Once i saw the highlights from his game at Washington State, I feel Ayers is a better fit in the 4-3.
Ayers can play in any scheme - he wasn't asked to rush the passer much at UCLA. I think he's more versatile than Von Miller.
i know Sheard can rush the passer, but I havent seen anything where he drops into coverage, even minimally at best.. can sheard drop back into coverage (and is there tape of this somewhere), because i havent seen it.
4/5 of your top 5 OLBs have the same minimum experience in coverage as Sheard does. To question his opens the can of worms to question everyone, none are very good in coverage...
.. i suppose you are right. hopefully the combine will give us a better indication as to which prospect would be able to be more physically successful in their transition to a 3-4 OLB. right now i'm betting on Houston, Brooks Reed, and Acho to surprise people when they get to Indy. Sheard is on the fringe for me.. i think he is great with his hand on the ground, but i dont know how it will work out if he is asked to stand up. what do people think of aldon smith?
That's what makes evaluating potential 3-4 OLB's so damn difficult. Are there any college LB's on the radar that could potentially play 3-4 OLB, as opposed to converting a DE?
I personally think Illinois LB Martez Wilson could play 3-4 OLB on the pro level. He plays MLB, but his athleticism for the position and his HS experience as an DE could allow him to move outside. Next year, Bama Rush OLB Courtney Upshaw will be a hot commodity. Comes from a great 3-4 system, and will have had 4 years of experience at the OLB/DE hybrid.
you have no idea how bad i wanted rolando mcclain.. smh. other schools that play the 3-4 outside of bama are Alabama, UVA, Cal, Georgia Tech. A&M runs a hybrid 3-4, which is why Von Miller is the best 3-4 OLB prospect. Akeem Ayers is also a good prospect with his experience in a 3-4 but his pass rushing skillset leaves alot to be desired (even though he wasnt asked to blitz the QB often this season). Players that already come from the system are a commodity within themselves. mcclain could play inside or outside. 6'3 254.. he could have been a beast in the jets 3-4 alignment.
Interesting.. Its easy to get caught up in looking at good pass rushing DE's who weigh around 260. But we've seen big boys like Adalius Thomas (in his prime) have success, as well as shifty high energy guys like Clay Mathews this year tear it up. Whatever position they come from, we need a high motor guy with some versatility to compliment good pass rushing moves.
Many thought Ro would grow into a DE out of HS, and before his Junior year, a scout came out and said he could pull a Jevon Kearse type switch in the NFL. It's funny, his replacement at Bama, Donta Hightower, might actually make the switch to DE next season. He was regarded as the best pass rusher on the team before his sophomore injury, so it's not crazy. Plus he's around 265 Lbs right now...
He should, he just didn't seem right at LB. That said, it might be weird to have him replacing Dareus on that line, though I could see him come in as a 4th down lineman in more of a traditional DE role. The question then becomes what to do with Courtney Upshaw, who can be a top 15 pick if he plays like I think he will next year.
They surprisingly played Hightower at DE in passing situations with Dareus at nose and Upshaw on the other side. Hightower is really good at getting to the QB, odd for a MLB. I think his injury caused a lot of lingering effects this year, hurt his East-West and made him pack on some weight(275) at one point. He got better as the season ended, but not close to his freshman year. I honestly want him moved to SAM on the outside, CJ Mosely and Nico Johnson have played pretty well inside, so keeping 1 on the bench is a travesty. Upshaw can be dominant when healthy, which with a recurring high ankle sprain, it wasn't often. What he did against Auburn and Michigan State was just nasty. I can't wait to see what they can do with an actual NG this year(Josh Chapman is not a 2 gapper), I have never seen Nick Saban so giddy over a recruit as he is with Jesse Williams...
Murphy actually started a few games at DE for Bama this past season, super athletic for his size. Unfortunately, he has the knees of an 80 year old and was told to stop playing by a docter. Nothing official yet, but he might be in line for a medical hardship...
This X1000. Von Miller weighs 230lbs with a smaller frame. Ayers' size makes him perfect to take the punishment that a 3-4 OLB is going to come up against. Maybe the fact that he wasn't asked to rush the passer at UCLA might be a hint to his abilities, but given his athleticism he certainly as the tools.
As a USC fan, what about Cliff Matthews in the middle rounds? He is a good tackler, pretty good pass rusher, and plays with a high motor. He can definitely help the Jets IMO
I know we are looking for pass rushers but how do you guys feel about Mark Herzlich ... 6' 3" almost 250 OLB out of BC, he had a battle with cancer in 2009 but made a come back. He is nothing special in the pass rush but he is one of the best COVER LINEBACKERS I have ever seen. Considering one of our weaknesses was cover TEs I think he would be a nice mid-round pick. also a great leader
