Two Ideas for Addressing the OLB Postion in FA

I'm not for trading the farm for an OLB.

But this is where the team is at, they have to find someone who is a pure closer when rushing the QB. That's the glaring problem in this defense.

 

I think Kiwanuka ends up being expensive as well; the injury drives his cost down but anybody who can rush the passer is going to cost some cash.

 

I think our need at OLB is overrated.

Most of our issues last year stemmed from the defensive line . Having two big highly rated drafted guys there, a healthy Ropataiaititatui, and leaving the door open to bringing back big jenks should do wonders for our pass rush.

I think Pace instantly becomes slightly above average again, and Thomas is more than serviceable. The key players on this team are all damn young, and none of them have even peaked yet.

I think we go out and draft an OLB next season and were more than set (or see what happens with Cromartie/Holmes and if that gives us FA room).

But with the dline improved, I think well have no issue at linebacker.

 

No prob,

Avril was hit with the huge 1 and 3 tender, he will be resigned in Detroit. But if for whatever reason RFA rules don't apply in a new CBA and he wants to come here, I would pay the man a pretty penny to do so.

That said, I think even if 2010 rules don't apply, Avril would be a RFA anyways.... But like I said, if he somehow comes free from Detroit, I would put the full court press on him. Detroit would be retarded to let him walk, think of the D-Line they are building over there. Hell with Fairley and Suh commanding doubles in the middle Avril could hit 15 sacks next year...

Agreed, I don't want to trade our future for an OLB, but knowing Tanny, if the right option is there....

I think the best thing we can hope for is one of Hali, Wimbley, Woodley throwing a massive temper-tantrum at being given the franchise tag and absolutely refusing to sign it, and refusing to play another down in their current city.

That way we can offer up a reasonable deal for said pass-rusher and not have to break the bank in draft picks to acquire him... I don't think Woodley is a real option for this though, I doubt the Steelers want to trade us anyone else, in particular the missing piece to our defense.

All of that said, I didn't see any one of these three guys throwing a tantrum prior to the end of the league year. Meaning its not very likely.... I won't doubt Tanny inquiring about each guys availability but I think we are going to have to wait for our pass rushing future.

 

I think you are right in that now that we have some youth at DL, we are going to generate more push from the line, thus making the OLB's job easier. They will get to the QB more frequently in 2011.

But it doesn't change the fact that the only thing this defense needs to become elite, is a dynamic pass rusher who has the ability to take over a game.

I think the need is a little overexaggerated. But you are also underselling the importance of an elite rusher.

unfortunately, I believe that we might still be having the same argument this february...

 

I pined for DL to be the first pick in the draft all season. Calvin Pace is a pretty good OLB, Thomas ain't bad either -- just not so much as a rush LB. Wilk and Ellis will make the LB corps shine this year, Harris and Scott included. I can see Westermann and even Ihedigbo playing up as a hybrid S/LB putting up some nice numbers this year.

It would definitely be nice to bring a stud OLB in but not at the price that's on the table for these guys.

 

I thought Travis LaBoy was a free agent? He's a guy I could see the Jets going after.. last year (or the year before?) they brought him in for a look and were rumored to be looking to sign him if I remember correctly? He's a solid player.. certainly wouldn't mind bringing him in to rotate at OLB.

 

Is he related to Josh Mauga?

Kiwanuka might be the cheapest option out of proven ability out there. He's never played in a 3-4 before but the Giants did have him out at OLB in a 4-3 earlier in his career. Combining the fact that he is a proven pass-rusher with experience in a two-point stance probably makes him the best fit for the role out of any conceivably affordable options on the market.

However, when he was playing OLB, he was not really asked to play a pass rushing role, as the Giants' DC at the time thought it would be cute to ask him to cover and play the run. He has limited experience rushing from a standing position which could lead to a shaky transition.

Although the biggest potential problem out of all of them is that he is recovering from a herniated cervical disk. The injury wasn't bad enough to require surgery but it did land him on IR for the past season. Taking him in with that kind of an injury is going to be a huge risk for any team and it's going to cause a huge problem for him in any negotiation he's in unless he starts getting interest from a team run by complete fucktards(Redskings, Raiders, Seahawks?)

 

I think Manny wants out of the 3-4 and to play in a 4-3, which is funny given the fact that he's been much more consistent in pass coverage than in rushing the QB. He's a younger Bryan Thomas with potentially higher upside.

 

He's an injury risk. I don't think he's ever played 16 games, he missed all of 2009, and he went on IR late last season. He's a risky pickup, albeit one who can get pressure.

 

I just picked "Do None of the Above" at random, didn't realize it was going to be the most popular choice.

I'm going to bed.

 

I don't even think they're as good as Pace. Pace has a much more multifaceted game than any of those OLBs in SF. They've used a rotation over the past few seasons to cover up for their lack of a complete OLB. And perhaps their best pass rusher is hurt all the time. We really don't need a top pro bowl caliber OLB. We need a situational pass rusher who can come in opposite Pace and take advantage of what will likely be a much more frequently collapsed pocket this season.

 

This guy gets it. Great post. Our need for an OLB is a big deal, and yet still overstated by so many on the board. I really don't know that McIntyre is the answer, but we need a dedicated pass rusher this coming season.

 

The problem that I have with LaBoy is that he's not really an improvement over what we have in any area unless you count not having someone to pay an issue.

He's never had more than 6.5 sacks/season so he's maybe slightly less talented. No real improvement there. Also, as you said, he's an injury risk, especially late in the season when we'd likely need him most as Pace and Thomas wear down so there goes his value as a backup.

 

Yeah, he's not an improvement over Pace and Thomas. He'd take on the role that Taylor was supposed to bring last season, and we'd all be praying for him to hold up all season. Not worth it. I think the lower sack numbers are a product of his use and how often he's banged up. When I've watched him, he's been solid at getting pressure.

 

After doing some research, apparently Marcus Benard hasn't signed Cleveland's offer. He's a low risk, high reward player. His 7.5 sacks came against some quality opponents, including the Jets. He has already played OLB for 2 years, so there is no transition problems.

PFF also lists him as one of 10 potential breakout pass rushers next year:

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/03/17/breaking-out-10-pass-rushers-to-watch/

EDIT: Mistake on my part, even though he hasn't signed the sheet, the Browns still own his rights since he's a ERFA...

 

A full healthy season from Calvin Pace, with our two new big boys up front will go a long way toward helping our pass rush, clearly. If the price is right, I wouldn't mind bringing in one of the guys on the list to replace Jason Taylor and rotate with Bryan Thomas.

I think Rex going for massive d-linemen with his first 2 picks shows that he values that position WAY more for his defense than an edge rusher. Having the big linemen collapse the pocket will do wonders for our edge rushers. Would it be nice to have an elite guy there? Yes of course.. but with the way Rex runs his scheme, we could definitely see some productive pass rushing with a healthy Pace, Jason Taylor, and Bryan Thomas on the outside.

 

That's an excellent call. I was thinking about Cleveland earlier today because of the switch to the 4-3 and thinking about who might be available, but the one who came to mind was Matt Roth, who carries a lot more risk.

I'd LOVE Benard, and he could be one reason why we didn't take a pass rusher. I don't imagine he wants to move to the 4-3, and the only impediment might be if he wants to follow Rob to Dallas. I thought for sure he had to be still under contract, but I guess not. How is he not an ERFA, though? If he refused Cleveland's offer, that still doesn't mean he can sign with whomever he pleases.

EDIT: It looks like he was indeed tendered as an ERFA. He doesn't have any choice but to sign the offer, unless he wants to defect to the UFL or Canadian league. I don't see that happening. Still, if he signs it, I'd be very much in favor of trading for him if the offer is right. Cleveland might take it rather than wait and see if he fits as a 4-3 end.