Educated/Homer thoughts on the following LB's... (1 Viewer)

[Warpig]

I have stashed away some of the various linebackers you will see mentioned below on several of my dynasty teams. Was just looking for some educated info or homer info on their chances of playing time in the future.

Jason Williams, DAL - supposedly a high motor, sideline to sideline athlete that was a tackle machine in college.

Victor Butler, DAL - showed signs of promise in limited duty last year. Where does he fall in the pecking order?

Aaron Maybin, BUF - was drafted to rush the passer. Seemed out of place in the 4-3. Now that they are going to the 3-4, does he show 1st round talent?

Robert Ayers, DEN - don't know what to think here unless it is just McD wasting picks on players then not having the ability to coach them up. He shot up draft boards but think he may be out of place in a 3-4?

Jason Trusnik, CLE - buried on the depth chart now with all the offseason LB additions. Showed promise last year. but is he an after thought now?

Jordon Dizon, DET - Larry Foote said the kid has a future in the league. His coaches are talking him up lately. And now they trade Ernie Sims. Is now his time to shine or is that asking too much?

Brad Jones, GB - was given a chance last year but was inconsistent. Is he replaced or given another shot?

Reggie Walker, ARI - I heard some rumors that the coaching staff liked what they saw out of him in practice and he may have been part of the reason they let Dansby walk. Is he given a legit shot?

Bryan Kehl, NYG - don't really know much about him, but there is opportunity in New York.

Jamaal Westerman, NYJ - big kid who made a handful of plays last year (more than can be said for Gholston). Kinda reminds me of an Adalius Thomas.

Russell Allen, JAC - a basic unknown. But with all the rumors of the LB shuffle in J-ville there could be opportunity.

Stanford Keglar, TEN - another guy I don't know much about. But with Bullock and Thornton in question does he get a crack at the job?

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Brad Jones, GB - was given a chance last year but was inconsistent. Is he replaced or given another shot?

Depends heavily on who we draft. If TT uses a high pick on an OLB, then Jones won't be a starter for long. We have other needs (OT, CB, S) so there is absolutely a chance that Jones battles Poppinga to be the starter in 2010. My gut says Jones wins that battle - Poppinga has been around forever, and while I really like him as a special teamer/backup LB, he just isn't good enough to be an impact starter.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Jason Williams, DAL - supposedly a high motor, sideline to sideline athlete that was a tackle machine in college.

I think Williams has a very strong chance of replacing Bobby Carpenter in the Dallas' subpackages this year. If he performs well, he could replace Keith Brooking somewhere down the line.

Victor Butler, DAL - showed signs of promise in limited duty last year. Where does he fall in the pecking order?

Clearly the third wheel at OLB for the foreseeable future. Rotational role behind Ware and Spencer at best, and Brandon Williams is probably in the mix there, too, eventually.

Aaron Maybin, BUF - was drafted to rush the passer. Seemed out of place in the 4-3. Now that they are going to the 3-4, does he show 1st round talent?

Maybin was an elite athlete, but there were a lot of question marks in his scouting reports about whether he'd grow into a football player. He's likely to be more productive as a stand up edge rusher, but he's got a long way to go before he hits Parys Haralson numbers much less whiffs those of all-around studs like DeMarcus Ware.

Robert Ayers, DEN - don't know what to think here unless it is just McD wasting picks on players then not having the ability to coach them up. He shot up draft boards but think he may be out of place in a 3-4?

I thought he was one of the top two or three 4-3 end prospects on the board last season. He may eventually grow into the OLB position as guys like Anthony Spencer and Lamarr Woodley have, but he's got some growing to do, too.

Jason Trusnik, CLE - buried on the depth chart now with all the offseason LB additions. Showed promise last year. but is he an after thought now?

He's an NFL backup to me. I can't imagine he ever holds an every-down role for an extended length of time.

Jordon Dizon, DET - Larry Foote said the kid has a future in the league. His coaches are talking him up lately. And now they trade Ernie Sims. Is now his time to shine or is that asking too much?

There's some extended discussion about Dizon in the Sims thread this week. I think he's the favorite of those currently rostered to win the WLB role, but local beat writers are strongly arguing that a veteran is likely to be brought in to compete. If that happens, it's likely going to be similar to the Foote situation last year -- the vet will have to flop in a big way not to play.

Brad Jones, GB - was given a chance last year but was inconsistent. Is he replaced or given another shot?

Probably the best option of those on the depth chart, especially on nickel downs. There's a chance Brady Poppinga may play on early downs and a sizable chance that the Packers bring in one of the many interesting tweener prospects this weekend.

Reggie Walker, ARI - I heard some rumors that the coaching staff liked what they saw out of him in practice and he may have been part of the reason they let Dansby walk. Is he given a legit shot?

Hard to say. The Paris Lenon signing doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that Walker will surprise, but the ILB situation here is worth watching. The every-down player there is going to have nice value.

Bryan Kehl, NYG - don't really know much about him, but there is opportunity in New York.

No value here. He's not in the mix at MLB and won't see much time outside unless the Giants do something interesting there. Regardless, I don't see every-down playing time in his future.

Jamaal Westerman, NYJ - big kid who made a handful of plays last year (more than can be said for Gholston). Kinda reminds me of an Adalius Thomas.

No place for snaps for him yet. Ryan likes him, but he's still a project. May have a long term future behind Bart Scott, but likely remains a backup.

Russell Allen, JAC - a basic unknown. But with all the rumors of the LB shuffle in J-ville there could be opportunity.

I think the team likes Allen a little better than Durant as a run defender, but I haven't gotten a clear impression that they're willing to play him at MLB. The draft and minicamp will clear this one up -- hopefully.

Stanford Keglar, TEN - another guy I don't know much about. But with Bullock and Thornton in question does he get a crack at the job?

Behind Tulloch inside and McRath outside. Witherspoon is probably locked in there for the near future, too. Looks like a man without a position unless there's a surprise on the depth chart or another injury.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Jamaal Westerman, NYJ - big kid who made a handful of plays last year (more than can be said for Gholston). Kinda reminds me of an Adalius Thomas.

Rex liked him last off-season, I didn't see him on the field much. If you don't hear his name too much this off-season then hes out.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

The Jaguars didn't grab a LB in the first and don't have a second round pick, so unless they acquire someone like Morrison there appears to be a real opportunity for Allen. I don't see them going into next season with Clint Ingram as one of their starters.

UPDATE: Morrison destroys Allen's sleeper value.

 

[Warpig]

So of my list, here are the LB's to drop after the draft (assuming):

Russell Allen - addition of Morrison makes him an after thought.

Jason Williams - Sean Lee (in the 2nd?) casts questions over his head.

Reggie Walker - Darryl Washington is already slated to take Dansby's spot.

Still hope for the others?