LB Corps even better

by MikeDv on Aug 29, 2010 4:12 PM PDT

Throughout the preseason to this point we have had some solid play from reserve LB's. Those guys include Briggs, LaBoy and Bowman, that isn't where it ends though with some very nice performances turned in by Kristick, Davis and Balogun.With this many guys making strides it is sad to have to see a cut day looming upon us after our game against San Diego.

Of the previously mentioned the obvious guys who stick to our roster are LaBoy,Bowman and Briggs. With that we get some new exciting faces to our Corps and a familiar face with a more confident swagger. All in all the 49ers may not only have one of the most elite LB corps in the NFL as far as speed goes, we could very well have an elite pass rushing LB corps. Brooks came on strong at the end of last season with his injury a lot of guys got extra reps(Manny Lawson being away during OTA's didn't hurt either). Those reps led to a lot of visible improvement for Diyral Briggs, he has shown good tenacity this preseason and is constantly in the opponents backfield. Travis LaBoy is a great and welcomed surprise, I am itching to see Brooks get to 100% so I can see them sandwich opposing field generals. Manny Lawson is in a contract year and will clearly have to prove he deserves a new contract with this team. With so many talented LB's on this squad there will be little if any drop off if players get nicked up during the season. We had a very nice season defensively last year but that was not enough to propel us into the Playoffs. The offense has more weapons and increasing stability, that has caught the attention of most but our defense has added some guys who can bring the pain to the QB.

Poll

Will the 49ers pass rush increase it's sack production this year from 44 sacks last season?

Yes

190 votes

No

17 votes

207 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

It was 44 last year but i expect it to be about the same. Maybe a few more.

by mikeinsp on Aug 29, 2010 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks

I did my own tally IDK how I missed 3.5 sacks.

by MikeDv on Aug 29, 2010 4:44 PM PDT reply actions

The whole defense should be better

than last year because they will be spending lots more time on the bench “resting” and “watching” the offense kick some serious butt. When they do get in the game they will be fresh and ready to bring the heat on the opposing QB. I can’t wait to see Taylor Mays in the game on a safety blitz!

by mensa on Aug 29, 2010 4:48 PM PDT reply actions

Of course if they are more on the bench resting....

that would decrease the opportunity for more sacks, so if they do in fact get less sacks this year, that could be a huge reason

by sanfranfanmdk on Aug 29, 2010 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Even though it's preseason ...

… they sure didn’t show it , n seven drives against our first-string Defense, allowed the Raiders to scored 21 points and Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski combined to complete 12 of 16 passes for 236 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions….
That’s a 158.3 QB rating … far cry from being better …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!

by Edggy on Aug 29, 2010 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Brown was in for Spencer so that's what happens when he's out.

by mikeinsp on Aug 29, 2010 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions

When one reply's it should have some type of substance ....

… or at least a clue that’s relevent to the task ahead …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!

by Edggy on Aug 29, 2010 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

That was relevant

and the whole point. Our starting CB wasn’t playing. Not only that we barely sent any pressure at the Raiders and went with a plain vanilla defense the whole time.

Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority

by smileyman on Aug 29, 2010 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Not true Manusky dialed up quit a few blitz package during the Raider game...

… and what’s relevant is that while the run Defense is solid , the pass Defense is very suspect and gave some big number’s last year , IMO as good as some feel about the D i throw caution to wind when it come’s to the pass defense , what’s been done to solve this , one player in or out of the line up shouldn’t have that big of a impact of the Defense as a scheme …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's juz my game ...!!

by Edggy on Aug 30, 2010 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Lets hope

I would really like to see us get less sacks as a direct result of the offense displaying it’s dominance over opposing defenses.

by MikeDv on Aug 29, 2010 5:00 PM PDT reply actions

As a group, IMHO this is the strongest LB corp that we have EVER had!

And, they are all young! Well, except for Takeo (33). Even Wilhelm is under 30.

Because of the outstanding depth at LB I think that we end up putting 9 linebackers on the final 53 —

ILBs Willis, Spikes, Bowman, and Wilhelm (would have been McKillop without the injury)

OLBs Lawson, Harelson, Brooks, LaBoy and Briggs.

by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 29, 2010 7:08 PM PDT reply actions

Matt Barrows also thinks we'll keep 9 linebackers.

(In: Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, Travis LaBoy, Diyral Briggs, Matt Wilhelm).

And the rest of his roster predictions.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2010/08/53-man-pickup-p.html

by mikeinsp on Aug 29, 2010 7:13 PM PDT reply actions

That's a lot of LB

but it wouldn’t shock me. There’s a ton of talent in that group (especially the OLBs). It may mean that we go with fewer d-linemen.

Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority

by smileyman on Aug 29, 2010 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes... ALOT

Helluva group!

I'll take cheese on mine.

by riderless on Aug 30, 2010 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

I think we will acquire close to the same number of sacks unless teams seur DB's are suspect as a whole.

Black Sand Ninja!!!

by rlott#42 on Aug 29, 2010 9:21 PM PDT reply actions

It is a lot

I think though with Lawson and his status for next year up in the air, we are gonna cover our selves and keep more LB than usual.

by MikeDv on Aug 29, 2010 9:38 PM PDT reply actions

I think Wilhelm will get waived

and be a phone call away, his value is in the fact that he knows Manusky’s scheme very well, not his physical abilities. I bet he ends up playing with us at some time this year, though.

I voted no on the sacks question, I think we’ll be about the same, but I think our hurries, tipped passes, knockdowns and interceptions will improve.

They're called RUNS for a reason.

by connie mack on Aug 30, 2010 10:43 AM PDT reply actions

A dominant offense actually means MORE sacks...

Because than other teams would likely be playing from behind, due both to our potent offense (optimistic), and stifling defense (quite possible). As such, they would be passing more, and hopefully, getting sacked.

Someone above said best LB group ever; I like the optimism, but not quite. Best in almost a decade? Sure.

I think we notch 49 (get it?) this year. If we had one more above-average corner, mid-fifties would be totally feasible. Can we PLEASE draft an elite CB sometime soon?

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Aug 30, 2010 10:09 PM PDT reply actions