Tidbits (1 Viewer)

[Pick]

LB Dexter Coakley's career has taken quite a turn since he was cut by the Cowboys because he didn't fit the 3-4 front Bill Parcells plans to use. The Rams long have been enamored of Coakley, and they signed him quickly, giving him $4 million this year. Why give a 32-year old linebacker that kind of money? The Rams believe Coakley can give their defense the character and leadership it has been missing. It didn't take long for Coakley to bring together the Rams' defenders. Rams coach Mike Martz subsequently named Coakley one of his captains. The Rams are lining up the 5-10 Coakley on the strong side. Coakley always has been a weakside linebacker, and it will be interesting to see how he handles covering much larger tight ends. . . .

LB Colby Bockwoldt has been a star pupil in the Saints' offseason program. He led the Saints in strength gains. Bockwoldt, a second-year player, is expected to start this season now that he has the strength to go along with speed, intelligence and toughness.

Any questions the Jaguars might have had about left cornerback Rashean Mathis -- and there couldn't have been many -- were answered in the team's recent minicamp. Mathis appears to be on the verge of stardom, and he showed it with a sensational weekend of work that included multiple interceptions, many acrobatic, in team drills. Mathis is exceptionally quick and might be the best athlete in team history. He also is technically sound, excellent in run support and more than confident enough to match up with an opponent's best receiver in single coverage for an entire game. The team has a gem on its hands in Mathis, who also is a fan favorite because he is a Jacksonville native.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

thanks Pick. what's the source?looks like Pino will be back at WLB for the Rams.Mathis is a nice sleeper this year with the improved pass rush up front in Jacksonville with Hayward in place.Looks like Bockwaldt has a good chance to be the starting WLB in New Orleans, which could make him a viable starter.

 

[Pick]

FoxnewsSaw a lot of Bockwoldt here at BYU. The dude has a motor and a nose for the ball.

 

[Bloom]

Looks like Bockwaldt has a good chance to be the starting WLB in New Orleans, which could make him a viable starter.

the NO LB situation is an absolute mess. seems like at least 7 guys (hodge,allen,fincher,watson, bockwaldt,rodgers, ruff) are in the running for the 3 spots...i think fincher starts by midseason, whether its S/M/W LB is anyone's guess. Watson should stick at MLB IF his knee is ok, and who knows about that - i want to say fincher got some reps at MLB in minicamp, but im not sure the source...

good luck getting consistent fantasy production from this bunch.

 

[Beaumont]

Looks like Bockwaldt has a good chance to be the starting WLB in New Orleans, which could make him a viable starter.

the NO LB situation is an absolute mess. seems like at least 7 guys (hodge,allen,fincher,watson, bockwaldt,rodgers, ruff) are in the running for the 3 spots...i think fincher starts by midseason, whether its S/M/W LB is anyone's guess. Watson should stick at MLB IF his knee is ok, and who knows about that - i want to say fincher got some reps at MLB in minicamp, but im not sure the source...

good luck getting consistent fantasy production from this bunch.

And on top of that they keep flirtin with vets like Chad Brown (who they had discussions with before he signed with NE) ... they may not be done pickin up LBs ...Some June 1 cuts might shake this out and show that NOLA is really going with a youth movement ... the young LBs started looking much better towards the end of the year ...