St.Louis Rams: Linebacker Candidates For 2012

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 11:44 AM CST

1. Zach Brown, North Carolina 6'1 236

Tremendous speed for the position. Displayed coverage ability during Senior Bowl week. Looks ideal as a weakside 4-3 backer.

2. Nigel Bradham, Florida St 6'2 240

Physical and aggressive. Good in coverage. Great closing speed on display during Senior Bowl. Sound tackler who has the ability to create turnovers.

3. Keenan Robinson, Texas 6'3 240

Robinson displayed solid coverage skills during Senior Bowl week. He held his own .

4. Josh Kaddu, Oregon 6'3 235

Kaddu put his skills on display during the Shrine game and the practice sessions during the week. He played the run and the pass well.

5. Danny Trevathan, Kentucky 6'1 232

Solid tackler with speed and lateral quickness. Displays good instincts and coverage ability.

6. Bobby Wagner, Utah St 6'0 241

Smart player. Displays instincts and excellent timing. Athletic kid who looks as if he can play OLB and ILB equally well. Great Senior Bowl practice and game.

7.Terrell Manning, North Carolina St 6'3 230

Speedy OLB that does an excellent job in coverage. Solid tackler who gets there quick, fast, and in a hurry. Capable of causing turnovers with hitting ability.

Potential UDFA:

Korey Williams, Southern Mississippi 6'2 243

Ronnie Thorton, Southern Mississippi 6'2 240

.Tahir Whitehead, Temple 6'2 230

Damario Davis, Arkansas St 6'3 230

FA:

Manny Lawson,Cincinnati Bengals

An ideal strongside backer who is only 27.

Rocky McIntosh, Washington Redskins

Speedy OLB better suited as 4-3 weakside backer.

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Comments

Lawson

I thought the Rams should have chased Lawson last year, but they didn’t do it. Formerly from SF, they have a ton of good OLBs, and he did not get re-signed. Definitely an upgrade over Leber and Pops.

Also would like the Rams to look at Haggans who played in Denver last year. Haggans is more of a stop-gap veteran, but played well in the absence of Von Miller.

by 81 Witness on Jan 30, 2012 1:02 PM CST reply actions

Strongside OLB The Rams Could Use

St. Louis may be an attractive team considering Gregg Williams in the new DC.

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

I think so too

But who were the OLBs in NO? Jo Lonn Dunbar and Shanle. Not exactly household names.

by 81 Witness on Jan 30, 2012 5:54 PM CST up reply actions

That Speaks To The Effectiveness

Of Williams as a DC. It would be fun to see how he would use Lawson in his scheme.

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 6:07 PM CST up reply actions

I know I'm being a homer, but what about Travis Lewis of OU?

by David5264 on Jan 30, 2012 1:23 PM CST reply actions

Travis Lewis showed a lot of heart coming back early from that foot injury. I have no doubt that when he is healthy he is one of the top OLB’s in the country. It is that foot that concerns me. After watching him play this past season; I wondered if he aggravated that injury. This list is still open. The Combine is right around the corner. Lewis will be medically evaluated. Until then; I just want to wait and see what happens with him.

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, Lawson would be nice and

I would like to see the Rams plug the OLB needs via FA or with a lower round draft choice given their plethora of other needs. Bobby Wagner was huge in the Senior Bowl and Trevathan is intriguing.

by RamTeaPartier on Jan 30, 2012 3:09 PM CST reply actions

I Hear Ya RTP

I like the Wagner kid as well. His reaction time is cat quick. He seems to diagnose plays before they happen.

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

sign lawson and hope brown falls to the 2nd

by bigfoot2XLT on Jan 30, 2012 4:11 PM CST reply actions

I Would Not Be

Surprised to see Zach Brown fall to the second round. He projects as a weakside OLB exclusively. This would work for The Rams; not so much with other teams that use the 3-4.

by ValdezY on Jan 30, 2012 5:48 PM CST up reply actions

if zach brown falls to the second round

I don’t know how we couldn’t take him, especially if we trade back in the 1st and get another second. I’m high on lavonte David and think they we make a good duo.

by zachmann21 on Jan 30, 2012 6:32 PM CST reply actions

trio with laurinaitis

by zachmann21 on Jan 30, 2012 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

GM

I was thinking about Lawson at SAM, Laurinaitis MIKE, and Bradham and/ or Brown at WIL. I also like the thought of Wagner as both an OLB and ILB. That type of versatility is hard to find.

by ValdezY on Jan 31, 2012 9:45 AM CST up reply actions

I Like David As Well

I think he and Sean Spence would excel in Williams’ defense. I could be wrong about Brown falling to the second round. I read today that Miami would use the 4-3 defense this season. Detroit could use LB help as well. The Bucs could get Brown and move Mason to the SAM.

by ValdezY on Jan 31, 2012 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

Brown for sure

but he’s picked to go in the first round.

by OakCityRam on Jan 31, 2012 9:47 AM CST reply actions

I Hope He Falls

But you are right, that might be unlikely. Miami is one team that will run a 4-3 D this year. I think there are couple more that will do the same. If so, Brown would be great choice.

by ValdezY on Jan 31, 2012 2:20 PM CST up reply actions