Thinking Out Loud About Linebackers

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 30, 2007 10:56 AM EDT in Analysis

I wanted to take the time to analyze the off-season roster at linebacker -- including the signing of undrafted free agents. We are playing the role of linebacker repository (projected 12 linebackers this time next week). I'm also going to assume that Odell Thurman returns at some point and David Pollack takes the season off.

First, middle linebackers.
We've heard about the light-bulb off-season Ahmad Brooks is having. He knows he must be a leader and get better in pass coverage and recognition. And let's add an "if" here. If Odell Thurman comes back and shows he's ready to play again, I don't see Brooks remaining as the starter. But that's a big if. Most suspect that Odell won't be in football shape when he's eligible to apply for reinstatement in July. Even so, the team may need Thurman to rebuild their trust in him. And in that, Odell's long road will be traveled alone. I would feel more comfortable with Odell Thurman than I would Ahmad Brooks. But I'm a "must see it to believe it" kinda guy.

So again, if we assume Thurman returns in football ready shape, then the middle linebackers, with Hartwell likely in the mix, looks pretty intimidating.

Ahmad Brooks (projected starter)
Ed Hartwell (deal imminent)
Odell Thurman (expected to return)
A.J. Nicholson (convert outside?)

Second, outside linebackers.
Most likely we'll see the same group of outside linebackers we saw last season -- minus Brian Simmons. Landon Johnson and Rashad Jeanty are projected starters with armchair GMs (like, you know, me) projecting inside linebackers playing outside. Caleb Miller, a natural Sam (strong-side) linebacker, started at Will (weak-side) and Mike (middle) this season. He has some versatility. Andre Frazier will get some playing time as a backup, but mostly the hometown kid is a Special Teams player. I think we could see A.J. Nicholson receive some playing time, other than Special Teams, on the outside.

Thinking ahead.
I'm convinced that we will not see Miller or Jeanty in 2008 -- both are free agents. I think the team will struggle to sign Landon Johnson to a long-term deal and may wave goodbye. However (alert: non-supported assumption) if David Pollack returns in 2008 (assuming he doesn't return to end, which could happen if Justin Smith only plays on a one-year contract), then the team will likely focus on a first day outside linebacker, in next year's draft, if the current pool of undrafted free agents doesn't turn up anything. Then again, if Smith leaves, then that frees up plenty of projected funds, potentially putting Pollack at end and then the team could sign Johnson to a long-term deal. Wa-la.

Anyway, look at the total roster of linebackers on this team -- including undrafted free agents and projecting Ed Hartwell.

Ahmad Brooks
Andre Frazier
Rashad Jeanty
Landon Johnson
Caleb Miller
A.J. Nicholson
David Pollack
Jason Berryman
Earl Everett
Cameron Siskowic
Odell Thurman
Ed Hartwell

That's a lot of linebackers.

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Berryman Out

Cross Jason Berryman off the list. Bengals waived him today. Bengals had assigned him to the Berlin Thunder,but he was last seen on the practice squad of the Cologne Centurians.

by etabby on May 2, 2007 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Berryman

Well, I have a rule of thumb. If you can't make an NFL Europa's active roster, it ain't looking good for the NFL either bro.

by DUVols on May 2, 2007 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

RE

I would say that's a damn fine policy.

OTOH, now that Hartwell is all but a signature away from being on the team's roster, I suppose cutting Berryman was the precursor to that.

by Josh Kirkendall on May 2, 2007 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

CFAs and Berryman

Berryman's release was announced on the same day the Bengals announced the signing of three CFA linebackers, Earl Everett, Matt Muncy, and Cameron Siskowic. Hartwell is an established NFL LB; Berryman, an NFL Europe practice squader. Right now, Everett, Siskowic and Muncy are better prospects than Berryman.

I wonder how much Berryman's release was related to his degraded play and lack of football experience, and how much to the New World Order of Roger Goodell. Along these lines, consider this from Mark Curnutte during a recent on-line chat:

ATL Bengal
With the Bengals not taking a linebacker in the draft, it looks like Odell Thurman will be with the team. Is that correct?
Mark Curnutte
The question about Thurman is almost impossible to answer. Sources have dried up, more than likely on the instructions of the Bengals. If I had to say yes or no about Thurman, I say no that he plays in 2007 for the Bengals. There's a better chance of the team signing a veteran, most likely Ed Hartwell.

The Bengals start the season on MNF and are on MNF again against New England three games later. The fewer bad apples remaining on the roster by then, the better--"better" as Roger Goodell might define the word.

by etabby on May 3, 2007 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions