Shea McClellin

[Brandon494]

How big is McClellin? As far as I was aware, I thought the other OLB needed to be the big, dominant run-stuffer who didn't need to be quite as agile as Clay.

cough cough Nick Perry

[Bretsky]

cough cough Nick Perry

not in a 3-4 IMO

[Brandon494]

not in a 3-4 IMO

Why is that? and why would Shea McClellin fit in a 3-4?

[Joemailman]

Why is that? and why would Shea McClellin fit in a 3-4?

McClellin has played both DE and OLB in a hybrid 4-3/3-4 setup at Boise, much like Clay Matthews did at USC. (I'm not saying he's as good as Matthews). Perry hasn't done that and fared fairly poorly in both the cone and shuttle drills at the Combine. Many people seem him as a better 4-3 DE prospect than a 3-4 OLB prospect.

[Lurker64]

Why is that? and why would Shea McClellin fit in a 3-4?

At Boise State McClellin played four positions: DE, OLB, ILB, and DT. He had a ton of responsibilities and played extensively on his feet. Perry is a guy who pretty much exclusively went up field and got after the QB. McClellin held the point, handled outside contain, dropped into coverage, and rushed the passer extensively. You can't just look at stats when you're comparing the two guys.

Though, my objection to Perry is largely that I don't think he *can* do the things that I've already seen McClellin do effectively (e.g. drop into coverage.)

Perry's great if you want a guy who can get after the passer and you don't ask him to do anything else. We're not looking for that guy. Perry's a 4-3 end exclusively IMO, unless you're a 3-4 team who wants to make an exception for an OLB who almost never drops into coverage (like Ware in Dallas). But the thing is, if we were going to have one of our OLBs go on every play, it would be Matthews not "the guy opposite Matthews." One of the two OLBs has coverage responsibilities on virtually every play. So Perry actually makes Matthews less effective as a pass rusher, whereas McClellin does not.

There's also the little issue that Perry said at the combine that he doesn't want to play in a 3-4 defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he's off the Packers' board for that reason.

[Brandon494]

At Boise State McClellin played four positions: DE, OLB, ILB, and DT. He had a ton of responsibilities and played extensively on his feet. Perry is a guy who pretty much exclusively went up field and got after the QB. McClellin held the point, handled outside contain, dropped into coverage, and rushed the passer extensively. You can't just look at stats when you're comparing the two guys.

Though, my objection to Perry is largely that I don't think he *can* do the things that I've already seen McClellin do effectively (e.g. drop into coverage.)

Perry's great if you want a guy who can get after the passer and you don't ask him to do anything else. We're not looking for that guy. Perry's a 4-3 end exclusively IMO, unless you're a 3-4 team who wants to make an exception for an OLB who almost never drops into coverage (like Ware in Dallas). But the thing is, if we were going to have one of our OLBs go on every play, it would be Matthews not "the guy opposite Matthews." One of the two OLBs has coverage responsibilities on virtually every play. So Perry actually makes Matthews less effective as a pass rusher, whereas McClellin does not.

There's also the little issue that Perry said at the combine that he doesn't want to play in a 3-4 defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he's off the Packers' board for that reason.

I disagree but like I said earlier who really knows until they step out on the field. Your completely dismissing Perry's athletic ability and he dropped into zone coverage at USC as well. You look at the Steelers defense who I believe have the best pass rushing defense in the league. Both their OLBs Harrison and Woodley aren't that great at coverage either but they get pressure on the QB. McClellin did have a lot of responsibilities at Boise St but did not dominate against lesser talent. I'm not saying that guy isn't a good player or that he will fail in the NFL but if I had to choose between the two I would rather have Perry. I believe Perry will be taken before our pick anyway so maybe we will end up with McClellin.