The ILB crop this year was kind of blah ... and trusting Sam Barrington, Carl Bradford and others
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
I completely agree, other than MAYBE Stephone Anthony (who went #31, right after the Packers 1st pick), I don't think there was a completely well rounded ILB taken in the top 3 rounds, they all had a big strength and a big weakness... some taken later were well rounded but had lower ceiling with less elite potential.
ILB is going to become one of the most difficult positions to fill with a single player the way the league is going. It is few and far between where you find a player that has the size to take on OL and FB in the run game, and have the speed and agility to cover todays TEs in the passing game. more and more we will be seeing bigger SS playing ILB on passing downs on traditional ILB will only be on the field when a RB is in the backfield..
Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins
I agree which is kind of why I've wanted to see Richardson/Hyde get shots as a coverage ILB (and at least Hyde has some in the dime package, and maybe Richardson too) but I meant more full time and true ILB role. A powerful ILB in front of the like Barrington to battle the run first, while the DB is on the back end in coverage/speed role.
I'm thinkin the nickel defense evolves into our base defense. 3 DL, 3 LB, 1SS, 2 CB and 2 DB's that can play anywhere off the LOS. I think the pattern was made for Woodson 5 years ago. Hyde did it somewhat successfully since then. The two DBs will cover the backs and TEs with the only true ILB being a run stuffing thumper. Expect Burnett to attack the run more.
Originally Posted by: Poppa San
I think you're a bit late on that, as I believe teams have been running nickel more than 50% of the time for a while now.... and most teams (including 3-4 teams) nickel defense is a 4-2 front (with two interior DL, and two edge rushers, and two LBers).