1st Team All Pro - LB Fred Warner

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by thl408:
I have a strong preference for Foster to stay at WILL and to groom Warner for the MIKE position. Warner will be adjusting to a new position so I'm okay with giving him time. Even if it unfolds as Warner being in a reserve role for 2018, with Malcolm/Toomer/Coyle/Foster manning the two stack LB spots, that's fine. The MIKE is a leadership role type of position and although Foster is a well liked teammate, I'd like the MIKE to have a certain level of maturity, accountability, and to be a good communicator. From the several interviews I've seen of Warner, he seems to be that guy.

A lot of folks are thinking Malcolm Smith should be that guy, but Smith is an ideal WILL as well. It's a good problem to have I guess, with so many guys that are starter caliber. We're in good shape and I just can't wait to see them hit the field.

Malcolm might be the one for 2018, but I view Malcolm as a stop gap. As soon as Warner is up to speed, Malcolm is expendable. Saleh may think differently, but I don't see a spot for Malcolm once Foster and Fred are ready to roll.

His frame is perfect for stacked LB. He's built similarly to Luke Kuechly and breaks down effortlessly taking on ball carriers. And the SAM talk is folly only found on a forum to pass the time until the season. It's silly and not happening.

BIG PLAY FREDDY COMING SOON

Originally posted by riverrunzthruit:

Originally posted by Heroism:

His frame is perfect for stacked LB. He's built similarly to Luke Kuechly and breaks down effortlessly taking on ball carriers. And the SAM talk is folly only found on a forum to pass the time until the season. It's silly and not happening.

BIG PLAY FREDDY COMING SOON

Kinda reminds me of a Julian Peterson type frame. I could be wrong tho. What are his size comparisons to JP

Originally posted by CenCal9er:

Originally posted by Heroism:
His frame is perfect for stacked LB. He's built similarly to Luke Kuechly and breaks down effortlessly taking on ball carriers. And the SAM talk is folly only found on a forum to pass the time until the season. It's silly and not happening.

BIG PLAY FREDDY COMING SOON

Kinda reminds me of a Julian Peterson type frame. I could be wrong tho. What are his size comparisons to JP

Peterson was 2 inches taller, but had the same speed. Warner timed 4.64 and Peterson 4.68

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by thl408:

I have a strong preference for Foster to stay at WILL and to groom Warner for the MIKE position. Warner will be adjusting to a new position so I'm okay with giving him time. Even if it unfolds as Warner being in a reserve role for 2018, with Malcolm/Toomer/Coyle/Foster manning the two stack LB spots, that's fine. The MIKE is a leadership role type of position and although Foster is a well liked teammate, I'd like the MIKE to have a certain level of maturity, accountability, and to be a good communicator. From the several interviews I've seen of Warner, he seems to be that guy.

A lot of folks are thinking Malcolm Smith should be that guy, but Smith is an ideal WILL as well. It's a good problem to have I guess, with so many guys that are starter caliber. We're in good shape and I just can't wait to see them hit the field.

Malcolm might be the one for 2018, but I view Malcolm as a stop gap. As soon as Warner is up to speed, Malcolm is expendable. Saleh may think differently, but I don't see a spot for Malcolm once Foster and Fred are ready to roll.

Perhaps they see this as a good year to boost up Malcom Smith's value and then trade him? I dunno. We certainly have a very, very young group of guys. None will be 30+ yrs old at the start of the season. From youngest to oldest (among guys we expect to make the team), we've got Warner (21), Foster (24), Pita (24), Harold (24), Coyle (27), Smith (28), and Toomer (29). If Elijah Lee makes a jump, he's just 22 so he lowers that average age down even more.

But yeah, hard to justify paying Smith that kind of money if he's not starting.

Crazy that Eli Harold is the same age as Reuben and Pita lol.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Crazy that Eli Harold is the same age as Reuben and Pita lol.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Crazy that Eli Harold is the same age as Reuben and Pita lol.

I've been somewhat of a skeptic on Harold since he came out as a prospect, but admittedly, he's had no system continuity and has been asked to change his body composition a lot over his career. We'll see if this year with another year in the system, plus his body in the right place and hopefully matured some, maybe this is the year he breaks out.

He hasn't been bad, just hasn't been an impact guy. If he plays so well that someone stays on the bench, that's good for the team.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Crazy that Eli Harold is the same age as Reuben and Pita lol.

woah. Thats why he is so raw as a player. Doesn't excuse him anymore though since he has experience in the NFL now. But if he can be a decent SAM that would be cool.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

He hasn't been bad, just hasn't been an impact guy. If he plays so well that someone stays on the bench, that's good for the team.

Agreed, that's about how I feel. For whatever reason, people struggle to understand the SAM's role and evaluate Eli as a pass rusher(ie sacks), even though the SAM is not a pass rusher.

This is about as impactful of a play that you're going to see from the SAM spot.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

He hasn't been bad, just hasn't been an impact guy. If he plays so well that someone stays on the bench, that's good for the team.

Agreed, that's about how I feel. For whatever reason, people struggle to understand the SAM's role and evaluate Eli as a pass rusher(ie sacks), even though the SAM is not a pass rusher.

This is about as impactful of a play that you're going to see from the SAM spot.

setting the edge playside and trying to collapse it is his #1 as a SAM, just like he did here

Originally posted by riverrunzthruit:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

He hasn't been bad, just hasn't been an impact guy. If he plays so well that someone stays on the bench, that's good for the team.

Agreed, that's about how I feel. For whatever reason, people struggle to understand the SAM's role and evaluate Eli as a pass rusher(ie sacks), even though the SAM is not a pass rusher.

This is about as impactful of a play that you're going to see from the SAM spot.

setting the edge playside and trying to collapse it is his #1 as a SAM, just like he did here

PFF seems to hate Harold, giving him a 47.7 overall grade. Personally, I think that's a bit harsh. A better rephrasing of my word choice would be
he's not a "noticeable" impact player. He seems to get the job done generally in coverage or in the run game.

Our 4-3 reminds me of the 52 Okie from back in the day!