Who is the cream of the mid-season LB crop? (1 Viewer)

[discountdoublecheck]

So many guys emerging from injuries it's hard to keep track. There seems to be a big group of guys that are on most waiver wires that could emerge as LB2's or even LB1's.

Joplo Bartu

Jamari Lattimore

Nick Roach

D. Hightower

C. McCarthy

J. Beason

Bostic

Maybe the shark move is to grab a guy after waivers since there is an over supply of these guys right now. Do any of these LB's have LB1 potential over the others?

 

[KCitons]

As far as LB1 status, I'm not sure about any of them. I always think of an LB1 (or RB1,WR1 etc) as being a defined by the size of your league. If you are in a 16 team league, then there can only be 16 LB1's. The scoring between the 1-16 and 17-20 LB may not be huge.

- If healthy, McCarthy has been and could return to LB1 status. Being a three down MLB in a 4-3 defense is always money. If Fokou returns and takes back the starting job. McCarthy may be done.

- Also, if he can stay healthy, Beason could make the list. I own Paysinger, and have seen a drop in his production since Beason has joined the Giants.

- As a Bears Homer, I have watched every one of Bostic's snaps. I think he's a little inexperienced to be a three down linebacker this season. He has a high motor and could put up decent LB2/LB3 numbers. I love his potential for 2014.

- By comparison, I don't watch Packer games. So I haven't watched Lattimore. So I won't comment. As a Packer fan, you should have a pretty good handle on how he is playing.

- I also own Bartu in my league, but he seems to be a little inconsistent. The games I have watched, he doesn't always pursue the play the way other high motor guys do. I've watched him miss out on tackles or fumble recovery opportunities due to not running to the ball every play.

- Jury is still out on Hightower for me. I want to see him produce more than one week before I buy in.

- Roach is the only guy on your list that has produced all season. I watched him the last few years as the Bears SLB. When he went to the Raiders, I thought he was going to get pushed back to the SLB position by Sio. But, he's made a home in the middle. He is a solid LB2 in our league (#18LB). He only has 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. He's making his points with tackles, which means the weeks he gets a sack or int are going to big boosts to the bottom line.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Roach, with his week 2 game scoring fix, is tied at #38 with Lofton on a ppg basis. That should stay about the same through the end.

Bartu, since week 3 and the loss of Weatherspoon, is tied at #42. Weatherspoon is still in a boot bt Bartu does seem to be improving.

Lattimore will drop like a stone when/if Brad Jones gets back. Probably only a short term player.

Hightower looks to be filling in for Mayo -- had most snaps played among LBs last game and 11 tackles.

Beason showing flashes again for -- 9 and 12 tackles is rather huge on a down team.

McCarthy is filler.

Bostic is intriguing with Briggs gone for awhile and DJ out of for the season. 8 tackles in that last start.

Long term this season, I kind of like Hightower. But those 3 are splitting hairs in redraft.

Bostic would be an obvious choice if a keeper/dynasty .

 

[10tihwj]

Hightower and Beason are the guys most likely to perform going forward all year. That Giants MLB job has been good fantasy production even when the guy has no skills anymore (Antonio Pierce). Hightower is physically gifted and appears to get it.

Roach is OK, but he has no ceiling to speak of. High floor, that's about it.

Bartu... they just signed Thomas Howard and Weatherspoon is still supposed to come back. Getting to be a lot of cooks in the kitchen there.

Lattimore looked active and physical against the Browns, but is going to lose snaps when Brad Jones returns.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Hightower and Beason are the guys most likely to perform going forward all year. That Giants MLB job has been good fantasy production even when the guy has no skills anymore (Antonio Pierce). Hightower is physically gifted and appears to get it.

Roach is OK, but he has no ceiling to speak of. High floor, that's about it.

Bartu... they just signed Thomas Howard and Weatherspoon is still supposed to come back. Getting to be a lot of cooks in the kitchen there.

Lattimore looked active and physical against the Browns, but is going to lose snaps when Brad Jones returns.

####. you.

sincerely,

~ former roach owner

 

[10tihwj]

Hightower and Beason are the guys most likely to perform going forward all year. That Giants MLB job has been good fantasy production even when the guy has no skills anymore (Antonio Pierce). Hightower is physically gifted and appears to get it.

Roach is OK, but he has no ceiling to speak of. High floor, that's about it.

Bartu... they just signed Thomas Howard and Weatherspoon is still supposed to come back. Getting to be a lot of cooks in the kitchen there.

Lattimore looked active and physical against the Browns, but is going to lose snaps when Brad Jones returns.

####. you.

sincerely,

~ former roach owner

Hightower and Beason are the guys most likely to perform going forward all year. That Giants MLB job has been good fantasy production even when the guy has no skills anymore (Antonio Pierce). Hightower is physically gifted and appears to get it.

Roach is OK, but he has no ceiling to speak of. High floor, that's about it.

Bartu... they just signed Thomas Howard and Weatherspoon is still supposed to come back. Getting to be a lot of cooks in the kitchen there.

Lattimore looked active and physical against the Browns, but is going to lose snaps when Brad Jones returns.

####. you.

sincerely,

~ former roach owner

http://www.csnbayarea.com/raiders/raiders-expect-more-sio-moore

Moore will start getting more snaps soon.

 

[discountdoublecheck]

I appreciate the input. I have never been impressed with Brad Jones myself. If he is out one more week and Lattimore makes some plays to shut down AP this weekend then he could force the coaches to keep him out there. But that is just wishful homerism (if that's a word) on my part.

- "Yes, Homerism is a word."

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I appreciate the input. I have never been impressed with Brad Jones myself. If he is out one more week and Lattimore makes some plays to shut down AP this weekend then he could force the coaches to keep him out there. But that is just wishful homerism (if that's a word) on my part.

- "Yes, Homerism is a word."

as a beason owner, I'd be a little concerned about a lb vs minny --- probably used to be a good match up, but freeman is so terrible he's killing independent george.

 

[ShaHBucks]

I'm holding onto Worrilow. He just looks the part pre and post snap.

 

[nobiz]

Malcolm Smith is an interesting sleeper.

 

[KCitons]

I'm holding onto Worrilow. He just looks the part pre and post snap.

I was wondering about Worrilow. He's taken over the SLB spot from Nicholas and he played 97% of the snaps while Dent only played 37%. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere that Dent was hurt. It makes me wonder if/when Spoon returns, it will be Worrilow and Spoon as the 3 down LB's in Atl?

Worth mentioning that Atlanta is playing two undrafted free agents at LB. Maybe the Bears could roll with Bostic and Greene.

 

[ark]

Malcolm Smith is an interesting sleeper.

He moved from his usual strong side to the weak side due to injuries. He got a positive rating on PFF this week and is just 24 yrs old, so if he stays away from the strong side, he could be a good prospect.

 

[nobiz]

Malcolm Smith is an interesting sleeper.

He moved from his usual strong side to the weak side due to injuries. He got a positive rating on PFF this week and is just 24 yrs old, so if he stays away from the strong side, he could be a good prospect.

He filled the stat sheet Thursday and has a great matchup this week against Kellen Clemens. Bobby Wagner seems to still be out so that leaves more for Smith. I picked him up on a flyer.

 

[ShaHBucks]

I'm holding onto Worrilow. He just looks the part pre and post snap.

I was wondering about Worrilow. He's taken over the SLB spot from Nicholas and he played 97% of the snaps while Dent only played 37%. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere that Dent was hurt. It makes me wonder if/when Spoon returns, it will be Worrilow and Spoon as the 3 down LB's in Atl?Worth mentioning that Atlanta is playing two undrafted free agents at LB. Maybe the Bears could roll with Bostic and Greene.

Worrilow is one of those power-speed-agility freaks. I've been tracking him since the draft. Bostic on the outside and Greene inside would be interesting. I'm picking up Greene in my deep league this week.

 

[KCitons]

I'm holding onto Worrilow. He just looks the part pre and post snap.

I was wondering about Worrilow. He's taken over the SLB spot from Nicholas and he played 97% of the snaps while Dent only played 37%. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere that Dent was hurt. It makes me wonder if/when Spoon returns, it will be Worrilow and Spoon as the 3 down LB's in Atl?Worth mentioning that Atlanta is playing two undrafted free agents at LB. Maybe the Bears could roll with Bostic and Greene.

Worrilow is one of those power-speed-agility freaks. I've been tracking him since the draft.Bostic on the outside and Greene inside would be interesting. I'm picking up Greene in my deep league this week.

I had Worrilow and Bartu rostered early in the season, but Worrilow disappeared with Nicholas getting the start instead. Guessed on Bartu being the one to own. Looks like I may have cut bait too early.

Bostic and Greene were both taken in our rookie draft.

 

[Mistabishi]

I want to go with Bostic but we still have to see how things shake out. I don't have the roster spot to give in the league he is available as I'd have to dump Trevethan who has played lights out for me.

 

[MAC_32]

Already own bartu. Bought and sold beason. Wating on claims for McCarthy and lattimore.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Malcolm Smith is an interesting sleeper.

Wagner may practice Thursday: Carroll said middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has a high ankle sprain and has missed the past two games, is getting close to returning.

“We're going to wait and see on Thursday what he can do,” Carroll said of Wagner. “He's made great progress and has surprised the trainers. We won't know until we see him on the practice field.”

 

[MAC_32]

Already own bartu. Bought and sold beason. Wating on claims for McCarthy and lattimore.

Got both, I have a Desmond Bishop redux feel about Lattimore. He was an animal Sunday, curious to see how he does vs. a significantly better opponent. Unfortunately, whoever made the Dan Morgan post, I think they may be spot on about McCarthy. I'll find out with him on my team at least!

 

[nobiz]

Moise Fokou?

 

[10tihwj]

Moise Fokou?

Assuming he's not really hurt and comes back soon... If he's just dinged and McCarthy keeps playing like crap it should solidify Fokou's snap counts. If he's hurt more than 1 game and/or McCarthy gets his act in gear, it could mess with his value.