CanesSkins26 wrote:With regard to Malauaga, I'm curious as to what you think would happen if he comes in an can't play on the outside. Do the Skins carry three MLBs? What if Fletcher continues to play at a high level in 2009? Do you just automatically hand the starting job to Malauaga in 2010, even if you still have an above average MLB in Fletcher?
First of all, how do you know that Cushing's prior injuries won't inevitably become degenerative conditions?
As far as Maualuga is concerned, the thought process isn't that difficult, but I'll be happy to break it down for you again.
Fletcher will be 34 years old at the start of next season.
34 YEAR OLD. I absolutely expect him to have another good year, but at that age, expecting many more years beyond that is just wishful thinking. You, yourself, were bashing Taylor due to his age, also 34. Also, did you look at Fletcher's cap ramifications in 2010? Probably not.
Thinking a MLB can't play OLB is really pretty short-sighted. Due to Marcus Washington's injuries, the Skins have been playing Blades at OLB for several years now. I like Blades a lot, but I just don't see the former 6th rounder as a dominant starter in this league. He's great for depth however.
Also, just take a look at Cushing's bio, he's also played both positions. But since Maualuga has been such a dominant force in the middle, and since he plays for USC, there was never any need to play him outside, with Cush and Matthews on the team. The only concerns regarding Maualuga playing OLB is his lack of coverage experience. But that's primarily due to the fact that MLB's rarely emerge in pass coverage. Rey's got the speed and the talent, so why wouldn't he be able to be coached up in coverage? But Rey DOES have coverage skills, even a knack for knocking receivers off their routes. So I believe it's BS that he couldn't play OLB for a year while learning from Fletch and Blache.
A more consistent playmaker than Keith Rivers -- selected 10th overall by the Bengals in 2008 -- Maualuga might be the most explosive hitter in the draft. Blessed with a prototypical combination of size and athleticism, Maualuga has the speed to beat the running back wide and the bulk to be a punisher on the inside. Maualuga impressed scouts with his ability to rush the passer during drills at the Senior Bowl and delivered six sacks as a junior (zero as a senior). His penchant for big plays in coverage make him one of the few inside linebackers of this class capable of playing all three downs. A three-time all-conference selection and 2009 All-American, Maualuga is a difference-maker worthy of a top-20 selection in the 2009 draft.
Good initial quickness off the snap. ... Quickly gets to top speed, flashing rare downhill explosiveness for the position. ... Reads the action quickly. ... Willing to take on blocks and has the strength and hand technique to shed quickly. ... Good lateral quickness to evade blockers and has the speed to beat backs to the flanks. ... Gets good depth on his pass drop and is quick to close on the ball. ... Punishing hitter with four career forced fumbles. ... Productive pass rusher with the speed to close on even mobile quarterbacks. ... Can break down in space to make the secure open-field tackle.
Rey Maualuga is a terror at the middle linebacker spot. He reminds me of another MLB named Ray (although obviously spelled differently), as in Ray Lewis. Although Lewis was much more of a vocal leader and all around a better athlete, Maualuga has that rare ability to dissect plays within seconds and deliver jarring hits.
Maualuga would probably have been the 1st MLB/ILB taken in the 2008 NFL Draft, most likely supplanting Jerod Mayo, whom was selected with the 10th pick. Although Mayo is more of an athlete and a more vocal leader, he does not have Maualuga instincts…something that you cannot teach. Durability is also something that separate Maualuga from other hard hitting linebackers.
Maualuga reminds many of another former USC linebacker, Junior Seau. Maualuga has great size and power. He has sideline to sideline speed, but also has good short-area quickness. He is surprisingly smooth for such a big linebacker. Maualuga has improved his instincts as a blitzer. Maualuga is a great middle linebacker prospect and in the right system could emerge as an even better pro than college player. Maualuga finished the 2007 season as USC's leading tackler with 79 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks. Maualuga had a great game in the 2008 Rose Bowl, including 3 sacks and an interception. He was named the game's "Outstanding Defensive Player." Maualuga is the most instinctual linebacker college football has seen in the last 5 years. He has shown an incredible knack for finding the ball early in the 2008 season.
And lastly, if folks can't recognize the advantage of playing and learning the system for a year, from both Fletcher and Blache, before taking over as the QB of the defense, then I'm not sure what else to say. I've explained that advantage several times in this thread.
For the record, I'm in no way suggesting that Maualuga should be the primary target in the draft. I believe OT is a slightly bigger need and Andre Smith would be my first choice if he's there. Like others here, yeah, sure, I'd also take Curry, Jason Smith, Monroe... etc. But those guys will be gone, so I'm building my board based on who I think WILL be available.
I like Cushing a lot and wouldn't be upset if they went that route. I'd just be concerned about his injury history (the LB position is an extremely physical position) and would he only be available for 12 or 13 games a season? I just happen to like Maualuga a little better and he's never had a history of injuries. In fact, Rey is touted, in large part, due to his durability, especially being the big hitter that he is. He knows how to deliver a hit without hurting himself, something Cushing is not as good at.
Now, he did suffer a hammy at the combine. That's why his 40 time was slow and why he's currently not rated higher. But I believe he'll be fine and would be more durable than Cush.
