Originally posted by Wodwo:
Breakdown of OLBs with game experience production per game. Career totals in parenthesis. Stats from NFL.com.
LaBoy has .35 sacks per game (23.5) and 2 tackles per game (136).
Haralson has .28 sacks per game (15.5) and 2.4 tackles per game (130).
Brooks has .3 sacks per game (8) and 2.1 tackles per game (58).
Lawson has .25 sacks per game (12) and 3.8 tackles per game (181).
As a comparison:
Ware has .81 sacks per game (64.5) and 4.4 tackles per game (354).
Merriman has .76 sacks per game (43.5) and 3.9 tackles per game (225).
Woodley has .66 sacks per game (29) and 3.1 tackles per game (136).
For fun:
Willis has .19 sacks per game (9) and 9.7 tackles per game (467).
So, while I realize that this proves absolutely nothing (anybody know where to find number of snaps played?), I think it's fun to compare the production of players and some of it is interesting. Obviously, none of our OLBs have proven to be anything but mediocre to poor rushing the passer when compared to players considered to be dominant pass rushers. I also think it's interesting that there appears to be little disparity among our OLBs when it comes to producing sacks.
Also, we did address the offensive line. In the five seasons before this draft we have drafted one tackle in the first round, two guards in the second round, a guard/tackle in the third round, a center in the fourth round, and we have signed one top free agent tackle and one hall of fame guard. Just because players don't always work out does not mean the team has not attempted to address a position. Your example is also ironic because the offensive line was obviously considered a position of need by the staff as reflected in our first round selections. Yet, not one OLB was drafted.
Lastly:
Originally posted by Barrows:
On Friday, I asked Mike Singletary about free-agent linebacker Adalius Thomas, someone the 49ers were very interested in during free agency three years ago. Singletary, who coached Thomas in Baltimore, acknowledged that past interest but said he was content with the OLBs the 49ers have on the roster right now.
link
Hey, Wadwo...you can go here. It's the most comprehensive site out there. You can review the number of times an OLB rushes the passer, is playing the run, drops back in coverage, etc. Note that for OLB in the 3-4, their primary role is to rush the passer but if the offense runs the ball, that OLB will have to play the run so really, you'd assume that most of the snaps in run defense were initially pass rushing opportunities. But you can still get a good idea in terms of success. You can run with it.
ProFootballFocus
You may want to look at the number of sacks per pass rush attempt and the number of tackles per run defense attempts of these players.
And for the record, I think pople are against Lawson's strategy of trying to obtain more money by how he may be going about it and it may end up working against him in the end. The facts are he is a 2-down run defense-only OLB. How much is the market for that? Backup money?
We have a proven and former starter in LaBoy now, Brooks who's been training to be a starter for two years (in our system) and we have some depth with Long and Briggs. LB's generally ARE good against the run so if Lawson left, would there be a big drop off? Is it a fair trade for a LB who can add more pass rush and stay on the field all three downs giving Manusky more deceptive schemes? We also have to remember that Haralson played with an un-publicized hip flexor injury all last season that affected his production so he may end up being more productive this year freeing up time or LaBoy & Brooks to battle it out or share snaps while spelling Haralson for Briggs and Long.
So this action to stay out of OTA's is more of a symbolism that Manny would not be a big loss at all on this team and it drives home the "team" concept when other players signed waivers just to be part of this team and many are also in their contract years and are participating (and risking injury). This is also a strategy Lawson's agent has performed in the past with other players he represents. And is the signing and timing of LaBoy symbolic as well (right after Manny skipped out on the OTA's and his "agent" said no comment)?
But one thing is for sure...ppl
are overreacting here based on little known information at this point.
We should all just wait and see. We saw Manny last season throw his fit on the sideline when he got benched for Brooks. But then he came back and played his best football for the next 3 games before tailing off again towards the end of the year. Maybe he'll bounce back! But one thing is for sure - I'll be playing close attention to his character through this process. Manny has never had to face competition on this team until Brooks came along. Now we have LaBoy too. It should be interesting...
