Supply and Demand: Inside Linebacker

[RugbyMuffin]

This is a little crazy in the NFL.

No less than 20 years ago MLB was a high profile position.

To a lesser extent, it has become the equivalent of the running back position for the defensive side of the ball in the NFL.

BUT.............

We will see how NFL teams adapt to the lack of proven ILB talent available right now around the league, the injuries and in the Cardinals case suspensions, that are happening.

Teams in dire need of a ILB:

Cowboys
Cardinals
Giants
Falcons (whom play a 4-3, and Weatherspoon is a WILB, but it still applies)

....and that is whom I know of.

So, far it sounds like the Cardinals first attempt to fill their need was a swing and a miss with Ernie Sims, he is doing "OK" but Glenn Carson could play "OK" for half the price.

IMO, there is going to be some movement once training camps start and injuries emerge in over positions in other teams.

I would keep my eyes on the Bengals, and the Raiders whom have some veteran players that could be available.

Cause the current free agents are still available for a reason.

 

[Bobcat]

This is a little crazy in the NFL.

No less than 20 years ago MLB was a high profile position.

To a lesser extent, it has become the equivalent of the running back position for the defensive side of the ball in the NFL.

BUT.............

We will see how NFL teams adapt to the lack of proven ILB talent available right now around the league, the injuries and in the Cardinals case suspensions, that are happening.

Teams in dire need of a ILB:

Cowboys
Cardinals
Giants
Falcons (whom play a 4-3, and Weatherspoon is a WILB, but it still applies)

....and that is whom I know of.

So, far it sounds like the Cardinals first attempt to fill their need was a swing and a miss with Ernie Sims, he is doing "OK" but Glenn Carson could play "OK" for half the price.

IMO, there is going to be some movement once training camps start and injuries emerge in over positions in other teams.

I would keep my eyes on the Bengals, and the Raiders whom have some veteran players that could be available.

Cause the current free agents are still available for a reason.

BRING BACK ADRAIN WILSON TO PLAY THAT POSITION...!!

 

[Thunder Dan]

Falcons (whom play a 4-3, and Weatherspoon is a WILB, but it still applies)

Falcons are switching to a 3-4 defense this year.

 

[Austin Zonie]

PFT has a list of their top ranked ILB FA:

Inside linebacker: Pat Angerer, Desmond Bishop, Dan Connor.

The 27-year-old Angerer could play either in the middle or on the weak side in a 4-3. Health and durability are the concerns with the Iowa product. Bishop recorded more than 100 tackles playing inside in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme in 2010 and 2011. Connor (29 in November) has made 27 regular season starts.




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[Duckjake]

PFT has a list of their top ranked ILB FA:

Inside linebacker: Pat Angerer, Desmond Bishop, Dan Connor.

The 27-year-old Angerer could play either in the middle or on the weak side in a 4-3. Health and durability are the concerns with the Iowa product. Bishop recorded more than 100 tackles playing inside in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme in 2010 and 2011. Connor (29 in November) has made 27 regular season starts.
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Sadly:

Goessling points out that Bishop has had more season-ending surgeries (two) than starts (one) over the last two seasons. The latter surgery was to repair a torn ACL, something 30-year-old players often struggle to return from. Bishop is going to have to accept a non-guaranteed one-year deal and prove himself in camp somewhere.

The New York Giants on Thursday placed middle linebacker Dan Connor on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury.

Angerer claims he received interest from "several teams" earlier this offseason, but wants to hold off on free-agent visits until he's 100 percent healthy. Angerer was oft-injured during his four years in Indianapolis, dealing with multiple knee and foot issues. Angerer played 501 largely-ineffective snaps last season before landing on injured reserve in December.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Falcons are switching to a 3-4 defense this year.

Interesting.

Does anyone know where Weatherspoon was going to play ?

If I remember he was a OLBer for a 3-4 prospect out of college. Point is, that would be good news. with the lack of ILBers out there, less competition for any opportunities is a good thing.