I recall that earlier in the year the criticism was that OLB on his side was a pressing need, and that he should walk sooner rather than later. However, in the last half of the games played thus far, the guy has really turned his game up a notch- notwithstanding his less than desirable speed, the guy seems to be in the backfield an awful lot, pressuring the QB, and is a sure tackler. I for one am inclined to keep him around a bit- would love to move him inside where I think he would really flourish- but of course that means moving Barton or Vilma- I'd move Barton, as I feel he's definitely playing under the radar this season and that the ILB position could use an upgrade. Hobson's play is markedly better over Barton's this year. We then focus our efforts on finding that real OLB "burner" which the team is still lacking. Thoughts?
Hell yeah we do. He was slow on Sunday again and the 13 tackles doesn't hide that fact. There were two plays that he had somebody trapped and wrapped and it didn't matter the guy got by him. Hobson is the typical Parcells "some guy" as in just some guy.
Would you rather have Eric Barton next to Vilma or put Hobson there? Personally I will take Eric Barton every day of the week and twice on Sunday. The Jets need to find an outside linebacker at this point to go with Vilma, Barton and Thomas. That would give them a well above average linebacking corps. Getting Lance Briggs would give them a great linebacking corps, similar to the Giants group of the mid 80's although not quite as good.
He is still making ferocious tackles and he's still not getting caught on the lateral moves that twist Hobson in knots. I agree this is not his best season by a long shot but he's still a good inside linebacker and better than what the Jets would get out of Hobson. The issue with Hobson is agility and speed. He just does not have the quickness and acceleration to play at NFL speeds. When was the last time he ran ANYBODY down from behind? He's big enough to make an impact as a hitter but again his speed and agility prevent him from doing so as he spends most of his time trying to avoid going offbalance and letting somebody get by him. I'm a huge Michigan Wolverines fan and have been for nearly as long as I've been a Jet fan. I was very unhappy when the Jets drafted Hobson because I knew he was not going to be a particularly good NFL linebacker.
I've been saying for a long time that we need an upgrade at OLB. Now if I had to chose who to let go between Barton and Hobson.....See ya Barton.....Eventhough Hobson isn't a stud, he has played well enough for me this season. It's just too bad he has a MLB's body playing OLB
I like Hobson's play this year, but he can be upgraded. I still would like Adalius Thomas, but who knows. Barton was a guy who was rumored to be cut this past offseason, he makes more than Hobson so he COULD be a possibility. I'd love to keep Barton, I doubt he gets cut, but if he does, their isn't a major dropoff if Hobson can slide inside effectively.
if anyone else notices..if someone catches a crossing route, hobson just lags behind them and doesnt come close to catching them. Hobson has made some nice plays this year but by no means is he a future star with this team. He just isnt fast enough.
To be honest, the defense has played so well the past few weeks, we might not have to upgrade much of anything. Kimo is old and will need to be replaced, so a 3-4 DE will need to be drafted. Besides that, the Jets might be drafting for depth next year at LB, OL, DL, WR, CB. We're looking pretty good right now....
i think Lamarr Woodley would be a very nice upgrade over Hobson, while we can keep Hobson for depth (until he wants to sign somewhere else or resign as a backup here). but, if i recall, doesn't Woodley play on the right side? would it be problematic to move him to LOLB if we drafted him? what's the main difference between ROLB and LOLB? as for Adalius Thomas; it's pointless to sign him because he's like 29. we may as well just draft a guy (i.e. Woodley) who will make an impact in the present and future. if we push for anyone, it should be Briggs, but i can't find a reason why he'd want to leave one of the best D's in the league. at this point, DE has to be a top priority because Kimo is worthless and D-Rob keeps improving at NT. but finding that beastly OLB somewhere in the first 2 rounds could really improve the front 7. cheers
If the planets align correctly then the 2007 Draft for the Jets will be similar to Dallas' 2005 draft. Here is what I mean. Dallas solidified the D by getting Ware and Spears as their first 2 picks. Then they moved Greg Ellis from defensive end to OLB. In this formula Bryan Thomas equals Greg Ellis. Maybe the first two picks for the Jets would be Woodley and Carriker or Okam and Spencer. Either way I hope the Jets beef up the D
exactly. i'm not sure how easy it is to move Alan Branch or Okam to DE, but if it's plausible, then the 3-4 DL will be set. after that, add a demon OLB pass-rusher and the front 7 will be very formidable. and let's not forget about the Skins' R2 pick which keeps getting better for us every week with each Washington loss. in R2 we'll be able to go a number of different ways, maybe CB or OL -- either way, 3 potential starters in the first two rounds. cheers
I agree that Hobson has been solid but I think he would be better off at ILB. At 6'0 he is a little small for OLB. I think drafting an explosive OLB is a must
Hobson should and will stay around as a role-player platooning on the outside, but I don't think he is the future at starter.
I think that Hobson has taken his game up a notch the last few weeks but Barton, Vilma, and Thomas have all played better than him.
Some people need to open their eyes. Both Hobson and Barton have been solid this year. It's Vilma that has underperformed, but people hate to recognize it. Keep the LB corps the way it is, maybe draft a passrushing OLB and make a rotation. We are fine at LB. D-line could use some more size if anything.
The Jets have had 6 games combined this year in which one of the starting linebackers has had 3 or fewer tackles. Hobson has 4 of those performances on his resume.
He's an outside linebacker. Look at any prototypical 34 defense and you'll see the OLB aren't the ones racking up huge tackle numbers. Furthermore, tackle numbers are easily the most overrated defensive stat there is. You get credit for a tackle after a 20 yard completion or a 1 yard gain either way. Hobson's presence has been felt this year, he's making plays and has not been a liability out there.
