Depth problems at OLB.......

by J Korber on Oct 26, 2011 6:38 AM PDT

With Larry English done for the season and Shaun Phillips in a walking boot how comfortable are we with the current depth at OLB? If Phillips can't go this week that means Barnes moves into a starting role and we have 1 backup for both OLB positions, UDFA Darryl Gamble. I think Bront Bird is the only LB on the practice squad and I think he is more of an ILB than a pass rusher.

Does the team need to go out and pick someone up to add depth at the position? We've only managed to generate 10 sacks to date which is 28th in the NFL. It appears even prior to the injuries the team was having problems getting to the QB (unless the play calling has just been that conservative).

I went out and looked at possible FAs at OLB and list was not very long or distinguished. Below are some names of potential OLB free agents:

Tully Banta-Cain, DE/OLB, Patriots. Age: 31

Jyles Tucker, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 27.

Brandon Lang, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 25

Keith Bulluck, OLB, Giants. Age: 34

Pisa Tinoisamoa, OLB, Bears. Age: 30

Do you think the team makes a move? If so who do you think they would target if not one of the names mentioned above? Does Diggs possibly make the move to OLB?

I hope we're able to add some depth and get the pass rush back on track.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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the last two on your list

do not and have not played OLB in the 3-4.

by BORTZ on Oct 26, 2011 8:19 AM PDT reply actions

I would expect

Tucker, Lang, or Applewhite to come back and some other team’s practice squad to get raided for an additional OLB. Losing English not only hurts out depth, but also comes very close to shutting the door on our future at the position. So I think we bring in someone to add depth in the short term and someone else to be a long term prospect.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Oct 26, 2011 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

I did a cursory look at practice squad OLBs

didn’t find any promising guys on any of the league’s 3-4 defenses.

by BORTZ on Oct 26, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions

would you know one if you saw one?

I wouldn’t. I wasn’t excited about Garay or Barnes coming in, but both have been solid to very good. Unless you are in an NFL pro-scouting department, there is no way you’d be able to pick the wheat from the tares.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Oct 26, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry, what I meant to say is

that I didn’t see any OLBs at all.

by BORTZ on Oct 26, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah

all the Practice Squad linebackers look like ILB or severly undersized OLB (weight-wise) with no college stats to indicate bein worth a damn.

Antwan Barnes at least had 9.5 sacks his senior year at Florida International.

by BORTZ on Oct 26, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Applewhite

Is on the Panthers, I wish we could have kept him and said at the time we should have. He’s nothing special but he is a good run stopper who can occasionally get a sack.

by cameronm on Oct 26, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Applewhite is a drunk

“Probably shows up every day to the weight room lit up”, says the bitter SDSU alumni.

That dang DUI changed everything for him. He makes one phone call for a free ride home (by an off-duty policeman) and he’s still a Charger today!

by Trendsearcher on Oct 27, 2011 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions