Linebackers still available in free agency.
 

I thought that Mike Goff was a positive signing for us given that the RG spot is totally open (Jones is a UFA and probably won’t return) and he’s been solid for the Chargers the past five years. I began thinking though that without that signing, we didn’t really even have that spot filled on our roster and would have to rely on the draft to produce a starter for us.

So with that in mind, I started thinking about our linebacking core. Assuming guys like Pollard and Hali don’t get shifted to LB, we basically have two guys on our roster (Vrabel & DJ) that can even compete for a starting spot. By all accounts, we’ll be playing the 3-4 at least part time next year so we’re woefully thin in that dept. We also need decent depth at the position and I don’t think we have that either since we let Edwards, Boiman and Thomas walk after the season. With all this in mind, below is a short list of free agent LBs still remaining. Some of these guys could compete for a starting spot, while others would be suited for depth only. I think there’s probably a spot on the team for most of these players though and if we draft a guy or two, we’d have some decent competition in camp. I wouldn’t mind reading about a Keiaho signing at some point and Cato June was a probowler while he was with the Colts 2 years ago. Any thoughts?


Marcus Washington, Redskins. Age: 31. Health concerns and dropoff in production last year
Cato June, Age 29 -- 67 tackles last year – significant drop in production from 2007 but still young enough to rebound
Derrick Brooks, Bucs, Age 36 – 87 tackles in 2008 which is actually a significant drop in production
Marques Harris, Chargers. Age: 27. – backup LB last year…3 starts, 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Rocky Boiman, Chiefs. Age: 29. decent backup and special teams player.
Freddie Keiaho, Colts, Age 26 – young ascending player who started 14 games last year. 105 tackles last year

I thought boiman at least played well enough for a spot in camp.

Harris looks like the best of the bunch.
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Brooks and June are Cover 2 LBs.

Harris is really the only one that fits a 3-4 IMO

I actually think Demario Williams could be a good ILB. Hes small, but Donnie Edwards was small and successful in a 3-4. Williams was also pretty good at getting to the QB at Nebraska. Not saying hes got the position on lock down, but I think we have bigger needs at the moment.

OK, If we keep Demorrio and DJ, who else we got?
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10 pounds of monkey crap stuffed into a 5 pound bag.

I'd keep Williams as well. I've heard a few people suggest that they think Darrell Robertson could contribute as well, he just needs a chance. Then you have DJ and Vrabel. And didn't we sign Monte Beisel? We need a couple of more Phillip Space's and then maybe a high draft pick (Curry, Brown, etc.) and I think we'd be ok enough to get to next year's draft.

What's up with Kieaho? 105 tackles in 14 games is pretty good.

He's basically a strong safety. 5'11" and about 220 pounds.

Most of the LB's on your list have Cover 2 backgrounds.

I'd sign Marques Harris and bring Boiman back as depth.
From there we'll have to add on in the Draft and in the 2nd/3rd waves of Free Agency.
Demorrio Williams would be a great situational/depth LB as well.

With Vrabel, Johnson, Harris, Williams, Boiman, Beisel I think you have a respectable group.
I'd look to add at least one more LB through the Draft though.

Harris would be a great way to start.

"85 % of the roster is in place"

Herm Edwards

Absolutely mind-boggling.

Boiman did some good things for us last year and kinda reminds me of maslowski , maybe just beciause he's white , he still needs to be on the roster.

Boiman and Beisel as ST specialists makes me have a funny tingle in my pants.

I most definitely want to see a LB drafted in the high rounds if the cards fall our way.