No Inside Linebacker

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Guys, I hate to break it to you, this team is not looking to sign or draft (with a high pick) an inside linebacker. I'm not enthralled with the Buc/Minter combo but I think BASK has settled on it. I don't think they're playmakers or enforcers. In fact they're not special. But I believe the cards BELIEVE they don't need to upgrade and won't.

 

[overseascardfan]

Guys, I hate to break it to you, this team is not looking to sign or draft (with a high pick) an inside linebacker. I'm not enthralled with the Buc/Minter combo but I think BASK has settled on it. I don't think they're playmakers or enforcers. In fact they're not special. But I believe the cards BELIEVE they don't need to upgrade and won't.

Personal opinion or reliable source in the organization???

 

[Jetstream Green]

I know Ouchie is sincere and he possibly may be right but what I like the most is that it's the perfect reverse mojo because one has to really believe to enact the magic

 

[GatorAZ]

Good. Buc + 10 pounds and Minter are fine.

 

[Harry]

The Cards may add a depth pick, but I too think they like their starters. Keim, however, has shown he'll take a bargain if one falls in his lap. Buc could be moved outside. He may have more passing upside than he's getting credit for having.

 

[juza76]

If they like Minter as a starter it s mean they are Blind
Is a low average Starter with deep athletic limits
With him playing 3 downs we dont go anywhwre if we want to make a superbowl trip

 

[Mitch]

If they like Minter as a starter it s mean they are Blind
Is a low average Starter with deep athletic limits
With him playing 3 downs we dont go anywhwre if we want to make a superbowl trip

I thought he was one of the few players who played well in the NFC Championship. I think he's made good progress as a 2-down ILB---they started subbing in for him when they went to the nickel, which was good.

 

[BigRedRage]

Personal opinion or reliable source in the organization???

Keim came out and said it but it could be BS. I dont remember where I read it

 

[Mitch]

Bucannon is a fixture now at WILB. Minter is solid as a 2 down ILB. But I also think that Steve Keim, BA and Bettch like what they have in Alani Fua and Gabe Martin. They also like Kenny Demens on STs. However, Keim likes to stock a position a year before a starter heads into FA, so it's possible that he could draft an ILB with the thought that Minter is in a contract year and might go elsewhere as a 2017 UFA.

The one wild card here might be whether Steve Keim and company would prefer to add an ILB who, like Bucannon, can play all three downs, just as the 49ers had with Willis and Bowman. The question is---do they feel they potentially already have that guy in Fua or Martin?

 

[Stout]

I'm hearing a lot of opinions on the board lately that I hope are completely inaccurate, because they are deeply disturbing. This is one of them, and the idea we'll stand pat and patch the holes in our offensive line internally is another one. Why would we want to do nothing at some of the positions we need real upgrades at? It makes absolutely zero sense.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'm hearing a lot of opinions on the board lately that I hope are completely inaccurate, because they are deeply disturbing. This is one of them, and the idea we'll stand pat and patch the holes in our offensive line internally is another one. Why would we want to do nothing at some of the positions we need real upgrades at? It makes absolutely zero sense.

Because I think you can read from the season and all the post-season comments that the team likes this pairing. I don't agree, but I think the writings on the wall but most of you don't want to read it.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Personal opinion or reliable source in the organization???

Opinion based on apparent evidence.

 

[conraddobler]

The number one need is a pass rush and they've said as much.

Campbell is a good DT we need more help on the line we need a premier DE and another premier DT.

There is almost no way we're going to get all that AND a premier ILB in one off season so if I were working this problem then I'd work the line first too.

It's just the logistics of the thing.

Having said all that if the opportunity would arise then I think this is all just for naught as I think they'll grab it if available.

What they say could mean less than nothing as people say a lot it's what they do you should focus on.

 

[Stout]

Because I think you can read from the season and all the post-season comments that the team likes this pairing. I don't agree, but I think the writings on the wall but most of you don't want to read it.

I'm afraid you might be right.

The number one need is a pass rush and they've said as much.

Campbell is a good DT we need more help on the line we need a premier DE and another premier DT.

There is almost no way we're going to get all that AND a premier ILB in one off season so if I were working this problem then I'd work the line first too.

It's just the logistics of the thing.

Having said all that if the opportunity would arise then I think this is all just for naught as I think they'll grab it if available.

What they say could mean less than nothing as people say a lot it's what they do you should focus on.

Campbell is a DE, not a DT. The only DTs in this scheme are NTs. Granted, we play our fronts in a multitude of manners, but he is a DE.

 

[conraddobler]

I'm afraid you might be right.



Campbell is a DE, not a DT. The only DTs in this scheme are NTs. Granted, we play our fronts in a multitude of manners, but he is a DE.

Yes he is a DE with 5 sacks.

Which is why I said he's a good DT because he plays more like one now than a DE.

My bad though thanks for pointing this out as I hate to be in error and you like to point them out so this works for all of us.

 

[kerouac9]

I'm hearing a lot of opinions on the board lately that I hope are completely inaccurate, because they are deeply disturbing. This is one of them, and the idea we'll stand pat and patch the holes in our offensive line internally is another one. Why would we want to do nothing at some of the positions we need real upgrades at? It makes absolutely zero sense.

I agree with Ouchie that the team probably thinks they're good with Buc and Minter at ILB. What this should mean is:

1) Bucannon isn't going "back" to safety.
2) We have a need at safety — unless we re-sign both Rashard Johnson and Tony Jefferson

I also think that we'll be less aggressive in free agency than we've been the last couple years. Pouring more resources into the offensive line when we've invested 2 first-round picks and 2 free agents at the position isn't wise, particularly when we have like 50 OL coaches.

I don't think that Bettcher wants to blitz as much as Bowles did.

 

[WisconsinCard]

In the fat guy mock 1.0 I have us selection Darron Lee ISLB for Ohio State. That is obviously pre-combine so everything is fluid.

 

[Dan H]

Yes he is a DE with 5 sacks.

Which is why I said he's a good DT because he plays more like one now than a DE.

My bad though thanks for pointing this out as I hate to be in error and you like to point them out so this works for all of us.

Given our lack of LB'ers . . . would we be better off switching to a 4-3?

 

[kerouac9]

Given our lack of LB'ers . . . would we be better off switching to a 4-3?

We were essentially playing a 5-2 last year. It's not like we have a Clark Haggans-type playing OLB right now and holding down the edge.

The problem would be the same if we playing a traditional even front: how are you going to get after the passer? Neither Minter nor Bucannon have shown much aptitude for the A-gap blitz.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Then ILB WILL REMAIN A JOKE...

Cannon is a SS and Minter is just a notch above Raynoch Thompson.

 

[Cardiac]

Then ILB WILL REMAIN A JOKE...

Cannon is a SS and Minter is just a notch above Raynoch Thompson.

The joke is our pass rush. We have area's of opportunity at ILBer, CB, Dline and Center.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Then ILB WILL REMAIN A JOKE...

Cannon is a SS and Minter is just a notch above Raynoch Thompson.

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Raynoch Thompson was the best thing since LeVar Woods.

 

[don7031]

Unless they strike gold in a late round draft choice, the only way the Cardinals are going to significantly upgrade the middle linebacker position is to pry the bong out of D'Washs hands.

 

[kerouac9]

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Raynoch Thompson was the best thing since LeVar Woods.

Minter is basically Ronald McKinnon upgraded to the 21st Century NFL. Take away his draft position, and Minter is a perfectly adequate player that you can win with. Now, if he's around beyond 2016 (contract year!) is an open question.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Hey, Hey, Hey.

Raynoch Thompson was the best thing since LeVar Woods.

Levar Fisher?