How do we best utilize Preston Smith and Trent Murphy?

[Prowl33 Profile ICQ]

Curious of everyones thoughts on how this may play out? Murphy played good last year in replacing orakpo, hes not as good of an edge rusher (he did say he has been working a ton on his strength and explosiveness this offseaso but he plays the run and the pass well.

Then we got Preston Smith, who is a monster of a man, and can penetrate with ease, not your traditional around the edge rusher though. Good at stopping the run, has some work to do defending the pass.

So does 1 win the job and 1 is a backup? Use one on certain downs or packages and the other in different ones? Or is there another solution?

I think we take Riley out, and we interchangeably use Murphy and Smith in eithee inside spot, and maybe either outside spot if Kerrigan can be effective on the right. Then Smith could be coming from any of the 4 lb positions, kerrigan could be coming from either OLB spot, and Murphy could be in any 4 spots. In the 4-3 sets you could put Smith in any of the front 7 positions, kerrigan on either DE or OLB spot, and Murphy in any 3 LB positions.

If they can work interchangably it would really make it impossible for defenses to plan for pass coverage inside, and to predict where the pass rush is coming from, and may be more of an overall advantage than say having a Beasley who just rushes the right side.

Opinions?

[yupchagee Profile]

[Prowl33 Profile ICQ]

Im not as down on him as some. I do think that if Smith beats out Murphy, that Murphy could actuall be moved inside and perform much better. Riley I think would be good to sub in for murphy and robinson to keep them fresh.

My main thing is that if Smith wins, which he likely will, it would be a shame to have a talent like Murphy keep the bench warm for a majority of games.

[oj Profile]

I don't see Riley as part of this equation. Murphy has won the starting job, I don't see Smith challenging him. Smith has got a lot to learn, give him some time.

[yupchagee Profile]

[Countertrey Profile]

I have a feeling that we are going to be very surprised by a very competitive corps of linebackers through training camp... I have a feeling that there is depth that we are not yet aware of in what I have a feeling is a very rich rookie crop... including an inside LB who (reportedly) once knocked out 3 team mates during ONE practice (oops).


I said it's a feeling... you know...

[brad7686 Profile]

I could see Spaight taking Riley's job, I don't think Trent Murpy, who was a Defensive End in college and a somewhat underwhelming OLB last year, can just switch to be a starting MLB like that. I do personally think that Murphy and Smith will battle it out and the loser will be relegated to extra blitzer on 3rd down status.

[Deadskins Profile]

[Prowl33 Profile ICQ]

We have the raw talent and scheme to have one of the best front 7's in football at this point.

Now the question is can the coaching staff utilize it, and can the secondary hold.

[oj Profile]

[markshark84 Profile]

[oj Profile]

[fredp45 Profile]

I can see Murphy and Smith both playing a bunch this year...maybe platooning at OLB and maybe both playing on obvious passing downs. Murphy is very tough against the run and not bad in pass coverage...not convinced Smith is ready Day 1 to stand up and cover TEs and RBs. He could be a good pass rusher next to Hatcher though. On passing downs, it might be Kerrigan, Paea, Hatcher, Smith and Murphy.

Remember, Murphy was a second round pick too. Hearing a lot of good stuff about him getting stronger and quicker too.

Spaight will be a special teams guy ONLY this year. He is not capable of covering anyone at this point. Riley and Robinson will start at ILB.

[DarthMonk Profile]

[yupchagee Profile]