Worried about LBs

[paulskinsfan]

Nice game tonight, but one thing that really concerned me was the lack of speed at the LB position. Tonight the Skins faced a below average QB. When that defense faces a good QB, he is gonna shred them over the middle and with the slot receiver and TE because the starting LBs just do not have the speed necessary for a 3-4 defense. The back 4 are good, and there is solid depth along the D-line, but the LB unit is the weakness in this defense, and when you're running the 3-4, LBs should be your strength.

[Dolla Bill]

Nice game tonight, but one thing that really concerned me was the lack of speed at the LB position. Tonight the Skins faced a below average QB. When that defense faces a good QB, he is gonna shred them over the middle and with the slot receiver and TE because the starting LBs just do not have the speed necessary for a 3-4 defense. The back 4 are good, and there is solid depth along the D-line, but the LB unit is the weakness in this defense, and when you're running the 3-4, LBs should be your strength.

I do agree with your initial concern, but I also have to believe that we haven't revealed a lot with our defensive schemes. There will be times where we will have Landry/Doughty/Horton to play a pseudo "LB" position.

I'm taking this game to be more than a glorified varsity vs. JV game. Pretty soon the CFL might absorb the Bills.

I was encouraged by the overall effort of the D, but we better not continue with the sloppy tackling again.

[Emmanouel8]

They seemed a bit unsettles in the beginning. Maybe they're legs were slowed down by the ir unfamiliarity with the system. I share your concerns, but let's see how it progresses.

[SKINSATIONAL]

I think it's way too early to be concerned about the linebackers. This was the 1st preseason game, and the first time they all played together at true "game speed". These guys are all still learning new positions and a totally new scheme. You can't react quickly when you have to think things through. Once they don't have to think so much, they can react faster. We still have three more preseason games to go...lets at least wait until the 3rd before we start worrying. I think they should be proud of tonight's overall performance and they will be excited to build off it in practice over the course of the next week.

[CarMike]

yeah, lets hope it gets better as we get closer to the season. Even though Big Al was going against the 2nd stringers from Buffalo, it's going to be hard to keep him from the starting lineup once dallass comes to DC.

[Battle Cat]

I am more worried about the D-Line I did not see anyone from the first string requiring double teams which lets the offensive lineman release to the linebacker level. Andre Carter looked bad but the d end on his side was getting crushed leaving a huge lane for Carter to try to fill.

[Keino]

Carter was consistently giving up outside contain and hesitant in his reads. It will be interesting to see how that particular battle plays out. I thought Riley made a case to get some time with the ones to see how he fits in.

I'd be very surprised if our 4 LB starters tonight are the same starters for September 12.

I'm concerned about our WRs.

[Dolla Bill]

Carter was consistently giving up outside contain and hesitant in his reads. It will be interesting to see how that particular battle plays out. I thought Riley made a case to get some time with the ones to see how he fits in.

I'd be very surprised if our 4 LB starters tonight are the same starters for September 12.

I'm concerned about our WRs.

I'm not sure if I am that worried about the WRs. I'm sure Shanahan will keep the best 5-6, but who they are will be pretty surprising IMO. Banks and Austin are making strong cases due to their STs.

I'm more interested to see who the starting WRs will be. Moss didn't get a sniff really, but I think this offense will be heavy on the run and getting the ball to the TEs in the passing game. The WRs will be a bonus.

[esmith1790]

I'm not sure if I am that worried about the WRs. I'm sure Shanahan will keep the best 5-6, but who they are will be pretty surprising IMO. Banks and Austin are making strong cases due to their STs.

I'm more interested to see who the starting WRs will be. Moss didn't get a sniff really, but I think this offense will be heavy on the run and getting the ball to the TEs in the passing game. The WRs will be a bonus.

If Banks and Austin make a strong case for the ST impact, then how will it affect Devin Thomas. If he is low on the depth chart and the starting KO returner then the WR group would be 6 then?

Moss, Williams, Galloway is 3 right there. So you add Devin Thomas who is currently 3rd team as the #4-WR. Not sure u can have Banks as your #5 guy so you will have to keep 6 WRs and take a spot away from another position.

IF Devin Thomas is 3rd stringer now and continues that ranking( i know he had a TD tonite), can the skins afford to carry Banks or Austin?

There might be a numbers crunch.

[TrueOracle]

I wouldn't be mad if we entered the season with one TRUE deep threat in Moss, two bosses at TE, and a stud running game. Assuming the line holds and the D shows up, that's good enuf to go 10-6. I'm thinking we're going to be seeing a lot of Tiger sets, deep routes and TE play - in addition to the running game.

Anything else we get out of the another receiver is a bonus at this point. We still have 3 more games to go before they matter so let's just see who shows up. McNabb still has to get more acquainted with the O before I get concerned with the WR's.

[jaylen]

yeah those lb's in space looked out of sorts. and our starting D line minus AH looked alittle sub par. But its week one.

[Dept_of_Defense]

To me Carter just looks so awkward running around. Even watching him rush from a standing position looked weird to me. He just looks so big and lanky when he's in space....hopefully they can keep him close to the line of scrimmage

[flave1969]

I'm concerned about our WRs.

I can see a scenario where Thomas and Kelly are either gone of bit part players.

I thought Wade, Williams, Armstrong and Austin showed enough for them to be very worried.

[hail2skins]

I can see a scenario where Thomas and Kelly are either gone of bit part players.

I thought Wade, Williams, Armstrong and Austin showed enough for them to be very worried.
I agree with this. Both Kelly and Thomas should be concerned. When a play is designed for you in a preseason game, you better make it because who knows when you'll get another. I think Kelly is gone no matter what though.

[Keino]

I agree with this. Both Kelly and Thomas should be concerned. When a play is designed for you in a preseason game, you better make it because who knows when you'll get another. I think Kelly is gone no matter what though.

Based on what I saw last night, we don't have a single WR that defenses should fear, and that includes Moss. He gave up on a ball that was thrown to him, it appeared that he thought it was intended for someone else.

Wade, Armstrong and Williams all had some missed opps as well and I was unimpressed by every WR begging for penalties after missing catchable balls. You don't always get those calls and sometimes you have to make the damn play. (I don't think Armstrong crossed the goaline with possession of the ball on the 1st TD either)

Back to LBs though, I thought Robert Henson played his way off the team. I'd be very surprised if he makes the 1st cut. Chris Draft was also thoroughly unimpressive...I expected more from him. Like I said last night, I would like to see Riley get some run with Fletcher and the 1st team. Did Rocky McIntosh even play? (Yes I know he played, but he has literally no impact on anything)

[Hr fan]

WRs - I expect that BA is not done dealing or scanning the waiver wire. LBs - ditto.

[OCSkinzFan]

Orakpo had little impact.

Fletcher played his normal near perfect, sideline to sideline, game.

McIntosh was invisible.

Carter over penetrated, didn't contain, and looked panicked in space.

Riley earned a spot on the team.

I don't remember Blades playing at all.

Did Alexander do anything? I don't remember. I believe he is scheduled to start next week. It would be hard for him to play worse than Carter did last night.

[OCSkinzFan]

WRs - I expect that BA is not done dealing or scanning the waiver wire. LBs - ditto.

So you think that a WR that gets CUT from another team will be signed with a few weeks left before the season starts to compete with the eleven WR's that we currently have?

Not very likely IMO.

[nicefellow31]

I agree with everyone about our LBs and WRs. The WRs played very Philly like when they had guys like Todd Pinkton, Freddie Mitchell, Greg Brown etc. I'm sure McNabb is like "here we go again." As for the LBs, I don't think Andre Carter is a LB at all. He looked awkward and confused. I mentioned on another post that the Skins actually said that Orakpo will have a lot of coverage responsibility as well which should make Jason Whitten smile. All in all, our team strength is still the 4-3 and why Shanny is in such as rush to convert to a 3-4 is a mystery. However he knows what he is doing and it will be interesting to see what changes will be made before the season opener.

[ChiefPowhatan17]

to me, Blades and Henson both looked slow and out of position. I don't see Blades making the cut.

[justinskins]

All in all, our team strength is still the 4-3 and why Shanny is in such as rush to convert to a 3-4 is a mystery. However he knows what he is doing and it will be interesting to see what changes will be made before the season opener.

I'm guessing the argument would be as follows: the team is already installing a new offense and may need to make additional personnel changes after the season, so why wait to switch over the defense to a 3-4. The sooner a 3-4 is implemented, the sooner the coaches can decide which existing players can stay and who needs to go. That way it's clearer what the team's needs are going into the 2011 offseason.

[CapitalDefense]

A lot of thinking from the LB's no doubt. When they are thinking instead of playing they are slow to react. I believe every player that played OLB for us last night, except for Carter, played it for the first time in a 3-4 scheme. They will get better and a platoon opposite of Orakpo is what I expect during the season. They will need to find the best one against the run to play the run and the pass to play the pass, whoever that might be. Then take your lumps when they attack that side.

Every team that goes from a 4-3 to a 3-4 the next year ends up with to many lineman and not enough LB's.

[smoak]

I agree with this. Both Kelly and Thomas should be concerned. When a play is designed for you in a preseason game, you better make it because who knows when you'll get another. I think Kelly is gone no matter what though.

Can we IR Kelly and cite the chronic nature of his injuries?? Either way, Thomas and Kelly look like complete wastes, and I am convinced both are on life support. I prefer Austin and Banks.

[Swirvi]

Why is everyone so impressed with Austin? Maybe someone can explain to me why he deserves a spot over Thomas? All I saw was 2 average catches and nothing on punt returns. Thomas had at least one drop that I remember but he was still able to run by a CB and a safety to grab the long TD. Isn't that what we wanted to see? And people still want to see him go? I don't get it...

[GibbsFan]

Its gonna be a rough transistion. LB was not a strength in the 4-3. The keys to overall improvement are Orakpo, the other side, and AH. If AH plays to his potential every play we will be a much better D regardless of alignment. Rak has to start making plays without thinking. Somebody has to emerge as a competent starter on the other side or it will be exploited all year long.

JMHO, but we should save some face by going with multiple alignments and work much more from the 4-3 than the 3-4 if the future is now. I know its only one game, and we should see some week to week improvement, but something tells me the current roster will never be very effective in the 3-4. I hope I can eat these words and we the lead the league in total d, points against, and turnover margin. The 1st unit run d looked terrible and we lacked the aggressiveness on the pass rush, too. I guess its the transitory effects of thinking instead of reacting. But Buffalo is a below average offense, and the Ravens will offer a much better gauge as to what we are missing on defense. Of course its much easier to play d with a lead, and now that we can score again we have that going for us.

The wr situation will sort itself out. The vets are nothing special, but they are serviceable. Thomas/Kelly should not be expecting to coast onto the roster. I don't really care who gets cut as long as its not Banks. That kid is amazing, and hopefully has just about nailed a spot down.

[Patrick]

First game (preseason) - new defense. I'll give it this week's game to develop. If there's no improvement THEN it becomes a concern. At this point got to give them time to work on a few things. ............. Now the WR - hope they just release Kelly. They are just kidding themselves if they think the kid is going to get any better / healthier. It's ALWAYS going to be something (health wise) with him.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Our LBs looked lost out there IMO, except for London Fletcher of course. That guy is always on point.

I thought Riley looked alright, although he did take at least one severely bad angle.

McIntosh was seemingly paying homage to Warrick Holdman. Guys were turning the corner on him, he couldn't shed a block, and even that play where they said he was held - he wasn't going to make the tackle anyway.

Carter looks just awkward out there. He is not nimble and doesn't change direction well - surprising for someone as lean as he is.

Orakpo looked good rushing the QB and that's about it. Same with Chris Wilson IMO.

[HanburgerBum]

If Banks and Austin make a strong case for the ST impact, then how will it affect Devin Thomas. If he is low on the depth chart and the starting KO returner then the WR group would be 6 then?

Moss, Williams, Galloway is 3 right there. So you add Devin Thomas who is currently 3rd team as the #4-WR. Not sure u can have Banks as your #5 guy so you will have to keep 6 WRs and take a spot away from another position.

IF Devin Thomas is 3rd stringer now and continues that ranking( i know he had a TD tonite), can the skins afford to carry Banks or Austin?

There might be a numbers crunch.


Why are Roydell Williams and Joey Galloway locks--especially old fart Joey?

[Battle Cat]

Why are Roydell Williams and Joey Galloway locks--especially old fart Joey?
They are not locks by any stretch of the imagination.

[cal_junior]

Why are Roydell Williams and Joey Galloway locks--especially old fart Joey?

Not saying Galloway is a lock, but MShanny likes veterans. Someone is going to have to dramatically outplay him to get him cut.

[esmith1790]

Not saying Galloway is a lock, but MShanny likes veterans. Someone is going to have to dramatically outplay him to get him cut.

just to add to your thoughts, 1st team reps with McNabb is better then 3rd team reps with Beck. If a pass hits you in the hands u have to catch it is the old saying.

Well if Beck cant throw worth a crap and is off target it can give the impression that Devin Thomas isnt cutting it.

That is my whole point. The 3rd stringers can miss a block and the defender force a throw to the WIDEOUT and if it hits his hands and he cant catch it. THen the blame goes on him.

That is why some 3rd stringers get 1st team reps just to get a real evaluation.

The lower the down the depth chart the less reps you get. The less chance to make an impact to show your worthiness.