Bucannon will stay at linebacker

[Gandhi]

I am not sure how to copy articles into a post, but here is a link to the report. It's about how Steve Wilks has said that Bucannon will stay at linebacker.

It's not a huge surprise, but I was kinda hoping they would move him back to safety. We have obviously no idea if he would be a good safety in the pros, but at least he was good at Washington State, and I just think they could use another physcial tonesetter at safety.

Also, I would like to see Reddick as a fulltime starter in Holcomb's defense, but I guess he could still play a lot and maybe become a starter down the road.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Here you go:

Cardinals coach Steve Wilks said LB Deone Bucannon will play weakside linebacker this season.

Bucannon will also call defensive plays from the huddle. Josh Bynes will start as Arizona's inside linebacker with Haason Reddick factoring in. The Cards are hoping for a bounce-back year from Bucannon as the 25-year-old finished with PFF's third-worst grade among inside linebackers last season. He'll be asked to play a similar role to how Thomas Davis was used in Wilks' base defense in Carolina. Apr 19 - 5:26 PM

Source: Darren Urban on Twitter

 

[Snakester]

Wow I knew he was bad ,but the third worst in the league. And the punch line is we are going to keep him at linebacker because he can’t get any worse than last year so he must play better.

 

[Lagerfilled]

Wow I knew he was bad ,but the third worst in the league. And the punch line is we are going to keep him at linebacker because he can’t get any worse than last year so he must play better.

Right, but some on this board will try to convince us that because he once had 90 tackles in a season that he’s worth $8mm+ this year. Just sheer stupidity.

On a positive note, he is much more suited to playing the WILL in a 4-3 than an ILB in the 3-4. More help up front.

 

[Buckeye Cardinal]

Looks more and more that we won’t draft a linebacker early on.

If we can’t get the QB we want in the first round it could be Vita Vea.

 

[GimmedaBall]

Injured players who still hit the field often have diminished production; a player recovering from surgery and coming off the PUP list often have diminished production.

DBuc went out late 2016 with three games left with an ankle injury that he played with all year long.

Tried to let it heal but then needed surgery in May prior to team activities/training camp in 2017. Was on the Physically Unable to Perform list until activated.

http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and...-Returns/f7673c7e-a04f-4db4-a851-c770c11adae2

"In 45 games and 38 starts over the course of his three NFL seasons, Bucannon has made 294 tackles while also recording five sacks, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception. He's an integral part of an Arizona defense that lost several starters in free agency this offseason. Losing him for any amount of time would be a big detriment to the team as it looks to bounce back and make the playoffs after a disappointing 2016 season."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...n-has-ankle-surgery-might-end-up-on-pup-list/

When DBuc came back for 12 games in 2017, he played alongside a confused rookie Reddick making the transition to LBer and an over-the-hill Dansby.

Hopefully, his return to health with have him earning that salary and getting him back to the Card's leading tackler. He's earned the chance to prove-it.

 

[overseascardfan]

So who plays strong side? Wouldn’t Reddick be a good option? He was a pass rusher in college but he has mobility as well. MLB may not be a need now if Bynes & Reddick stay there. If they do need an OLB, I wouldn’t mind Matthew Thomas of FSU in mid rounds.

 

[TJ]

So who plays strong side? Wouldn’t Reddick be a good option? He was a pass rusher in college but he has mobility as well. MLB may not be a need now if Bynes & Reddick stay there. If they do need an OLB, I wouldn’t mind Matthew Thomas of FSU in mid rounds.

Reddick is the SAM in this defense.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Ugh...Reddick.

 

[JeffGollin]

From this and other articles (Bucc, Deeche, Bradford), I get the sense that Wilks takes a good look at what he has and then pulls the trigger quickly to plug the right talent into his system.

i.e. Expect problems to be addressed quickly and effectively by guys who seem to know what they're doing.

 

[Chopper0080]

What a waste of Reddick. This is a basic indication that Wilks is more comfortable with Reddick in coverage than Bucannon.