Arthur Brown at OLB? (speculation)

[CalvinSmoke]

This isn't backed up by facts at all. But could he play there? The middle is going to be pre occupiued for another 2-3 years, shall we let him put his speed to use while he can learn behind a smaller technician in Doom?

[GrimCoconut]

No way. Height isn't and was never the issue with him. It's his size, more particularly, his muscle mass and weight. He can't beat offensive tackles. He struggled to get off of guards.

[Mt. Crushmore]

In a 4-3 he would be a OLB, but not in a 3-4 defense.  He isn't a pass rusher.

[GrimCoconut]

If you want a name of a guy I think could move to 3-4 OLB, or more particularly, replace McPhee, I'd look at Urban.

[blitzking33]

I thought Tavares Gooden was small.. but Brown could be smaller.

 

Just another undersized Tavares Gooden as of now.. and won't be anything more till he shows something.

[PurpleCity5]

I don't see it. Brown is just undersized. 3-4 OLB requires power. 

[balfan23]

It would be nice to see him play ANYWHERE. We invested a 2nd rounder - a pick we even traded up for, to get a guy who has contributed a great big zero over the course of 2 solid years.

 

The dream scenario has been that he'd be ready to fill the slot taken by D. Smith .. but when? Certainly not this year - perhaps in 2016? It is hard to envision that happening if we roll with him in 2015 like we did in 2014. How can you be in line for a starting role when you don't see live football for even a single snap? 

 

I really am hoping he isn't the 2013 draft's version of Jah Reid (only worse, given he was taken a full-round earlier). 

[rmw10]

His size is probably the biggest thing holding him back from playing, honestly.  I don't think he's been able to gain and maintain weight as much as the team had hoped.  If he's struggling to keep weight on for ILB, there's no way 3-4 OLB is an option.

[The Raven]

I only see him panning out if he can actually keep weight on, but that is doubtful. That's why he left Miami. He couldn't keep on weight so they told him he wouldn't play.

 

I could see him pan out as a nickel backer, or maybe as a 4-3 Will, or maybe Mike.

 

Here's something wild. I'm just throwing ideas out there, and this might be dumb, but what about strong safety? Since he can't keep weight on, and since the worst aspect of his game is run support, why not just let him drop a little weight to play safety? He was sometimes used to cover slot receivers in college. If he dropped weight, would he have the range to be a safety? Again, probably dumb, but I'm just trying to think of a way to get him on the field. If he has the range, safety might actually be the best use of his size/skill set.

[drdoub]

he has no chance to play OLB in 3-4. I still have patience waiting to see if he can mature as an ILB ready to take over beside Mosley in 2016. Hope to see him on special teams at least next year

[Wildabeast88]

I only see him panning out if he can actually keep weight on, but that is doubtful. That's why he left Miami. He couldn't keep on weight so they told him he wouldn't play.

I could see him pan out as a nickel backer, or maybe as a 4-3 Will, or maybe Mike.

Here's something wild. I'm just throwing ideas out there, and this might be dumb, but what about strong safety? Since he can't keep weight on, and since the worst aspect of his game is run support, why not just let him drop a little weight to play safety? He was sometimes used to cover slot receivers in college. If he dropped weight, would he have the range to be a safety? Again, probably dumb, but I'm just trying to think of a way to get him on the field. If he has the range, safety might actually be the best use of his size/skill set.

You say crazy but its a possibility I can't remember what kind of speed he has I know good for a LB but I don't now if he has enough to make it as a safety but I like the thought process. I mean can he tackle better than Elam I say I like the idea I just don't know if it would work Edited February 7, 2015 by Wildabeast88

[gabefergy]

Not in the 3-4. I thought last year he would see the field some if we used more 4-3 looks, but we pretty much just kept the base personnel out there even when we showed a 4-3 front. 

 

I really hope he gets a chance to play next season. He has a ton of talent, but he is behind two of the best ILBs in the NFL right now. 

[redrum52]

In a 4-3 yes.  In a 3-4, hell no.  He's struggling to put on weight to play ILB, so I highly doubt he's able to put on the weight necessary to play OLB.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Still telling yall... Arthur brown was a bad draft right from the beginning. Smh. Shame I can't remember the folks that hounded me for saying he'll suck!

[gabefergy]

Still telling yall... Arthur brown was a bad draft right from the beginning. Smh. Shame I can't remember the folks that hounded me for saying he'll suck!

He hasn't sucked though. It was only a bad draft pick because the FO can't get past their BPA mindset.

[Maryland]

Definitely not a 3-4 OLB, but a 4-3 WILL is and has always been his ideal position. This isn't the right defense for him, but I have a lot of confidence he would play pretty well on the right team. 

 

I'm still holding out hope he can play ILB. Age says that Daryl should be slowing down in the coming years, and some of that is already noticeable in his coverage. Brown will hopefully find a niche on obvious passing situations as Daryl ages into a 2-down LB. 

 

I also agree that Brown should be a candidate for strong safety if he truly can't make it as a LB. We all know how Pees rotates his safeties--there would be some playing time there for Brown. 

[CalvinSmoke]

Will Hill is about as slow of a safety as I want to see on the field. Think Brown has him beat?

[K-Dog]

This isn't backed up by facts at all.

It sure is refreshing to see a post started like this on these boards.

 

I say that with absolute respect to the OP, by the way.

[ravensnick]

If you want a name of a guy I think could move to 3-4 OLB, or more particularly, replace McPhee, I'd look at Urban.

Interesting, but Urban is 6'7" 295 lbs. He athletic for his size but do we really want him playing from the two point?

[rmw10]

Interesting, but Urban is 6'7" 295 lbs. He athletic for his size but do we really want him playing from the two point?

 

He's definitely big, but he did line up there when I was able to go see the team at camp.  I'm not sure he'd be a pure replacement for McPhee's role, but it would not surprise me to see him line up there on occasion.  He's very athletic for that size.

[ravensnick]

He's definitely big, but he did line up there when I was able to go see the team at camp.  I'm not sure he'd be a pure replacement for McPhee's role, but it would not surprise me to see him line up there on occasion.  He's very athletic for that size.

I'd agree he'd be an athletic guy that could rush from the edge or the middle like McPhee, but I don't see him getting up in a two point like McPhee did time to time. I think we could use him, but we need to draft another guy at OLB as well because Upshaw isn't going to get anything passrushing.

[rmw10]

I'd agree he'd be an athletic guy that could rush from the edge or the middle like McPhee, but I don't see him getting up in a two point like McPhee did time to time. I think we could use him, but we need to draft another guy at OLB as well because Upshaw isn't going to get anything passrushing.

 

I'd definitely see him as more of a couple snaps a game type of guy just to mix things up.  I view him as a  DL with the ability stand up just to offer different looks on the rare occasion.

[GrimCoconut]

I'd agree he'd be an athletic guy that could rush from the edge or the middle like McPhee, but I don't see him getting up in a two point like McPhee did time to time. I think we could use him, but we need to draft another guy at OLB as well because Upshaw isn't going to get anything passrushing.

Let's be honest, here: did you really think McPhee would be able to do what he did at OLB?

[ravensnick]

Let's be honest, here: did you really think McPhee would be able to do what he did at OLB?

Not during the when he was drafted: but, don't forget the only reason he was put in the role was because the weight for him to play 3-4 was unhealthy for his knees. Urban is also a good bit taller than McPhee. I can't think of too many OLB taller than 6'3"-6'4". Urban is a massive giant at 6'7". That what concerns me.

[rmw10]

Not during the when he was drafted: but, don't forget the only reason he was put in the role was because the weight for him to play 3-4 was unhealthy for his knees. Urban is also a good bit taller than McPhee. I can't think of too many OLB taller than 6'3"-6'4". Urban is a massive giant at 6'7". That what concerns me.

 

Julius Peppers made it happen.

[ravensnick]

Julius Peppers made it happen.

Peppers has much better athletic ability. i think Urban could do it, but I think Urban resembles Canty a good bit.  Also, this is Peppers first year play 3-4 OLB. He played 4-3 DE all year previously.

Edited February 8, 2015 by ravensnick

[rmw10]

Peppers has much better athletic ability. i think Urban could do it, but I think Urban resembles Canty a good bit.  Also, this is Peppers first year play 3-4 OLB. He played 4-3 DE all year previously.

 

Just showing that it can happen at that height.  I don't expect Urban to become some consistent cog at OLB, but I wouldn't put it outside the realm of possibility that he gets a few snaps here and there, especially after seeing him line up there firsthand.

[ClintLB8]

I still say we could field a dominate 4-3 defense.

 

LE: Courtney Upshaw/Elvis Dumervil, Brent Urban

DT: Timmy Jernigan, DeAngelo Tyson, Kapron Lewis-Moore

NT: Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams

RE: Terrell Suggs

SLB: Daryl Smith, Albert McClellan

MLB: CJ Mosley

WLB: Arthur Brown, Zach Orr

 

Tell me those pieces don't fit. Dumervil could go back to RE and Suggs to LE if need be but man, that could be something.

[CalvinSmoke]

I still say we could field a dominate 4-3 defense.

LE: Courtney Upshaw/Elvis Dumervil, Brent Urban

DT: Timmy Jernigan, DeAngelo Tyson, Kapron Lewis-Moore

NT: Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams

RE: Terrell Suggs

SLB: Daryl Smith, Albert McClellan

MLB: CJ Mosley

WLB: Arthur Brown, Zach Orr

Tell me those pieces don't fit. Dumervil could go back to RE and Suggs to LE if need be but man, that could be something.

it completely makes sense. Would be nasty all game long because of that depth

[ClintLB8]

it completely makes sense. Would be nasty all game long because of that depth

 

Definitely. And when I say go to a 4-3.. I don't mean just by alignment, I mean by principles too. We do run a lot of 4-3 alignment but still have a lot of 3-4 principles in how the guys are used.