Spencer Havner Is A Linebacker
by Sean Yuille on Sep 6, 2010 4:52 PM EDT
in Detroit Lions News
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PrintWhen news broke that the Lions had claimed Spencer Havner on Sunday, the assumption was that he would play tight end. Although he entered the league as a linebacker, Havner switched to tight end last year for Green Bay and did quite well. Yes, the Lions had three tight ends already, but the expectation is for there to be plenty of two-tight end sets this season, meaning taking four TEs was just building good depth.
As it turns out, the Lions apparently claimed Havner to play linebacker. He is listed as a linebacker on the release sent out by the team announcing the move and he is also a linebacker on their roster.
Originally it looked like Dennis Northcutt was let go to make room for Havner, but we now know that he was released to make way for Stefan Logan. Rocky Boiman was the one released to make room for Havner, which surprises me. I don't see why the Lions would release a true linebacker like Boiman, who knows the system well and provides good depth, for a player like Havner, who was a tight end last season. Is he a good athlete who could also contribute on offense? Sure, but I guess I am having a tough time understanding how Havner is an upgrade at the linebacker position.
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OLB?
Looks like he lines up outside in this video. Any idea if he played inside or outside with GB? We could certainly use a little more depth at MLB, but if Havner plays outside this may lead the way for Landon Johnson to move back inside.
Last year +
TE Spencer Havner, a converted linebacker who became a cult hero as “Mr. Touchdown” in the red zone with four touchdowns in 2009.
Expectations don't produce!
Sean, They must think he has more upside than 30 year old Boiman.
His versatility, to play TE too, is a bonus.
From Wikipedia. Seems like he had a pretty good college career as a LB
After a redshirt freshman year, Havner became a four year starter for UCLA. In 2002, he started 13 games and made 96 tackles with 2 sacks with 2 interceptions. In 2003, Havner started 12 of 13 games and had 82 tackles, 1 sack and 3 inteceptions. As a junior in 2004, Havner earned First-team All-America acclaim from CBS Sportsline.com and College Football News and was selected Second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was one of 12 semifinalists for both the Butkus Award and the Rotary Lombardi Award. Havner missed the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl after having arthroscopic knee surgery, but, in 11 games, he accounted for 125 tackles, 1 sack and 2 interceptions. In 2005, Havner led the team with 99 tackles and 3 interceptions and added 2 sacks. Havner led UCLA to a 10-2 record with a win in the 2005 Sun Bowl versus Northwestern, where he made 7 tackles and had 1 interception in a 50-38 victory.
if the shoe fits...get another one just like it - George Carlin
Typo?
Hey Sean, I think you may have mistyped the last sentence in the 2nd paragraph. I assume that you meant to say, “He is listed as a linebacker on the release sent out by the team announcing the move and he is also a [linebacker] on their roster” not,“he is also a tight end on their roster”.
Corrected
That’s what I get for not reading through it
Pride of Detroit, for Lions fans | SB Nation Detroit, for Detroit-area sports fans
I had it backwards.
Yesterday, I thought he’d be a throw back, playing both sides of the ball, offense/defense ( in a pinch ). Be interesting to see where he does spend most of his time. You know for sure he’ll be on the suicide squad…
" I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this. " " What are you doin' here? You oughta be out in a convertible bird-doggin' chicks and bangin' beaver. " " Medication time. Medication time. " ( One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 1975 )
i've been waiting for this! love it.
Previously DrewMoney$$$ "banned from sbnation" ...
by DetroitDrew1980 on Sep 6, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
have bean?
jeez.
I don’t want add player does not have blue collar mentality,
even if he is great player. Piston should not quit your job. - OK from J
From the Schwartz Press Conference
They are getting him up to speed at LB but have plans to also get him up to speed at TE FB and special teams also.
I thought being lazy was a bad thing, So I gave up thinking.
Vrable and Klecko
Both defensive players who in goal line situations made excellent targets. My guess is Linehan and Gun will both find ways to use his talent. He also adds depth to 2 positions for D and Offense. Not many guys can do that anymore.
I had a dream were the Lions let me sign a 1 day contract they let me practice with them running drills and catching passes from Matt…At the end of the day I was called into Mayhews office. I was told I had just been traded to seattle for a 5th round draft pick.
by The Profiler on Sep 6, 2010 5:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Im sure if we get more guys
hes one of the first to go
Dre Bly should still be a lion
by DetroitLions 4 life on Sep 6, 2010 5:38 PM EDT reply actions
Hey, Maybe they can teach Havner to place kick or punt too!
What a multiple threat he would be…..a tackling, receiving kicker!
I can see the designed trick plays for him now!!!!
How about teaching him to be a LS
… and a punter … He can punt his own snaps … Now that would be talent .. Lolllllllllll
by Libran on Sep 6, 2010 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good research, you all saved em from having to do a "Who is" post LoL
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I found another site drooling over him also...
But I’m not around a computer and getting some of these non-mobile sites to load is a biatch.
It might of been a link from PFT.
by delusional on Sep 6, 2010 7:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
doubtful.. but glad he is here
"things not to talk about with people RELIGION,POLITICS,k. smith,FINANCES"
sandvet Sep 2010
Dont get me wrong I like Follett.
I just havent seen anuthing amazing or out of the norm. I know hes young and he may improve but to be honest Johnson and Palmer both had better preseasons.
by BennieBladesFan on Sep 6, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotta give Follett some games and see how he is progressing, at least 4 games, maybe 8
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I agree.
Just dont think he will fair well. Hope he does but just dont see it happening.
by BennieBladesFan on Sep 6, 2010 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Another Linebacker surprise?
I. Alama-Francis (remember him?) Is starting OLB this Sunday. Can’t remember which team. Miami maybe.
Get out....really?
No way….lol
by delusional on Sep 7, 2010 10:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
dylan is right. It is Miami.
The NFL.com depth chart shows him behind the rookie LB that Gunther wanted to draft Koa Misi, but I had heard that IAF may actually start. as the rush LB.
Go figure.
Crazy
didn’t think there was any way he could end up a solid pro. Suppose it might give Millen an extremely small amount of vindication.
Not Millen...that was Marinelli's boy...
by delusional on Sep 7, 2010 11:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yes he beat out their highly touted 2nd round pick, and Gun's dream LB, Koa Misi for the starting job
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
I should add Koa Misi looked really good, but Francis (dont ever call me Francis!) beat him out anyways
Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!
Not sure it is as simple as that.......
Just like that, it’s clear as crystal why Alama-Francis is getting first-team snaps over Misi. The Dolphins are looking at IAF as more of a situational run stopper because of his ability to set the edge. Ike is a converted defensive lineman, after all, whose strength is stuffing the run. Misi, meanwhile, isn’t as physically big and strong – but is more athletic and versatile.
This means Koa could be losing snaps on early downs this year to Alama-Francis until he improves his ability to set the edge and stop the run.
LINK: http://www.thephinsider.com/2010/8/30/1657879/is-koa-misis-starting-job-at-risk
Looks like he will be a situational pass rusher until he gets stronger against the run. In another article the Dolphins coach talked about Misi getting four to five hundred snaps this season. There was a lot of discussion on the Phinsider regarding how well IAF was actually playing and whether this was a motivational ploy [I doubt it] or an honest attempt to improve the run defence. There was a lot of concern about IAF’s ability to cover on any pass plays.
Very surprising....
RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.
by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 7, 2010 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
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