Four linebackers for next year

[bananathumb]

Assumption #1: Schobel is interested in returning and can actually play OLB

Assumption #2: The Bills take Rolando McClain at #9

 

Mitchell, McClain, Pozluzney, Schobel

 

What do you think?

 

Assumption #3: Schobel retires or is traded

 

Assumption #4: The Bills go offense at #9

 

 

Mitchell, FA, Poz, Maybin

 

Who is the free agent? Would Maybin be a bust as a OLB?

 

I'm hoping for assumption 1 and 2 to come true.

[Lofton80]

I assume Schobel is gone in a trade. I am much more concerned over who plays DL.

[rackemrack]

don't forget about maybin, he might be a good OLB

[Nanker]

Mitchell and Pos are the middle linebackers.

Maybe Mabin can find a home as an Will - or he's a backup Will. I don't think he can cover a TE.

 

Here's a link that shows all the FAs in 2010. It's slim pickings for linebackers - unless you want to give up a draft pick.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2010/fa/lb.html

by

Roshan Bhagat

Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals (29)

Dansby has played pretty well for the Cardinals, but isn’t making the number of impact plays we’ve seen out of him in the past. Quite frankly, the linebackers as a unit have been a big problem for the defense this year. At the top of his game, Dansby is one of the better scheme-diverse linebackers in the league and will likely have a number of teams lined up ready to woo him this offseason if the Cardinals don’t make an early offer. After their exit from the postseason, Dansby said that no contract negotiations have begun and wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t playing in Arizona next season.

 

Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

 

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans (26) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

Though he’d like a long-term extension in Houston rewarding him for his consistency, he would be willing to play elsewhere if another team wows him with a better deal.

 

Kirk Morrison, Oakland Raiders (28) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

He doesn’t make many big plays from MIKE linebacker, but is the most consistent down-to-down player the Raiders have. If they lose Morrison, the porous run defense will become that much worse.

 

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers (26) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

Merriman isn’t nearly the same player he was prior to his injury, which is to be somewhat expected. He lacks the explosiveness he had in the past, but some of that should return after this offseason as it continues to heal. Down the stretch of the season, Merriman also played with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The last few years have been a series of unfortunate events for Merriman. Hopefully a full offseason will help him regain his health and increase his sack total from 4, back closer to the double digits. For the Chargers, they won’t have to offer Merriman nearly as much even if he is to become an unrestricted free agent. They’ll most likely have the option of re-signing him to a low-risk, high-reward type of deal.

 

Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers (27) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

 

D’Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns (26) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

 

Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders (27) –

Restricted FA

(UFA-CBA)

Howard’s sideline-to-sideline range has helped him become the coverage backer he is today. Yet year after year, the Raiders finish near the bottom of the pack in run defense. Not to put the blame solely on Howard, but his play definitely reflects his inadequacies in playing through blockers. Howard is a nice blitzer and does a nice job of knifing through blocks to make plays in the backfield, but when he misses, he leaves a big void wide open behind him. Howard doesn’t have the bulk to go head on and stand up guards and that could be a big reason why Oakland pushes him down on their list of priorities.

 

Other Notable Free Agents:

 

James Anderson, Carolina Panthers (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Antwan Barnes, Baltimore Ravens (25) – Restricted FA

Bertrand Berry, Arizona Cardinals (35)

Chase Blackburn, New York Giants (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Gary Brackett, Indianapolis Colts (30)

Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco 49ers (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (37)

Keith Bulluck, Tennessee Titans (33)

Danny Clark, New York Giants (33)

Angelo Crowell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29)

Keith Ellison, Buffalo Bills (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Larry Foote, Detroit Lions (30)

Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Chris Gocong, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Clint Ingram, Jacksonville Jaguars (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Rashad Jeanty, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Brandon Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Akeem Jordan, Philadelphia Eagles (25) – Restricted FA

Cato June, Houston Texans (30)

Rocky McIntosh, Washington Redskins (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Matt Roth, Cleveland Browns (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints (31)

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins (36)

Zach Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs (37)

Pisa Tinoisamoa, Chicago Bears (29)

Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans (25) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)

Mike Vrabel, Kansas City Chiefs (35)

[Pygskin36]

Assumption #1: Schobel is interested in returning and can actually play OLB

Assumption #2: The Bills take Rolando McClain at #9

 

Mitchell, McClain, Pozluzney, Schobel

 

What do you think?

 

Assumption #3: Schobel retires or is traded

 

Assumption #4: The Bills go offense at #9

 

 

Mitchell, FA, Poz, Maybin

 

Who is the free agent? Would Maybin be a bust as a OLB?

 

I'm hoping for assumption 1 and 2 to come true.

 

 

I'd assume Maybin becomes an OLB and so does Poz.. I'd love to see McClain drafted as an ILB and either Mitchell or a FA to play the other ILB... I too am more concerned about the D Line... Williams is a little stout to be an end and Stroud might not be as elusive as he was a few years ago to play end... I don't see Schoebel playing in Buff next season.... Either via trade or retirement. Its kinda funny that we need a better pass rush and perhaps the best one we have may not fit our new system... Let's hope the Maybin "project" turns out to be worth the wait...

[Nanker]

Pos is a middle linebacker. He'll thrive there - unless he continues to break his arms.

[The_Philster]

Maybin-Poz-Mitchell-free agent/draftee/Ellison/Harris

The Will spot is the only one I'd say is really up in the air

At the Sam, Maybin will be a pass-rushing specialist like Bryce Paup

At Mike, Poz will have much the same responsibilities as he had this year

Mitchell at the Mo spot would be like Cowart was for us back in the day

 

Another possibility would be

Maybin-free agent/draft pick-Poz-Mitchell

[It's in My Blood]

What about Bertrand Berry..I would love to see him in a Bills uni

[Tcali]

Assumption #1: Schobel is interested in returning and can actually play OLB

Assumption #2: The Bills take Rolando McClain at #9

 

Mitchell, McClain, Pozluzney, Schobel

 

What do you think?

 

Assumption #3: Schobel retires or is traded

 

Assumption #4: The Bills go offense at #9

 

 

Mitchell, FA, Poz, Maybin

 

Who is the free agent? Would Maybin be a bust as a OLB?

 

I'm hoping for assumption 1 and 2 to come true.

a 33 yr old DE playing OLB?? silly

Maybin?? I doubt he has the football skills

1.POZ-yes-an average NFL LB

2.Mitchell?-yes-a barely average NFL LB

3.FA

4.draft pick

[psubills]

What about Bertrand Berry..I would love to see him in a Bills uni

I believe Berry retired. Maybin, Schobel OLB, draft MClain, Poz ILB

[Ghost of Rob Johnson]

Assumption #1: Schobel is interested in returning and can actually play OLB

Assumption #2: The Bills take Rolando McClain at #9

 

Mitchell, McClain, Pozluzney, Schobel

 

What do you think?

 

Assumption #3: Schobel retires or is traded

 

Assumption #4: The Bills go offense at #9

 

 

Mitchell, FA, Poz, Maybin

 

Who is the free agent? Would Maybin be a bust as a OLB?

 

I'm hoping for assumption 1 and 2 to come true.

 

I'll take assumption 1 & 4

 

Maybin, Posluszny, Mitchell, Schobel...why make it more complicated than it is. Lower round picks (4-7) can be used for depth since i'm not sure Ellison or Harris fit in the 3-4 anywhere.

[NoSaint]

a 33 yr old DE playing OLB?? silly

Maybin?? I doubt he has the football skills

1.POZ-yes-an average NFL LB

2.Mitchell?-yes-a barely average NFL LB

3.FA

4.draft pick

 

 

Schobel will be a very tough change -- maybin more likely but still a huge ??? Poz could play on the outside or inside.

 

1)maybin

2)poz

3)Mitchell

4)FA or rookie

 

that's worrisome at best. Who is off then bench if anyone tweaks anything? Palmer? Harris? Scott?

 

Not a good situation without 2-3 real players brought in. Plus 2-3 on the line... Big project ahead.

[CardinalScotts]

ya its Schobel- Mitchell- Poz - Maybin

 

actually not that bad

[Beebe's Kid]

Schobel is done...he isn't really interested in playing, let alone switching positions.

 

Maybin is like Paup...only half as strong, and no where near as smart.

 

Poz is the best of the bunch, and Mitchell has somehow slipped to below average in the fans' minds, must be because after being all over the place, he was injured. These two can play.

 

I like McClain at #9, but obviously all of this speculation is worth ****, since we have no clue how FA will play out. That is going to dictate the draft...100%.

[Chas]

If AS returns next year, leave him on the DL. Maybin may pan out for an a situational OLB. Poz Stays, but I really hope that John D. returns and calls the signals. Ellison will be better suited for a 3-4, Mitchel would be a good starter at OLB. But we do need to draft some LB depth.Going to a 3-4 also opens up the possiblity of Scott staying at OLB, and I like the way he hits

[billsfaningeneseo]

Schobel is done...he isn't really interested in playing, let alone switching positions.

 

And you know Schobel is done or not interested in changing positions because...? He mentioned he is thinking about retirement? Unless I missed something he hasn't said he is retiring yet. BTW, what does that make Brett Farve, extra crispy?

[buffalohotwings]

i dont understand why Maybin wouldnt be a good linebacker in a 3-4. He's a freak how could that athletic ability/speed/passion not translate to a disruptive linebacker? I would guess he would be used as a blitzing LB as well. Why is "not smart enough" and "doesnt have the football skills?"

[sllib olaffub]

If Merriman appears to be capable of returning to health, then I'd not be surprised to see Buffalo go after him. But, I'd think they'd go after a few lesser name, capable guys like Larry Foote and Keith Bullock, maybe two for the price of one Merriman.

[Ghost of Rob Johnson]

If Merriman appears to be capable of returning to health, then I'd not be surprised to see Buffalo go after him. But, I'd think they'd go after a few lesser name, capable guys like Larry Foote and Keith Bullock, maybe two for the price of one Merriman.

 

Merriman is an RFA and until he is not tendered by the Chargers I think it is dumb that people keep speculating that the Bills would go after him.

[Pete]

Schobel is done...he isn't really interested in playing, let alone switching positions.

 

Maybin is like Paup...only half as strong, and no where near as smart.

 

Poz is the best of the bunch, and Mitchell has somehow slipped to below average in the fans' minds, must be because after being all over the place, he was injured. These two can play.

 

I like McClain at #9, but obviously all of this speculation is worth ****, since we have no clue how FA will play out. That is going to dictate the draft...100%.

How so? Because they both have 2 arms and 2 feet? Because they both have the letter A in their last name? That they are both American? That is about all I can see for similarities. Paup was a beast! Maybin was a lousy draft pick that will be a chump unless he proves otherwise. That is a big if. Another blown pick for the Bills!