The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

I was wondering if anyone had sentimental favorites to win the soon-to-be hotly contested position to play in the dream NFL position: between Lavar and Washington, in front of Griffin with Taylor behind!!!

I like McCune!

I liked Marshall or McCune, now with the signing of Holdman i'm kinda leaning the other way. Either of those would be a good fit for the club

As far as a story is concerned, McCune definitely makes one. He sounds like a beast so I really hope he lives up to his potential, despite being 26 years old (not that that's very old but he's a few years behind the rookie pack). He seems like he's smart enought to capture the role and Williams' defensive scheme's. I honestly think this is going to make for a good battle in camp which can only help our cause.

I like McCune but I don't see a rookie starting at middle linebacker. In a Greg Williams defense that's pretty much the most important postition so having somebody out there that has at least some experience is crucuial. I would like to see either Barrow or Marshall.

I personally like McCune and not only do I believe he can start, I believe he will. How many people going into last year said Pierce was not starting material at MLB? A hell of a lot I'll wager. And look how that turned out. As far as rookie starters on the defense, how about Sean Taylor. While they made him earn his spot, he most definitely did. And the other factor to consider is McCune is not your average rookie. He has alot of techinque to master but the thing is he has the discipline to do that during camp. This guy is a force and I'm positive he's going to be our Chris ey this year.

McCune

Holdman is the best option. He has the experience and that can allow McCune to be groonmed on teams.

I want McCune to be our MLB, but if he gets the job it wont be at the beginning of the season. He will be put in packages and special teams first to help deal with the awe and excitement the new people get when they play their first NFL games.

From what I've observed from GW, there is no clear cut starter...but there are some personnel that share the field more than others.

Marshall has the continuity and ability, but lacks some size.

Holdman has great potential, but we'll have to see how quickly he picks up the scheme.

McCune...let's just say he's a beast. I think we're all secretly wishing big things for him given his background and his size. I predict he'll contribute this year, but next year he could pose a threat to take the #1 spot.

Barrow has walked a dirt path into our sidelines, though not his fault. I would love to see what he could do, but I just don't feel he's ever gonna get back to his old self.

So, with that said, if I were to go out on a limb and name a "starter," it would have to be Marshall.

I truly do not have a favourite. I do not "wish" for one on top of another.

I do definitely expect a fair and strong competition for the job. Let the best man win!

For those of you in the vast majority who have discounted Barrow, What a great story would it be to see him come back fromwhat appears to be the end of his career to stardom in the top NFL defense this year. It would be as awsome as improbable as it looks right now.

I'd have to say Holdman, given that he's a veteran and has worked with the linebacker coaches whom we have in place now.

ST didn't get the start at the beginning of last year, so I think we can expect McCune to have to wait a few games as well...key words - a few games. I hope he gets to start at some point though; I really like that guy and I think he can help get us in that #1 defense area.

Holdman is a known quanity. That is, it is know that he is a slightly above average linebacker, respected but feared by no one. His upside is not very high. I don't like the acquistion, unless Marshall is in worse shape than I think and Barrow is not expected to return. If he's no. 1, we'll be looking for an upgrade and hoping McCune's it. I don't understand why Smith seems off the table...given his potential.

I still want to see Barrow play a game as a Redskin. I hope he can regain his status as a starter. If he wasn't hurt, we'd still have Pierce to back him up.

Honestly, whoever plays the best is my favorite to start at MLB but I just think Barrow, when healthy, is the best MLB we have.

I would like McCune to eventually become the man in the middle, but as for this year...I'm rooting for the home grown starter Marshall, unless Holdman knocks socks off in camp.

I guess I didn't pick a clear fav..huh.

I'll go with McCune...but not right away.

Gibbs' Hog wrote:ST didn't get the start at the beginning of last year, so I think we can expect McCune to have to wait a few games as well...key words - a few games. I hope he gets to start at some point though; I really like that guy and I think he can help get us in that #1 defense area.

That is exactly what I was thinking. GW doesn't like to put too much pressure on rookies in the first games of the season. I think that we may see him gradually work McCune into a starting role like he did w/ ST last year. McCune is my favorite based on his story and athletic ability. At the same time, though, I am rooting for Lemar Marshall to play MLB b/c he is being doubted again. He was doubted when he had to fill in for LaVar last year and look at how that turned out. Now he's being told he doesn't have enough size. I'll take a guy whos lacking the size but has the work ethic, brains, and heart any day of the week.

Jake wrote:I still want to see Barrow play a game as a Redskin... I just think Barrow, when healthy, is the best MLB we have.

I would tend to agree Jake and I think that Redskin in Canada makes a good point about how great would it be for Barrow to come back and prove all the doubters wrong.

I keep thinking that the coaches kept him because they knew the potential was worth it. These guys do not carry anyone unless they have a good reason. That being said I also agree that he is here because he is the best MLB we have and mentally/football wise, he is very highly regarded by Greg.

There are some good stories here also with the other players (older & younger) but the MLB position in Greg's D requires a little more than just a great body and a good thinking head. Yes AP was not that great the year before but he really grasped the GW "system" and was a good leader on the field.

We look like we will have great depth at our LB position for the next few years.

Whoever tackles the most people.

Barrow! He was a stud and will be again if he is healthy enough to play. That being said, I like Holdman the next best because he is proven at the spot in the NFL. None of the others are. Marshall is a good OLB, but may or may not be a good ILB. I know AP overcame his lack of size, but there are no garuntees Marshall will. An McClune is not only a rookie, but he was a second day pick. I hope he is a dimond in the rough we found, but I seriously doubt a second day pick will come in and beat out all of that competition. Heck if Barrow is healthy, I'm not even completly sure he will make the roster.

There is no question Barrow is our best MLB if he is healthy, however, it really looks doubtful at this point. I hope McCune will be a player, but I think it will be a while before we know what we have in him. If I had to guess who the opening day starter will be I'd say Holdman, but there are so many linebackers on the roster its just too hard to predict who will emerge as the starter. I would love to see Barrow make it back, he is a tackling machine.

Greetings from NYC: Looks like we are not going to miss Pierce as much as everyone was saying when he left. I would love to see Barrow return to his old form. I believe a healthy Barrow is an upgrade OVER Pierce. That said if Barrow is not healthy we should give Marshall first shot.

I'm liking McCune, but he's not going to start off the season being a starter. GWilliams will put Holdman or our other MLBs in there before McCune gets a chance. I think he's going to have to prove he is capable of playing on the NFL level by impressing them in camp.

I'm for whoever is best. Don't really care who starts because I think we're going to end up using almost every LB we have. GWilliams will think of schemes to use their respective talents in different situations.

Warrick Holdman is going to be the MLB, we have severalcoaches on the staff who LOVE him as a player and a leader. I have no doubts that he'll be playing MLB next season.

I definitely wanna see McCune win it because of his amazing physical tools but I think they're gonna go for the more experienced Holdman or maybe Marshall. I disagree with Jake, Barrows lost a step and theres no way he's our best MLB even when healthy. Regardless of who starts I want the best man to win although theres no doubt in my mind McCune will eventually be our starter and I've got pro bowl aspirations for the man, especially in G.Williams' system

I am going to have to go with Holdman. Knows all positions and has already worked with some of the staff. And I also some inside info tell me that he is dumber than a box of rocks. He's fast and is built like a brick sh@#house, but I just don't think he is going to be smart enough for G.W. schemes.