Very good article by Erik on Campbell but more on the Lion LB situation entering camp.
I think they only keep 5 traditional inside LBers and keep 2 Sam LBers (Houston and either Betts or Agude).
The Sam’s that make the roster have to be able to play Special Teams and it would be helpful if they couldalso play Rush End. Betts is big enough to play Rush End at 6’ 2", 260 lbs., but is he agile enough to play Special Teams and drop into coverage at that size.
Agude is long and lean at 6’ 4", 245 lbs.
Houston is 6’1", 245.
This will be fun to watch in camp.
Anzalone is far better playing Will than Mike. So Mike is all Jack’s. Barnes moving to Sam according to ota reports. Houston was playing Sam too. So that could be a real battle in training camp.
I Do think Jack wins the MLB job but Barnes is still in the ILB room and rotating in on all three positions.
Jack & Barnes played Sam last year because the others were injured or sucked at the role.
All the Sam’s (Houston, Betts, Agude) rush the passer better than Jack & Barnes but they can’t really do the other aspects of the position well. Right now they are just pass rush specialists.
Hopefully they develop and Barnes doesn’t have to play Sam.
I think Barnes at Sam on early downs replaced by Houston on 3rd downs is likely. Then again we often go with 5 db’s, so the Sam is a part time player in AG’s defense.
I expect Jack will be playing 90 percent of the snaps at Mike. You don’t draft a 1st round likebacker to play in a rotation.
The good news is we have good depth. If Anzalone or Jack misses time, Barnes can step right in.
My personal observations of Jack is that he played like a student. Like those student drivers you see. It was like he was digesting every single play like he was in a classroom. He wasn’t going full on. I can just imagine the fear he’ll strike when that monster does go full on. I’m super excited about all the positives we hear, and read about. He can be a game changer.
I agree with you in general but Jack has to clearly win the job in all situations. Just as Jack should improve, so should Barnes.
Sheppard is excited about Jack’s command and development but he isn’t shy about playing the best player in each situation. Late in the season Sheppard was playing JRM in certain packages because he was better than Jack and Barnes in coverage. Barnes was generally better than Jack against the run, especially early in the season, and Barnes can play all 3 LB positions at a very high level so I expect him still get a high number of snaps.
This is a contract year for Barnes and the Lions need to know if he is the heir to Anzalone. Hopefully this drives the best out of the LB position.
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