I agree we need an impact LB! Only problem is we need an ILB, not an OLB, so Sintim isn't the answer. Some analysts project Lauranaitis falling to us. I wouldn't mind us trading up if we could to get an impact player.

Montequi, I don't think moving to Sintim to MLB would be out of the question. He certainly has the size to play the position. UVA played him at OLB to exploit his speed and quickness, but I could see Parcells helping him with a transition to MLB. Just a thought.

Actually, Sintim is projected to play inside or outside just like Brian Cushing who is turning heads at the senior bowl. I am leaning toward Cushing. He can play all 4 spots and used to play Safety.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Cushing is high on my list also. I think he'll be a better pro than Lauranitas.

I can see that move as well.

Parcells likes big solid ILB's who can take help at the point of attack. And stop guys at the LOS.

When Zach was younger you would see him get the back in the backfield, but as he got older, the tackles happened 3-5 yards passed the LOS. And zach wasn't an effective blitzer.

Crowder has good numbers...but again...it isn't just making the tackle its WHERE it happens.

I would like to see us get a guy on the inside who can stop someone cold.

Actually I am wondering if Roth could play ILB? in a 3-4 he would have help in coverage and on the outside. He reads a play quite well.

I would love to see us get a young, dominant NT in the Haloti Ngata mold. A dominant NT makes everyone else's job easier.

Agreed on the value of the NT. I guess I am hoping that with the cnage in coaching, the new chemistry among players, and getting suspended, that maybe Soliai will mature a bit and become the dominant player he has the tools to be.

Coming out of college, the knock on Soliai is that he had poor conditioning, relied on natural ability rather than develop technique, and that he didn't seem focussed.

I can see how arriving last year to Cam Cameron's Camp for boys would have perpetuated Soliai's flaws.

This year he got into the doghouse quickly, but seemed to have worked his way out towards the end.

At 6'4" 355 he has the size and foot quickness to be a top NT. He is 25 and just entering manhood. I am predicting that what we see this year out of him...will be a stronger, more focussed, conditioned athlete. he may never be the #1 NT or top 3...but top 5 is possible.

I hope your right realist. If Solai can become a force at NT it would be a huge boost for our defense.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2009 10:24AM by Northeast Fin Fan.

The ILB to watch is Scott McKillop out of pittsburg. He is the zach thomas of the draft. Not the most physically imposing specimen at 6-2' 240 but a tackling machine that seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Watch his stock rise at the combines... he will be a steal for who ever gets him.

Miami Reppa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The ILB to watch is Scott McKillop out of
> pittsburg. He is the zach thomas of the draft.
> Not the most physically imposing specimen at 6-2'
> 240 but a tackling machine that seems to always be
> in the right place at the right time. Watch his
> stock rise at the combines... he will be a steal
> for who ever gets him.


Stay away from Pitt players. They have the Wannstedt loser stench all over them and that never goes away.

berkeley223 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Miami Reppa Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The ILB to watch is Scott McKillop out of
> > pittsburg. He is the zach thomas of the draft.
>
> > Not the most physically imposing specimen at
> 6-2'
> > 240 but a tackling machine that seems to always
> be
> > in the right place at the right time. Watch
> his
> > stock rise at the combines... he will be a
> steal
> > for who ever gets him.
>
>
> Stay away from Pitt players. They have the
> Wannstedt loser stench all over them and that
> never goes away.


You forget that Wanny was the Defensive Coordinator in Dallas when they won a bunch of Superbowls. He fits into the same category as Cam in that he only knows one side of the ball and isn't a great leader. Still, Wanny knows a thing or 2 about defense.