Just for fun

[HarveyWallbangers]

Hawk was on TG several times on Sunday, and didn't give up much when TG was his responsibilty.

According to the JSO, Hawk covered Gonzalez quite a bit, and was only responsible for 1 reception for 5 yards. He also had a pass deflection late on a good play and the interception. Our run defense was stout again. You can't ask for much more--considering he seldom blitzed.

[Carolina_Packer]

Strongside linebacker
The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed "Sam" for purposes of calling a blitz. Since the strong side of the offensive team is the side on which the tight end lines up, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Oftentimes the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the running back on a play, because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker: mostly rushing the quarterback or stopping runs, allowing the weakside linebacker to drop into pass coverage. One linebacker who is currently on the high school varsity level has been brilliantly displaying these skills. He goes by the name of the great Doctor Wachter. Killing backs left and right as they come his way.


Weakside linebacker
The weakside linebacker (WLB), or "Will", must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for Will. Will usually aligns off the line of scrimmage at the same depth as Mike. Due to his position on the weakside, Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat or hook/curl areas in zone coverage.


Middle/Inside linebacker
Typically the middle linebacker (MLB), or "Mike", is responsible for calling the defensive play and communicating with the coach. The middle linebacker's primary responsibility is to be the lead tackler and shut down the opposition's running attack. In some defenses Mike is responsible for a specific gap, in others he's given more freedom. Due to his position directly over the ball, Mike must be able to effectively shed blocks coming from interior linemen but must also possess the range and speed to cover backs and shut down wide runs. Intense aggressiveness is often a desirable characteristic in a middle linebacker as hesitation of any duration can be fatal at this position. In the 3-4 defense, there are 2 different inside linebackers that occupy the middle spot, therefore the one closer to the strong side is called the "Mike", while the weak side is called "Buck" (BLB) and less often "Jack".

I basically knew the info above, but not in as much detail as it gives. So, in light of what is written above about the positions 1) If the coaches thought that A.J. was out of place (given our existing players), don't you think they would have moved him, or had him play another LB position? 2) The SAM would seem to fit Poppinga best. Can you imagine if he and Hawk were to switch? If Poppinga can't cover, then why would you do it? 3) If the WILL is indeed responsible for coverage, you may be away from the play a good bit, unless the ball comes to your zone or the back runs to your side.

If A.J.'s responsibilities and his game was different at OSU, then he is learning still and is not a finished product. Plus, if he's playing a "less glamourous/high profile" position, then he's not going to get noticed as much, and may seem to disappear. Is that right or wrong?

[Deputy Nutz]

Outside of screen passes and such, Hawk is usually in coverage with the running back. The only running back I can remember making any significant catches out of the backfield was Westbrook in the first game of the season.

[b bulldog]

You all are entitled to think that he is above average but like the NFL personel man, McGinn and myself, we don't agree. He is an average player at the moment and is the 4th or 5th best lb out of that class. McIntosh or Sims is the best imo but Ryans is pretty good also. Greenway and Hawk are very close. Hawk is stuill young and can improve as 56 has done but as of now, that is the way some see it.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Who the fuck else makes tackles for the Lions defense? Bailey????

Uhh Paris Lenon? We'll always have Paris, Nutz.

Paris Lenon was a good player in Green Bay, and he's been very good for Detroit. (I don't know his stats, but have heard good things about him.)
Very underrated guy.

[Zool]

Who the fuck else makes tackles for the Lions defense? Bailey????

Uhh Paris Lenon? We'll always have Paris, Nutz.

Paris Lenon was a good player in Green Bay, and he's been very good for Detroit. (I don't know his stats, but have heard good things about him.)
Very underrated guy.

Stole my movie quote thunder.

[The Leaper]

He is an average player at the moment and is the 4th or 5th best lb out of that class.

An average LB doesn't cover Gonzalez the way Hawk did yesterday. An average LB doesn't lead the team in tackles as a rookie.

George Koonce is an average LB. If you think Hawk is average, you aren't a good judge of talent.

I have no problem with people getting on Hawk compared to his aggressiveness in college or that he isn't living up to being a #5 overall pick. Pick on his blitzing skills or ability to shed blocks. Fab...I'm on board with you.

However, to label him "an average LB" is ridiculous, and there is absolutely no evidence that can support that tag IMO.

Ernie Sims? The guy has exactly ONE interception and ONE sack in his entire career to this point. You are going to say he makes a larger impact? You are an idiot if you do.

Chad Greenway? The guy has 50 career tackles...no INTs...no sacks...yet he's clearly better than Hawk to bulldog.

I like Ryans. He's a good player. He's probably similar to Hawk IMO. I wouldn't say he's clearly better.

You are off your nut bulldog. You are writing checks your football IQ can't cash.

[The Leaper]

Paris Lenon was a good player in Green Bay, and he's been very good for Detroit.

Lenon is another you could adequately identify as an average LB. He's assignment reliable, but undersized and doesn't make anything resembling a big play at any point. He's fine behind the wide load that is the Detroit DL...he would be wiped out consistently behind a smaller and less effective DL.

That's average.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't know exactly how he rates relative to other starters. He's a better player than Poppinga. He made a hell of a lot of plays his last season with GB.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't know exactly how he rates relative to other starters. He's a better player than Poppinga. He made a hell of a lot of plays his last season with GB.

Lenon and Poppinga are the poster children for average starting LBs.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Stole my movie quote thunder.

the laughter had already died-down.

[The Leaper]

I don't know exactly how he rates relative to other starters. He's a better player than Poppinga. He made a hell of a lot of plays his last season with GB.

If you consider that there are 32 teams...and each team has 11 starting defenders...that means there are 352 starting defensive positions.

Hawk is currently tied for 44th in the number of tackles on the year according to NFL.com.

Claiming he is "average" means you don't know shit. McGinn knows better, and his article was shoddy journalism.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't know exactly how he rates relative to other starters. He's a better player than Poppinga. He made a hell of a lot of plays his last season with GB.

Lenon and Poppinga are the poster children for average starting LBs.

OK, this is slightly silly (since stats only tell you so much) but FOX Sports sez average unassisted tackles for linebackers is 18, league leader has 64.

Poppinga has 16 unassisted tackles, Lenon has 40.

Guess it is hard to compare SSLB to MLB. I have heard that Lenon is doing really well for Lions (from TV analysts), don't know for sure myself.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't know exactly how he rates relative to other starters. He's a better player than Poppinga. He made a hell of a lot of plays his last season with GB.

If you consider that there are 32 teams...and each team has 11 starting defenders...that means there are 352 starting defensive positions.

Hawk is currently tied for 44th in the number of tackles on the year according to NFL.com.

Claiming he is "average" means you don't know shit. McGinn knows better, and his article was shoddy journalism.

Leaper, I don't have any idea what you are talking about. I have never mentioned Hawk, I was just talking about Lenon. And I can't tell whether you are refering to McGinn or Me. Why, its chaos, out of control.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Guess it is hard to compare SSLB to MLB. I have heard that Lenon is doing really well for Lions (from TV analysts), don't know for sure myself.

You said it yourself. You know what they say about stats being for losers. It would be more fair to compare Poppinga to the Lions SLB, Boss Bailey.

Bailey = 18 tackles
Poppinga = 19 tackles

This is according to Yahoo. Even this doesn't tell the story. Scheme plays a part. The Bates scheme is really catered to the MLB. I think the Tampa 2 is also. Also, if you play on a good defense, you'll likely be on the field for less plays. If you have good players around you, it might hurt or help your stats. If you are always ahead and aren't much of a coverage LB, then you won't be on the field much. A lot of things come into play. I have no opinion on Lenon at this point. I know most scouts thought he was ordinary last year, and the Lions were looking to replace him (Teddy Lehman is never healthy for long either.) I think Poppinga is pretty ordinary. I think Hawk is a good player.