We must be shopping Connor

[MHS831]

Just a theory/hunch, but why else would we have 8 LBs? We kept Thomas Williams and Gaither can also play behind Beason. Unless we are shopping Connors, who is in the last year of his contract, it seems that we are heavy and deep at LB.

Rumor is that we are engaged in trade talks with Philly for Samuel or a CB. Maybe they see Connor's value there because they run a 4-3 and Connor went to Penn State where he was a stud. At 25 years of age, Connors has some value. We seem to be fishing in ponds the coaches are familiar with, so no reason to think this is out of the question.

Again, this is just a guess, but the fact that a third of our defensive roster (25 players) plays LB seems a bit odd to me, considering we need depth there the least, with three solid starters and five very capable reserves, not to mention Lawrence Wilson on the PS.

Have at it.

[Mr. Scot]

It's possible. He's good enough to be a starter on a lot of teams.

I might prefer to wait until Beason is a little healthier first, though.

[Jase]

due to our questionable d-line I see a lot of 2-5 defense being played.

[jramsey4]

How about if we are trading to Phili lets go after Riley Cooper that guy would be an excellent number 2 and they are loaded at WR.

[Mr. Scot]

due to our questionable d-line I see a lot of 2-5 defense being played.

McDermott's done that before. Reid didn't like it, though.

[MGH1989]

doubt it.

[4Corners]

Maybe that's why Conner didn't get a lot of playtime in the game LW. Injury risk..

[rayzor]

we may be doing a good bit of 3-4 stuff on passing downs like we did in the past when we used CJ and brayton as the NT. just substitute brayton for hardy and have norwood or selvie coming from the other end. it worked alright when we did it.

until the interior of the dline is fixed and until beason is close to 100%, we need that LB depth to be as strong as possible. it seems like overkill at the moment, but too many things make it necessary.

[rmoneyg35]

I am not familiar with McDermott's defense but doesn't he use a lot of linebackers? if so then its obivious why we are keeping so many LBs.

don't forget Beason could be out week one as well so maybe we are keeping extra LB in case he isn't healthy enough to play week one.

Connor has talent and could probably start for other teams. He will never get a chance to play here unless some freak injury happens to Beason so the best opportunity for Connor to become a starter would be to go to another team. With Gaither and T. Williams loosing Connor wouldn't hurt us at all.

[chknwing]

make sure u package clausen with connor.

[MHS831]

we may be doing a good bit of 3-4 stuff on passing downs like we did in the past when we used CJ and brayton as the NT. just substitute brayton for hardy and have norwood or selvie coming from the other end. it worked alright when we did it.

until the interior of the dline is fixed and until beason is close to 100%, we need that LB depth to be as strong as possible. it seems like overkill at the moment, but too many things make it necessary.

That makes sense, but I didn't see a ton of 3-4 in preseason, which mean nothing. I would think Gaither/Williams/Beason/and possibly J.Williams could play the middle. Wanted to hear some other perspectives, so this is interesting.

[4Corners]

make sure u package clausen with connor.

And Bernadeau, Armanti, and everette brown

oh wait

[Mr. Scot]

I am not familiar with McDermott's defense but doesn't he use a lot of linebackers? if so then its obivious why we are keeping so many LBs.

don't forget Beason could be out week one as well so maybe we are keeping extra LB in case he isn't healthy enough to play week one.

Connor has talent and could probably start for other teams. He will never get a chance to play here unless some freak injury happens to Beason so the best opportunity for Connor to become a starter would be to go to another team. With Gaither and T. Williams loosing Connor wouldn't hurt us at all.

It's a zone blitz run primarily out of a 4-3 alignment, so yes, linebackers are important.

Worth remembering Rivera did say they'd also use some 3-4 looks this year.

[CPF4LIFE]

Good points.