Beason confirms move to the weakside...

[CatMan72]

From Beason's NFL.com chat transcript... found this ironic...

Question:

who is one of your favorite linebackers of all time?

Answer:

Derrick Brooks because we have a similar story. Played safety in college, moved to LB where he was exceptional. His speed was probably his best physical attribute, along with his knowledge of the game and ability to be a leader.

Link: http://chat.nfl.com/front/index/1008

[pantherj]

I'm worried about Dan Connor playing MLB. If anyone is going to tc then keep an eye out for Dan Connor playing MLB. I'd like to know how quick he looks backpeddling at the snap of the ball. I'm almost certain teams will throw like crazy into the middle of our zone to test Connor.

[MadHatter]

MLB>>>>>>>>>WLB

Beason didn't become a name around the NFL until he switched.

You do realize that Beason switched only a couple of games into his ROOKIE season.....don't you.

Typical ill-informed Saints Fan.

[MadHatter]

Stewart is a hell of an athlete and a great RB. We should totally move him to WR.

Not even close to the same situation.

Remember that Beason was an OLB when he entered the league. He will be a beast at WLB....and Conner is a tackling machine as well.

[SnarkAttack]

you don't understand football if you think switching a middle linebacker of Beason's caliber to WLB (which is a much less key position) is no big deal.

Will is a more key position in Meeks' defense than MLB....although I still say Anderson takes Will and Beason stays put...

[CRA]

well, there is reason Derrick Brooks didn't play MLB in Tampa. There is also a reason a less overall talented Thomas Davis was on pace to statistically have a much better season than Beason last year.

[mmmbeans]

i don't think thomas davis is less talented than beason.

[firstdayfan]

I'm going to go on record and say that I'm ok with this bc I think this will benefit the team and put the best linebackers on the field. I understand what everyone is saying about beason and being a top 3 MLB but sometimes its about taking a bullet for the team. I think he will have just as many tackles and be just as effective and who knows Connor may take this chance and exceed everyone's expectations.

I compare it to Jordan gross' move to the left side...he could have been a perennial pro bowler as a right tackle but the situation dictated a move, well several actually, and even though his talents are better suited for the right side he has played at a high level at left tackle and bc of that sacrifice now we have probably the best bookend tackles in the league...definitely top 5.

So maybe the coaching staff feels that they can do kinda the same thing here with beason...he may not be a superstar Derrick Brooks type will linebacker but he is sti Jon beason and at the end of the day he is still gonna be pretty damn good.

[panthers55]

I understand that but I wasn't clear about it. I would think Connor would come out in the Nickel and leave Anderson/Beason. And if we start putting more LB on the line (which we might and I hope we do) it'll more than likely be norwood.

That is probably true that if we took out a linebacker for coverage purposes the first guy to go right now would be Connor. And as you say we might use Norwood in passing situations as a blitzing OLB. Lots of possibilities. It should make the pre-season interesting.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I compare it to Jordan gross' move to the left side...he could have been a perennial pro bowler as a right tackle but the situation dictated a move, well several actually, and even though his talents are better suited for the right side he has played at a high level at left tackle and bc of that sacrifice now we have probably the best bookend tackles in the league...definitely top 5.

That's a really good comparison. It comes down to having the best linebacking corps possible, not the best middle linebacker possible.

[pantherclaw]

I still say Anderson takes Will and Beason stays put...

You'll be disappointed then.

[panthers55]

That's a really good comparison. It comes down to having the best linebacking corps possible, not the best middle linebacker possible.

Exactly. It this were fantasy football and players got compensated solely for personal stats then everyone would be out for themselves. And TO would have a team right now. But given it is a team sport and the team success is the most important part, then if Beason helps the team by making the switch, he should. His willingness to do so shows he gets it. Obviously some posters here don't.

[Davidson Deac II]

Your talent level on defense last year was significantly better than our's, especially up front. You had an elite DE, two elite LBs, and a servicable rotation of DLmen. We have four above average players up front and a lot of average/scrubs. Williams made chicken salad out of chicken crap, Meeks did well with a talented front 7.

Your quarterback wasn't consistently giving the other team a short field.

[ElIngeniero]

As much as I hate it, Beason moving to weakside means that Davis will likely not play here again.