Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

He's 275? Wow, he lost a lot of weight! I just hope this isn't another case of false advertising. Show me the goods.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

For the defensive transition to be a success it seems critical that a guy like Zoe shine. Our marque players from the 4-3 i.e. Albert, Carter, London and Rak aren't versed in the 3-4. We don't really know how well the transition will go for these dudes, so it seems necessary for some other guys to make strides.

Whoever said Zoe would seem a good fit at ILB...my thoughts exactly. We seem pretty undersized at the position w/ our current crop. London and Blades are about 250 lbs. Rocky is what 230 soaked in his uniform. Who else is there? A rookie?

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

While I'm glad to hear progress from a guy like 'Zo, there is a pattern that I'm seeing on this team that bothers me a bit. The whole concept of taking guys and experiment them at a new position. It happened last season with Orakpo as a 4-3 OLB and Landry as a FS. Now we're taking guys like Alexander and Wilson and turn them into 3-4 OLBs, we have small guys as ILBs as Goat mentioned, and our true NT is a bit of a question mark health-wise.

While I Shanahan and Co. are making much better decisions than the previous FO/Coaching staff; it still puzzles me this whole change in defensive philosophy. Out of all the major changes and decisions made by this team, this change is defensive is one that it's hard to get excited about until we see results on the field. While I truly hope this works out, I just see this as an unnecessary change.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

Here is a potential problem I see with Rak and Zo as OLB. Pass coverage. Rak plays the run and can rush the passer buthe struggles in coverage. Zo can't be any better there.

That is why some of us saw him more of a thumper inside playing lb. not out in space.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

Here is a name from ancient history that might have great significance to this subject:


Babe - - - Laufenberg


For those too young to remember the Babe's annual exploits with the
Redskins, he was always a "Hall of Fame Quarterback in the making" every summer.

As soon as autumn arrived - - and real NFL games began - - Babe disappeared. Wake me when Lorenzo Alexander stops "impressing" folks in the offseason and starts playing like a real stud on Sundays when it counts.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

Not at all like Babe Laufenberg. Alexander has played regular season games and played quite admirably at multiple positions. It remains to be seen how effective he can be at LB, but he has already shown he can play effectively at the NFL level during the regular season against top competition

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;704124]Here is a name from ancient history that might have great significance to this subject:


[B]Babe - - - Laufenberg[/B]


For those too young to remember the Babe's annual exploits with the
Redskins, he was always a "Hall of Fame Quarterback in the making" every summer.

As soon as autumn arrived - - and real NFL games began - - Babe disappeared. Wake me when Lorenzo Alexander stops "impressing" folks in the offseason and starts playing like a real stud on Sundays when it counts.[/quote]

Sounds more like Colt Brennan.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;704124]Here is a name from ancient history that might have great significance to this subject:


Babe - - - Laufenberg


For those too young to remember the Babe's annual exploits with the
Redskins, he was always a "Hall of Fame Quarterback in the making" every summer.

As soon as autumn arrived - - and real NFL games began - - Babe disappeared. Wake me when Lorenzo Alexander stops "impressing" folks in the offseason and starts playing like a real stud on Sundays when it counts.[/quote]

Sorry, I don't recall Lorenzo ever being Reggie White-awesome in preseason. Colt, on the other hand....

Also, he actually registered a sack against Hasselbeck when we sorely needed one at that time in the game.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

I don't think anyone has any illusions that Lorenzo is an All-Pro just waiting to be recognized. He plays well at a variety of positions and always seems to be giving it 100%. He's the kind of solid player that every good team has at least one or two of.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

I didn't think he would make a smooth transition right away to LB either but the guy has shown a lot of versatility in the past so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

[quote=Ruhskins;704111]While I'm glad to hear progress from a guy like 'Zo, there is a pattern that I'm seeing on this team that bothers me a bit. The whole concept of taking guys and experiment them at a new position. It happened last season with Orakpo as a 4-3 OLB and Landry as a FS. [B]Now we're taking guys like Alexander and Wilson and turn them into 3-4 OLBs,[/B] we have small guys as ILBs as Goat mentioned, and our true NT is a bit of a question mark health-wise.

While I Shanahan and Co. are making much better decisions than the previous FO/Coaching staff; it still puzzles me this whole change in defensive philosophy. Out of all the major changes and decisions made by this team, this change is defensive is one that it's hard to get excited about until we see results on the field. While I truly hope this works out, I just see this as an unnecessary change.[/quote]

Although GB's scheme was very solid it didn't get enough turnovers and seemed to be predictable. It didn't create havoc. Don't you think these could be great fits for these guys? OLB in a 3-4 seems like the perfect fit for Wilson. Alexander seems like a better fit at end in a 3-4. And of course Orakpo could take off in this defense. To me some of these changes seem like positive changes IMO. We'll see when the real bullets start flying.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

Zo is a football player and he is hungry. I don't hink Haslett would false advertise but then again I don't know Haslett. Haslett has never really impressed me.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

Lorenzo's strength is diversity, he can play multiple positions and be above average at it. That to me is very impressive, eventually he will find one position were he will be great and this could be it.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

I was really surprised when they said they were moving him to OLB. It seemed he would be a natural 3-4 DE given his size & he's played both DT & DE in the 4-3. On one hand, I hope they let the guy grown into a position that he can excel in, but on the other, it would be cool if he played the rest of his career like he has as a utility guy w/the skins. Someone that's always able to fill in where the coaches need him.

Re: Lorenzo Alexander impressing again
 

If LA can contribute as a " rush " OLB , the dude is awesome . I still think DE is his best position , but either way looks like we have a damn good football player ! Maybe he could be a " gunner " on K.O. coverage , like Dexter Manley ?