Linebackers on the Roster (Other than Starters & Walk-ons)

[RF2044]

It's been a potpourri of either missed tackles or dogs on a sled getting dragged like hangers on...

Agree 100%

 

[reedny]

Not sure what tape YOU'RE watching -- diagnosing plays / getting to the ball isn't the problem with these LBs. Bringing the ball carrier down is the problem.

I do agree that they try to avoid getting engaged by linemen because they are too small to fight off those blocks and make plays.

This is a good point. Our LB's are playing like safeties. Instead of breaking into the backfield like the one downhill play Armstrong made, they're lurking to avoid blocks. That creates space that leads to big gains and chunk plays. If we need beef and speed - why isn't Richards getting some run?

Tep64 has a point: if our backups were ready they'd be playing. I get that ... but something's got to give here. Our run D has been exposed and unless/until we make some substitutions - at least on obvious running downs - we're going to get gashed.

 

[kcsu]

I think we are fixated on size a bit too much.

Size doesn’t mistackle, technique does. Maybe Cullen, Allison and Williams aren’t consistent in reads or something. No idea, but I don’t have a great feeling about the entire unit and it’s not like it is a super young group either.

Size matters when you continually get trucked

 

[SUalldway]

How about moving Tyrell Richards back to LB?

Moving Tyrell back to LB should be a high priority over the next 2 weeks. He and Shy have been heat seeking missile tacklers on special teams.

 

[shu 49]

They also are very blockable and have trouble shedding any block.

No dip and ripping or anything shedding wise.

 

[shu 49]

This is a good point. Our LB's are playing like safeties. Instead of breaking into the backfield like the one downhill play Armstrong made, they're lurking to avoid blocks. That creates space that leads to big gains and chunk plays. We need beef and speed - I don't understand why Richards is not getting some run.

Tep64 also makes a point ... that if our backups were ready they'd be playing. I get that ... but something's got to give here. Our run D has been exposed and unless/until we make some substitutions - at least on obvious running downs - we're going to get gashed.

look if we can get our guys coming downhill on break of ball we should meet at los. Dan Conley used to teach my son and he would tell him 3 -6” steps forward as u read pulling oline men and backs. He called it a triangle. Ur looking at backs but noticing pulling guards cause they take u to play. In wildcat we should be stepping down hard on a gaps cause they run right up the middle but not us we wait for him to get momentum first. In pure rundefense being a linebacker isn’t rocket science. Gets tough with passing downs cause now ur dropping into hook curl zones and backs outta backfield. Dan said to cover your gap there are three ways to do it with your body in the gap, stuffing the oline into your gap or at least have your eyes into your gap so u can dip and rip to get off block. We don’t do any of that. Think ward needs to focus only on whole defense and let someone coach linebackers cause it’s not working how they are doing it.