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Matt Porter: "5 biggest camp battles besides QB"

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Main concern IMO is depth at LB if one guy gets hurt we could be in trouble
 
Am really worried about LB depth. Losing Figs and Blue was a total disaster. I think the losses of EJ and Terry the year before really hurt our depth, I fear losing Figs is going to hurt that unit. We haven't had quality depth and leadership there for years besides DP. We better pray DP stays healthy too. Thank God he stayed, we would be in a world of hurt at LB without him.

Also really disappointed not hearing anything on Earl Moore. Was really hoping that guy would finally step up and become at least a solid contributor on the DL. Sounds like he's lost on the bench along with King. What a waste of space those two have been.
 
jruiz said:
Main concern IMO is depth at LB if one guy gets hurt we could be in trouble
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Yep. Am not sold at ALL on Tyriq at LB. I think were going to really miss Figs at LB. Grace has a lot of potential, but is still too small and too young. At 210 he's going to get steamrolled against the run, but he should be solid on passing downs. Kirby is a big question mark. Lots of hope with him, but Ive yet to see him look like anything but a JAG.

Can you imagine where we would be if DP had not come back? LB is a huge area of concern. That is two years in a row we have lost multiple guys that we desperately needed. That has been two huge blows to the LB corps in back to back years. First EJ and Terry, and Figs hurt, and now Figs and Blue gone. We really didn't need that to happen. Blue we could have lived without, Figs we really needed to come on this year.

If I had to bet, I would say Kamalu is going to be playing inside a lot this year in a 4-3, and I think we will be in a 4-3 more than most think. Having lost two experienced LBs AGAIN for the second year in a row, its going to limit our ability to run the 3-4 these guys want to run. Run a 4-3 with Pierre and Kamalu inside, and Chick and Muhammed off the edge. They can all rotate Chick inside with Kamalu, and try Chad Thomas on occasional passing downs, since Chick is not a speed rusher anyway. Be interesting to see if Hertelou and Wyche are only used in a 3-4. I mean they certainly have the size, and were recruited for it, but it doesn't say much about a guy like Moore that's been here all these years, and has already presumably been blown by on the depth chart.
 
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How many guys did we play with last season? We lost Gaines and Figs. Blue wasn't in the rotation. He didn't even play to be honest. They are going to put Harris and Jackson behind Quan, and if they need Mccord to play with Owens and Armsbrister, we should be fine. Having Grace as a Nlb, and have Crawford and Carter over Highsmith and Rodgers is HUGE.
 
CANE4LIFE said:
jruiz said:
Main concern IMO is depth at LB if one guy gets hurt we could be in trouble
Click to expand...

Yep. Am not sold at ALL on Tyriq at LB. I think were going to really miss Figs at LB. Grace has a lot of potential, but is still too small and too young. At 210 he's going to get steamrolled against the run, but he should be solid on passing downs. Kirby is a big question mark. Lots of hope with him, but Ive yet to see him look like anything but a JAG.

Can you imagine where we would be if DP had not come back? LB is a huge area of concern. That is two years in a row we have lost multiple guys that we desperately needed. That has been two huge blows to the LB corps in back to back years. First EJ and Terry, and Figs hurt, and now Figs and Blue gone. We really didn't need that to happen. Blue we could have lived without, Figs we really needed to come on this year.

If I had to bet, I would say Kamalu is going to be playing inside a lot this year in a 4-3, and I think we will be in a 4-3 more than most think. Having lost two experienced LBs AGAIN for the second year in a row, its going to limit our ability to run the 3-4 these guys want to run. Run a 4-3 with Pierre and Kamalu inside, and Chick and Muhammed off the edge. They can all rotate Chick inside with Kamalu, and try Chad Thomas on occasional passing downs, since Chick is not a speed rusher anyway. Be interesting to see if Hertelou and Wyche are only used in a 3-4. I mean they certainly have the size, and were recruited for it, but it doesn't say much about a guy like Moore that's been here all these years, and has already presumably been blown by on the depth chart.
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How is losing someone like Blue, who hasn't even played, losing a great player? Most people thought that Young would pass him anyway.
 
rokulika said:
The depth is pretty shaky at linebacker but it's pretty good at DL and DB.

From a minutes standpoint I'd say we're looking at this:

DL - Chickillo, Pierre, Kamalu, Wyche, Heurtelou, Thomas, Moore, Moten, Hamilton, King (Jenkins redshirts)

LB - Perryman, McCord, AQM, Kirby, Grace, Armbrister, Owens, Harris, Jackson, Young (Smith and McCray redshirt)

DB - Gunter, Howard, Bush, Carter, Burns, Jenkins, Dallas, Elder, A. Crawford, Hester, Fentress, Lewis (Mayes and Gayot redshirt)
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Looking at this, I see 7 true LBs--Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Thurston, Owens, Young and McCray (rs)

LB depth is really shaky. McCord is only a LB because he can't put on weight. He's not a player I want to see dropping in coverage often.
 
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RiDLer80 said:
rokulika said:
The depth is pretty shaky at linebacker but it's pretty good at DL and DB.

From a minutes standpoint I'd say we're looking at this:

DL - Chickillo, Pierre, Kamalu, Wyche, Heurtelou, Thomas, Moore, Moten, Hamilton, King (Jenkins redshirts)

LB - Perryman, McCord, AQM, Kirby, Grace, Armbrister, Owens, Harris, Jackson, Young (Smith and McCray redshirt)

DB - Gunter, Howard, Bush, Carter, Burns, Jenkins, Dallas, Elder, A. Crawford, Hester, Fentress, Lewis (Mayes and Gayot redshirt)
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Looking at this, I see 7 true LBs--Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Thurston, Owens, Young and McCray (rs)

LB depth is really shaky. McCord is only a LB because he can't put on weight. He's not a player I want to see dropping in coverage often.
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You forgot Mike Smith as well. I don't see how our depth was that much greater last season. Gaines, Kirby, Perryman, Figs, Thurston, Cornelius, Grace, Blue.
 
demcanes26 said:
DJWilliams55 said:
LB will be a dumpster fire if injuries hit there.
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Oh really? We only played 5 LB's last season. Armbister, Gaines, Perryman, Figs and Cornelius

This year. Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Armbister, Owens. Most think the second group is more talented.
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There are 4 LB spots. There is no backup with even scout team experience at SILB. The only viable backup at WILB is an awful fit for the front. There is no true Sam even in in the starting lineup. Owens is only 220 so he doesnt have the size to be a Sam yet. And any front where Armbrister is discussed as a serious option in Year 4 is a joke.
 
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Is there really a camp battle for QB? I thought Olson was so bad, that the only question is Plan D Heaps or Duke running wildcat?

Seems like Heaps had the starting job on arrival? What have I missed?
 
DJWilliams55 said:
demcanes26 said:
DJWilliams55 said:
LB will be a dumpster fire if injuries hit there.
Click to expand...


Oh really? We only played 5 LB's last season. Armbister, Gaines, Perryman, Figs and Cornelius

This year. Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Armbister, Owens. Most think the second group is more talented.
Click to expand...

There are 4 LB spots. There is no backup with even scout team experience at SILB. The only viable backup at WILB is an awful fit for the front. There is no true Sam even in in the starting lineup. Owens is only 220 so he doesnt have the size to be a Sam yet. And any front where Armbrister is discussed as a serious option in Year 4 is a joke.
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In other words, it's no different than last year aside from increasing the talent level this year.
 
demcanes26 said:
RiDLer80 said:
rokulika said:
The depth is pretty shaky at linebacker but it's pretty good at DL and DB.

From a minutes standpoint I'd say we're looking at this:

DL - Chickillo, Pierre, Kamalu, Wyche, Heurtelou, Thomas, Moore, Moten, Hamilton, King (Jenkins redshirts)

LB - Perryman, McCord, AQM, Kirby, Grace, Armbrister, Owens, Harris, Jackson, Young (Smith and McCray redshirt)

DB - Gunter, Howard, Bush, Carter, Burns, Jenkins, Dallas, Elder, A. Crawford, Hester, Fentress, Lewis (Mayes and Gayot redshirt)
Click to expand...

Looking at this, I see 7 true LBs--Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Thurston, Owens, Young and McCray (rs)

LB depth is really shaky. McCord is only a LB because he can't put on weight. He's not a player I want to see dropping in coverage often.
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You forgot Mike Smith as well. I don't see how our depth was that much greater last season. Gaines, Kirby, Perryman, Figs, Thurston, Cornelius, Grace, Blue.
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I think he'll redshirt this year as well. Also, I think he's more in the mold of a McCord who's an undersized pass-rusher. Not a true LB.
 
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DJWilliams55 said:
demcanes26 said:
DJWilliams55 said:
LB will be a dumpster fire if injuries hit there.
Click to expand...


Oh really? We only played 5 LB's last season. Armbister, Gaines, Perryman, Figs and Cornelius

This year. Perryman, Kirby, Grace, Armbister, Owens. Most think the second group is more talented.
Click to expand...

There are 4 LB spots. There is no backup with even scout team experience at SILB. The only viable backup at WILB is an awful fit for the front. There is no true Sam even in in the starting lineup. Owens is only 220 so he doesnt have the size to be a Sam yet. And any front where Armbrister is discussed as a serious option in Year 4 is a joke.
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I know that there are 4 lb's in a 3-4. We upgraded the talent with Quan, and Mccord over Green. We upgraded the talent with Kirby over Gaines, and we upgraded the talent with Grace over Cornelius. Again, we had the same problem last season. Depth was not a problem last season, talent was.
 
LuCane said:
CyberCane said:
rokulika said:
CaneStuck@USF said:
Whats up with all this Chad Thomas @ DT talk? God I hope we don't fatten him up and waste his elite rush abilities at DT.
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DE McCord
DT Thomas
DT Kamalu
DE AQM

LB Perryman
LB Grace

CB Gunter
CB Howard
NB Burns
SS Bush
FS Carter

oh yeah baby give it to me
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3rd down erection time.
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I think the biggest improvements there might actually be off the DL: Grace and Carter/Crawford filling angles instead of Cornelius and Highsmith/Rodgers.
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Thank you baby jebus.
 
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