bcr8f
Footballguy
If the season started today he'd start at SAM...I'm surprised they didn't go harder after Angelo Crowell...
Position Battle: Strong-Side LB
If camp opened today, this would be a battle between Alfred Fincher and H.B. Blades, two guys who are the favorites although neither is ideally constructed for the role.
Blades and Fincher come in with limited starting experience in this system, though both have proven their worth on special teams. Both have strong tackling instincts as well as distinct limitations. Blades was a late-round pick in large part because of his size; the Skins hoped he could learn from London Fletcher (another smaller middle linebacker), contribute on teams and play in the league for a long time. Expecting him to start at strong-side LB in the rugged NFC East - as run-heavy a division as there is - was never really the idea.
Having Blades play out in space, with a suspect group of left ends in front of him, is dangerous. His size isn't as much of an issue on the inside, especially with the potential for big tackles Albert Haynesworth and Cornelius Griffin to be eating up space in front of him. But with no certain prospect on the roster to replace Marcus Washington on the strong side, Blades may have to try to fit.
It's hard to imagine Blades being able to do anything to defend against big tight ends, and match-up problems could be plenty. Fincher's role in pass coverage would be sketchy as well. Fincher certainly plays mean, hits hard and has great enthusiasm - all of which serves him well - but he also plays a little out of control at times and taking 65 snaps a game at this position in this system could be a big problem.
Neither of these guys is a proven commodity and with either in the lineup, behind say Renaldo Wynn, I would anticipate opponents going right at this side of the defense.
The wild card could be getting Washington to come back for a veteran-minimum deal, but other players have told me that he was hurt by his release and is not interested in coming back. Some think he'd retire rather than come back here on a one-year try-out deal.
And, with some value at linebacker in this draft, maybe the team will use the 13th pick there. I continue to believe they should get a top tackle if one is available at that spot, but linebackers, like the USC contingent, are sure to be on the board then. I think that's a little high for them, but Pete Carroll's word carries a lot of weight here.
Position Battle: Strong-Side LB
If camp opened today, this would be a battle between Alfred Fincher and H.B. Blades, two guys who are the favorites although neither is ideally constructed for the role.
Blades and Fincher come in with limited starting experience in this system, though both have proven their worth on special teams. Both have strong tackling instincts as well as distinct limitations. Blades was a late-round pick in large part because of his size; the Skins hoped he could learn from London Fletcher (another smaller middle linebacker), contribute on teams and play in the league for a long time. Expecting him to start at strong-side LB in the rugged NFC East - as run-heavy a division as there is - was never really the idea.
Having Blades play out in space, with a suspect group of left ends in front of him, is dangerous. His size isn't as much of an issue on the inside, especially with the potential for big tackles Albert Haynesworth and Cornelius Griffin to be eating up space in front of him. But with no certain prospect on the roster to replace Marcus Washington on the strong side, Blades may have to try to fit.
It's hard to imagine Blades being able to do anything to defend against big tight ends, and match-up problems could be plenty. Fincher's role in pass coverage would be sketchy as well. Fincher certainly plays mean, hits hard and has great enthusiasm - all of which serves him well - but he also plays a little out of control at times and taking 65 snaps a game at this position in this system could be a big problem.
Neither of these guys is a proven commodity and with either in the lineup, behind say Renaldo Wynn, I would anticipate opponents going right at this side of the defense.
The wild card could be getting Washington to come back for a veteran-minimum deal, but other players have told me that he was hurt by his release and is not interested in coming back. Some think he'd retire rather than come back here on a one-year try-out deal.
And, with some value at linebacker in this draft, maybe the team will use the 13th pick there. I continue to believe they should get a top tackle if one is available at that spot, but linebackers, like the USC contingent, are sure to be on the board then. I think that's a little high for them, but Pete Carroll's word carries a lot of weight here.
