Lions trying Levy at MLB (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Borbely]

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Lions will try DeAndre Levy at middle linebacker

by Tom Kowalski

Sunday April 26, 2009, 9:30 PM

After trading the first pick of the third round to the New York Jets, the Lions took Wisconsin outside linebacker DeAndre Levy, whom Schwartz said might fill Detroit's vacancy at middle linebacker, with their new third-round pick (No. 76 overall).

Levy will line up at middle linebacker when Detroit starts its rookie minicamp next weekend.

"We drafted him on his speed and his athleticism and his ability to make plays. He's an explosive player," Schwartz said. "We'll probably give him a chance to see what he looks like in the middle. The way (Wisconsin) plays their 4-3, he's behind the ball quite a bit."

Prior to the draft, Schwartz said he was looking for a "thumper" to play the middle and he said the 236-pound Levy can fill that role.

"Yes, yes. Watch him hit," Schwartz said.

 

[Biabreakable]

I was wondering about this. Thanks for posting.

Still some great tackle opportunity to be had here although I expect Peterson to make more plays from OLB than the Lions have had before.

Will Peterson or Sims play WLB?

I assume they intend to use Peterson more as a pass rusher than Sims.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I was wondering about this. Thanks for posting.Still some great tackle opportunity to be had here although I expect Peterson to make more plays from OLB than the Lions have had before.Will Peterson or Sims play WLB? I assume they intend to use Peterson more as a pass rusher than Sims.

Sims is playing WLB. Peterson is playing SLB and will be a pass rusher on 3rd down, possibly in a hybrid of some kind, with Avril on the other side. I don't think Sims will rush the passer much.

 

[Bob Henry]

After reading about Folett, I'm guessing that he'll get the same opportunity. His profile was a nice read on nfl.com and it's not like the Lions paid any serious attention to their gaping hole in the draft.

I openly wonder, already, just how much Jim Schwartz was involved in these selections. These picks seem to fly in the face of his philosophy and need for bigger players and building from the inside out.

I love Delmas as a prospect, but I think they'd get more mileage out of that pick by addressing either line first. We shall see..