MLB change?

[brad7686]

"All indications are that the Redskins are looking at a different option at middle linebacker next season. Lemar Marshall clearly struggled against blockers and might move to the weak side, where he likely would battle with Rocky McIntosh for a starting spot in '07."

That is from pro football weekly.

This certainly puts me at ease. They need to get somebody good in their. The key to a good 4-3 is a good MLB. Look at the two good 4-3's in football right now, Chicago (urlacher) and Baltimore(Ray Ray). Watching the pro bowl last night i was really starting to miss Antonio Pierce.

[1fan4ramsey]

The days of a stud MLB in the NFL are numbered. Lewis and Urlacher are the exception. Teams are loooking for situational backers, one plays 1st and 2nd down, bring a db for 3rd. Dick Butkis, in todays game, would be a 2 down linebacker. While Urlacher is very good, he does struggle at times in coverage. I agree with about Pierce, how did we let him get away...should have kept Lavar to, and gotten rid of our LB coach. Oh wait, we did get rid of our LB coach, in my opinion a couple years too late.

[SkinsJock]

Not that I'd give much credence to pfw - I do hope we have this position rectified this season - whether that is from within like Pierce, or whatever, IMO we need to have a leader playing MLB. Maybe that involves 2 players I just do not want to see so many plays against us going for decent yardage "up the middle"!

[air_hog]

The days of a stud MLB in the NFL are numbered. Lewis and Urlacher are the exception. Teams are loooking for situational backers, one plays 1st and 2nd down, bring a db for 3rd. Dick Butkis, in todays game, would be a 2 down linebacker. While Urlacher is very good, he does struggle at times in coverage. I agree with about Pierce, how did we let him get away...should have kept Lavar to, and gotten rid of our LB coach. Oh wait, we did get rid of our LB coach, in my opinion a couple years too late.

Urlacher struggling in coverage? That's like one of his main strengths. I mean he manned up 1-1 vs. Reggie Bush!

That's why I wish there was a legit MLB in this draft who we could take at #6. (like AJ Hawk last year)

I mean, I know it wasn't all him, but Green Bay's defense really improved because he was the new leader of their D, and he was just a rookie.

[Chris Luva Luva]

A change at MLB is NOT needed. LM struggled because of the horrible play.

Ray Lewis who is one of the best MLB to ever play the game struggled when they lost their defensive front four from 01-02.

My point? Even the BEST struggle when they dont have a good line to keep the blockers off of them.

My solution? Fix the line, you'll fix the LB and secondary to a large extent.

[Skinsfan55]

I dunno CLL, many have said, even before this season, that Marshall was too small for the MLB spot. If the Redskins think he would be better playing on the outside teaming with McIntosh then I think it's a pretty good idea.

Of course, changing MLB's scares me... they are a big cog in the defense.

[1niksder]

Regardless this would be nice

M. Washington
Kawika Mitchell
McIntosh/Marshall

My first option would still be A Thomas and move him to MLB but Mitchell wouldn't break the bank and the Marshall/McIntosh loser in camp would mean depth at 2 postions.

[1niksder]

This would work too:

DT: C. Griffin
DT: K. Jenkins
DE: P. Daniels
DE: A. Carter

SLB: M. Washington
MLB: Kawika Mitchell
WLB: McIntosh/Marshall

This would allow to trade down from #6 for more picks.

[BossHog]

A change at MLB is NOT needed. LM struggled because of the horrible play.

You have got to be kidding me?

Lemar Marshall didn't struggle?

I sure hope the Redskins braintrust disagrees with you and does something at the position. Sean Taylor led the team in tackles because Marshall didn't make enough. He belongs back where he started. We need a true blue gap filler and he just ain't it. Very athletic, very quick... very suited to the outside... not the inside... as he categorically proved this year as soon as everything around him wasn't going very well. he just didn't make enough plays and we're actually wasting Marshall's natural talents playing him inside.

Move him back outside, bring in a MIC.

[1niksder]

Napoleon Harris would also be a upgrade and anpther player that wouldn't break the bank.

[Skinsfan55]

Yeah, I believe that GW can get a bargain guy to perform well in the MLB spot... I mean, wasn't AP a reserve player for a couple years? He was a nobody.

It can be done, but so far, Williams has been pretty far off in terms of acquiring talent.

[warpath1410]

I agrre with CLL wasn't LM that deflected all those pass in 2005, he has great vision and he dose have speed. i think it was a down year for the def. As for lavar don't get me wrong i love the guy it hurts to see him in that butt ugly blue, but he brought that on himself not being where he had to be. If the skins do anything to the def i'm cool with that just to have them back.

[Jake]

London Fletcher-Baker could be another option as well. He's led the Bills in tackles the last five years.

[Chris Luva Luva]

A change at MLB is NOT needed. LM struggled because of the horrible play.

You have got to be kidding me?

Lemar Marshall didn't struggle?

I sure hope the Redskins braintrust disagrees with you and does something at the position. Sean Taylor led the team in tackles because Marshall didn't make enough. He belongs back where he started. We need a true blue gap filler and he just ain't it. Very athletic, very quick... very suited to the outside... not the inside... as he categorically proved this year as soon as everything around him wasn't going very well. he just didn't make enough plays and we're actually wasting Marshall's natural talents playing him inside.

Move him back outside, bring in a MIC.

As usual you make many valid points. I feel the way I feel because everyone was riding Marshalls jock in 2005 and for good reason. He played well in 2005 and that was because the line play was where it needed to be.

I'm definately not saying he did not struggle but I believe that a lot of it is attributed to the line. I think the line play had a HUGE ripple effect throughout the entire defense.

I truly believe that if we were cap strapped and could only make changes to the line, we'd notice a marked improvement.

I just find it hard to see how this cat went from the penthouse to the basement over the course of a year.

There's argument for plenty of people to lose their jobs on this defense after this past season. I guess my thing is, what is the least amount of change we can make to impact the defense as a whole and my answers is on the defensive line.

[Houligan26]

I agree with both sides. Marshall was the man in 2005 when we loved the whole defense. I think he is being made out to be a little to much of a scapegoat this offseason. Lets be honest, the d tackles were real banged up and the rookies were learning. I think the d line made it very easy to put a hat on Lemar. On the other hand, he made very few plays and looked like he was struggling from injury. I don't feel the urgency for a free agent MLB as much as everyone else. I also hate the idea of bringing Adalius in to have him play the middle. The guy is a great football player because you can move him around all over the field. Thats why he makes so many plays and I just don't see GW harnassing those skills, very much like Lavar

[Chris Luva Luva]

Marshall was the man in 2005 when we loved the whole defense. I think he is being made out to be a little to much of a scapegoat this offseason.

As do I.

I believe we're falling back into the same ol trap. We're going to cut everyone and the defense is still going to stink.

The excuse for the 2007 season will be that everyone was new.
The chemistry will be there in 2008.
There was a change with the new LB coach.

[BossHog]

Why is everything so black and white CLL? if we move Marshall back outside, how is that 'cutting evryone'?

Where was it suggested that we cut ANYONE?

But continuity aside, why on earth would we want to continue with the defense that played last year.? They were awful.

SOME changes NEED to be made. I think ONE d-lineman early in the draft and a MLB and CB from somewhere, are our three most important needs personally. I'd rather fix the problem than hope that the same guys who DIDN'T get it done last year can try again. I'm not talking about major wholesale changes... I'm talking about upgrading two or three positions to solidify what was an obvious problem in 2006.

A. Carter really came on at the end last year and I think he CAN be that edge rusher that we're looking for, so i'd like to see us add a DT, a MLB and a CB in the offseason, and other than that, I don't care if we stand pat completely. The only other offseason 'wish' I have is a little depth on the o-line. We were very fortunate this year with injuries there or it could have been a huge problem.

By my math, 3 out of 22 starters doesn't constitute anything near 'cutting everyone'.

Carter, Griffin, Alan Branch, Daniels

Washington, Kawika Mitchell (example only), Marshall

Rogers, Taylor, Springs, Nate Clements (example only)

Springs moving to safety also gives us a lot of interesting nickel sets if Pierson Prioleau can come back.

That may not be the ultimate in continuity, but 8 out of eleven isn't bad. When your defense finishes near the bottom of the league, it would seem to make sense to look at making some changes.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Why is everything so black and white CLL? if we move Marshall back outside, how is that 'cutting evryone'?

I was being very general in my comments even though I quoted you. That was my mistake.

Where was it suggested that we cut ANYONE?

I've seen people call for his head in the past.

But continuity aside, why on earth would we want to continue with the defense that played last year.? They were awful.

Continuity aside? I guess my only choices could be morale and learning curve.

SOME changes NEED to be made.

Please don't get me wrong. I agree that changes need to be made. And I'm definately not saying my opinions are the way to go. Regardless of the changes made, I don't think its needs to be across the board. I really feel that a couple of additions could make a world of difference.

I think ONE d-lineman early in the draft and a MLB and CB from somewhere, are our three most important needs personally.

I agree that those needs need to be addressed. I guess with the way our picks are, that'll be the only way to go about it.

I'd rather fix the problem than hope that the same guys who DIDN'T get it done last year can try again. I'm not talking about major wholesale changes... I'm talking about upgrading two or three positions to solidify what was an obvious problem in 2006.

I guess our biggest difference is that I'm a bit more trusting in Lemars ability to play the position.

I kinda feel that Lemar showed us what he's capable of in 2005. In 2006 he struggled personally. The line struggled which hurt him/everyone else even more. At the end of the year, it came out that he had a phantom injury that was never reported (MW) too. I think that when the line plays well, he's going to play well. Any MLB is going to have issues when they're being blocked by people who outweigh them by 200lbs.

I agree that we could shift him back to the side but it'd be a waste of talent. Is he really going to get a lot of playing time there? Is he going to take time away from Rocky?

A. Carter really came on at the end last year and I think he CAN be that edge rusher that we're looking for

Although I want a DE..., I understand your reasoning and wouldnt be upset with a DT. I think a DT may help this team in the long run moreso than a DE.

Carter, Griffin, Alan Branch, Daniels

Washington, Kawika Mitchell (example only), Marshall

Rogers, Taylor, Springs, Nate Clements (example only)

Carter, Golston, Alan Branch, Daniels

Washington, Marshall, Rocky

Rogers, Taylor, Springs, Smoot

Golston: I swapped him with Griffin because he needs to play. He showed promise he's only going to get better by being on the field. We need to develop these players for a SuperBowl run in the 2008/2009 season.

Marshall: Same reasons as above. I think he'll return to his 2005 form with improved line play. And to be honest, the 2005 line wasn't all that hot. They were good but weren't stellar. If we can kick them up a knoctch and get them to play all season like they did in the 2005 post season, he'll be more than fine.

Rocky: Same as Golston. Play him.

Smoot: I like Smoot. I think he fit well within this system and that he still can. If he can come at a reasonable price, I don't see why we shouldn't get him. He was never the greatest but he was good enough.
I'm not too sure about this one but it doesn't sound too stupid in my head.

I'm all against breaking the bank for anyone right now but if we did, I'd do it for a DB. They are hard to come by. But if we don't get the line situated, it's not going to do much for us.

[Houligan26]

I agree with both of you and disagree with both of you. You bring in Alan Branch and you see what Lemar can do with a guy that can occupy blockers. You don't just throw some middle of the road MLB free agent in there. Lemar deserves one more starting year and I believe that. If you are getting a dt in the draft than you are doing it to make Lemar's life a lot easier than it was last year. On the other hand, you do not let Branch start up front with a second year guy who still has a lot of learning to do. Put him up there with a wiley vet like Griffin who can still get it done. Use Golston to keep them both fresh. Smoot and Clements are both not my choice. Clements said he wants to be the highest paid cb in the league, he is not good enough for that. Smoot hasn't impressed me in his time away from the skins. I am all for asante samuels if he doesn't get tagged

[Chris Luva Luva]

Another kink in all of this is GW.

We know that he doesn't start rookies. How long till we see whoever we draft?

[Houligan26]

Can't argue that

[SkinsJock]

.. why on earth would we want to continue with the defense that played last year.? They were awful.

SOME changes NEED to be made. I think ONE d-lineman early in the draft and a MLB and CB from somewhere, are our three most important needs...

A. Carter really came on at the end last year and I think he CAN be that edge rusher that we're looking for, so i'd like to see us add a DT, a MLB and a CB in the offseason, and other than that, I don't care if we stand pat completely. The only other offseason 'wish' I have is a little depth on the o-line. We were very fortunate this year with injuries there or it could have been a huge problem.

Carter, Griffin, Alan Branch, Daniels

Washington, Kawika Mitchell (example only), Marshall

Rogers, Taylor, Springs, Nate Clements (example only)

Springs moving to safety also gives us a lot of interesting nickel sets if Pierson Prioleau can come back.

..When your defense finishes near the bottom of the league, it would seem to make sense to look at making some changes.

I'm with this guy! This would be a very good base group to start the season with defensively next year.

[air_hog]

Another kink in all of this is GW.

We know that he doesn't start rookies. How long till we see whoever we draft?

Well, I think that depends more on position.

And actually, ST I think started at FS by like week 4/5 his rookie years, but again there is reason for that. Sean Taylor was a once in a blue moon, blue chip FS who was ready to play in the NFL since his Junior year in College. Not to mention he was the 5th OVERALL pick in the whole draft.

As for Carlos Rogers, well CB is a tough position to understand. I mean, you can't just throw your typical rookie into a starting role at CB, because A)He'll get burned and B) He'll lose his confidence.

And as for Rocky, everyone heard the draft experts say that he was talented, but raw. Not to mention he was just a second rounder. And in college you can get by with just being athletic and stuff, but in GW's scheme's you need to know exactly what you're doing.

But here's the flip side:
Golston and Montgomery both had pretty significant Playing Time early in the season, and that's why I'm saying it could have something to do with them playing DT.

I mean, honestly, DT is like the coin for the term, "Meathead". Seriously, just stop the ball and you're all set (almost). But anyways, GW just pretty much threw them into things by like week 3 and they got better week by week.

So finally, what I'm trying to say is, that if we draft a DT/DE, I have a feeling he'll get mass playing time early in the season.

[Houligan26]

Don't downgrade the dt position too much. You need to know how to use your hands because pure size doesn't work as much as it does in college. It is a lot about hand work and technique. That is why when montgomery and golston started against tennessee they were gashed all day long by a pitiful travis henry. I do agree with your point on Taylor. Rocky on the other hand I blame on GW a lot. The season was lost and Holdman was playing as bad at LB as anybody in the NFL. To at least get Rocky acclomated and some experience that move should have happened a lot earlier. I was furious at GW for that, watching Holdman was miserable.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Im sorry but there's no excuse for Rocky.

1. If he was soo raw then he shouldn't have been drafted that high. If he was that raw than we should have waited for him to drop.

2. The season was lost wayyyy before he started. There's no excuse for him to have played as late as he did.

3. Rocky could be a lot further along at that position if they hadn't screwed this up. But now I'm not sure what they'll do with him.

Rocky is quickly becoming another screw up by this team, especially if they put Lemar back at that position.