Our LB's

[skynyrd04]

I've seen the depth chart for the Rams game in the AJC, and am practically grinning ear to ear that Spoon will be back in the lineup. Honestly, I think his attitude give our D as much of a boost as his physical ability. But I've looked at the numbers and can't help but wonder if perhaps there isn't another young LB who should be starting?

Before I begin let me say I appreciate Mike Pederson's leadership and his attitude. The guys the kind of professional you want in the locker room and on the sidelines, but let's compare his performance having started every game vs. Stephen Nicholas who's only started 5.

Pederson has 32 total tckls, 1 sck, 1ff, and 1 int.

Nich has 50 tckls and 1 int having started in 2 fewer games. (stats via NFL.com)

So having started fewer games Nicholas is 2nd only to Lofton in tackles made. He's also younger and faster than Pederson, and so presumably will be around longer. I'm starting to wonder if Pederson needs to go the way of Eric Coleman and make room for the up and coming young gun.

[NZFalcon]

Peterson

[sharky]

I think we have one of the best group of LBs this year, and they are young.

[kiwifalcon]

Keep Mo Pete starting for at least this season.Lofton will be his successor I like Nicolas in the depth as he can play either side of Lofton.You can't under estimate experience Mo pete will probably have a big hand in lining people up in the correct spots at certain times in games so stats can be decieving.

[falconcrest58]

I've seen the depth chart for the Rams game in the AJC, and am practically grinning ear to ear that Spoon will be back in the lineup. Honestly, I think his attitude give our D as much of a boost as his physical ability. But I've looked at the numbers and can't help but wonder if perhaps there isn't another young LB who should be starting?

Before I begin let me say I appreciate Mike Pederson's leadership and his attitude. The guys the kind of professional you want in the locker room and on the sidelines, but let's compare his performance having started every game vs. Stephen Nicholas who's only started 5.

Pederson has 32 total tckls, 1 sck, 1ff, and 1 int.

Nich has 50 tckls and 1 int having started in 2 fewer games. (stats via NFL.com)

So having started fewer games Nicholas is 2nd only to Lofton in tackles made. He's also younger and faster than Pederson, and so presumably will be around longer. I'm starting to wonder if Pederson needs to go the way of Eric Coleman and make room for the up and coming young gun.

hey man I was thinking the same thing and you know the coaches are...only thing is Peterson couldn't handle being a back up at this point his ego is too big....if MS and BVG put the best players on the field then Peterson is a back up and Nickie plays...just my two cents worth

[Ga_spider]

Just asking but does the tackles Nicholas makes during special team count with his total TKL stat? If so that could be why the numbers are different. Thomas D. Coach Mike Smith seem to know what they are doing so leave it up to them to decide.

[sporkdevil]

Seriously? SLB's will always get more tackles than the WLB's.

That's a deceiving stat. Might as well compare tackle numbers between SS and DT.

[Abe]

Peterson always seems to come up with game changing plays... Stephen's time is coming...

[Romfal]

Seriously? SLB's will always get more tackles than the WLB's.

That's a deceiving stat. Might as well compare tackle numbers between SS and DT.

this

[Faithful Falcon]

Keep Mo Pete starting for at least this season.Lofton will be his successor I like Nicolas in the depth as he can play either side of Lofton.You can't under estimate experience Mo pete will probably have a big hand in lining people up in the correct spots at certain times in games so stats can be decieving.

[delaigle]

Seriously? SLB's will always get more tackles than the WLB's.

That's a deceiving stat. Might as well compare tackle numbers between SS and DT.

Hmmm Brooking led the team in tackles for several years in a row.

Yes some were at MLB but the early years were at WLB

Edited November 19, 2010 by delaigle

[freebird310]

Hmmm Brooking led the team in tackles for several years in a row.

Yes some were at MLB but the early years were at WLB

Yea, he led the NFL in tackles 15 yards down the field ......

[delaigle]

Yea, he led the NFL in tackles 15 yards down the field ......

Brooking was used only as an example to refute the statement

"SLB will ALWAYS have more tackles than WLB" not to promote Brooking.

Lofton made the same mistake last year and this year but no big deal since the other teams did not score and the falcon's won the game. BUT it was the same mistake. Yes Brooking was at WLB and Lofton at MLB - but the same mistake.

Edited November 19, 2010 by delaigle

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

I'm pretty pleased with both of them so whoever plays it does not hurt the D I feel. It's a toss up...let Smith and BVG wrestle with that headache of a decision.

[AtlFan1971]

Hmmm Brooking led the team in tackles for several years in a row.

Yes some were at MLB but the early years were at WLB

I liked Brooking early on, but at the end I think the only reason he had so many tackles is because every offense picked on him and he would make the tackle albeit after they had reached the first down marker.