NFL draft: USC's Rivers leads the linebackers
GREEN BAY — With the recent proliferation of 3-4 defenses in the NFL, evaluating linebackers — particularly outside linebackers — entering the draft has become an increasingly difficult proposition for teams that employ that scheme.
"Outside 'backer is an interesting position for us because almost every defensive end we watch has to be projected to outside linebacker in the 3-4," said Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage, whose team uses the 3-4 under coach Romeo Crennel. "We've looked long and hard at that."
Added New York Jets coach Eric Mangini, whose team also uses the 3-4: "That's always something that is something that you have to deal with. And you do look at some defensive ends and try to project how they look standing on their feet. And then (you look at) some of the outside linebacker-types (who) may have to move inside in the 3-4 system. So there is quite a bit of projecting there. You just try to do the best you can there."
The bottom line? "You have to find guys who fit your scheme," said Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, whose team also uses the 3-4.
Of course, when looking at the linebackers in this year's draft, one thing is certain: USC's Keith Rivers will be really good in whatever scheme he ends up in. So he could play for the roughly one-fourth of the league's teams that use the 3-4, or he could fit in just fine with a traditional 4-3 team.
"He is a real talent at that position," Savage said.
In an otherwise mediocre year for linebackers — "The linebacker depth is a little bit down, especially on the inside. It's not as deep as it has been in the past," San Francisco 49ers GM Scot McCloughan said — Rivers could be the only linebacker picked in the first round, and he could go in the top 10. At the Senior Bowl in January, he played all three linebacker spots.
Tags: kevin, newsome
April 24th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Likely because of all the legal immunities and sanctions that the NFL must abide by in order to operate… which is because of the vast amounts of money that changes hands at the watch of the NFL… which the government likes to have a hand in the cookie jar for.It makes a bit more sense if you think of it from the business standpoint rather than the gameplay standpoint. The NFL IS a business. Just like Enron et al were. Now, just because it makes sense from that standpoint doesn’t mean there aren’t better things to be doing…
April 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
What’s with all the ‘varsity blues’ characters?
April 24th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
There’s also a civil impact as well. Most cities that have professional sports teams provide significant incentives & subsidies to attract those teams and build stadiums.When certain actions take place that affect attendance and profitibility, there is a definite impact to local government revenue.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
they taped the pre-game practice of the rams before that superbowl.. and they barely won. i think they should have them stripped, but i’m a hater, esp. of the patriots. they are a bunch of smug assholes who thought they were unstoppable. i’m glad they lost the only game that counts this season anyway..
April 24th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
What kind of penalty is that? 2 picks? How about giving up your Superbowl wins. Sanctions? Geez this is weak. Your thoughts?
April 24th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Excellent point. Also of note is that a lot of cities own the stadiums… not the teams.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Ru469…take a fucking chill pill dude. Its a fucking video tape. Big deal. We have bigger things to worry about. But I guess you don’t. Relax buddy, you’ll live longer.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Are you saying SI isn’t a reliable source for sports news? Are you saying I should take what I read in SI with a grain of salt?Mangini is a putz that broke so many unspoken rules when leaving a team to be a head coach on another. The reason why he and BB have such a feud is because when Mangini left the Pats he solicited Pats players and staff to join him on the Jets. Mangini knew The Pats would be taping the calls because he was with the Pats for quite a while. When the Jets lost, Mangini pointed the finger, but only AFTER they lost. Why? Because he’s a dick.Coaches that don’t tape signals (which prior to the Pats fiasco was a small handful) were supposed to go to the head coach of the other team and say, “hey, don’t tape my calls, that’s not cool” and that would be that. Mangini has a barbed stick up his ass and he basically shot himself in the foot for breaking the unspoken coaches code of conduct.Since you aren’t citing your sources, neither shall I!