Malcolm Smith, LB

Originally posted by SofaKing:
I think Smith will do fine if they don't ask him to do too much in coverage. That was supposedly where he struggled most in Oakland. Offenses could try to target him. Maybe on passing downs sub him out for Armstrong or Tartt.

That's a good call and idea. Still we paid a lot of money then for a 1st and 2nd down LB. He must be a really good locker room guy and veteran presence. Obviously Saleh has been around him for 3 years so he knows him really well.

Originally posted by StubbyNBY:

This is the only signing that I don't like and bothers me. He's just not that good of a player. He's an average starter at the very best and he got paid like a good starting LB. I don't get it. I don't know what Lynch and co. saw or like in this guy besides the face he is familiar with Saleh and the defensive scheme...

So a not so good player leads his team in tackles?

What's not to get? A player who is familiar with the schem who will be able to pick up the playbook and not be lost on the field?

Let me ask you this? Is Bellore or Wilhoute better? We have no depth at this position. He may not be the best but he's not the worst. Plus he will only be here for a yr or two, and if you dive into the contract and given our space it actually works out fine. Sure it looks like we overpaid but when you have so much cap space and were one of the worst teams you'll always be overspending vs the league.

Full rebuild bro.

Originally posted by reasonable1:

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:

Pats have built a dynasty on guys that run 4.6's but know what to do

As a former football coach I lived by this and other coaches will say this very same thing...

Give me 11 guys that don't run fast but know exactly where to be and I'll beat the fastest team in the league any day of the week.

Thank you!!! This times a million

Originally posted by wailers15:
So a not so good player leads his team in tackles?

What's not to get? A player who is familiar with the schem who will be able to pick up the playbook and not be lost on the field?

Let me ask you this? Is Bellore or Wilhoute better? We have no depth at this position. He may not be the best but he's not the worst. Plus he will only be here for a yr or two, and if you dive into the contract and given our space it actually works out fine. Sure it looks like we overpaid but when you have so much cap space and were one of the worst teams you'll always be overspending vs the league.

Full rebuild bro.

Antoine Bethea led our team in tackles last year. I don't consider him a good player anymore. Obviously Bellore and Whiloute are not better than Malcolm Smith but that is not saying much at all. I just think we maybe could have used the money more wisely or even gone with a draft pick at that position. Obviously though Lynch, Shanny and Saleh feel a certain way about Malcolm Smith and that's why I said, he's probably a really smart player and will be a good addition to a locker room that needs some leadership and winning DNA.

Malcolm was pretty good in Seattle, and that is what we're trying to replicate here. Malcolm won't be here for the 5 years, so don't worry about that, he is here to show the current players on the team, and the future ones we bring in, how to play in this new D. We will probably be drafting someone to take Malcolms spot in a year or two, and once they show they're better, then they will take over, and Malcolm will renegotiate, or be cut.

This year we might be over paying a tad, but it is setting the foundation and word is getting out, that this is becoming a place to come to again. If we start turning it around this season, and we show improvements not only on O, but on D as well, to go with a few more wins, then FA's will start thinking more about coming here to be part of a improving team with a bright future. When this happens, we're no longer having to OVERPAY, we'll start being able to pick and choose who we want that fits the system, and we'll be able to land them for fair market value.

38 tackles missed in last 2 years is Fu*king alarming

Originally posted by FrozeReactionZ:

38 tackles missed in last 2 years is Fu*king alarming

Let's get THL in here... better yet, who has SEA matchups from 2012/2013 on their DVR/PC. I'm down to watch some film on him in this D.

Some people just don't get it. The term system player came from the player flourishing in that system. See the NBA for example with guys in Mike D'Antonis system.

WASTED....

SUPER BOWL MVP....just like the Cowboys' CB (Brown) who won the MVP for being at the right place and at the right time..

Originally posted by jcs:

Malcom Smith Pro Football Focus
2011 - 51.0
2012 - 77.5
2013 - 82.8
2014 - 38.1

Thanks. IIRC he had to toggle between both the WILL and SAM d/t injuries that year. In fact, all 4 were in and out of the lineup.

Originally posted by reasonable1:
As a former football coach I lived by this and other coaches will say this very same thing...

Give me 11 guys that don't run fast but know exactly where to be and I'll beat the fastest team in the league any day of the week.

i'd rather have 11 guys who are fast and know where to be. it doesn't have to be one or the other. players who have no speed typically aren't long for this league

This man will be a beast at the WILL position. Ray-ray is a career backup and the coaching staff sees it. Have faith guys

Oh man I'm looking forward to reading page 100.

This guy should be better than Bellore and Wilhoite so I'm good with the signing. I'm sure Saleh and Shanahan watched film on Smtih enough to give him a multi year contract.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
This guy should be better than Bellore and Wilhoite so I'm good with the signing. I'm sure Saleh and Shanahan watched film on Smtih enough to give him a multi year contract.

Can Smith stop the run? I think he will.

People must be expecting FA's to come here for unders...like they do at NE.