I don’t think we need to invest heavily at ILB.

Direckshun · 11-22-2018, 10:48 AM

This argument has bubbled up in a couple threads so let’s give it its own topic here.

Most of the posters in this forum think the terrible ILB play we’ve gotten so far necessitates some big acquisition, likely in the form of a high draft pick, in 2019.

I don’t. And not because I’m satisfied with the way the unit has played in 2018. I’m not!

But I think the unit is going to be a lot better next year. I think this coming offseason, DOD will put on weight and look more like a linebacker. And I think Hitchens was out of shape for the first half of the season, adjusting to a new scheme, and playing hurt the second half of the season.

And let me just take one sentence to give serious props to Hitchens for playing through his injury. Jesus, Anthony.

Those are the two ILBs that you need. And I think they’re both going to look a ton better in 2019.

I think Sutton has either finally figured out what to do with Hitchens or Hitchens has figured out the scheme, because he’s played pretty well the last couple weeks. He’s currently 5th in the league in tackles.

Lastly, I think the current unit is what the future of the ILB corps in the NFL is going to look like. You’ve got your pure thumper (Ragland), you’ve got your nickel linebacker who will play about 60-80% of the snaps (DOD), and you’ve got your full timer in Hitchens, who does a lot of everything.

I think DOD (and more of Sorensen) will take away from RBs out of the flat, and I think Berry returning will neutralize TEs more. I think we are figuring our run defense out, and I hope as Hitchens gets healthier and more comfortable in the scheme we see less hesitation. I think we’re seeing that now. This could have been a great acquisition by Veach; 2019 will tell.

11-22-2018, 10:48 AM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4243447	I don’t think we need to invest heavily at ILB. This argument has bubbled up in a couple threads so let’s give it its own topic here. Most of the posters in this forum think the terrible ILB play we’ve gotten so far necessitates some big acquisition, likely in the form of a high draft pick, in 2019. I don’t. And not because I’m satisfied with the way the unit has played in 2018. I’m not! But I think the unit is going to be a lot better next year. I think this coming offseason, DOD will put on weight and look more like a linebacker. And I think Hitchens was out of shape for the first half of the season, adjusting to a new scheme, and playing hurt the second half of the season. And let me just take one sentence to give serious props to Hitchens for playing through his injury. Jesus, Anthony. Those are the two ILBs that you need. And I think they’re both going to look a ton better in 2019. I think Sutton has either finally figured out what to do with Hitchens or Hitchens has figured out the scheme, because he’s played pretty well the last couple weeks. He’s currently 5th in the league in tackles. Lastly, I think the current unit is what the future of the ILB corps in the NFL is going to look like. You’ve got your pure thumper (Ragland), you’ve got your nickel linebacker who will play about 60-80% of the snaps (DOD), and you’ve got your full timer in Hitchens, who does a lot of everything. I think DOD (and more of Sorensen) will take away from RBs out of the flat, and I think Berry returning will neutralize TEs more. I think we are figuring our run defense out, and I hope as Hitchens gets healthier and more comfortable in the scheme we see less hesitation. I think we’re seeing that now. This could have been a great acquisition by Veach; 2019 will tell.
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