Where The Roster Stands: Outside Linebacker
by Sean Yuille on Aug 24, 2010 5:30 PM EDT
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PrintPreviously: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Offensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Center, Defensive End, Defensive Tackle
Returning from last season: Zack Follett, Julian Peterson
New to the team: Landon Johnson, Ashlee Palmer, Lee Campbell, Caleb Campbell
Outside linebacker a year ago featured Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims as the starters. This year, with Sims being traded to the Eagles in the offseason, it will feature Peterson and Zack Follett, who has gone from a practice squad member to a special teams player to a starter in less than a year. While that is a little scary because Follett is still unproven as a linebacker and depth isn't all that great behind him, there's no doubt people are looking forward to seeing the Pain Train making plays this upcoming season.
The backups at outside linebacker right now are a former Panther, a former Bill and a pair of Campbells. The former Panther and Bill, Landon Johnson and Ashlee Palmer, were brought in largely for special teams reasons. With Danny Crossman, Carolina's ex-special teams coach, taking over the position in Detroit, he wanted to bring in guys who excel on special teams and will make the Lions' kick/punt coverage better. Johnson especially fits the bill, although he does have starting experience from his days in Cincinnati.
As for the two Campbells, both are fighting to make the roster. Caleb Campbell, as we all know, is a draft pick from a few years ago who just rejoined the team this year after fulfilling some of his military requirements. Although Campbell has quickly shown improvement, he is definitely on the roster bubble. Lee Campbell is on the bubble even more, as he was already released once by the Lions. He was only brought back after Jordon Dizon's injury, although the Lions have him listed as an outside linebacker rather than a middle linebacker.
Need going forward?
Although there has been talk ever since the Sims trade that a veteran linebacker would be brought in, the Lions have yet to do anything along those lines. I still think it's possible if Follett shows that he may not be ready to be a starter just yet or to simply shore up depth at the position, but so far the Lions have moved forward with what they already have for the most part.
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Akin Ayodle
was released by the Bronco’s, and we did bring him in for a visit in March. I think they will wait til the rosters are cut to 53 though and get some young guys that missed the cut elsewhere.
Mayhew would have done well
by drafting Clay Matthews or Rey Maualuga with the 20th pick last year. I like Brandon Pettigrew enough but I still scratch my head over that pick.
Who's the QBs best friend?
In life, a man is either the hammer or the anvil. Ndamukong Suh is both
Pride of Detroits village idiot
It was a good pick
Now that we have Scheffler Grew doesn’t seem as important, but he’s got all the tools to be one of the best TE’s in the league. I have no doubts about it being the right pick.
Thinking ...
Theres some concern on Grew and its startign to show could just be because of injury but I believe this is why we got Scheff, remember he was in a contract type situation before being traded and he fits here at same time to allow Grew to heal proper w/out rushing him (at least this year). Its clear, this Front office is “protecting” their younger investments. But you are right He begins to fade into the background a bit, I could also see Scheff beating Grew out for the Starting position, I think they see him as the immediate threat of weapon type, but im not sold they couldnt have pulled off a bettter deal w/ Denver w/ out going through Philly … and maybe kept Sims just incase.
A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....
by JaiGaiaAries on Aug 24, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Without a doubt in my mind Grew was a good pick
Put his numbers against any other TE in their rookie season. And Grew’s stat line is right there with some of the best that have ever played.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
Grew was a good pick
Though usually we hear someone saying we should of grabbed Oher.
by coolbreeze42 on Aug 24, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely
I wouldn’t mind us drafting Greg Jones and sliding Levy back over to OLB, his natural position. But, yes, I’d be surprised if we don’t draft a LB of some sort in the first few rounds.
even Von Miller
I see Jones as being an outside guy in some systems.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
313
As it looks right now MLB IS Levy’s natural position. Fast, very intelligent, very physical. And for all you rey rey rah rah guys, fuck that. At draft time last year, Zach Follet was the Pac-10 defensive player of the year. Not Cushing, not rey rey, and absolutely NO questionable character. Aren’t you people informed, or just drool before you think?
Am I crazy
or has Landon Johnson looked better then Follett this preseason? I personally think he should start ahead of Da Pain Train, given his experience he’s less likely to give up a big play then Follett.
No you are not crazy
I noticed Landon in the Devner game. Seems to be playing well. I think he was in the middle. But can play all three backer positions
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
I'm sure that the Cleveland game will see a lot of changes in our LB's and Secondary.
I really like Caleb as a LB. He’s doing ok out there and he hasn’t played in almost 2 years! His learning curve is off the charts.
Im wondering what that hit did to Johnson (during Arizona game), from his stats during Cincy he played hard the last two years of his contract there and then took the MLB position over because of injuries, He would seem like an “ideal” FA that could step up his game and recapture some of what he did in Cincy. I personally would like to see more sacks on his record but he seems like he needs to be re pushed. Seems like he didnt fair in the Panther system well though but what a better place than Detroit to reprove yourself.
On the rest of the LB core, I’ve said it before posted … this will be the biggest concern this season, I bet it will frustrate the defensive line too to a degree where they’re hard work wont look as good because of whats behind them. I was all for the trade of Sims but thats because you had to figure they had someone else lined up …. So far we are pretty well past that trade and guess what .. no one that jumps out that makes you go, We ll be ok at LB. But maybe they ll be ok if the secondary can make up for the mistakes in the middle.
A coward dies a thousands Deaths a soldier dies once ....
I am extremely excited about our draft class this year, and I kind of put Caleb in with them, since he is esentially a rookie this year.
Randy Phillips, Willie Young, and Caleb Campbell though, even if these guys become solid backups and live up to the promise they are showing, are going to be part of taking a big leap forward in talent on this roster. To pick up guys that late or undrafted that are showing the promise that these guys are is very exciting indeed. If these guys can keep progressing and continue to develop on the potential they have shown the Lions will be a team to reckon with much sooner than people think.
BTW I am thinking Caleb Campbell will be the WOLB starter before the year is out. I certainly like what I have seen from him so far. The dude is a flat out natural play maker and above all a football player. Guys like this make teams that win championships.
+1
I bet he gets more playing time against Cleveland.
by coolbreeze42 on Aug 24, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Caleb in a time table guy
He just needs to be able to get the reps in. And it will be just a matter of time before we start talking about him. As we did with Levy.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
Troy Evans - OLB
Saints just cut him. Lots of game experience and Special Teams captain last two years. What d’ya think?
by LionFanInChiefsLand on Aug 24, 2010 10:42 PM EDT reply actions
NO!
He’s gonna be 33.
He had the season of his career last year with 2 starts, and 29 tackles.
Follett is already a Special Teams star, Why bring in the 33 year old “follett” to replace him.
oh, also, in 8 years in the NFL, the guy has NEVER had a SACK.
If we bring in anyone at this point, they better be a proven NFL Starter.
We just need to sit pat for a couple weeks and see who falls out with the 53 man cuts.
Some teams are stacked with young talent at LB like we are at DE. Believe it or not the St. Louis announcers feel that they have “a lot of good young talent” at the position. There are other teams like Washington that have some issues with a coaching change and some good players might shake loose or be traded, if not prior to the season early on or at the trade deadline. Don’t forget that Glen Dorsey and Derrick Johnson are in the dog house in KC too. Both are players drafted by Gunther that are not fitting well into their new 3-4 defense.
Personally I am not that concerned. I think Caleb Campbell is going to be our WOLB before the year is out, Levy is fine in the middle, and Follett can be groomed to replace J. P. next year. On top of all of that I feel all right about Landen Johnson starting for us until the youngsters come along. I am ok with Ekejiuba playing MLB for us if needed too and sliding Levy back to the outsid. I am fairly confident that we will draft a LB within the first 4 rounds next year if not within the first two. We wanted Koa Misi this year but he did not last and someone jumped up, Miami I think, and grabbed him a bit early for his projected value. Its too bad that Bulluck signed with the Giants, he looked good the other night when I watched them. Anyways the point is that we have a lot of options there and I am sure that Schwartz and Mayhew are taking their time to make the best move they can not only for this year but for our future too.
A Smurfy Good Read on LB Options
Thanks. Though no one can predict what Mayhew’s next wave of the wand will be, I like to know a few options among the many. Helps me follow the players.
by LionFanInChiefsLand on Aug 25, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
next years draft
must get a shut down corner or maybe a lb and please draft a stud left tackle that ca handle a bull rush plz……and one more thing i wouldn’t mind if we drafted a le the best one in the draft yes so kvb can train him up.
Outside Linebacker
I think we should be good here. You know what your going to get with Julian Peterson and I think Follett really impresses this year. If he does struggle though we have Landon Johnson who has starting experience and has looked pretty good so far this pre-season.
by Detroitsportsfan3 on Aug 25, 2010 9:28 AM EDT reply actions
shut down corner
2 from Nebraska Gomes and Amankura,
Lions will probably take advantage of its Dline and move to a model where your running a 4-2-5 scheme, large safety types with extra speed capture the most benefit from the push. The field is shorter when the dline can reset directional momentum backwards, safeties that can cover ground and tackle become more valuable than line backers.
Gunther has a model and as a student of the game me thinks he wont hesitate to reveal it by mid season. So many 5 and 4 recvr sets in the NFL that the need for cover speed implies going to a 4 2 5 alighnment.
2011 NFL Draft CB Prospects The only two worth taking in the first round IMO.
Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, 6-0, 200 lbs., 40 Yard: 4.49
Ras-I Dowling, Virginia, 6-2, 200 lbs., 40 Yard: 4.54
Linebackers
Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina, 6-3, 230 lbs., 40 Yard: 4.57
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M, 6-2, 240 lbs., 40 Yard: 4.56
Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State, 6-1, 235 lbs., 4.64
Offensive Linemen
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin, 6-7, 322 lbs.
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado, 6-8, 302 lbs.
DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas, 6-5, 315 lbs.
Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College, 6-7, 298 lbs.
Anyways that is enough of talking about next year, just getting people familiar with the names so they can follow em if they want this year.
On the cover 3 (that is what your talking about above) if we do start to run a lot of that expect us to start carrying more safeties.
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