Who will benefit the most?

[3irty1]

Curious to see your answers!

I'm voting for Hunter. Hunter seems like he could immediately become a pass rushing force at OLB.

[bobblehead]

Brady P will no longer be asked to cover a TE head up, but instead will either fill a zone or rush the passer. His run stuffing will be even better this way as he has the motor and size to take on blockers.

[Guiness]

I agree with Hunter, because he's been able to stick mostly due to his ST play, not as a every down guy. I'd guess his shelf life doing that is limited.
This gives him a bit of a new lease on life, because it seems like he might be a fit.

[Zool]

I think Chillar gets many more opportunities to rush the QB.

[Waldo]

Jeremy Thompson has the potential to be an elite OLB, whereas he would always struggle as an "undersized" guy in the 4-3. He's a long lean athlete that is quick and has good feet, exactly what you look for in an OLB. He has the arms and short range burst of an elite pass rusher.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Re: Who will benefit the most?

I'm voting for Hunter. Hunter seems like he could immediately become a pass rushing force at OLB.

Harvey?

[Harlan Huckleby]

Jeremy Thompson has the potential to be an elite OLB, whereas he would always struggle as an "undersized" guy in the 4-3. He's a long lean athlete that is quick and has good feet, exactly what you look for in an OLB. He has the arms and short range burst of an elite pass rusher.

elite?

I'm hopeful for Thompson. elite comes from knack for football, not body measurements. Leroy Butler was an elite player, not really special physically, for instance.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I think Bigby will benefit some if they ask him to play closer to the line, but I'm still hoping for an upgrade there.

[Waldo]

Jeremy Thompson has the potential to be an elite OLB, whereas he would always struggle as an "undersized" guy in the 4-3. He's a long lean athlete that is quick and has good feet, exactly what you look for in an OLB. He has the arms and short range burst of an elite pass rusher.

elite?

I'm hopeful for Thompson. elite comes from knack for football, not body measurements. Leroy Butler was an elite player, not really special physically, for instance.

I am working on charting the measurables for every defensive front 7 player drafted in the NFL since about 2001-2002 (about where the measurables sources dry up) and am up to near 100 guys, I hope to be up to 500+ by draft day. Only 1 DE/OLB with measurables on par with Jeremy was a healthy bust (thus far), and he was a 6th rd pick. Athletic freaks play elite, and Jeremy is an athletic freak. Mario Williams far and away has the best measurables in the defensive front 7 of any player playing in the NFL. Up there with him are Peppers, Merriman, Freeney, Will Smith, and Kampman in the pass rusher department (thus far that I have charted). Every single one has been to a pro bowl. There are only 3 guys with mediocre measurables that are elite players that I've come across, Suggs, Allen (who has an elite frame), and Mathis (who was only below average because he was so darn light when drafted (~225)).

There is a VERY strong correlation between measurables and success among the bigs (3-4 DE, 4-3 UT) and mids (3-4 OLB, 4-3 DE). There is only moderate correlation between measurables and success among the smalls (3-4 ILB's, 4-3 LB) and fatties (NT).

[Harlan Huckleby]

Waldo,

why are defensive lineman so famously the source for draft busts? It seems to be the hardest position to predict after QB.

[Harlan Huckleby]

BTW,

I have a theory that Waldo and Patler are the same poster. Maybe it is the nerdy glasses.

[Partial]

Nah, Waldo is really wordy. Shamler is a to the point gent. I cannot stand reading long winded, obvious paragraphs.

[Zool]

Well I for one am glad we have another guy around who uses logic in his posts and doesn't get into flame wars.

[oregonpackfan]

Why isn't Nick Barnett included in the list? Last time I checked, he is still a linebacker on the Packers' roster.

[Patler]

BTW,

I have a theory that Waldo and Patler are the same poster.

Why, just because we never argue?