LB Joe Schobert

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(03-14-2020, 09:03 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: All those guys have had trouble tackling which is our biggest weakness with our Linebackers.

I don't put much stock in PFF as you know but Ogletree rates worse than Vigil in all categories including tackling and stopping the run. Don't get me wrong, would like any of these guys but I like Bradham too, have to be able to tackle.

Yet Ogletree was an All-Pro in 2016. I'm not saying he's my first choice, but he'd probably be my 4th if you have a LB coach worth a damn. If he's done it before, it means he clearly has it in him. Just need the right coaching/scheme to do it again.

Alternatively, it doesn't matter if you can tackle if you're 5 yards behind the guy, or tackle him after he's already gained a first down. The Ravens are the team to beat right now in the division if you want to go to the playoffs. 2 of their top 3 pass catchers were TE, and 3 of their top 5. If you can't cover a TE, you're never going to beat the Ravens right now. Better tackling form can be taught. The ability to run fast, diagnose routes, and make plays on the ball is much harder to teach.

Also once again...

Littleton: 27
Schobert: 27
Martinez: 26
Ogletree: 29

Bradham: 31

At 31, it's downhill from there for all non-QB/K/P. At least the other guys still have prime years to get even better... or at least not get worse.

(03-14-2020, 09:14 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Well, for what the top end guys are going to cost, the Bengals might as well go ahead and pin their hopes on drafting the perfect LB to pair with Pratt, and go from there.  It was posted a while back that LB is one of the worst return on investment positions, as far as free agency spending goes.  If you don't believe that, just ask the Jets how paying CJ Mosely all that money worked out for them.

Who cares how much they cost? The Bengals can have all the cap space in the world if they want it. They're about to get a cost controlled QB for 5 years. If you have the money now, spend it now, regardless of the return on investment. The alternative is giving money to BW Webb, Bobby Hart, and Mike Brown.

They haven't been able to draft a LB for years. Time to simply buy one or two.

Germaine Pratt (3rd)
Malik Jefferson (3rd)
Jordan Evans (6th)
Nick Vigil (3rd)
Paul Dawson (3rd)
Marquise Flowers (6th)
Sean Porter (4th)
Dontay Moch (3rd)
Rodderick Muckleroy (4th)

That is the list of LBs they've drafted in the last 10 years. Nothing there fills me with confidence in their LB drafting ability. They have used five 3rds, two 4ths, and two 6th round picks and gotten 0 good LB in the last decade.