Telvin Smith visited today

[CelticCat]

TD really didn't play like a true safety tho, he played around the LOS a lot.

 

The NFL is changing. Smiths skills suit the direction the NFL is heading, I don't think he needs to hit the prototypical weight of 10 years ago to succeed at OLB. He's the type of LB you could keep on the field 3 downs with TD and Keek when teams try to no huddle and not be worse for it. Telvin is lean but I wouldn't call him small. I'm not worried about 10 lbs, he has speed and great instincts IMO.

[XClown1986]

TD really didn't play like a true safety tho, he played around the LOS a lot.

 

The NFL is changing. Smiths skills suit the direction the NFL is heading, I don't think he needs to hit the prototypical weight of 10 years ago to succeed at OLB. He's the type of LB you could keep on the field 3 downs with TD and Keek when teams try to no huddle and not be worse for it. Telvin is lean but I wouldn't call him small. I'm not worried about 10 lbs, he has speed and great instincts IMO.

I was at the game that Davis started at strong safety against the Patriots as a rookie. He wasn't playing the line of scrimmage. He looked to be in Cover 2 most of the first half and got TORCHED in coverage. He then was moved to the "joker" role and thrived. Telvin is a coverage linebacker though and I think he would do well as a WLB in our scheme. 10 lbs wouldn't be much to put on in an NFL training regimen.

[CelticCat]

I

I was at the game that Davis started at strong safety against the Patriots as a rookie. He wasn't playing the line of scrimmage. He looked to be in Cover 2 most of the first half and got TORCHED in coverage. He then was moved to the "joker" role and thrived. Telvin is a coverage linebacker though and I think he would do well as a WLB in our scheme. 10 lbs wouldn't be much to put on in an NFL training regimen.

 

I was referring to his Georgia days. Completely forgot he played some safety here.

[LinvilleGorge]

He was talking about at UGA.  TD did play a lot in the box at UGA.

 

But, seriously, TD and Smith have very different body types.  TD looked like a guy who could put on more weight.  Smith looks like a hard gainer.  If a guy is still that lean after spending 4 years in a major program at LB, then I doubt he gains weight easily.  I'm sure the FSU S&C guys were trying to get weight on him.  According to his recruit rankings, he was 205 coming into FSU. 

 

Now I don't know this for sure, but I'd be willing to bet that Smith would be the lightest LB on an NFL roster at 218.  Again, this isn't a kid who is 20 years old and a RS sophomore.  This is a 23 year old young man.

[CelticCat]

They are built differently for sure. And you might be right about it being hard for him to put a lot of weight on. I'm just not too concerned about 10 lbs. I see a role he can fill for us and maybe they are looking at him more at safety. I just like the player and his skill set. Lavonte David isn't the biggest LB.

[LinvilleGorge]

David weighs 235. At what point does 10 pounds become not important? 208 is only 10 pounds lighter than Smith. Would that still be alright? All I'm saying is at some point the weight does become an issue and 218 is awfully light for an NFL LB.

[CelticCat]

231, 233, 235 depending on your source, the point is he's not the biggest out there and he gets the job done.

 

You're the one saying he's maxed out at 218. Most players put on some weight when they enter a pro strength and conditioning program. I see a changing league where the rules are getting redefined for players on an almost yearly bases. I don't see a player that shy's away from contact in Telvin. I see a player that can help combat rules that favor passing teams. There aren't many power backs left in the league, can he shed blocks, does he have good instincts, these are things I'm more concerned about than his weight.

 

Shazier wasn't a particularly big LB at OSU either.

[Toundra]

Not a big LB..

 

 

[CelticCat]

Not a big LB..

 

He bulked up for the combine, look at his tape. OSU had him listed about 222 lbs.

 

[gettlemanjack]

Roman Harper

[gettlemanjack]

He bulked up for the combine, look at his tape. OSU had him listed about 222 lbs.

222 would make him smallest LB in the NFL

[CelticCat]

Well he's damn well not 222 anymore. The point is smaller LB's are having success these days.

[gettlemanjack]

would be a good special teamer most probably. always need a few on the 53

SS too in an in-the-box role like vintage Roman Harper

[iamhubby1]

I wonder if we are going to use more three safety looks. Seems like alot of teams are goin to this year.

Don't want to toot my own horn, but, I have been saying all along Rivera wants those S/CB hybrids. Keek, and TD surrounded by 5 Ss. With our front 4, and the pressure they can generate. Zone coverage, with more eyes on the QB, the ability to see errant throws, and keep the play in front of you designs. Fits what the bigger S type guys can do. Along with better tackling, and run support, they make a good case for having their own formation.

Ah hellz. As soon as you think you have it figured out. Someone like Cam comes along and throws a big ol' King Kong wrench into the works.

Tackling. It is an integral detail to playing DB for Rivera. To a point. But S type Zone Coverage CBs could be the wave of the future. LBers are trending smaller to cover better. S are trending bigger to make up for it.

 

 

David weighs 235. At what point does 10 pounds become not important? 208 is only 10 pounds lighter than Smith. Would that still be alright? All I'm saying is at some point the weight does become an issue and 218 is awfully light for an NFL LB.

Adding 7 LBs puts him at 225. That sound good for todays NFL. If you want cover LBers, he fits your bill. If you want your LBers to stop the run first, he would fall a little short. Not fair to compare two different schemes.

Most teams don't have LBers that can both stop the run, and cover. So you have to substitute. Sometimes that can bite you on the azz. We are lucky to have both Keek and TD. Playing this well. Playing together. With this front 4. Dude.