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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Outside Linebacker


Decided to try something else to generate some discussion:

The Good:  Our pass rush last year suffered from a wide open secondary; a little spackle in the offseason and hopefully we closed those holes.  Adalius Thomas is back, and feeling good.  Shawn Crable and Pierre Woods are healthy.

The Bad:  Mike Vrabel to Kansas City; his lack of production last year probably had more to do with Asante leaving than age.  Uncertain replacements in Shawn Crable, Pierre Woods, and Vince ReddTully Banta-Cain was not so productive with the 49ers.

The Ugly: Without pressure on the quarterback, this year's defense is worse than last years.  The starters aren't all accounted for, let alone depth.

Overall: I think we'll get by.  The youngsters have alot to prove, but I think the combination of Shawn Crable and Pierre Woods will suffice for now.

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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I think that....

Shawn Crable really steps up.
Im calling 9+ sacks, which I think will lead the Patriots

by Patsfanbrowny on Jul 10, 2009 6:41 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I like Crable

He’s fast, and he’s gained some lower body strength. I hope he makes us all say Vrabel who? My point is that right now he’s unproven. Of course, so was Cassel at this time last year. I hope Crable has that kind of impact.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He is unproven..

but sometimes unproven can be good. Opposing teams dont know what to expect from him, Thry dont know his game and this could be good for him.

by Patsfanbrowny on Jul 13, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OLB - Better than the sum of its parts

Vrabel was playing injured in 2008 but wasn’t going to be any faster this year than last. It will add some interest to follow how he does in KC.

I don’t know if I’d include the “uncertain replacements” as part of The Bad category. Maybe I’d put them in their own, The Unsettling or The Great Unknown category. Hopefully everyone will step up that we need to, and earn their place in The Good.

All in all, I think this defense will be better than it looks on paper.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 10, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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