SAM OLB

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Z Brown is better suited at will. The will lb will be zipping around all over the place. That's not to say he couldn't play sam, just that his talents are better used, maximized, at will or mike. The comparisons I've seen relating tyus to harold are more based on physical attributes and less on play style and physicality.


Also, just cus Seattle's current sam lb just happens to have the fastest 40 time, does not make him the most fluid, agile, or laterally quick of the lb corps. It also does not mean that he is their ideal SAM lb

Agree with everything!

Originally posted by Heroism:
He was primarily referring to how people perceive a 3-4 vs 4-3.

"Seattle has a linebacker on the ball every single play. So does Atlanta. That's five guys on the line of scrimmage. Whether you call it a 4-3 or a 3-4, for the most part, we call it a 4-3, just to tell you guys the way I look at it, as a coach.

Regardless, the SAM is the front side contain player, and nobody employs an undersized linebacker to set an edge. The first thing Dan Quinn had Vic Beasley do when he moved to SAM was put on weight.

Michael Morgan was 225 coming out, plays at 235 now. Manny Lawson and KJ Wright were both 240 coming out (of the top of my head, I thought Wright played WILL, so Shanahan referring to him in this context was confusing). Beasley and Marsh were 245. The Seahawks don't have a single LB listed above 246.

So, the quote continues from where you left off.

"It's a 4-3, which I think all of that is such semantics, to tell you the truth," Shanahan said. "Seattle has a linebacker on the ball every single play. So does Atlanta. That's five guys on the line of scrimmage. Whether you call it a 4-3 or a 3-4, for the most part, we call it a 4-3, just to tell you guys the way I look at it, as a coach.

"Can your halfback block that Sam linebacker on the ball? And that just depends how big he is. And if he's a big guy and he's Ahmad Brooks, then call it a 3-4. If he's a smaller guy like K.J. Wright, who's not that small, but you're going to put your back on him, then call it a 4-3. There's really no difference. It's the same kind of fronts."

My point is, SAM doesn't have to be this bigass 3-4 OLB. He's never lining head-up on a tackle. SAM is lined up on a TE or a wing, or he's in space. Is Peppers the physical ideal at SAM? Of course not, but I think he's physically capable of beating a TE. Last March, the draft world was wondering where Myles Jack would play, because he was only 225 in college. He weighed in at 245 for the Jags. Peppers appears to know that he's better suited to LB, and he's reportedly gaining weight. I don't know where he'll weigh in at the combine, but I'm expecting something in that 215-220 range, and I'll bet he'll still test out of this world. Shoot, he reportedly weighed 210 as a freshman, before they moved him to CB. Jordan Zirm from Stack said he was around 215 two weeks ago.

I'm not gonna be pissed if we don't get him, but I'll be pretty excited about the possibilities if we do (just nowhere near the top half of round 1, please).

You're right, KJ Wright does play will, so it was really confusing. Also, it was weird that he referred to Wright as a smaller LB since KJ is a huge will LB.



I think Peppers at will makes a lot more sense than sam. If he does come in at 220 and performs how we expect him to, then he'd be a much better fit there where he can use his athleticism to chase after the ball carrier and make plays in space. I actually like that idea(assuming he comes in much bigger than he was at Michigan).

Originally posted by davewaymer49:
I think Blair could shed 20lbs and be a definite edge setter with ability to get lateral and go after qb.

He'd have to. Blair is not going to be a sam at his size.

Originally posted by Heroism:
You're right, KJ Wright does play will, so it was really confusing. Also, it was weird that he referred to Wright as a smaller LB since KJ is a huge will LB.

I think Peppers at will makes a lot more sense than sam. If he does come in at 220--which I doubt--then he'd be a much better fit there where he can use his athleticism to chase after the ball carrier and make plays in space.

I agree, but I think it'd be silly to draft him to play WILL with Ray-Ray looking so good last summer and fall. I think his length and improved instincts make him a perfect fit. Pec injuries are freak accidents, so it's not like he's injury-prone.

To the bolded, I'd remind you that he was 210 when he committed to UM, and he was reportedly around 215 two weeks ago, after ending the season at ~205. I'd take Peppers playing at 225 over Michael Morgan at 235 in a heart beat, and Peppers has shown he can pull off significant body change w/o compromising his athleticism.

I really hope Lynch wouldn't let Ray Ray dictate who he drafts. I have much less faith in Armstrong than you do.


I actually really like the idea of Peppers at will the more I think about it. Kind of warming up to that lol.

Originally posted by Heroism:
I really hope Lynch wouldn't let Ray Ray dictate who he drafts. I have much less faith in Armstrong than you do.

I actually really like the idea of Peppers at will the more I think about it. Kind of warming up to that lol.

The Niners already have a safety / LB kind of player like that in Tartt.

Originally posted by NinerSickness:

Originally posted by Heroism:

I really hope Lynch wouldn't let Ray Ray dictate who he drafts. I have much less faith in Armstrong than you do.

I actually really like the idea of Peppers at will the more I think about it. Kind of warming up to that lol.

The Niners already have a safety / LB kind of player like that in Tartt.

True, but Tart doesn't have the gifts Jabrill has that comes factory made.. Tart is no where the prospect Jabrill is.

To WRATHman point.

"Every year it seems as if there's one player who can do it all no matter where you play him.

Last year, it was the likes of Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. The year before, Shaq Thompson shined with the athleticism of a safety, but could hit like an linebacker.

This year, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers should take the crown as being the most diverse defender in the class. Spending time at eight different positions in 2016 (five on defense), Peppers shined wherever he lined up."

"No matter where Peppers plays at the next level, his athleticism and aggressive playing style should allow him to thrive in this right situation."

"Another NFL scout compared the versatile Peppers to former NFL star Charles Woodson, who retired after last season, while a third scout holds the redshirt sophomore in higher regard than the Jacksonville Jaguars' 2016 first-round pick, Jalen Ramsey.

"He's better than Jalen Ramsey, so there's that," the scout said. "He's a safety, but you can match him up if you want. He can take on the better tight ends, Jordan Reed man to man. You can put him in the slot. You can blitz him, play him deep. He's going to be a difference maker for a defense.''

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein has compared Peppers to Arizona Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu."

"Ramsey, from Florida State, was the No. 5 overall pick by Jacksonville. Ramsey's ability to play multiple positions in the secondary was among the driving factors in his draft value. At the college level, Peppers has been even more versatile than Ramsey, playing throughout the secondary last year, but more at linebacker this season, along with return duties and occasional action on offense."

Could you imagine drafting Myles Garret, Jabrill Peppers and a Qb. Get everything else through free agency or next year.

That would be insane... That would create nightmares for an offense especially ones that have Gronk and the Jordan Reeds of the game, no subbing needed.. Base package all day baby...

Jarrad Davis ? Jalen Reeves-Maybin a sleeper ?

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Jarrad Davis ? Jalen Reeves-Maybin a sleeper ?

Davis can play all 3 spots

Originally posted by Heroism:

You're right, KJ Wright does play will, so it was really confusing. Also, it was weird that he referred to Wright as a smaller LB since KJ is a huge will LB.



I think Peppers at will makes a lot more sense than sam. If he does come in at 220 and performs how we expect him to, then he'd be a much better fit there where he can use his athleticism to chase after the ball carrier and make plays in space. I actually like that idea(assuming he comes in much bigger than he was at Michigan).

I think Shanahan was thinking about Morgan.

Originally posted by jreff22:

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Jarrad Davis ? Jalen Reeves-Maybin a sleeper ?

Davis can play all 3 spots

Yup makes him the exact type of LB this team needs..

Originally posted by jersey49er:

Originally posted by jreff22:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
Jarrad Davis ? Jalen Reeves-Maybin a sleeper ?

Davis can play all 3 spots

Yup makes him the exact type of LB this team needs..

Ryan Anderson would be a nice SAM if we could grab him.

Anderson-Bow-Davis

Maybe Charles Harris drops to us.