitely one to keep you eye on with everyone having to earn their jobs in Miami - Moore was a higher draft pick, but im sure saban doesnt care about that. Pope is the kind of guy I love to take when they are still unheralded, someone who everyone doubts, but just continues to produce when he's on the field. I wouldnt worry too much about crowder, if Pope keeps his level of play where it was late last year, he'll force Saban to play him somewhere.Marquise Cooper is a speed demon who some see as a future star in tampa. He has the potential to step in when derrick brooks retires and have the tampa defense barely miss a beat. off all the young LBs who are not on everyone's radar, he has among the highest upside of any because of talent and the position he could inherit.Whether they are worth stashing on your bench depends on who you would have to drop to keep them, but they have value in my eyes.

 

[redman]

I'm agnostic on both guys. If you have a deep roster, then why not hold onto at least one to see what happens? One thing I wonder: if former LSU coach Saban was so impressed with former 'Bama LB Pope, why would he have drafted Crowder?

 

[Bloom]

I'm agnostic on both guys.  If you have a deep roster, then why not hold onto at least one to see what happens? 

One thing I wonder: if former LSU coach Saban was so impressed with former 'Bama LB Pope, why would he have drafted Crowder?

i dont know what saban thinks about pope, i know that last year's staff was impressed with him. Pope excelled in college as an SLB, and there's two ILBs in the 3-4 - i see room for pope somewhere down the line if he continues to play well. I see Crowder as a pure need pick, the Fins should run 3-4 sometimes and need some bodies for that AND besides the ancient seau and oft-injured thomas, they have no standout LBs. i dont see the pick of crowder as a statement about pope's future as much as a statement about thomas/seau's future and miami LB corps in general.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Thanks guys. That's sort of the way I was thinking. Wasn't really going to drop either, but was more concerned about Pope with the new coach. I think they're both worth waiting on. Is the 3-4 in MIA a given? Or will they be a team that switches back and forth?

 

[redman]

Thanks guys. That's sort of the way I was thinking. Wasn't really going to drop either, but was more concerned about Pope with the new coach. I think they're both worth waiting on.

Is the 3-4 in MIA a given? Or will they be a team that switches back and forth?

My understanding is that they'll be a hybrid 4-3/3-4 in much the same way that Dallas is. Note that the use of the 3-4 also puts Jason Taylor's future in doubt as he's awfully small for a 3-4 DE.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Thanks guys. That's sort of the way I was thinking. Wasn't really going to drop either, but was more concerned about Pope with the new coach. I think they're both worth waiting on.

Is the 3-4 in MIA a given? Or will they be a team that switches back and forth?

My understanding is that they'll be a hybrid 4-3/3-4 in much the same way that Dallas is. Note that the use of the 3-4 also puts Jason Taylor's future in doubt as he's awfully small for a 3-4 DE.

The latest I've read (here) says Miami's "base" formation will still be a 4-3. When they do line up in a 3-4 this article suggests Taylor will be used as an OLB where "he can be a stand-up rusher".