2012 OLB

by ChewyFL on Feb 14, 2012 6:34 PM EST

I got to thinking today that we have talked a lot about most of the positional needs, but not much about the OLB.(inspired by the Vontaze Burfict talks today) So I figured I would post this for the OLB to get some lovin'. I put a basic list of some OLB guys in the draft only with height and weight; you can follow the links to read more. Basically this post is to talk about what you think we should do with the OLB "hole". Should we draft a guy, pick up a FA or will someone already on the team be fine?

Draft:

Using these 2 websites

Walterfootball - http://walterfootball.com/draft2012OLB.php

CBSsports - http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2012_OLB

Zach Brown, North Carolina Height: 6-1 Weight: 236
Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma Height: 6-2 Weight: 244
Chase Thomas, Stanford Height: 6-4 Weight: 239
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma Height: 6-2 Weight: 232
Sean Spence, Miami Height: 5-11 Weight: 228
Emmanuel Acho, Texas Height: 6-1 Weight: 235
Bobby Wagner, Utah State Height: 6-0 Weight: 240
Nigel Bradham, Florida State Height: 6-2 Weight: 237
Keenan Robinson, Texas Height: 6-3 Weight: 240
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh Height: 6-2 Weight: 255
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia Height: 6-2 Weight: 245
Josh Kaddu, Oregon Height: 6-3 Weight: 235
Vontaze Burfict Height: 6-4 Weight: 250

Poll

Where is the solution to the OLB position? Please explain in comments.

Already on our team

8 votes

Someone from FA

34 votes

Someone in the draft

120 votes

162 votes | Poll has closed

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Comments

Brandon Lindsey seems logical

Has the size to be a SAM back

With the first pick in the 2012 draft the Indianapolis Colts select Robert Griffen III

by Gpluehri on Feb 14, 2012 10:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I haven’t heard of Lindsey or Robinson. I am going to have to take a look at them.

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

I just took a look at Lindsey. I like some things about him, namely his speed, his acceleration, and his motor, but wouldn’t that be negated if he played SAM linebacker. And has he played the position before?

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 3:11 AM EST up reply actions

no. lindsey plays way too soft to fit in at SAM. he would be manhandled by lead blockers. lindsey needs to start off as a situational pass rusher and go from there.

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 15, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

i like Keenan Robinson, myself

along with Emmanuel Acho (his bro Sam came out last year, and was pretty solid, for a later selection.)

I am notably biased, as someone who considers himself a Texas fan.

Thomas, Lindsey, and Kaddu are also guys I intend to get a look at during the combine.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 14, 2012 11:24 PM EST reply actions

Very Interested in Kaddu, at 6’3 he has good height and at 235 not quite ideal weight. However, a year in an nfl program can typically remedy the weight. I’m interested in how fast he is. Chip Kelly at Oregon runs a speed football system on both sides of the ball. If he is going to play Sam for us, he is going to be asked to run with giant TE’s and fast backs.. so for me his speed and cover skillz are the mitigating factor…We are going to need him to be able to cover. Barnett can cover pretty well for a lb. I think Shep is lacking cover skills and unless he improves greatly i think whomever locks down the SAM slot is going to be the other LB on the field (with Barnett) in Nickel Packages.

I dont Know Joe, Even if the Jets were Battling Hitler for control of the free world..i still probably wouldn't root for the Jets

by Stabby Mcshank on Feb 15, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

However, a year in an nfl program can typically remedy the weight. I’m interested in how fast he is.

agreed.

Chip Kelly at Oregon runs a speed football system on both sides of the ball. If he is going to play Sam for us, he is going to be asked to run with giant TE’s and fast backs.. so for me his speed and cover skillz are the mitigating factor…We are going to need him to be able to cover. Barnett can cover pretty well for a lb

agreed.

I think Shep is lacking cover skills and unless he improves greatly i think whomever locks down the SAM slot is going to be the other LB on the field (with Barnett) in Nickel Packages.

I think Shep is a MLB that can play sideline to sideline, and has better speed than you might think. He ran near a 4.7 in the 40- with that hamstring pulled. That really isn’t too bad. That said, I would suspect that he would come off the field in nickel,and Barnett and the “new guy” would ideally be out there, assuming the NG can cover, as well as pass rush (as he should, if we are using a #1,2 pick, or signing some veteran.)

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Vontaze Burfict

I’ve watched some film on Burfict.I like him.He does tend to show some maturity issues,but,with proper leadership,he’ll be able to channel all that agression,and,be one helluva backer!Pull the trigger on him or Curry

by billsguy34 on Feb 15, 2012 12:23 AM EST reply actions

curry for me.

and/or hightower. i can’t wait for the combine… though, it might mean players i hope to get in the second, will move up. Either way, we are getting 2, or 3 impact players at least this year, not including free agency. we are getting there people. we can see a decent jump this year. I am optimistic. that is rare for me.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 2:19 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah I like Curry too. I think that he can be a very good player in a few years. I like his motor. You can see it even when they are getting blown out. He needs to add some moves to his pass rushing repertoire and get better against the run but I think he has enough speed and acceleration and I like him a lot.

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 2:37 AM EST up reply actions

i'd buy that for a dollar.

seriously though… i agree completely. I think that he has a ton of upside, and if he tests too well, he will jump up past the second. I hope in a way, that he bombs on bench press (due to long arms, sometimes this happens; IDK how ‘long’ he is by comparison, just that he has good size overall) and it somehow leaves/creates questions. I expect though, that he is already inside the top 50, and maybe working his way into the upper half of that 50.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 2:50 AM EST up reply actions

Curry.....

He sounds strictly a DE prospect, no?

I know DE is our biggest need, but I think the post is about LB…..

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 15, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

in a 43 yes.

though, he might be scheme diverse, and capable of playing ROLB in a 34. SO, if our intent is ever to get to a 34, he won’t hinder us. He might be able to put on some size on his frame too.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

burfict will not be able to play SAM and Curry is a RE

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

burfict will not be able to play SAM

um, yes he would. physically, burfict can play any linebacker spot. hes a very gifted athlete. his problems are entirely from the neck up.

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 15, 2012 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

Brown is awful

gimme some intensity, ill take Burfict all day

by csc06258 on Feb 15, 2012 12:56 AM EST reply actions

Burfict is a MLB and wouldnt be worth the 10th and wont be there at 42, i say sign Erin Henderson to be the SAM

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

really?

I strongly disagree with you there.. Burflict is incredibly gifted physically.. and yes he might not have fit into the tiny fast linebacker prototype of the Jauron Tampon -2, he could def fill the SAM spot in a strong run stopping based 4-3..the only gamble is ATTITUDE..but physically he is an any system 3 down backer..

I dont Know Joe, Even if the Jets were Battling Hitler for control of the free world..i still probably wouldn't root for the Jets

by Stabby Mcshank on Feb 15, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

i concur here, as well

I think that if you want to see the 43 that we likely field, it will compare more closely to Cincinnati’s.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know that he's the solution

But I think Chris White might get a look at SLB.

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Feb 15, 2012 8:47 AM EST reply actions

E.J. Henderson

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Personally I like Boise State's Shea McClellin best

for 2012 Bills new OLB prospect (i.e., as a 3rd round draft pick). I think signing Anthony Spencer to start at RDE, drafting another good pass rushing prospect (i.e., Mercilus; Perry; Ingram) and drafting McClelling to bring it from the OLB position would be a real fine way to upgrade the Bills’ new 4-3 base defense’s pass rushing ability. I’d still like to be able to use a late round pick on a new LDE prospect (i.e., Julian Miller; etc.) to start grooming behind Kelsay, too. But I like McClellin in the 3rd round a lot for OLB. Alternative prospects would include Emmanuel Acho; Nigel Bradham; Keenan Robinson.

by wpod on Feb 15, 2012 10:10 AM EST reply actions

The main reason I like McClellin best for OLB is

1. He’s bigger and both a more devastating hitter as well as being more dangerous as a pass rusher.
2. He’s fluid and agile enough not to be a liability in coverage but he’s a better fit in a hybrid scheme than the other alternatives.
3. I think the Bills’ pass rush situation is better addressed by drafting a SLB prospect who can really bring it seriously as a pass rusher, more than as a coverage guy. Like I said, that describes McClellin better than any of the alternative OLB prospects mentioned.
4. You combine signing a true 4-3 RDE like Anthony Spencer (it’s what he played in college) with signing a top rookie pass rusher like Mercilus, Perry, or Ingram and then you add McClellin at SLB and the Bills will have multiple dangerous options to bring on any pass play. The combination would be way more dangerous than what they could bring in 2011…like, lethal.

by wpod on Feb 15, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

McClellin proved surprisingly versatile at Senior Bowl

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/17001034/boise-states-mcclellin-impressing-scouts-with-versatility-at-senior-bowl

Like I said, I believe being able to rush the passer will actually be a more valuable skill than being able to cover but McClellin can cover better than you might think. His college position at DE is going to disguise his versatility and his adoptability in the NFL as an OLB but some team is going to figure out he’s going to be a steal and a terror. And I MEAN a terror.

by wpod on Feb 15, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

they need to bring in someone like George Iloka to be able to cover Gronk

by forlife on Feb 15, 2012 10:57 AM EST reply actions

I actually had some classes with George Iloka at BSU.. great guy hard worker down to earth.. and a solid cover guy and tackler.. the day after i met him, i told my buddy..this dude will be a high round Draft Pick someday.. thats my name drop for the day. also random thought..you think with the more spread and multiple wr looks and 50+ passing attempts a game we see now in the nfl, will defenses start playing more of a 4-2-5 like many colleges are playing (i.e. BSU, TCU)??

I dont Know Joe, Even if the Jets were Battling Hitler for control of the free world..i still probably wouldn't root for the Jets

by Stabby Mcshank on Feb 15, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

awesome

thanks for sharing. i am already a fan of George’s, and I know VERY little about him.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Keenan Robinson would be a fantastic fit as the third linebacker. Guy has fantastic speed and is a flat playmaker/tackling machine. Guy can be had in the third round, would start right away and would assuredly be an impact player for the defense. Watch film on this guy and tell me you aren’t impressed.

by clanier on Feb 15, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions

i like him too

but, i already said that. hahaha.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Demario

Davis. arkansas st.

i can only describe that mans game as “ultra-physical”. davis wants to hit anything and everything thats wearing the other teams jersey, and he wants to bury them in the turf while hes at it.

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 15, 2012 11:52 AM EST reply actions