"Who Stays and Who Goes?" - Linebacker Edition

[rmw10]

Personally, I felt this was one of the easiest positions to predict that you've polled so far.  Aside from the McClain injury throwing a wrench into the decision, I think at least 8 of these guys are shoe-ins.  So, if we are really only keeping 9, there should be far less disparity in the votes.  Really it seems to be which do we keep between Bynes and Hall, or do we keep both and have 10 LBs on the roster?

 

I really think the 9 are pretty much settled.  Smith, Brown, Bynes, and McClellan at ILB.  Suggs, Dumervil, Upshaw, McPhee, and Simon at OLB.  Like you said, I think the real question becomes whether or not we keep 10 LB's total, although that's not an option in this thread.  That becomes a lot more difficult now since we're either carrying 2 FB's or 4 TE's most likely, based on what is considered Juice's position.

[GrimCoconut]

I really think the 9 are pretty much settled. Smith, Brown, Bynes, and McClellan at ILB. Suggs, Dumervil, Upshaw, McPhee, and Simon at OLB. Like you said, I think the real question becomes whether or not we keep 10 LB's total, although that's not an option in this thread. That becomes a lot more difficult now since we're either carrying 2 FB's or 4 TE's most likely, based on what is considered Juice's position.

I think we may very well see Rice, Pierce and Leach or Juszczyk as RB with Leach at FB. It really depends on how that third RB plays.

I mention that because it could mean we carry Rice, Pierce and Juszczyk at RB with Leach at FB and Dickson, Shiancoe and Furstenberg at TE.

This could permit 10 LB

[rmw10]

I think we may very well see Rice, Pierce and Leach or Juszczyk as RB with Leach at FB. It really depends on how that third RB plays.

I mention that because it could mean we carry Rice, Pierce and Juszczyk at RB with Leach at FB and Dickson, Shiancoe and Furstenberg at TE.

This could permit 10 LB

 

Yeah I can definitely see it being possible, but it's a lot less likely now.  We could also see 6 DL since we have McPhee who can still rotate in on occasion.  That odd man out would likely be Tyson, though, and I'm not sure they want to do that considering he actually played fairly well last year.

[The Raven]

People probably don't know who he is. That's all. Going off of names. A lot of people think McClain is the heir. This is my guess. I personally can't stand the hype he gets. He's an average player that can play above average at times.

 

And plays below average more than usual.

 

Can't cover and isn't great against the run.

[GrimCoconut]

And plays below average more than usual.

Can't cover and isn't great against the run.

Lol I wasn't going to be so direct but yep. McClain is like Scott before him except Scott was probably a better player at his best.

[The Raven]

Lol I wasn't going to be so direct but yep. McClain is like Scott before him except Scott was probably a better player at his best.

 

At least Scott would willingly take on guards and fullbacks, something I've yet to see from McClain. In his prime, Scott could play the run and blitz way better than McClain. Coverage may have been worse though.

[Ravensfan23]

Bynes, Smith, Brown, Suggs, Doom, Upshaw, Mcphee and Simon are all locks to me.

 

So that leaves guys like McClellan, Carr, Hall, Hamilton and Bryant fighting for roster spots. McClellan is reported to be seeing a good amount of time with the 1st team defense at camp, but imo he'll still need a strong preseason to make the team. Another strong preseason from Carr could go a long way to getting him on the 53, especially with things not looking good for McClain. Hall and Bryant will really have to shine in the PS to even get on the bubble for one of those final spots imo.

 

From the OLB position, Hamilton is the only other guy I could see forcing the coaches to make a tough decision on. I'm not sure if you keep 5 OLBs but with the flexibility Pees likes to play with I could definitely see it. He'll have to make a strong case from him in PS though.

 

LB might be one of the toughest positions for coaches when it comes to who to keep on the practice squad. Guys like Copeland, Williams, Bryant and Hall(?) could all make it, but you can't possibly have 4 LBs on your PS. Should be fun to watch these guys in preseason.