If the team cuts Eric Barton, do you think Victor Hobson can make the move to the inside? Up until last year, he seemed like a run stuffer on the outside, however Hobson seemed to develop as a pass rusher this year. Not quite sure where he fits. Also, with the team selecting at #25, it seems like more 3-4 OLBs will be available than DEs. The pass rush needs improvement (as does the run defense...and the pass coverage...).
Where is all this speculation about cutting Barton come from? He's one of our best linebackers.........
Probably because last offseason he was rumored as a cut... And I believe the DailyNews reported that Barton, Barrett, Barlow and a few others could be cut due to their cap number...
interesting point. Hobson does seem to me like a nice ILB. As does Barton, but yes, I would think Hobson could move inside.
Hobson can get after the QB but not so much as an edge speed rusher, but more as an inside/scheme blitzer....he can take on blocks and shed them as he is stout against the run, he doesn't have good speed, but he has good instincts and pretty good explosiveness, and he has pretty good awareness.....sounds like a pretty good 3-4 ILB to me. I still say we keep him and Barton though as ILB's along with Vilma for depth. This is assuming we sign and or draft an OLB(s). You can never have enough quality linebackers in the 3-4. Last year all of our LB's stayed pretty healthy, but next year that may and probably will not be the case at some point in the season next year.
Man, I really don't like where this is going, are we never going to pay anyone more than 3 million dollers, ever, again?
Yupp, at that figure, he is not worth keeping around. Too many dumb penalties and is invisible on the field at times.
The bottom line with the Jets' Lb's positon is....they have to upgrade the OLB position. More speed is needed. Either Vilma is moved to the OLB position or a new OLB with size & speed is brought in. Thomas can also move to DE & Jets' can bring in 2 new OLB's. Jets' were burnt time after time to Hobsons' side all season & its' not his fault, he doesn't have the speed for the OLB position. But Hobson is an excellent ILB, who is being played out of position....for whatever reason. Vilma is really the problem here for the Jets'. He's just a bit to slow. Jets' made a (mistake) choice of drafting Vilma over Wilfork & there paying for it now. Vilma....He's an interesting player. What exactly is his strengths ? It isn't speed, but he's very smart. His lack of size & speed is a dilemma. If he left Jets', Jets' wouldn't suffer at all, but would probally improve. Hopefully he improves with time...Hobson & Barton can play inside. Barton can also play outside. Barton is the Jets' best & toughest LB. No question about it. Playmakers needed at LB position.
Personally, i do not see a problem with retaining both hobson and barton along with drafting a de/olb tweener. Barton and vilma can start, with hobson playing both inside and outside, as the rookie olb eases his way in with mostly edge rushing situations.
Probably because of his inflated cap figure, his age, and the fact that alot of us see Hobson as being more than competent to step inside and upgrade the position.
One reason that Vilma's numbers are down is due to the fact he's playing at the weak side ILB spot. It's usually the strong side ILB that racks up the tackles in this scheme. Personally, I think he's playing out of position. I like the idea of him and Hobson swapping spots. I've been told by several people that it's a stupid idea, but I remain unconvinced that it is. I think it's safe to say that Vilma is faster than Hobson.
I don't know know where you guys are getting off saying Vilma is slow. The only MLB that is faster than him is Urlacher. Vilma has above average speed.
I would contend that he is known as being fast. I can't think of three MLBs who I consider faster. Al Wilson and Brian Urlacher are in his ballpark, but none are definitely faster. Urlacher ran a 4.59 at the combine, Al Wilson ran a 4.6, Vilma ran a 4.55. True, 40 yard dash times are not the only indication of field speed, but I think that Vilma is certainly known as being fast.
Also saying that drafting Vilma rather than Wilfork was a mistake is weak. Particularly since there is no argument to back it up. Vilma was drafted to soften the blow of losing Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones who were both aging.
Actually, there is an argument. Plays. When Wilfork had a chance to make one there he was, running with the ball on the homepage of this site. Same game, Vilma has a chance to make a play and he whiffs. He could have, really should have, changed the whole game. I'm very down on Vilma over that play. Instead of going for the swipe, crush Brady and maybe he fumbles it anyway. At the worst they are punting, instead of scoring a TD a few plays later.
