Question about defense/LBs and LB recruiting

#1

BigOrangeTrain

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#1
Hopefully those who understands defense better than I do can help me out. I keep up with recruiting and it seems like this cycle the only real area where I think we might be struggling. Seems like we are going after more edge guys instead of traditional LBs. Is there a specific reason for that? Is that due to our defensive scheme?
 
#2
#2
My guess is that as more offenses are spread and attack through the air, the less emphasis there is on linebackers to take on the run.

A lot of teams play a Nickel defense as a standard defense.

I think even among people who are recruited as linebackers, there is more importance on the ability to get to a QB when blitzing and cover RB's and TE's or even WR's, than being able to take down a 225lb RB.

I think things will eventually come full circle and there will be a team(s) that pound the rock that will be tough to beat because no one is built to stop a 220lb RB running behind a fullback lead blocker anymore.
 
#3
#3
My guess is that as more offenses are spread and attack through the air, the less emphasis there is on linebackers to take on the run.

A lot of teams play a Nickel defense as a standard defense.

I think even among people who are recruited as linebackers, there is more importance on the ability to get to a QB when blitzing and cover RB's and TE's or even WR's, than being able to take down a 225lb RB.

I think things will eventually come full circle and there will be a team(s) that pound the rock that will be tough to beat because no one is built to stop a 220lb RB running behind a fullback lead blocker anymore.
Tennessee Titans are a perfect example of that concept basically...Henry just maules those little dudes on a regular...
 
#4
#4
Hopefully those who understands defense better than I do can help me out. I keep up with recruiting and it seems like this cycle the only real area where I think we might be struggling. Seems like we are going after more edge guys instead of traditional LBs. Is there a specific reason for that? Is that due to our defensive scheme?
Do you want my answer?🙄😁
 
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#6
#6
Hopefully those who understands defense better than I do can help me out. I keep up with recruiting and it seems like this cycle the only real area where I think we might be struggling. Seems like we are going after more edge guys instead of traditional LBs. Is there a specific reason for that? Is that due to our defensive scheme?

Unpopular opinion but it seems true. Off the ball linebackers are not highly valued in today’s game. You only play with 2 of them at a time on the field as opposed to 5 defensive backs. And they have a lesser impact than elite defensive lineman or DB
 
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#7
#7
Unpopular opinion but it seems true. Off the ball linebackers are not highly valued in today’s game. You only play with 2 of them at a time on the field as opposed to 5 defensive backs. And they have a lesser impact than elite defensive lineman or DB
I dang sure would have liked to have had Georgia's from last year, they seemed pretty useful.

 
#9
#9
Hopefully those who understands defense better than I do can help me out. I keep up with recruiting and it seems like this cycle the only real area where I think we might be struggling. Seems like we are going after more edge guys instead of traditional LBs. Is there a specific reason for that? Is that due to our defensive scheme?
I'm pretty sure its because rodney garner is great coach and recruiting tool for edge prospects, and we're just not closing on top tier inside linebackers that we are going after. So it might seem like we're prioritizing edge guys due to who we've actually closed.
 
#10
#10
I welcome all answers. Just don’t think I value yours over anyone else’s just because you say you know football.
LittleVol is one of the more credible posters to me, because I've seen him be high as a kite about some players/teams and skeptical of others. He's not always a pessimist or always an optimist.
 
#11
#11
LittleVol is one of the more credible posters to me, because I've seen him be high as a kite about some players/teams and skeptical of others. He's not always a pessimist or always an optimist.

He is alright but he tends to think he knows more about football than others do. Maybe he does. But I don’t value his opinion over yours or anyone else’s.
 
#12
#12
I dang sure would have liked to have had Georgia's from last year, they seemed pretty useful.



Everyone on Georgia’s defense was pretty useful so I’m not sure that’s a great argument for the importance of off ball linebackers. It’s the least valued position on defense
 
#13
#13
Everyone on Georgia’s defense was pretty useful so I’m not sure that’s a great argument for the importance of off ball linebackers. It’s the least valued position on defense
One of their inside linebackers (Quay Walker) went 1st round. 1 of 2, same as the number of edge rushers. Dean would have gone 1st round also but word got out he had a torn labrum and was going to miss some time. Aston Royal hit the nail on the head above, it just seems like we are "prioritizing" edge rushers to some because we are closing on more of our top targets there due to Garner.

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#14
#14
Idk why but what ever it takes to build up depth I'm good with. I think after we get depth at all positions then we can get the studs. Now if we get some studs while we are trying to get depth then that's even better. It's seems here in the last 10 years or so we have had really good group of players like 5 or 6 in certain positions at all times. I just wish we could have had them all together at once.
 
#15
#15
One of their inside linebackers (Quay Walker) went 1st round. 1 of 2, same as the number of edge rushers. Dean would have gone 1st round also but word got out he had a torn labrum and was going to miss some time. Aston Royal hit the nail on the head above, it just seems like we are "prioritizing" edge rushers to some because we are closing on more of our top targets there due to Garner.

View attachment 462709

Their best edge rusher’s was charged with rape otherwise he would’ve went in the first too. And walker was considered a massive reach
 
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#17
#17
Their best edge rusher’s was charged with rape otherwise he would’ve went in the first too. And walker was considered a massive reach
I remember the rape dude. They should have seen that coming because he pretty much raped Cade Mays on national television the year before in the game Pruitt wore the head condom. The fact remains 2 edge rushers were taken in the first round total and 2 off the ball linebackers. We're doing a better job recruiting edge rushers right now, that doesn't mean we don't want/need good linebackers. You need athletes all over the field to beat Alabama and Georgia. If you've got a hole, they'll drive a Mack truck through it.
 
#18
#18
I remember the rape dude. They should have seen that coming because he pretty much raped Cade Mays on national television the year before in the game Pruitt wore the head condom. The fact remains 2 edge rushers were taken in the first round total and 2 off the ball linebackers. We're doing a better job recruiting edge rushers right now, that doesn't mean we don't want/need good linebackers. You need athletes all over the field to beat Alabama and Georgia. If you've got a hole, they'll drive a Mack truck through it.

What’re you talking about 2 edge rushers in the first round total? The first two picks of the entire draft were edge rushers and 3 of the top 5. Where are you getting 2 from?
 
#20
#20
Along with reasons others have mentioned, I think it also has to deal with the type of offense Tennessee runs. Tennessee scores a lot of points....fast. As a result, it forces the opposing team to nearly abandon the run, making them one dimensional. At that point you don't need run stopping LB's, you need pass rushers to tee off on the QB.
 
#22
#22
You need to understand football enough to realize DE=edge
You need to send NFL.com a strongly worded letter and explain football to them then. Tell them they are labelling these players wrong in your estimation. Food for thought though maybe they are labelling them that way because the NFL.com guys know more about football than you and that's why they don't classify everyone as an "EDGE" rusher that you think they should. Travon Walker for example, he played nose on alot of passing downs. He could drop into coverage and cover running backs. He's not an edge rusher, he went No. 1 because he's multiple and is a damn freak who is 6'5", 270+ and can run a 4.4.
 
#23
#23
I welcome all answers. Just don’t think I value yours over anyone else’s just because you say you know football.

Defense is more difficult to play now more than ever. The RPO is bs if you ask me. It's not fair.

Throughout the history of football, as a defender, you had the ability to know it was run or pass depending on if the lineman fired off the ball and went down field, or if he set up in a passblocking stance. Even then, that pass could turn into a screen after 2 seconds.
More importantly, the offense always has the inherent advantage (snap count, knowledge of the play).
NOW...a guy a lineman can run 4 yards downfield and the QB still pull it and throw???

So how do you defense this? It's not easy no matter what athletes you recruit. But the less time a QB has to decide, the greater chances are that they will not be succesful in their decision. If you play a bump zone type coverge, you can cover the run and pass option, while letting your rushers get home, breaking up the whole timing. BUT IF THEY DON"T GET THERE, The QB can then run or throw and that leaves your DB's and ILBs defenseless. Now imagine this happening over a course of a game.

Everything outside of RPO, relies heavily on pass to set up run. Much like Tennessee's offense. Attack outside the hashes to open up the middle. This momentarily can negate pass rush . That's why we do it...UNTIL defenses attack the off the line slot and play zone against he outside WR, taking away the quick game and making the QB do 3rd 4th reads. A good pass rush doesn't allow a 3rd read.
-Now if you're one of these teams that need this to establish the run through the pass, then you're in trouble. Because then you can play a 4 man front and control everything without loading the box. because a good pass-rusher is really TWO DEFENDERS in one. (he's defending the QB, and he's defending the down and distance). What im saying is, a good pass rusher wins the field position battle for their team, and keeps poinst off the board by keep teams out of field goal range.

You're very critical of Jeremy Banks. You need to watch other LBs and see how often they got victimized, because of the way football is played. The rules (route picks, screens, targeting, holding, rpo)
So the great equalizer is an elite pass rush.

Elite pass rush can come from anywhere. DT's LB's Edge, STAR. but the edge players are the ones that the QB has to worry about the most, because he constricts the QB's whole field of play...
 
#24
#24
You need to send NFL.com a strongly worded letter and explain football to them then. Tell them they are labelling these players wrong in your estimation. Food for thought though maybe they are labelling them that way because the NFL.com guys know more about football than you and that's why they don't classify everyone as an "EDGE" rusher that you think they should. Travon Walker for example, he played nose on alot of passing downs. He could drop into coverage and cover running backs. He's not an edge rusher, he went No. 1 because he's multiple and is a damn freak who is 6'5", 270+ and can run a 4.4.

Most edge players can and do drop into coverage. He went number 1 because he can play edge and will play edge. Will he play DT some too? Sure. But he’s an edge defender and will mainly play there. A DT or LB hasn’t went number 1 in decades.

Edge players go number one all the time. Probably second only to quarterbacks. Because, they’re more valuable than linebackers.
 
#25
#25
Most edge players can and do drop into coverage. He went number 1 because he can play edge and will play edge. Will he play DT some too? Sure. But he’s an edge defender and will mainly play there. A DT or LB hasn’t went number 1 in decades.

Edge players go number one all the time. Probably second only to quarterbacks. Because, they’re more valuable than linebackers.
NFL.com does not classify multiple people as "edge" guys that you do, so take it up with them. I will say you are painting with a pretty broad brush the guys you classify as edge defenders. You are talking a weight range of 230 to 270+ pounds of guys you have talked about just ITT as being "EDGE" guys. 247 appears to have classified Walker as a DT/DL not an EDGE also, and again, they are quite familiar with the term "EDGE" as well and what it means. May want to write 247 and educate them as well.
 
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