IDP Rookie Spotlight: Linebackers (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

2009 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 20-30 players, which should account for many of the most interesting 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 discuss 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: Which ROOKIE LINEBACKER will make the biggest impact in 2009?

Here are the highest rated players, but feel free to make a case for someone else:

ILB Rey Maualuga (CIN) Player Page

OLB Aaron Curry (SEA) Player Page

ILB James Laurinaitis (STL) Player Page

OLB Brian Cushing (HOU) Player Page

OLB Clint Sintim (NYG) Player Page

ILB DeAndre Levy (DET) Player Page

OLB Clay Matthews (GB) Player Page

OLB Larry English (SD) 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 or players in question, and your expectations for said player(s)
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, we request that you provide projections for the player(s)Projections should include the following categories at 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.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Let's use this thread as the focal point for discussion on the rookie linebackers this year.

To get us started, here are some guidelines:

1. Pick one linebacker who you think will have the biggest impact THIS year (can talk about dynasty potential as well, but 2009 is the focus)

2. Explain your reasoning

3. Provide your statistical projections for that player

 

[therokie0070]

biggest impact today I would say Lauriniatis only because he is being handed a 3 down role as the MLB on a D that will be on the field alot, if Maualuga can anchor down the MLB or WLB spot by week 1 he will be my pick.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I think this one has to be James Laurinaitis. Although he didn't work with the first team in camp and isn't guaranteed a spot in nickel packages as a rookie, he should earn both of those roles before camp breaks. I'm not convinced he'll be more than a mid level LB2, but he'll be in a better position than Aaron Curry, who looks to be stuck on the strong side on base downs and has an unclear nickel role in a prospective 3-3-5 alignment in Seattle. The only other backers likely to get significant snaps are Brian Cushing and Clint Sintim. Both players are in similar situations to Curry -- SLBs with unclear nickel roles. Rey Maualuga could've been the going away favorite here, but the Bengals are forcing him to compete for base defensive snaps on the strong side. He's unlikely to be a factor unless the Bengals suffer multiple injuries. I wouldn't consider either 3-4 OLB prospect in a redraft league this year and DeAndre Levy looks likely to play a reserve role all season.

Projections:

James Laurinaitis >> 86 solos, 17 assists, 2 sacks, 2 FF/FR, 1 INT, 4 PD

Aaron Curry >> 68 solos, 20 assists, 4 sacks, 3 FF/FR, 1 INT, 6 PD

Brian Cushing >> 73 solos, 23 assists, 1 sack, 2 FF/FR, 1 INT, 5 PD

Clint Sintim >> 47 solos, 14 assists, 5 sacks, 3 FF/FR, 0 INT, 5 PD

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

anybody feel like sharing their thoughts on the rookie linebackers for this year?

 

[gregjcross]

anybody feel like sharing their thoughts on the rookie linebackers for this year?

Bullish on A.Curry, Cushing, Rey Maug and Laurenaitis this year. But not as more than LB#3s initially. Probably #2s long term.I dont think the longer shot guys like English or Sintim will do much in first 2 years --though English looks intriguing.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

In recent years we've seen Ryans, Willis, and Beason all come in and make a splash in their first years ---- anybody have a scouting comparison to those 3 coming out of school on Laurinaitis?

I'm just wondering about his chances of putting up comparable numbers.

 

[sholditch]

I think that if you are looking at them this year, all will be disappointing other than Laurinitis simply because his D sucks and he's guaranteed MLB. With the Rams defensive front he'll be in line for a lot of solos.

Curry we'll have to see. He's way better than any of the other prospects but Seattle rarely fields productive LBs. Manaluga I think can easily rise to the top. There's no real competition.

 

[Captain_Apocalypse]

Should not Orakpo be added to this list? Does he even have a chance of having an impact this year at LB?

 

[massraider]

Laurinaitis by far, as I think he'll be the MLB on a defense that'll be on the field a lot.

I have Curry 2nd, I think he's too good not to play a lot, and I think he'll wind up as a 3rd down pass rusher.

Maualuga 3rd, I think he plays SLB most of the year, as the Bengals try and get the best 3 LB on the field, and that includes Dhani.

 

[Jene Bramel]

In recent years we've seen Ryans, Willis, and Beason all come in and make a splash in their first years ---- anybody have a scouting comparison to those 3 coming out of school on Laurinaitis?I'm just wondering about his chances of putting up comparable numbers.

Reserving the right to change my mind after I watch him against the first teamers of a couple of opposing offenses, but I don't think Laurinaitis is as athletic as Ryans, Willis or Beason. I also don't think he has the sideline-to-sideline range the others have. He might be their equal in coverage in time, but I think the stars have to align for a 100 solo tackle season for him, while the others should approach that plateau in any healthy year with reasonable tackle opportunity.

 

[ROCKET]

Grabbed Sintim after watching his performance Monday vs the Panthers. I know it's only against third stringers but the guy looked impressive for his first game.

 

[saintfool]

In recent years we've seen Ryans, Willis, and Beason all come in and make a splash in their first years ---- anybody have a scouting comparison to those 3 coming out of school on Laurinaitis?I'm just wondering about his chances of putting up comparable numbers.

Reserving the right to change my mind after I watch him against the first teamers of a couple of opposing offenses, but I don't think Laurinaitis is as athletic as Ryans, Willis or Beason. I also don't think he has the sideline-to-sideline range the others have. He might be their equal in coverage in time, but I think the stars have to align for a 100 solo tackle season for him, while the others should approach that plateau in any healthy year with reasonable tackle opportunity.

laurinitis is a pozluzny clone, imo. poz had a nice bounce back season last year but that's it. laurinitis and poz will be on the field a lot and get the stats. they're just not likely to move into the elite player rankings.