Postion Battles: ILB (Updated: 8.19.,11)

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:

Originally posted by 49erThrowback:

Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
TKO is a tough loss. Bowman is not ready. I actually wanted him (Bowman) as an emergency back up if something happened to PW or TKO.

Damn it. Brooks is better at OLB in a vanilla 3-4 defense.

Fixed.

Not sure if that's true in a Fangio berserker defense...

McKillop is the other option at the TED LB position. Brooks off the edge worked even in a "vanilla 3-4 defense".

I'm agreeing with you. In a vanilla defense, Brooks was an ill fit at ILB and did better at OLB. I just think he may do better on the inside in a different defense as an attacker rather than as a blocking dummy.

I like McKillop and would like nothing better than to see him overachieve to the point he can be a starting linebacker in this league (on a team like the Pats, it could even happen). But I agree with MD that on the Niners he's probably going to one of the top ST players in the league, rather than a major defensive force. Wouldn't mind if both of us were wrong about this...would solve a couple of problems for the team.

McKillop was all over the place last pre-season before the injury. I was very disappointed. I think he has potential to be an every down ILB.

However ACL injuries are tough to overcome. I guess we will see.

Good luck to Spikes, but in reality not the biggest loss. He had one of his best years last year but the chances of repeating that and staying healthy are slim. Throw in the fact he played next to the best ILB in the game right now and I would expect any solid vet to step in and be able to do the same.

Bowman & McKillop aren't exactly pushovers. Then there are plenty of good ILB's on the FA market as well.

Does anyone remember when Spikes went down and Wilhelm stepped in and actually seemed to have more of an impact than Spikes did. Watching Niners highlights from last year... the interceptions Spikes had were basically tip balls that fell in his lap... it wasn't like when Julian Peterson lined up against Tony Gonzolez and shut him down for the whole game.

Loved having Spikes on the team, but with Bowman, McKillop, and a possible FA... this isnt that big of a deal. Though I will miss his dancing...

Originally posted by 5280High:
Good luck to Spikes, but in reality not the biggest loss. He had one of his best years last year but the chances of repeating that and staying healthy are slim. Throw in the fact he played next to the best ILB in the game right now and I would expect any solid vet to step in and be able to do the same.

Bowman & McKillop aren't exactly pushovers. Then there are plenty of good ILB's on the FA market as well.

Does anyone remember when Spikes went down and Wilhelm stepped in and actually seemed to have more of an impact than Spikes did. Watching Niners highlights from last year... the interceptions Spikes had were basically tip balls that fell in his lap... it wasn't like when Julian Peterson lined up against Tony Gonzolez and shut him down for the whole game.

Loved having Spikes on the team, but with Bowman, McKillop, and a possible FA... this isnt that big of a deal. Though I will miss his dancing...

I can see your point

Love Spikes as a leader on the team, but his athletic ability is very poor. I suspect we will have some growing pains with the younger players early, but we will be better off as the year goes on.

Originally posted by bigwads:
Love Spikes as a leader on the team, but his athletic ability is very poor. I suspect we will have some growing pains with the younger players early, but we will be better off as the year goes on.

That is what the plan was last year with Bowman. The growing pains were so bad that Bowman lost his spot as the nickel/passing down guy

Frisco69ers, you said:

"there is a 95% chance TKO stays with us pal"

Clearly, and in keeping with Baalke's philosophy of building from within & Harbaugh's coaching philosophy, the Niners felt like they have the talent to compete & fill the open TED position already. Harbaugh & staff have coached against guys like McKillop & Kristick, and Bowman is a 3rd round pick for . They may or may not bring in a vet, but only if these 3 can't seize the moment, imo.

We'll see open competition at every position with few exceptions. Guys are either going to produce at a high level or else. Great opportunity for a lot of young guys who have rarely seen sunlight on game day.

This team will evolve faster than any in recent NFL history. Talent, depth, competition, precise and lots of attitude on game day! Will be fun to watch.

Originally posted by AKfanster:

Originally posted by bigwads:
Love Spikes as a leader on the team, but his athletic ability is very poor. I suspect we will have some growing pains with the younger players early, but we will be better off as the year goes on.

That is what the plan was last year with Bowman. The growing pains were so bad that Bowman lost his spot as the nickel/passing down guy

TKO lobbied hard to regain the 3rd downs and he showed he could still play. Bowman was coming in with no NFL experience...TKO was better!

I really liked what I saw from Kristick in the Saints game, I think he has the upper edge for the #4 ILB spot over Joseph.
I am not sure if Baalke envisions Costanzo as a ILB or OLB

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
I really liked what I saw from Kristick in the Saints game, I think he has the upper edge for the #4 ILB spot over Joseph.
I am not sure if Baalke envisions Costanzo as a ILB or OLB

Special team player

Originally posted by valrod33:
Special team player

we have a great ST unit aong with coach we have costanzo mays (maybe) hopefully mckillop (was a ST star in rookie season) cj cpillman to name a few

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
I really liked what I saw from Kristick in the Saints game, I think he has the upper edge for the #4 ILB spot over Joseph.
I am not sure if Baalke envisions Costanzo as a ILB or OLB

Special team player

okay but how many spots on the team do we have for special teamers?
Colin Jones, Spillman, Castonzo, ?

Originally posted by Frisco69ers:
okay but how many spots on the team do we have for special teamers?
Colin Jones, Spillman, Castonzo, ?

I think that fine, i tried putting together my 53 man roster the other day and i still had like 4 spots available and i included those guys just for special teams. i think we will have plenty of room

I think our ILBs should be Willis, Bowman, and backup Kristick. (Kristick has been showing positives since filling in last season)

The 4th spot, I'm inclined to give straight out to Larry Grant. He was impressive since coming back here, but I still would leave that spot open to competition between Grant, McKillop, and Costanzo.

I think will keep 4-5 ILBs with the locks only being Willis, Bowman.

Now I can see 3 more making the team because Grant, Mckillop, and Costanzo are good on special teams. Now I don't know about Kristick as far as special teams go but with McKillop trying to make it back from his injury that could open the door for him.

Originally posted by oldman9er:
I think our ILBs should be Willis, Bowman, and backup Kristick. (Kristick has been showing positives since filling in last season)

The 4th spot, I'm inclined to give straight out to Larry Grant. He was impressive since coming back here, but I still would leave that spot open to competition between Grant, McKillop, and Costanzo.

good points, I love what I am seeing from Grant too