OLB SLEEPER!!!

Marcus Howard, 6', 231, 27 benches, 34" vertical, Georgia is liste as TWELTH among the defensive ENDS. He is routinely clocked at at around 4.43. He is projected to go below the fourth round because of his size and only 2 years at DE. His combine 40 was faster than that of any of the linebackers, (not to mention than many of the cornerbacks and wide recievers).

At the Hula Bowl, Haward played only three snaps. He got one sack as an OLB, and another as a DE. He was the Sugar Bowl MVP--he delivers in big games.

10.5 sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss.

DAMMIT I just read that he's rising fast and might go in the third dammit. Well, a lot of people are dumbasses so he might still be there as of the Borwns pick in the 4th, or at least in range.

I'm hoping that dumbasses will "deduct points" from him based on his height, which gives him LEVERAGE. (I mentioned 27 benches at 225, right?) And then, there's his weight, which is a legit concern. 231 is pretty light for a 3-4 OLB, and with his frame, he hasn't got a whole lot of room to get bigger. His upside might be only around 240.

He might also lose points for pulling his quadriceps and missing some of the combine drills. I see nothing on his short shuttle and 3-cone--but those who saw him play don't care--he's showed the quickness and mobility to play OLB.

In my previous post, I told Phil about that Trevor guy, who physicly actually projects better than Howard as an OLB. But Howard played at a higher level of competition, came through big in big games, and topped his overall production.

The thing with Howard is versatility. He also has the measurables to play ILB here--though it seems I'm the only one who's seen it.

Everybody keeps talking about big bodies who can throw guards around like rag dolls. At least Pat Kirwin was sane enough to point out that with the new defensive line, offenses will have trouble getting to the linebackers. DDUUUUHHHHH. I mean...DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

And there's even an axiom in football: "The low man wins." If you get under the other guy's pads, he can't move you. All he can do is try to fall on you like a building, or make you stay where you are so you can't tackle anybody. (That's what they mean by "engulfed")

Some short guys can beat that. They can escape engulfment. It helps if you're very strong and have quick hands. But anyway, the obsession with hugeness at ILB is irrational and misguided. Trevor could be a sleeper OLB and Howard can play anywhere. One or both will be there in the 4th round.

Oh yeah. Very deep draft in tweeners. Phil will get somebody good in the 4th. You'll see.