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Linebacker Is An Underrated Big Need Going Into The Off-Season


Arkridge

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As mock off-seasons and drafts start popping up as we come toward the end of the year, one position most people seem to be neglecting is linebacker. I rarely see any drafted to us but it's one of the biggest needs the team has. The LB unit has been able to get by but this season it's been a big liability and I think that's largely in part to Keanu Neal's injury given he plays so well around the line of scrimmage.

Other than Deion Jones, we don't have many starting-caliber guys on the roster. If we're in the position to grab a potential starter at linebacker like Isaiah Simmons or even Dylan Moses, that may be the move. I think it's just as big of a need as a pass-rusher or a corner like all these media guys are projecting us to take. These are the linebackers the team currently has under contract:

Deion Jones

Foye Oloukon

Jamal Carter

Richie Brown

 

That unit is looking rough going into next season. What do you guys think?

 

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7 minutes ago, Arkridge said:

Injuries scare me but I love what I've seen of his tape. I could see him fitting right in next to Deion Jones

Injuries scare me too...but dang

“Nonetheless, Moses is still the better prospect. The Simmons hype is understandable. He’s 6’4″ and can move like a gazelle, but the 6’3″ Moses’ athletic traits are arguably on a par with those of Simmons.

Ever since he was a young boy Moses has been busting his you know what to become the best football player he could be. Through waking up at 4:30 am and getting in a work-out that consisted of 400 pushups, 800 situps, 10 minutes of jump rope, and a one-mile run, Moses was able to run a 4.46 40-yard dash as a 6’1″, 215-pound, 14-year-old middle school running back.

 

After shocking coaches and scouts with his 40-time, word quickly got out about the young phenom from Baton Rouge

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7 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Dylan Moses...calling Mr Moses

I'm still saying Isaiah Simmons. I think he falls a tad due to his lack of a perfect fit, but I think he'd be a HUGE upgrade in Campbell's spot. He has the size to cover any TE, he can rush the passer, he can drop back in coverage. He can do it all from that spot.

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10 minutes ago, Arkridge said:

As mock off-seasons and drafts start popping up as we come toward the end of the year, one position most people seem to be neglecting is linebacker. I rarely see any drafted to us but it's one of the biggest needs the team has. The LB unit has been able to get by but this season it's been a big liability and I think that's largely in part to Keanu Neal's injury given he plays so well around the line of scrimmage.

Other than Deion Jones, we don't have many starting-caliber guys on the roster. If we're in the position to grab a potential starter at linebacker like Isaiah Simmons or even Dylan Moses, that may be the move. I think it's just as big of a need as a pass-rusher or a corner like all these media guys are projecting us to take. These are the linebackers the team currently has under contract:

Deion Jones

Foye Oloukon

Jamal Carter

Richie Brown

 

That unit is looking rough going into next season. What do you guys think?

 

Agreed.  I've been thinking this for awhile, but it is hard to fix every position group at once. Right now we need DL & Secondary help more.

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Just now, FalconFanSince1969 said:

I'm still saying Isaiah Simmons. I think he falls a tad due to his lack of a perfect fit, but I think he'd be a HUGE upgrade in Campbell's spot. He has the size to cover any TE, he can rush the passer, he can drop back in coverage. He can do it all from that spot.

If we can get Simmons I am all for it. But Moses in the second round would be a dream come true

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Just now, Boise Falcon Fan said:

Agreed.  I've been thinking this for awhile, but it is hard to fix every position group at once. Right now we need DL & Secondary help more.

I agree that we need DL just as much but I think the secondary isn't as big of a need. Especially if we keep Trufant around I think both Oliver and Sheffield have shown plenty of flashes.

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3 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Injuries scare me too...but dang

“Nonetheless, Moses is still the better prospect. The Simmons hype is understandable. He’s 6’4″ and can move like a gazelle, but the 6’3″ Moses’ athletic traits are arguably on a par with those of Simmons.

Ever since he was a young boy Moses has been busting his you know what to become the best football player he could be. Through waking up at 4:30 am and getting in a work-out that consisted of 400 pushups, 800 situps, 10 minutes of jump rope, and a one-mile run, Moses was able to run a 4.46 40-yard dash as a 6’1″, 215-pound, 14-year-old middle school running back.

 

After shocking coaches and scouts with his 40-time, word quickly got out about the young phenom from Baton Rouge

So playing RB in middle school at 6’1, 215 pounds running a 4.4.  How many yards a game but that animal average?  And how many middle schoolers did he put in the hospital

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8 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Ever since he was a young boy Moses has been busting his you know what to become the best football player he could be. Through waking up at 4:30 am and getting in a work-out that consisted of 400 pushups, 800 situps, 10 minutes of jump rope, and a one-mile run, Moses was able to run a 4.46 40-yard dash as a 6’1″, 215-pound, 14-year-old middle school running back.

 

:o

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5 minutes ago, Arkridge said:

I agree that we need DL just as much but I think the secondary isn't as big of a need. Especially if we keep Trufant around I think both Oliver and Sheffield have shown plenty of flashes.

I agree that things have been looking better on that front, but I think another CB added to the mix would help our pass rush immensely.

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2 minutes ago, Gold4425 said:

Good post. But if we had the chance to get 

Brown, Delphit,  Swift, Blazz, Juedy, Epenza do you still go Moses or Simmons with your 1st?

Thanks man. If Derrick Brown is available that's the pick; he's a top 5 player in the class in my opinion. He's the only player I'd want over Isaiah Simmons except maybe Epenesa but I'm not as high on him as others.

As for Moses I like him more in a trade-back scenario considering the injuries but I'm still very high on him. I'm very interested in seeing how he's doing recovery-wise over the draft process.

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3 minutes ago, Summerhill said:

You are correct. 

That said, if you're a fan of draft theory, you don't draft off-ball LB's in the top 15 unless they project to be amazing players. Lots of good off-ball LBs are drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Hopefully the Falcons can find one of them. 

Worked out pretty well for the Bucs and Steelers last year. This draft is also extremely LB deficient.

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1 hour ago, FalconFanSince1969 said:

I'm still saying Isaiah Simmons. I think he falls a tad due to his lack of a perfect fit, but I think he'd be a HUGE upgrade in Campbell's spot. He has the size to cover any TE, he can rush the passer, he can drop back in coverage. He can do it all from that spot.

Simmons is the PERFECT Sam linebacker in our current defense

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