Harry Greene article on LBs on front page

[Skkorpion]

Here it is. Be aware, he wrote this a few weeks ago and a lot has transpired since. I wanted to space his articles out. I have one more on DL.

Worth reading. He was both prescient and mistaken. Who is the Mr. Blake he refers to?

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/2008/03/off-to-the-off-season-linebackers/#more-406

 

[WildBB]

* Don't think Bertrand Berry is cut out for OLB work in the 3-4. I see him more as a b/u DE now. Whereas Okefor if he still has some quickness that he had would be.

* Why no mention of Derrick Harvey? If that's the route they go (OLB) why move up? This team has alot of needs, and we can't burn any 2nd's this year, that's for sure. If anything listen to offers for trading down.

*Also no metion of Jason Jones out of Eastern Michigan who many on here are talking about as a 3rd round or comp pick.

*Pressure, as we witnessed this year is ultra necessary in todays NFL, because of the strict limitations on coverage. I could see them taking two OLB's this year in the first five rounds.

 

[HookemCards]

I agree we shouldn't trade up, and i'd like to move down a little. At this point the Cards have painted themselves into a corner in the draft and will draft for need. They need to sign another DE, OLB, CB, and OL in FA even if they aren't all world, at least get some depth at those positions so we aren't depending on a rookie.

 

[football karma]

Here it is. Be aware, he wrote this a few weeks ago and a lot has transpired since. I wanted to space his articles out. I have one more on DL.

Worth reading. He was both prescient and mistaken. Who is the Mr. Blake he refers to?

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/2008/03/off-to-the-off-season-linebackers/#more-406

Tommy Blake of TCU

High first round ability

pretty serious issues regarding a personality disorder though

 

[Redsz]

I disagree with Harry's view on Chike Okeafor. He is going to be a big time player in the 3-4. He is a prototypical OLB. According to Whiz, coaches from teams we played in the pre-season said that he was 'almost unblockable'.

As for Bertrand, I agree. I believe he isn't capable of being a full time starter anymore. The wear and tear of the NFL is clearly taking it's toll. Travis LaBoy will step into his starting spot. But Bertrand will add alot in a backup role because of his experince and leadership.

 

[joeshmo]

I am a little confused with these statements because they do not match each other.

"Look for the Cards to take a pass rushing OLB in the first 3 rounds, perhaps in round 1"

"Rivers would be an awesome impact player. He might be there at 10, and a player like that is worth moving up to get."

Rivers is not a pass rushing OLB, he isnt even a pass rusher and wasnt even a pass rusher in college. ZERO sacks last year and 5.5 in 4 years. Rivers does a lot of things well but he cannot rush the passer.

Finally we will not get a comp pick for Davis. We signed more qualifying free agents then we lost and are not subject to comp pick formula's. You only get comp pick considerations if you lose more qualifying free agents then you sign or you sign just as many as lost.

 

[bg7brd]

I like Ezra Butler OLB in the 4th.

Height: 6-11/2 | Weight: 245 | 40-Time: 4.55

This is what Scott Wright says about him on nfldraftcountdown:

Strengths:
Has excellent size with long arms...Very good timed speed...Has great range and a burst to close...Excellent athleticism...Big hitter...Physical, aggressive and plays with a mean streak...A terrific pass rusher...Decent production...Real tough...Good intangibles...Great special teamer...Offers some versatility...Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Needs to refine his technique...Doesn't do a great job versus the run...Can be too aggressive at times...Has some troubling shedding blocks needs to use his hands better...Relies too much on his speed as a pass rusher...Just average in coverage and lacks top hands and ball skills..He doesn't always play up to his measurables.

Notes:
Was born in South Africa and also lived in London before moving to United States as a teenager...Father is a two-time Grammy nominated guitarist, songwriter and music producer...Weighed 275 lbs. coming out of high school and actually began his college career as a defensive tackle...Played in a 3-4 defense in college...Was a three-year starter...Workout Warrior with a lot of potential...Has all the physical tools you look for and could be a fit for either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme at the pro level.

 

[WildBB]

I like Ezra Butler OLB in the 4th.

Height: 6-11/2 | Weight: 245 | 40-Time: 4.55

This is what Scott Wright says about him on nfldraftcountdown:

Strengths:
Has excellent size with long arms...Very good timed speed...Has great range and a burst to close...Excellent athleticism...Big hitter...Physical, aggressive and plays with a mean streak...A terrific pass rusher...Decent production...Real tough...Good intangibles...Great special teamer...Offers some versatility...Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Needs to refine his technique...Doesn't do a great job versus the run...Can be too aggressive at times...Has some troubling shedding blocks needs to use his hands better...Relies too much on his speed as a pass rusher...Just average in coverage and lacks top hands and ball skills..He doesn't always play up to his measurables.

Notes:
Was born in South Africa and also lived in London before moving to United States as a teenager...Father is a two-time Grammy nominated guitarist, songwriter and music producer...Weighed 275 lbs. coming out of high school and actually began his college career as a defensive tackle...Played in a 3-4 defense in college...Was a three-year starter...Workout Warrior with a lot of potential...Has all the physical tools you look for and could be a fit for either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme at the pro level.

Sounds great. With all those intangables, I doubt he lasts till the 4th Round. If he does he'll get picked two spots ahead of us mtl.

 

[bg7brd]

Most mocks and rankings have him available for us in the 4th.

 

[Harry]

I could keep blowing my own horn, but I'll risk the law suit and the rath of Skorp by giving you a second opinion.

Sporting News War Room

Blitz/coverage: Consistently pressures the quarterback. Times inside blitzes well. When blitzing off the edge, uses quickness and burst to defeat blockers around the corner or with quick pass-rush moves. Has experience at defensive end, helping develop pass-rush moves. In pass coverage, is adept at zone and man-to-man. Reads the quarterback, closes quickly and uses front arm to break up passes. Shows the speed to cover tight ends and running backs man-to-man all over the field. Grade: 9.0

Lot's of times players numbers are dictated by the style of defense. This guy can rush the passer and get there, along with quite a few fringe benefits.

 

[joeshmo]

Lot's of times players numbers are dictated by the style of defense. This guy can rush the passer and get there, along with quite a few fringe benefits.

First that report bringing up that he has DE experiance is laughable considering he hasnt been a DE since the 2005 season. They tried using him as a pass rush DE his first 2 season but after failing at that they made the switch to full time LB.

Second, how can you say that bolded part if he never actually did get there.

It is one thing to say the style of defense didnt give him the opportunity to rush the passer, which would be wrong since he only recorded 3.5 sacks the two season he was used mostly as a pass rush DE, but to outright say that he can get there is just an assumption based on athletic ability and not any actual on field performance or tape. The guy hasnt done it in 4 years. Some might say that sacks are not the only thing either which is true but the guy in 4 years the first two being used as a pass rush DE he still only collected 3 QB pressures his whole career.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/keith-rivers?id=302

"In 49 games at Southern California, Rivers started 35 contests. He finished with 240 tackles (139 solos), 5.5 sacks for minus-42 yards and 18.5 stops for losses of 77 yards. He was credited with three quarterback pressures and gained 36 yards on two interception returns while also deflecting seven passes. He caused five fumbles and recovered six others."

I dont care what scheme you play in 5.5 sacks and 3 QB pressures in 35 starts and 49 total games is absolute crap and no amount of scouting reports can change that. Rivers is not even an average pass rusher. I trust my eyes and actual performace on the field, not cookie cutter scouting reports that every single one of these Mags and web sites copy from each other and read the exact same on 20+ other scouting reports, and the games I saw Rivers did not rush the passer well at all.