Yes. The will is your best cover LB of the 3 (MLB, SLB, WLB). But you have to be able to do more than just cover.
Mostly just came to say that I’m sick of guys being called chess pieces.
It’s really over used and doesn’t really even make sense.
Also, I’m still looking for big plays from Barnes but I somehow get the sense that his position isn’t one that gets put in position for splash plays as much as others. I think they want a steady hand there.
Thanks. It’s all about how they are used in packages. JRM comes in Nickel packages. With all the new additions we have that can play Nickel/Slot JRM is the odd man out over some of these CB’s.
Now if we want to play more big nickel packages than I suspect JRM will get more snaps. But I don’t expect that until we’re up against a run heavy team.
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Whatever they do with him, I’m glad he’s on the Lions. JRM is like the Ben Affleck from Armageddon. Just a guy you have to have on the team. Only he’s not young, or stupid, or banging the bosses daughter.
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Well, he’s at least one of those things. Maybe two for all we know.
In speaking to reporters this week, linebacker Derrick Barnes expressed he is expecting his role to slightly change this week.
Against the Rams, the talented linebacker lined up regularly off the ball, due to abilities in coverage.
Barnes hinted he could line up more on the edge this week, giving Detroit another option should Davenport miss the Week 2 home contest. He is familiar with this role, having played it in college at Purdue.
“It’ll be kind of different from last week,” Derrick Barnes said, via the Free Press. “I was off the line of scrimmage more than I probably will be this season. … Obviously, everyone schemes for different teams in different ways, but I’m definitely preparing to play more on the edge this game.”
Would like to see a list of the top 3 most improved Lion’s after the past three seasons.
Have a hard time seeing someone else beat out Barnes for the #1 spot of most improved during that stretch
Edit to add: Anzalone has come a long way also, whoever our LB coach is clearly knows what he is doing
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Harold Perkins LSU
Detroit News article on Barnes, full article at link.
Derrick Barnes continues growth as do-it-all defender for Lions
Is he ever uncomfortable in one of the many roles defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has him play?
“Nah, I think I used to,” Barnes told The Detroit News on Friday. "I say (that) only because my confidence level wasn’t where it was (now). I feel like I didn’t want to mess up, so I was just stiff when it came to that. Now that the coaches have a lot of confidence in me and my teammates, my peers have a lot of confidence in me, I think that just allows me to go out and play confident.
“I feel like when I line up on anybody — and I’m not talking trash that I can guard anybody — but when it comes to our defense, I think AG does a great job of putting players in position to go out and show their skill level and make plays. … I think it’s a confidence-level thing, and also, obviously, putting in the work and also trusting my technique.”
Barnes played the second-most defensive snaps of his career (64) against the Rams, and he said he really started to feel it in the second half. You wouldn’t be able to tell, though, as he teamed up with defensive back Brian Branch to make a crucial stop at the goal line in the fourth quarter.
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Kelvin Sheppard:
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Actually that’s pretty interesting. I do think WLB is his future in the NFL. He’s not the most instinctive right now at the linebacker-y parts of the position, but the juice is insane. Could he improve at those aspects? Houston really hasn’t, which might give us pause.
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Is that really a scheme fit though? I mean we Blitz AA some but not enough to make that investment work IMO. Unless like you imply it’s a Manu type of situation in which we’ll have to build him up. Though a lot can change in a year. If we’re going sky high ceiling project would someone like Sonny Styles who should be better in space. But I just don’t love gambling that much on either as they’re likely high picks and quite unproven.
Do you think Teddye Buchanan can handle the coverage responsibilities we place on that LBer spot? You seemed giddy with your viewing of his play last week.
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Yes!
(Actually I need to watch more than one game, his impact was definitely felt more going forward).
Also, so could Nick Martin. I mentioned this in another thread, but he caught Xavier Worthy from behind in the Big 12 championship game last year. Led the league in tackles too. All around freak.
I know Perkins isn’t a glove fit, but the juice is appealing. Hey, actually why aren’t you with me on this one? This is usually your MO.
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I thought about asking you about Martin. Is he really only 220 though?
He grew up in Texarkana so we know he can handle adversity. 
Also, are we sure that Nowiske may not have a role outside of ST late in his first contract? And then we still have Rodrigo for one more year and I doubt held be all that expensive to keep.
My main point is that if we re-up Barnes then I think putting two much draft capital into LB is silly.
That’s what Martin’s listed at, but man it doesn’t show when you watch. I suppose the one area he’s not elite is taking on blocks, but I wouldn’t call it a weakness either. He’s so badass at everything else though (including avoiding blockers). Also looks like he could tack on 10-15 pounds pretty easily.
Oh, I doubt we’ll really be into the LB market that much this year, certainly not with a high-value pick. I was just responding to @Jman’s Perkins shout.
If we do though, I hope we go after a coverage savant. Martin would make sense if we leaned that way. Or maybe Buchanan.
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wonder what happens to Houston?
. We still don’t have a lock down pass defender in that room. I haven’t really watched much OSU but when I was bored this summer I was looking for wild stat lines and his 2023 jumped out so I did intend to ask you about him.
And it sounds like he’d be awesome on teams and at this point in our roster’s development we really can’t stress that enough after the first round or 2.
Same goes for someone like Arian Smith …
Some nice upside at WR given he’s likely as fast as Jamo, showing some signs now, and Brad won’t be deterred by the injury history at the right price. But most importantly Kirby said he might be the best gunner he’s ever seen. To have the floor of elite play on coverage units should hold a ton of sway in our building. It sure sounds like Martin would be awesome on the coverage units as well.
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Yeah, Martin would be great on special teams. He’s one of those football-mad kids who’ll do anything that’s asked of him. Front offices league-wide are gonna love him.
But if he starts to creep into the 1st round convo, that’s probably too expensive. I was pretty surprised to see TDN list him as a day 1 guy, though they’re wrong plenty. And LBs generally fall anyway, especially at his size. I’ve been nabbing him in the 4th on most of the sims, was kinda hoping that’s around where his stock would stay. We’ll see.
My biggest concern with Smith is whether or not he’s actually a good receiver. I know he’s had a career of fits and starts and never really had a chance to show what he has 100%, but it still gives me pause. There’s been so, so many speed receivers who failed in the league. That’s one of the things I loved most about Jamo - he proved that he was a dominant receiver too.
But if Smith’s price stays relatively cheap I wouldn’t have any problem with it. Certainly his special teams work will appeal, and I understand he’s a pretty good kid. And there’s absolutely a possibility of some untapped upside.