2017 Free agents

This guy here, on the other hand...


Doesn't. Have. A clue.
Lol he did run for 427 one game but his pimp hand isn't as strong
 
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Well, guessing Riley's patients will pay off. Sign the dude already. Also, bring in Odrick for competiton. Make Autry, Latham and Ward actually earn their roster spots. Same as Dumerville. Don't just gift wrap backup roles to Calhoun and Cowser. Mack and Irvin can't play 90% of the snaps this year.
 
I guess the Jets were asking too much for Richardson as a potential one year rental. Underwhelming 2016 campaign along with the reputation for being a malcontent. I have to believe there is a handshake deal in place for Riley to come back. I'm ok with him as a place holder for another season.
 
Riley, Lee, Jenkins, Ball, James, Heeney . . . not much to write home about . . . but it looks far better than Lee, Jenkins, Ball, James, Heeney.

Well, scratch that. Just listened to Red's presser. Unless he's looking for two bigger LB, Lee's gonna get the chance to replace Riley, not play along side of him. That leaves Jenkins and Ball as the coverage ILB and James and Heeney as depth.
 
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Who replaces M. Smith?

1. Jenkins
2. Ball
3. Obi

Who replaces Riley?

1. Lee
2. James
3. Heeney

Red said he was going to bring in 2 more LB and only drafted 1. But then he'll have to give up on and cut two (not one) of the above.
 
Jenkins best attribute is coverage. Same with Obi. So I'm guessing they can find there way to third down snaps. Ball was decent at coverage but are we really penciling him into being healthy? Cant trust that. So he's out of the equation and in the hope category.

I dont dislike Heeney, but he is miscast at ILB. He is too frail to get off blocks or fill gaps. Especially behind this shitty DT group. I think he fits best chasing and covering. He has the speed to go from sideline to sideline.

James actually did flash some skills last year, but again... too small to play inside with any real impact in the run game. Maybe he can play OLB and blitz and blow up run plays from there.

Which brings us to Lee. If we dont sign anyone, he could end up stealing the early work at ILB. He is now the only guy with size. His best attribute is playing down hill between the tackles int he run game. He also plays well behind the LOS. We might even be able to blitz him thru the middle to help generate inside pressure.

Its a weird confusing group. I would try and focus on what each of them do well and put them in position to only do that as much as possible.

The only real answer is sign a veteran ILB. These other guys can fill in outside and are ALL better fits in space (except Lee)

TLDR:
We actually have some coverage at LB now (if you like Jenkins and Obi there) But no steady run defenders or size inside. You cant have suspect DTs and ILB and expect to stop the run. We are on the path to giving up 6+ yard per offensive play again (worst in the NFL)
 
Who replaces M. Smith?

1. Jenkins
2. Ball
3. Obi

Who replaces Riley?

1. Lee
2. James
3. Heeney

Red said he was going to bring in 2 more LB and only drafted 1. But then he'll have to give up on and cut two (not one) of the above.
With release of D Williams, Red said that he was looking to likely bring in probably 2 DTs. Don't think I had heard that he was looking to bring in two LBs. I would expect him to bring in a vet MLB pretty soon just like he has done pretty much every year. Part of reason I dont think he looks to spend much draft capital for ILB is that both he and Jack value having a vet to handle communications and set the D.
 
With release of D Williams, Red said that he was looking to likely bring in probably 2 DTs. Don't think I had heard that he was looking to bring in two LBs. I would expect him to bring in a vet MLB pretty soon just like he has done pretty much every year. Part of reason I dont think he looks to spend much draft capital for ILB is that both he and Jack value having a vet to handle communications and set the D.
He said 2 LBs at his pre-draft presser.
 
Who replaces M. Smith?

1. Jenkins
2. Ball
3. Obi

Who replaces Riley?

1. Lee
2. James
3. Heeney

Red said he was going to bring in 2 more LB and only drafted 1. But then he'll have to give up on and cut two (not one) of the above.
Honestly, I'd rather have James over in the M.Smith part of the depth chart. He certainly was better in space than trying to come downhill in his rookie season.

WILB Jenkins/James/Heeney
SILB Riley/Lee/James

Gerald Hodges is still out there and would be a solid addition at either ILB spot.
 
I dont dislike Heeney, but he is miscast at ILB. He is too frail to get off blocks or fill gaps. Especially behind this shitty DT group. I think he fits best chasing and covering. He has the speed to go from sideline to sideline.

James actually did flash some skills last year, but again... too small to play inside with any real impact in the run game. Maybe he can play OLB and blitz and blow up run plays from there.

Which brings us to Lee. If we dont sign anyone, he could end up stealing the early work at ILB. He is now the only guy with size. His best attribute is playing down hill between the tackles int he run game. He also plays well behind the LOS. We might even be able to blitz him thru the middle to help generate inside pressure.
TLDR:
We actually have some coverage at LB now (if you like Jenkins and Obi there) But no steady run defenders or size inside. You cant have suspect DTs and ILB and expect to stop the run. We are on the path to giving up 6+ yard per offensive play again (worst in the NFL)
Part of Heeney's problem is that he gambled WAY too much. He would shoot thru the B-gap while the RB is going to the A-gap. And he didn't have the burst to get through quickly enough to catch the RB from behind (like we saw J.Davis and Z.Cunningham do in draft videos). You need speed, change of direction, strength, and smarts. And he only has 1.5 of those traits.

James did flash last year. If he steps into the M.Smith role, he gets to stay clean a little bit more. I think that's where he should slot in the depth chart, although it's kind of telling that the team kept him off the field when Riley was brought on rather than having him split snaps with M.Smith while Riley was on the field.

Lee reads like a Riley-lite. I think he would be great in that role as a *BACKUP to Riley* his rookie year. This all comes back to Riley coming back this year.

I refuse to put Ball anywhere on the depth chart until he plays in the regular season.

I think I agree with your tl;dr. We have a little bit of coverage (especially since I like James in that role), but that downhill SILB is a big problem right now.
 
Well, guessing Riley's patients will pay off. Sign the dude already. Also, bring in Odrick for competiton. Make Autry, Latham and Ward actually earn their roster spots. Same as Dumerville. Don't just gift wrap backup roles to Calhoun and Cowser. Mack and Irvin can't play 90% of the snaps this year.

I think we'll see Obi play more of a backer role than we think, dropping into coverage and disquising the defense etc- What this team needs at MLB is someone that can shed and tackle and put his hat on the ball on running plays-
 
FWIW, heard on the 95.7 that the Raiders are in no rush to sign any FA LBr's. Said they want to evaluate who they have now. SMH
 
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