What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rookie LBs (1 Viewer)

LB vs LB

  • Keith Rivers CIN

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Curtis Lofton ATL

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0

ffwebster

Footballguy
I am very curious on this one fellas. Rivers was drafted first, but Lofton seems to be in a way better situation.... Isnt he? Damn, I am having a hard time with this one!

 
I am very curious on this one fellas. Rivers was drafted first, but Lofton seems to be in a way better situation.... Isnt he? Damn, I am having a hard time with this one!
4 - 0 for Lofton after my vote, mainly because I drafted him at the 2.10 in my Zealots rookie draft this year (which I think is great value). Everything I've read since then (esp. here at FBG) has pointed to him getting alot of opportunities as the starting MLB. The clincher will be whether or not he earns a 3 down role this year. In the future, when Brooking leaves, I think he will be a very good 3 down LB.Assuming Rivers gets there in time, I expect him to have a big role this year in Cincinnatti out of necessity b/c they don't have alot there w/ the LB unit.
 
I might be the only one here, but I would take Keith Rivers. #1 LB before the draft. He should rack up tackles with Cincy's weak D. I hear Lofton is splitting time at MLB with Tony Taylor.

 
We touched on these two (and Dizon and Mayo) in our podcast last week.

The dynasty question will be a tough one, because everyone has a different window. Depending on the length of your window, Tavares Gooden, Beau Bell, Xavier Adibi and a few others could have a place in the discussion. The window also removes some, but not all, of the concern related to Keith Rivers' continued holdout. Marvin Lewis will not play a guy he cannot trust. Zimmer's new scheme removes a lot of the disciplined read-and-react concepts that Lewis favored, but you aren't going to see Rivers as an every-down player until he's shown he gets what's been installed.

Lofton may not be an every-down player in 2008 either, depending on what you make of the news that Keith Brooking will wear the helmet communicator.

Long-term, you almost have to go with the MLB over the WLB unless there are major scheme or talent issues. I don't see them in this case, so Lofton should be a half-tier or more ahead of Rivers until proven otherwise.

 
Early on I was a supporter of Rivers over Lofton for 2 reasons:

1. Rivers has the speed and all around talent to be a 3 down LBer right away. Lofton may only be a 2 down LBer.

2. Atlanta has Brooking and Boley to compete with Lofton for tackle opportunities. The Bengals have no one very notable to compete with Rivers.

Both players will have a lot of opportunity but Atlanta even more so because they will be a bad team on both sides of the ball.

Until recently I was not sure Lofton would get the job as MLB this year if they instead kept Brooking there. But recent news is that Brooking has indeed been moved to WLB (his more natural position) and Lofton is competing at MLB.

Lofton in middle

Former Georgia linebacker Tony Taylor opened training camp at middle linebacker with the first team. But Curtis Lofton was with the first team on Tuesday.

He's hoping to land the starting position.

"They took me pretty high," said Lofton, a second-round pick. "Everybody has expectations and I have expectations for myself."

With the Lofton and Taylor in the middle, the Falcons moved Keith Brooking back to weakside linebacker.

"Brook, Boley and the other guys have really taken me under their wings and have helped me out if I need anything," Lofton said.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...ornerbacks.html?Rivers is still holding out and that hurts him short term.

I still like Rivers more in the long run. But due to recent developments I would lean more towards Lofton as a clearer path to success. And that gives him the nod here.

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top