OLB -- Lawson, Haralson, Adelius Thomas?

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Thomas got his payday and became a fat cat. Glad we weren't able to sign him at the time. Blessing in disguise.

I remember we did want him at that time, but he wanted to stay in the eastcoast.

Originally posted by NeeJ49er:
Nah ..Lets see what Brooks, Briggs and Laboy can do, were ok at OLB for now

Agreed. I'd like to see our attention turn to our secondary, however.

For a 49er fan this ought to be easy. He was beat out on the Pats by TBC and his patented spin move.

The Jets are after him.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2010/08/adalius-thomas-on-jets-radar-i.html

lets move on...!

I still haven't seen Parys or Manny bring any pressure at all in one game this pre season. Do either have a sack. I see Briggs and LaBoy copming in the game with bursts of speed that I don't see from the starters.

Originally posted by HearstFan:
The OLB play seems to be a committee affair this year. Haralson and Lawson as the starters, with Brooks and LaBoy likely to rotate in on passing downs.

LAWSON -- There are a few posters complaining about Lawson - and yes he hasn't turned into a sack machine, so there is some minor disappointment. But Lawson is maturing into an very good all around OLB. He sets the edge VERY well against the run now, able to play off the block whether the runner goes inside or outside. He diagnoses runs very quickly now and is a sure tackler. He has the range to play coverage, and you don't often see QBs throw into his coverage area. Finally, he does have some pass rush ability -- not great, but solid. So I think he is a solid starter.

HARALSON - I used to think the world of Haralson, but he seems to have peaked mid last year. Opposing linemen now see to have solved his pass rush technique and he is a liability in coverage. He is also not very good against the run, when he sets the edge he is one dimensional, only able to play inside or outside - unlike Lawson. I think Brooks was on track to take the starter role, but injuries have set him back. Maybe by mid season it will happen now.

BROOKS - shows a ton of potential as a pass rusher, okay against the run, haven't seen much of him in coverage. So we just don't know if he is a minor or major upgrade over Haralson yet.

LABOY - Clearly has a knack for rushing the QB. Very good instincts/anticipation on how to get to where the QB will be and can get there at full speed. (Our other pass rushers seem to hesitate on their way to the QB and at first contact. Brooks and LaBoy seem to have the ability to go full speed to the QB). But he may be a "one trick pony" that starts to lose effectiveness as OL get him figured out. At least there seems to be a lot of promise there.

ADELIUS THOMAS -- What happened to this guy? When he went from the Ravens to the Patriots he was considered to be one of the most gifted athletes in the league. Why is he unsigned? Would he be a help to us? It doesn't seem the 49ers have any interest in him at all.

Laboy is not a one trick pony at pass rushing if that is what you are saying unless you mean he can only pass rush.

Lawson is good against the rush and can defend the pass but seems to lack that pass rush skill.

i thought this thread was from 2 years ago.

Originally posted by lamontb:
I still haven't seen Parys or Manny bring any pressure at all in one game this pre season. Do either have a sack. I see Briggs and LaBoy copming in the game with bursts of speed that I don't see from the starters.

Exactly, & isn't that what we've been craving for? Guys who can pass rush & get to the QB & knock him out of the game!!! Why not, insert both LaBoy & Briggs with Lawson & Willis & see how that turns out & maybe just maybe our secondary with Adams & Clements along with Spencer can shutdown their opposing WR's...

Shouldn't this thread be in free agency? Shame on you mods!

Originally posted by Chico:
I like Laboy...he shows speed and relentlessness! I'd rather start him over Manny because Manny has yet to show anything.

thats not true manny is a very good all around olb not a double digit sack artist but he did lead the team in sacks and he is better at all the other thing s that our olbs stink at

A.Thomas is washed up, Sing knows LB and we chose to stay w/our guys and pick up Laboy as a veteran add on that shows u AD sucks now.

Originally posted by Giggidy:

Originally posted by NeeJ49er:
Nah ..Lets see what Brooks, Briggs and Laboy can do, were ok at OLB for now

Agreed. I'd like to see our attention turn to our secondary, however.

This, Big time!!

Originally posted by Chico:
I like Laboy...he shows speed and relentlessness! I'd rather start him over Manny because Manny has yet to show anything.

Sorry but I have to disagree that Manny hasn't shown anything. In fact he matched LaBoy's season high sack total of 6.5 sacks. And LaBoy has hit that level only one time in his career though came close 3 years ago with 6.

I'm not saying that I'm 100% satisfied but this Defense is a TEAM unit. They get their sacks from every unit, not just the OLBs'.

Heck lets be reasonable and see what Manny does this year before saying Manny hasn't shown anything. He's only had 4 years on the field after all and one of those years was his injury year and only had 2 games in. I think people expect too much around here given the issues involved.

If Manny performs to the level that he did last season there's gonna be a lot of people lining up to kiss his backside.

~Ceadder

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Thomas got his payday and became a fat cat. Glad we weren't able to sign him at the time. Blessing in disguise.

We don't know how he would have fared here. At that time, had we signed him he would have had Sing as his position coach coming in who may or may not have been able to keep his fire burning.