Over-Hyped Value: ILB
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 14, 2010 8:11 PM CDT
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PrintWhy is it every year around this time there is some incredible inside linebacker that everyone drools over and demands that we take them with our first rounder? People on here have suggested taking Rolando McClain out of Alabama 5th overall. He would be the highest drafted inside linebacker since Brian Urlacher. Lets examine this fad for mike linebackers and their history with the NFL draft.
Why do we love middle linebackers so much? Personally, its one of my favorite positions on the field. He is the QB of the defense, the leader, the thumper, a bad ass. When I play Madden I'm always the middle linebacker on the defense. However, in todays NFL world of pass happy offenses the position has been seen as less and less valuable. Did you know that in the last 10 NFL drafts only 7 inside linebackers have been taken in the first round? GMs and coaches are far more interested in quarterbacks, defensive backs, running backs, pass rushers, and even TEs and outside linebackers. There is just not a huge premium on these guys as 1st round talents. Here is the list of the 7 ILBs who have been 1st rounders in this century.
1. Brian Urlacher (2000 NFL draft, 9th overall to Chicago Bears)
2. Napoleon Harris (2002 NFL draft, 23rd overall to Oakland Raiders)
3. Nick Barnett (2003 NFL draft, 29th overall to Green Bay Packers)
4. Jonathan Vilma (2004 NFL draft, 12th overall to NY Jets)
5. Patrick Willis (2007 NFL draft, 11th overall to San Francisco 49ers)
6. Jon Beason (2007 NFL draft, 25th overall to Carolina Panthers)
7. Jerod Mayo (2008 NFL draft, 10th overall to New England Patriots)
Inside linebackers have a low bust rate as 1st round picks. All these players are pro bowlers or least solid for their respected teams. (with the exception of Harris, go figure) Why would teams go for these guys in the 1st when their position usually dicates a 2nd? The answer is speed, speed, and speed. All of these guys can run a low to mid 4.5 forty. Its the side line to side line speed that intriqued the GMs enough to pull the lever on an inside linebacker in the 1st round.
This sets up my argument that Rolando McClain will be available to us with our 2a pick. He ran his forty in the high 4.6 range during his pro day. And the three teams teams drafting ahead of us in the 2nd round run a 4-3 defense, which many scouts speculate McClain would not thrive in. A lot of great inside linebackers tend to fall to the top of the 2nd: Karlos Dansby, Demarco Ryans, Posluszny, Tatupu, Maulaluga, and Lauranautis. And Mr. McClain will join their company as the Chiefs select him with their 2a pick.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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no way
McClain falls to 2a. Not even close. My main objection to taking McClain with the first pick is that Spikes will likely be on the board at 2a and I think he is McClain’s equal.
It could happen
Maualuga has the same set up as McClain. Amazing 3-4 ILB loads of talent and smarts, sub par speed. But I’d bet Spikes is the one that takes the tumble, considering Denver will be selecting McClain with their 1st
The newest addition to the Eric Berry fanclub
Why do you like Micah Johnson?
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 14, 2010 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Have you watched any film on him?
Seems like he’s a lot faster to the ball than McClain, he might not be as smart right now, but i believe he is the better athlete. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc7RoALOZfM&feature=fvw
Didn't he run...
a 4.99? Suh ran a faster forty.
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 14, 2010 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Easy to look fast
When you play for Kentucky. Hurhurhur.
by alakan81 on Mar 14, 2010 9:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
IIRC didn't he have a knee injury last year
that he might not be 100% from yet?
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you CPT!
When I watched clips of McClain, I wasn’t impressed at all, considering all the hype hes getting. He was hesitant and tries to tackle too high. I just saw Micahs footage and that was impressive, he attacks and hits low. And he appears to be alot stronger! That may be because he’s clearly a better tackler.
Ruud
linebacker from TB had 142 tackles last yr! Stats are deceiving. When you’re on a bad defense you’re on the field alot so you’ll add tackles to your stats. I dont like looking at that stat, especially when lb is playing for a bad team like TB or Kentucky.
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
Ok then
What do you do smell there jock straps? :P
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 15, 2010 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
He takes on blockers, and shed’s them to make the tackle better than McClain does IMO. Like i said before McClain just looks like he’s not at 100% going after the tackle’s sometimes.
Micah flows with the line and finds the hole and takes it, no hesitation. He might have a slow 40 but he looks faster on tape than McClain does.
Nope
He may or may not have goughed (sp?) someones eyes. IMO he’s been unfairly typecasted as a troublemaker
"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a mirror" - Sid Vicious.
by craig in calgary on Mar 14, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Just that ONE eye gauging incident
all other accounts list him as a solid locker room presence
The mainstream media has a tendency to blow things out of proportion
The newest addition to the Eric Berry fanclub
What's so hilarious about all this Spikes talk
Is that he’s actually probably slower than McClain.
And he’s had fewer and fewer tackles every year he’s started, whereas McClain’s stats have all improved every year.
by alakan81 on Mar 14, 2010 9:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
It will be a mistake to draft McClain
Crone’s with effect his play, and to me explains why he looks sluggish on the field, he just seems slow, or look’s slow.
I watch film on McClain
I don’t now if it’s the way he runs or what, but he just looks like he’s not going 100%.
David Garrard has crone's
and is a running QB. Its a very treatable illness. You just have to be careful. By the way, I should of put that in my post to further solidify my argument that he will drop to 2a. It might scare off GMs.
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 14, 2010 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
lol David Garrard
I don’t know if i would use him as a example of anything.I know Crones is treatable, but it’s not curable, and i know people that have Crones, and it pretty much run’s there lives. It takes there energy,and when they have flare up’s , they have to stay at home, or shite themselves in public.
Well, Lombardi and others on NFLN
Don’t seem to think will affect his draft status, since teams have probably known about it since he submitted his draft papers.
Since being diagnosed with it 7 or 8 years ago, he’s never missed a game or practice because of his condition. Most of his teammates at Alabama didn’t even know he had it.
by alakan81 on Mar 14, 2010 9:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
But you'd take a chance on Micah Johnson
Who’s had multiple serious leg/knee injuries?
by alakan81 on Mar 14, 2010 9:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Just for the sake of argument:
1) McClain played in a read and react role as the Mike in the 3-4 in college. Micah Johnson played in a one-gap front and thus could play more “downhill”.
2) Johnson has missed a great deal more time due to injury in college. McClain didn’t miss one game and played through multiple injuries.
3) McClain ran a 4.69 at his Pro Day, but was limited by a hamstring injury, so he’s running it again on 3/30. Johnson ran a 5.01 and was limited by an MCL injury, but I don’t know if he’s running it again.
4) Even if you could say its a wash between the two as far as athleticism(which is highly debatable), McClain is a high first round pick because of his intangibles: Mike Singletary raved about his instincts, intelligence, toughness, and leadership at the Combine. The knock on Johnson is not physical, it is lack of instincts and tendency to misread, overrun plays, and get out of position.
5) McClain does sometimes get high when tackling, but is generally very sound and consistent in his tackling ability. He’s widely considered one of the best tacklers in the draft, I don’t care how many YouTube you’ve watched, 7 minutes does not a career make. And of course, how many games played by Alabama or Kentucky have you watched in the last 3 years? Not to say that disqualifies a person from having an opinion, but it does seem odd that such a wide array of scouts and analysts have great things to say about McClain(although he has his detractors).
Now, I know for some reason people are fascinated with the purely physical aspects of players coming out of college, but McClain is far and away the most instinctive and intelligent linebacker in this draft and, by the measure of some, in the last several years. This is what makes him elite, although he is also a tremendous athlete. He is not a perfect player, but the amount of “coaching up” he requires is minuscule in comparison to someone like Micah Johnson. I know most here love to assign “value” to particular positions here, but a player like Rolando McClain has qualities that cannot be quantified.
by alakan81 on Mar 15, 2010 8:53 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
ok
So we take a chance with out #5 pick, and hope his Crones doesn’t effect his play? I know he never missed a game in college, but there’s a big difference between that and the NFL, if you have Crones you’re not 100% ever. IMO i would rather take a chance in the 4th round than in the 1st. We still have guys on the roster that can improve, and we might not need to address that position, that early in the draft.
by CPT.Caveman on Mar 15, 2010 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also
With Crennel here i bet we play more aggressive “D”, so aggressive players are what we want. IMO we need a ILB that’s aggressive and a OLB that’s aggressive, on the other end from Hali. NT is the key to a 3-4 defense IMO, so if we draft a good NT our LB’s we have on the roster, might be good enough.
Well, ILBs are read and react in most every
3-4 defense, including Crennel’s version, but I see your point.
And I can also see the point about Crohn’s disease, even though I don’t share your concern.
I also agree that a good nose tackle will make everyone look better.
by alakan81 on Mar 15, 2010 9:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I Don't See McClain Falling That Low
But I agree with your column that he’s not worth a top pick.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
I still think Kirk Morrison should be in a Chiefs Uni next year
Solves the LB issue without wasting the 1st or either 2nd round pick
"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a mirror" - Sid Vicious.
by craig in calgary on Mar 14, 2010 8:49 PM CDT reply actions
Or we could sign A. Davis and not lose a pick at all.
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
Why would we sign Al Davis?
If he could play, don’t you think he would suit himself up for the Raiders?
by NaturalsLight on Mar 14, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
He's not worth the 5th pick
but teams who are drafting 20-32 would love to have him. Lets say he’s available at pick 24. If you are in the Eagles FO and your choices are Kyle Wilson, McClain, or Brandon Gradam who would you pick?
Kyle Wilson
The kid is going to be a shut down corner. Don’t the Eagles have a really good inside linebacker? Bradley or something?
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 14, 2010 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Stewart Bradley from Nebraska.
He missed this last year witha ACL tear in preseason, but the year before that he did very well for them.
Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!
by nateforchiefs on Mar 15, 2010 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I argue all day long against man-lust for ILBs, but ...
… I have to give guys like Willis credit. Their speed gives the ’Frisco defense a lot of flexibility in pre-snap formations.
Personally, I still think it’s more about playing SMART and TOUGH at ILB, and getting things right at DB and DL, with outstanding talent, so that playing smart at LB ties things up with a pretty bow. THEN, maybe, you take a flier for outstanding speed in the 1st for a LB.
Yes, but I think he inherited Willis, didn't he?
Singletary also knows from his days in Chicago how important having a Richard Dent up front and great DBs behind MAKE the ballclub. Singletary’s measurables were on the low side. He mainly played with intensity and know-how, but it wasn’t his HOF talent that made him a probable HOFer. He played on a team that made his job pretty damn easy.
Yeah, and when you have a Willis in hand, there are things that can happen for you that otherwise wouldn't.
But I don’t think that’s where you start out in your team-building or even what you’re looking for in year 2, like Pioli is. And I think Singletary’s mainly been lettin’ the kid play downhill as much as possible, and I think that’s the key for getting the most out of a guy like Willis, who can raise your team to the next level, if you’re solidly built to start with.
let me say this...
I think your wrong, but I hope he does.
To get Eric Berry and then Rolando McClain… dang. We could bomb the rest of the draft and still have an “A” draft.
Eric Berry's #1 Fan... and #2 Fan. +14
+14
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 14, 2010 11:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That
WOULD be awesome, But unrealistic
by BetterRedThanDead on Mar 15, 2010 1:45 AM CDT up reply actions
+14
Member of the Eric Berry Fan Club
by jakethesnake27 on Mar 15, 2010 7:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I dont think he will drop to 2A
but I certainly dont think he’s better than Lauranaitis or Mauluga last year, who both fell into round 2 last year.
The studs from the 2010 draft class will be: DT Ndamukong Suh, S Eric Berry, RB C.J. Spiller, RB Jahvid Best, WR Arrelious Benn, WR Golden Tate, WR Mardy Gilyard, OT Charles Brown, CB Kyle Wilson and S Chad Jones
Yes seems that other playing positions might be stronger in this draft
Onterseting is that it is possible to trad down with Cleveland so they can get Claussen and we can Still get Berry
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 14, 2010 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I might be a little concerned with that.
If berry and one QB is available at 5 and we trade down with Cle to 7 and they take a QB, then you have Seattle at 6 with no qb on the board, and they have more than a few needs, safety being one. If we trade down, in that situation, then we probably lose berry.
In turn, we could receive the offer, or pursue one from the browns, then go to Seattle and tell them if they match the deal, or at least get close, then they still get their QB. We trade to 6, and still get berry and maybe a 3rd or so.
Member of the Eric Berry Fan Club
by jakethesnake27 on Mar 15, 2010 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I think after the last game Dj will start and we will be good
But one more will be good too.
It appears...
after a 100 person sample I have a 4 to 1 ratio of people who think I’m Nuckin Futs.
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
Lies.
Not even remotely a possibility.
by BetterRedThanDead on Mar 15, 2010 1:44 AM CDT reply actions
AND! they're coming to take him away, ha ha ... they're coming to take him away, ho ho ...
to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time, and he’ll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats and they’re coming to take him awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
IF McClain starts to slide down
Could anyone see Pioli trading up with a second/third or so back into the first round to grab him?
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 11:58 AM CDT reply actions
Spikes will be sitting there at 2a
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 15, 2010 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Well what if we got Berry at 5
Traded our late second/third to get back into the first round, got McClain. Then got Cody at 2a. Be a huge improvement to our D, but first 4 picks and no wr/olinemen/etc
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
seems that some of Pioli's moves might make
drafting a WR and or a O-lineman before the 5th not necessary
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 15, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
True
It’s hard to get a read on the front office these days… Last year was a defense heavy draft, this year could be another defense first then players later who the coaches can work with.
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
BTW
Ray Lewis was taken in the first round not the second round.
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 12:18 PM CDT reply actions
My Bad...
your right. I thought he was the first pick of the 2nd round. He was the 26th overall in the 1996 draft.
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 15, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Tis all good
just thought I would point that out haha
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
The other path could
be McClain/Spikes with 1 and 2a
Nate Allen SS and Cam Thomas NT with 2b and 3.
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
Idk about 2 ILBs
with 1/2a esp when both would play the ‘thumper’ role
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually I thought McClain was more the cover guy
let McClain play will backer and Spikes the Mike
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 15, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe if we traded DJ for a good deal
I’m still holding out hope that DJ can be more constant. Our LBs could use his speed as well.
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think KC loses ground at NT or DE, whatever else happens. DJ should just continue to get better.
‘Fact, I’d be fairly pleased to see Vrabel sidin’ DJ, with either Studebaker or a reasonably high OLB draft pick starting on the strong side, and Williams/Belcher/Mays fightin’ it out amongst each other (or maybe a draftee) for minutes in the middle.
what about spoon?
does he fit in a 3-4 or to light to play ILB?
"It doesn't matter what you do in Life only that you do it the best you can. "
IMO
He would be in the same spot at Will as Demorrio and DJ
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 15, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I think...
Spoon will be the only LB taken in the 1st round excluding hybrid players like Sergio Kindle.
1. Suh will fall to us at 5
2. McClain will fall to us at 2a
3. The Chiefs will trade DJ and Dorsey
by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 15, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I’m going to have to disagree with ya here. McClain will be in the first, Spikes could possibly claw his was up. Washington is another player on the edge of the first round
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 15, 2010 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
How fast was Seau?
He was drafted 5th overall, and I think that pick worked out pretty well for San Diego.
Ryan Succop will be the kicker for the AFC in the 2011 Pro Bowl
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