What is the state of our linebacker corps?

toffee

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Looked ok if one would go with PFF, in the non-PFF world, Dodson's a one-season wonder, and Baker may not be better than Brooks.

Position2023 (PFF)Backups (PFF)2024 (PFF)Backups
OLBMafe (73.9)Derick Hall (44.4)MafeHall
ILBBobby (82.4)Devin Bush (57.5)Tyrel Dodson. (89.5)
ILBBrooks (57.3)Rhattigan (72.3)Jerome Baker (66.6)
OLBNwosu (68.5)Darrel Taylor (50.9)Nwosu Taylor
 

Pandion Haliaetus

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Seems like Dodson, Baker are improvements over Wagner, Brooks.

Nwosu is the X-Factor, D was never able to recover from his loss. Him being healthy and staying healthy is key.

Mafe is poised for high quality if he’s keeps on improving from year 2 to year 3.

Taylor might be a platoon specialist but also a gamble, put up or shut up, pay check humbleness in a contract statement year.

Hall was a rookie so it’s hard to judge him but yeah he needs to start producing in his opps.

Knight effectively replaces Bush, and they feel night and day as im expecting Knight to be a crash down ILB. Knight played to his strengths while he figures out how and if can be a complete player seems like it could benefit others at least in his fearlessness to throw his body around and blow shit up.

But even without that said LBer play already improved from last season even if they brought all the same guys back.

1. DLine is deeper, more talented, more experienced and properly proportioned with players in proper fits.

2. The moment MacDonald was signed upgraded the LBer corps from an intelligence standpoint.

So who knows…
 

SNDavidson

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We need two linebackers to emerge as legitimate over the next 3-4 months, might find an FA, not to derail but Adams might come back as LB, I guess he'd blitz a lot?
 

Scout

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Baker and Dodson are the starters and I haven't seen anything to change that. If Adams signs and is moved to LB maybe he cracks the line up as a starter but that is a big if.
 

Appyhawk

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I have a lot of faith in Coach MD to make the defensive adjustments we need in order to become successful and to do so quickly. I believe the addition of Murphy and return of Nwosu will cover for other weaknesses. I have lost all faith in Taylor and Adams. My bigger questions are now directed more toward our offense.
 

toffee

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I have a lot of faith in Coach MD to make the defensive adjustments we need in order to become successful and to do so quickly. I believe the addition of Murphy and return of Nwosu will cover for other weaknesses. I have lost all faith in Taylor and Adams. My bigger questions are now directed more toward our offense.
Indeed, Young Macdonald has Plans!
 
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GemCity

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Weak as a kitten.
Agreed.

MM’s schemes will help for sure but, this is certainly the question mark on this defense.

The line should be vastly improved with Murphy…even as a rook.

DBs? Sheesh were loaded (let’s hope MM knocks some sense back into Tariq). Brown…I still think this guy can be All Pro…Love….list goes on and on.
 

AK49Hawk

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Coach Macdonald has 2 years experience as a LB coach in the NFL, he probably has something up his sleeve.
LB Coach Olivadotti has 22 years experience coaching in the NFL, he probably has something up his sleeve too...
 
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toffee

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The intrigue is Dodson, he was PFF's highest-ranked LB in 2023, but he sucked before last season. Could he maintain the level of play? or he is the second coming of Ryan Neal, who was PFF's highest-ranked safety for one season.
 

Jerhawk

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Interior linebacker is a huge weakness and will be a liability unless pieces are added there. Big Mac's scheme may cover some of their deficiencies as another posted earlier stated, but there's going to have to be a lot of window dressing to cover that area of the field.
 

toffee

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Interior linebacker is a huge weakness and will be a liability unless pieces are added there. Big Mac's scheme may cover some of their deficiencies as another posted earlier stated, but there's going to have to be a lot of window dressing to cover that area of the field.
No worries, Young Macdonald has plans, and he is a genius.
 
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