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Small ILB Recap & Conclusions
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<blockquote data-quote="HardRightEdge" data-source="post: 660635"><p>Let's remind ourselves of the attraction: a Will backer who can cover while contributing in the run game.</p><p></p><p>I've looked at a lot of these small ILBs and what I see are quick-twitch, read-flow-attack box players. That's good for the run game. But I keep looking for the ones who make a play on the ball downfield, and I'm not seeing it with the exception of the occasional horribly thrown ball. Jaylon Smith would have been head and shoulders above anybody else of this type.</p><p></p><p>These small ILBs are not asked to do much in coverage, except the occasional short zone drop. They're job is to go sideline-to-sideling to defend the spread/option. I'm beginning to think these college schemes have done to the ILB position what has been obvious with respect to the QB position.</p><p></p><p>So, we turn to the Combine numbers to see developmental potential. These small ILBs who flash and trash in the run game, surprisingly run in the 4.7's and 4.8's...they have 20 yard quickness which makes them look faster than they are. C'mon...Barrington ran 4.69 at his Pro Day and Ryan ran a 4.65 at the Combine, and these guys can come up in the hole and take on a back, not something you'll get from many of these small guys.</p><p></p><p>If anybody can show tape of one of these small flow-and-strike ILBs making a play in man coverage, I'd sure like to see it.</p><p></p><p>For me, that leaves the safety/LB hybrids and 4-3 OLBs who might be converted.</p><p></p><p>- Miles Killebrew: Good athletic measurable for an ILB tweener, even if you'd like something better than 4.65 speed, but beggers can't be choosers. Good fundamental tackler who packs a punch that's bigger than his SS dimentions. He might be an average coverage guy for a college SS, but that qualifies as above average among these small ILBs who haven't done it and lack any long speed. He won't hurt you when the opponent runs between the tackles. I had him on my list as tweener, then took him off. I'm putting him back on for ILB on the depth chart.</p><p></p><p>- Joe Shobert: I'm not a Badger fan so there's no homer-ism in this assessment. This is an OLB coversion candidate as I'm sure many of you know. He's got the size of a traditional ILB, and this would be his best position for the NFL. His 22 reps fits the bill. He has very short arms which may explain why he's had a tendency to get engulfed by OTs; this would be less of an issue at ILB. I see a little bit of Will backer, a little bit of SAM backer, but the 4.76 speed is a concern. Plenty of experience dropping in zone though.</p><p></p><p>The most interesting thing in his workouts is his 11.59 in the 60 yard shuttle which NFL.com shows as the best time among all LBs. That is quite surprising. It suggests outstanding directional change and play endurance.</p><p></p><p>Now, Ragland would be a steal at #27 in this draft, but it's hard to see how all of the 4-3 D's drafting above that spot would pass him up, particularly in a draft with thin first round talent.</p><p></p><p>That leaves Plan B.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="HardRightEdge, post: 660635"] Let's remind ourselves of the attraction: a Will backer who can cover while contributing in the run game. I've looked at a lot of these small ILBs and what I see are quick-twitch, read-flow-attack box players. That's good for the run game. But I keep looking for the ones who make a play on the ball downfield, and I'm not seeing it with the exception of the occasional horribly thrown ball. Jaylon Smith would have been head and shoulders above anybody else of this type. These small ILBs are not asked to do much in coverage, except the occasional short zone drop. They're job is to go sideline-to-sideling to defend the spread/option. I'm beginning to think these college schemes have done to the ILB position what has been obvious with respect to the QB position. So, we turn to the Combine numbers to see developmental potential. These small ILBs who flash and trash in the run game, surprisingly run in the 4.7's and 4.8's...they have 20 yard quickness which makes them look faster than they are. C'mon...Barrington ran 4.69 at his Pro Day and Ryan ran a 4.65 at the Combine, and these guys can come up in the hole and take on a back, not something you'll get from many of these small guys. If anybody can show tape of one of these small flow-and-strike ILBs making a play in man coverage, I'd sure like to see it. For me, that leaves the safety/LB hybrids and 4-3 OLBs who might be converted. - Miles Killebrew: Good athletic measurable for an ILB tweener, even if you'd like something better than 4.65 speed, but beggers can't be choosers. Good fundamental tackler who packs a punch that's bigger than his SS dimentions. He might be an average coverage guy for a college SS, but that qualifies as above average among these small ILBs who haven't done it and lack any long speed. He won't hurt you when the opponent runs between the tackles. I had him on my list as tweener, then took him off. I'm putting him back on for ILB on the depth chart. - Joe Shobert: I'm not a Badger fan so there's no homer-ism in this assessment. This is an OLB coversion candidate as I'm sure many of you know. He's got the size of a traditional ILB, and this would be his best position for the NFL. His 22 reps fits the bill. He has very short arms which may explain why he's had a tendency to get engulfed by OTs; this would be less of an issue at ILB. I see a little bit of Will backer, a little bit of SAM backer, but the 4.76 speed is a concern. Plenty of experience dropping in zone though. The most interesting thing in his workouts is his 11.59 in the 60 yard shuttle which NFL.com shows as the best time among all LBs. That is quite surprising. It suggests outstanding directional change and play endurance. Now, Ragland would be a steal at #27 in this draft, but it's hard to see how all of the 4-3 D's drafting above that spot would pass him up, particularly in a draft with thin first round talent. That leaves Plan B. [/QUOTE]
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