Von Miller and the Copy Cat League

[lemonej]

The first big play that Von Miller made was reminiscent of Richard Dent in SB 20. When he was drafted he was picked number 2 overall behind the guy he pressured repeatedly on Sunday. This is the type of pass rusher that all 3/4 teams will be looking for and the type the Bears should be looking for. The Denver linebackers reminded me of the New Orleans Saints LBs lead by Sam Mills,Vaughn Johnson, Pat Swilling and Ricky Jackson. This is the LB crew that they are similar to imo. This offseason we need to acquire a player that is going to wreck havoc like Von Miller, Pat Swiilling and Rickey Jackson.

[jason]

The first big play that Von Miller made was reminiscent of Richard Dent in SB 20. When he was drafted he was picked number 2 overall behind the guy he pressured repeatedly on Sunday. This is the type of pass rusher that all 3/4 teams will be looking for and the type the Bears should be looking for. The Denver linebackers reminded me of the New Orleans Saints LBs lead by Sam Mills,Vaughn Johnson, Pat Swilling and Ricky Jackson. This is the LB crew that they are similar to imo. This offseason we need to acquire a player that is going to wreck havoc like Von Miller, Pat Swiilling and Rickey Jackson.

 

I like the idea. I think it's also how the Giants were successful with their slew of rushers. But who is available? I think Von Miller is the only guy, and he's 150% staying in Denver. Do you think the Bears' current OLBs can be guys that get the job done if the DEs are actually good players? I think it would help quite a bit if the OLBs knew the DEs were going to uphold their end of the bargain.

[AZ54]

The first big play that Von Miller made was reminiscent of Richard Dent in SB 20. When he was drafted he was picked number 2 overall behind the guy he pressured repeatedly on Sunday. This is the type of pass rusher that all 3/4 teams will be looking for and the type the Bears should be looking for. The Denver linebackers reminded me of the New Orleans Saints LBs lead by Sam Mills,Vaughn Johnson, Pat Swilling and Ricky Jackson. This is the LB crew that they are similar to imo. This offseason we need to acquire a player that is going to wreck havoc like Von Miller, Pat Swiilling and Rickey Jackson.

 

QB pressure doesn't necessarily have to come off the edge, there are different ways to get the job done. I don't see a Von Miller in this draft, perhaps Noah Spence although he doesn't appear to be as quick. There are guys like Buckner, Nkemdiche, Sheldon Day, Sheldon Rankins, Vernon Butler, maybe even Adolphus Washington that have inside rush ability or potential. If we can get early push up the middle our current OLB are good enough to take advantage of it. I'd still like to add more speed to the mix.

[lemonej]

I like the idea of push up the middle freeing the LBs to make tackles and with Young and Houston not rehabbing from surgeries I think that they can be good in this defense but the speed of Denver, Seattle and Carolina's defenses is what we should be trying to build here! One play Miller is flattening Newton and the next play he is covering a back near the sideline and breaking up a pass. That is the type of impact player we as well as one like K....ly that is a tackling machine and then drops in coverage and gets pick 6s. I remember how well our defense played when we had a guy like that!

[Alaskan Grizzly]

I like the idea of push up the middle freeing the LBs to make tackles and with Young and Houston not rehabbing from surgeries I think that they can be good in this defense but the speed of Denver, Seattle and Carolina's defenses is what we should be trying to build here! One play Miller is flattening Newton and the next play he is covering a back near the sideline and breaking up a pass. That is the type of impact player we as well as one like K....ly that is a tackling machine and then drops in coverage and gets pick 6s. I remember how well our defense played when we had a guy like that!

 

Funny how just a few days ago my wife and I were discussing how reminiscent the play of Davis and Keuchley are/were to Briggs and Urlacher. Hmmm.

 

But in considering an idea of putting more speed on the field, especially defensively. I think the idea of looking at converted players like those that go from Safety/CB to LB is the wave of the future. Urlacher proved it can work. Another up and comer on the Panthers is Shaq Thompson (their 1st rounder from last year) is a converted safety who now plays LB. (Taylor Mays was another I felt could have had that potential). He (Thompson) was someone last year that was discussed for our team but obviously passed on. I think we still need to consider someone like that. Especially if we are going to emphasize defense in the earlier rounds.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Bears absolutely have to get faster. It is critical given how teams are playing offensively. Right now, I look at our LB corps and the reality is Shea is our 2nd most athletic linebacker (which tells you all you need to know). Young and Houston, while productive, are not what I call burners. We need an infusion of speed to this defense and I wish there would be an impactful defender. It seems to me that the two guys who fit that potential bill are LB's coming off significant injuries (Jack & Smith).

[Alaskan Grizzly]

Bears absolutely have to get faster. It is critical given how teams are playing offensively. Right now, I look at our LB corps and the reality is Shea is our 2nd most athletic linebacker (which tells you all you need to know). Young and Houston, while productive, are not what I call burners. We need an infusion of speed to this defense and I wish there would be an impactful defender. It seems to me that the two guys who fit that potential bill are LB's coming off significant injuries (Jack & Smith).

 

I think the way Fangio constructs defense he gets (or will get) ILBs that are speedsters to shoot gaps and OLBs that can set the edges and maintain outside contain. With Young, McPhee and Houston I think he has what he needs in the OLB positions...or at least models for that. Of those three McPhee might be able to do the occasional drop back (not sideline to sideline) coverage on slower receivers. Think Kony Ealy in the Super Bowl last weekend. But in order to have it work for the front seven you need speed in the middle, strong edge setters and beef in the front middle to clog the line and keep the interior OL busy.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

I think the way Fangio constructs defense he gets (or will get) ILBs that are speedsters to shoot gaps and OLBs that can set the edges and maintain outside contain. With Young, McPhee and Houston I think he has what he needs in the OLB positions...or at least models for that. Of those three McPhee might be able to do the occasional drop back (not sideline to sideline) coverage on slower receivers. Think Kony Ealy in the Super Bowl last weekend. But in order to have it work for the front seven you need speed in the middle, strong edge setters and beef in the front middle to clog the line and keep the interior OL busy.

Going off that and if a miracle happens with players dropping to our slots, we can add 3 players that have similiar characteristics that will add speed and pop to the middle :

RD1-Myles Jack ILB 6-2 230 4.55 speed

RD2-Darron Lee ILB/Su'a Cravens ILB 6-2 235 4.60 speed

RD3-Miles Killebrew SS 6-3 235 4.50 speed

RD4-Shaun Oakman DT 6-7 275

[jason]

I think the way Fangio constructs defense he gets (or will get) ILBs that are speedsters to shoot gaps and OLBs that can set the edges and maintain outside contain. With Young, McPhee and Houston I think he has what he needs in the OLB positions...or at least models for that. Of those three McPhee might be able to do the occasional drop back (not sideline to sideline) coverage on slower receivers. Think Kony Ealy in the Super Bowl last weekend. But in order to have it work for the front seven you need speed in the middle, strong edge setters and beef in the front middle to clog the line and keep the interior OL busy.

 

Completely agree with the theory behind the 3-4. Beef up front. ILBs more athletic than OLBs. But OLBs must be able to get the edge fairly regularly.

[jason]

Bears absolutely have to get faster. It is critical given how teams are playing offensively. Right now, I look at our LB corps and the reality is Shea is our 2nd most athletic linebacker (which tells you all you need to know). Young and Houston, while productive, are not what I call burners. We need an infusion of speed to this defense and I wish there would be an impactful defender. It seems to me that the two guys who fit that potential bill are LB's coming off significant injuries (Jack & Smith).

 

In general, agree with this thought. It's probably why I'm interested the athletic freaks and/or high-motor guys this year so much. To be honest though, I'd rather have the B+ guys with non-stop motors than the A+ guys with questionable effort. It's why I'm fond of ILBs who are known as tackling machines. Give me Ragland in the 1st, Scooby in the 3rd, and Kwiatkowski in the 6th/7th, and you have yourself a revamped LB corp that fits perfectly with the current talent.

[scs787]

Ragland looked pretty slow to me at the senior bowl. Think he also weighed in at 260. If he loses the weight before the combine I might consider him in the 1st if we can add Trevathon.

 

I want athletes who are GOOD in coverage. Kuechly, Marshall, Trev, then going back to Fangios SF teams, Willis, and Bowman are/were great in coverage.

 

Darron Lee might be the most athletic LB in the draft this year. He might be considered a reach at 11, but I would absolutely love to trade back to 15 and take him.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

Ragland looked pretty slow to me at the senior bowl. Think he also weighed in at 260. If he loses the weight before the combine I might consider him in the 1st if we can add Trevathon.

 

I want athletes who are GOOD in coverage. Kuechly, Marshall, Trev, then going back to Fangios SF teams, Willis, and Bowman are/were great in coverage.

 

Darron Lee might be the most athletic LB in the draft this year. He might be considered a reach at 11, but I would absolutely love to trade back to 15 and take him.

 

So I watched some Youtube videos on Ragland, Lee and Jack last night to see what the hype was about. Agreed that of the three Lee appears to be the most 'athletic' but small. Although one of the other two (Jack?) also played some RB which to me could be factor. As I said before, diverse players like that make for a better all around prospect (IMHO). He seems to definitely have speed. But.. the one I'm most impressed with was Ragland! At least in the videos I saw. That guy simply stuck to those he tackled and stopped them in their tracks. Sometimes he simply flattened them. Although watching some of his tackles made me think of that hit Bostic put on Bridgewater a few years back when they were still in college. And well, we know how Bostic worked out. But to me Ragland looks to be a monster.

 

That being said pre-combine and of the three I'd say Ragland and Jack are 1a and 1b then Lee.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

So I watched some Youtube videos on Ragland, Lee and Jack last night to see what the hype was about. Agreed that of the three Lee appears to be the most 'athletic' but small. Although one of the other two (Jack?) also played some RB which to me could be factor. As I said before, diverse players like that make for a better all around prospect (IMHO). He seems to definitely have speed. But.. the one I'm most impressed with was Ragland! At least in the videos I saw. That guy simply stuck to those he tackled and stopped them in their tracks. Sometimes he simply flattened them. Although watching some of his tackles made me think of that hit Bostic put on Bridgewater a few years back when they were still in college. And well, we know how Bostic worked out. But to me Ragland looks to be a monster.

 

That being said pre-combine and of the three I'd say Ragland and Jack are 1a and 1b then Lee.

m

I said the same thing earlier in a different post, but only seeing Jack and Ragland. I thought Ragland tackled like a machine and went through the ball carrier. Jack seemed to arm tackle or shoulder toss.

Regardless, unless you are drafting Luke Kuechly, I don't think you take ILB at #11 unless he has a similiar grade.

[jason]

So I watched some Youtube videos on Ragland, Lee and Jack last night to see what the hype was about. Agreed that of the three Lee appears to be the most 'athletic' but small. Although one of the other two (Jack?) also played some RB which to me could be factor. As I said before, diverse players like that make for a better all around prospect (IMHO). He seems to definitely have speed. But.. the one I'm most impressed with was Ragland! At least in the videos I saw. That guy simply stuck to those he tackled and stopped them in their tracks. Sometimes he simply flattened them. Although watching some of his tackles made me think of that hit Bostic put on Bridgewater a few years back when they were still in college. And well, we know how Bostic worked out. But to me Ragland looks to be a monster.

 

That being said pre-combine and of the three I'd say Ragland and Jack are 1a and 1b then Lee.

 

 

Crazy how much we are agreeing lately. Have you been concussed?

 

Ragland didn't get all those tackles by accident. And he didn't get all those tackles because he's slow. He played in the best conference and drilled guys who are going to play in the NFL. I want ILBs who drill RBs and drive back. Who wrap up. Who consistently find the ball carrier. Who absolutely plug holes. That guy is Ragland - best pure ILB in the draft.

[lemonej]

This is a team that has historically prided itself on two positions RB and LB! That is why I have been championing the cause for Ragland be cause the last 2 times this drafted an ILB in the first 2 rounds they reach the Super Bowl! Singletary round 2 and Urlacher!

[scs787]

This is a team that has historically prided itself on two positions RB and LB! That is why I have been championing the cause for Ragland be cause the last 2 times this drafted an ILB in the first 2 rounds they reach the Super Bowl! Singletary round 2 and Urlacher!

 

Bostic was a 2R pick.

 

I'd be fine with Ragland, but I hope he loses the weight and can hang in coverage. The NFL seems to be moving away from thumpers in favor of versatile guys who can play both the run and the pass. That is what I want.