Originally posted by Jacka:
II know there are other threads on this so feel free to merge. Felt this needed to be put to rest once and for all. All I keep seeing on other boards and comments sections is Niner fans saying who cares about resigning Brooks because those two can play OLB. No they can't. They would get manhandled on the edge in a 3-4. This isn't madden. Grant and Bowman could not consistently hold the edge against a right tackle and or TE. They would get engulfed at the point of attack and would provide almost zero pass rush off the corner. They are ILBs in a 3-4.
Please don't try the Bowman or Grant had 2 sacks one game garbage. They were on designed blitzes where they either came free or had to beat a running back.
I think Brooks is one of the better all around 3-4 OLBs in the league and would love to resign him. Don't think we will be able to afford him though. Probably draft a developmental guy and sign a situational rusher in FA. Aldon and Parys as the staters.
I think this is all a valid statement but honestly, the talent of Bowman would be an asset anywhere he was dedicated to. Maybe he doesn't have the prototypical size for an OLB, but then you just flip your OLBs to keep him on the weak side or whatever. The guy can just flat out play and you find ways to get him on the field. Grant showed he has some playmaking ability as well, how much exactly remains to be seen, and I have to believe that if Brooks goes, Fangio will definitely take a look at who can do what regardless of pure height and weight statistics. If he has to change the way they play defense to get the best 11 on the field, you know they will. The likelihood of finding someone more proven than Grant or whomever they already have on the roster seems rather slim if they're trying to save money on that position.
