DV: Johnson to play Fujita's spot...

[Coogs]

listening to the press conference on 810. DV said DJ will play the left side LB spot which is where Fujita plays. Said we don't have a SLB and WLB position, but rather a Right and Left LB spot.

[NaptownChief]

Who knows but Vermeil's comments during the ESPN interview was irritating about the "he has a lot of work to do to get on the field.." or whatever it was he said...Implying that he may not be ready to get on the field....Very tired of Vermeil being afraid to put young players on the field in place of old vets who aren't worth a damn. Hopefully that won't be the case.

[TRR]

I'm not sure why most are confused. Our starting three LB's will be (barring injury) Kendrell Bell, Scott Fujita, and Derrick Johnson. Bell will play the middle, and the other two spots will be filled by DJ and Fuj'. Barber should be able to contribute some, but all indications are that Barber may not be ready for the beginning of the season.

Vermeil started spouting off comments like this when we drafted Ryan Sims and Eddie Freeman. He said Freeman would play End, and Freeman never played End except for a brief stint in training camp.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by TRR

I'm not sure why most are confused.

Who's confused? DV said straight up that Johnson was going to play Fujita's spot. Nothing is confusing about that, 'cept where everybody else is going to play.

[TRR]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Who's confused? DV said straight up that Johnson was going to play Fujita's spot. Nothing is confusing about that, 'cept where everybody else is going to play.

Vermeil says a lot of things. As I said in the post below, he said Freeman would backup Eric Hicks the day we drafted him. He never played DE...He always played DT.

The 3 best LB's will start. DJ can play both LOLB and ROLB. Barber will supposedly not be ready for the start of the season. DJ, Bell and Fuj' will be our starters. The only way DJ doesn't start is if both Fuj' and Barber are 100% by the first game. (and even then he may start).

[whoman69]

DV is just throwing up smoke screens now to have any journalists that follow up look stupid. He has often mentioned our SAM, MIKE, and WILL linebackers. The best players will be on the field.

[petegz28]

Vermeil did say he was gonna compete for Fujita's spot but I don't know how you can't play this guy with Barber being out. Maybe he is just being PC so he doesn't pre-announce Barber will not be on the active roster this year????

[beavis]

Originally Posted by Laz

that statement is just beyond dumb

It's worse to think we would even entertain the thought of trading Priest.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by beavis

It's worse to think we would even entertain the thought of trading Priest.

If we were going to trade one of our offensive all-stars I would do Priest as much as it would pain me. TG has too much life left in him and so does LJ. Brian Waters would be the only other one and I wouldn't drain the O line with Shields and Roaf on the way out. but I think it's a moot point anyway.

[beavis]

Originally Posted by petegz28

If we were going to trade one of our offensive all-stars I would do Priest as much as it would pain me. TG has too much life left in him and so does LJ. Brian Waters would be the only other one and I wouldn't drain the O line with Shields and Roaf on the way out. but I think it's a moot point anyway.

It's asinine to even discuss it. There is no possible way they could work a trade for any kind of value, especially given his cap number.

I must be the only one who isn't sold by half a good season out of LJ.

[petegz28]

Originally Posted by beavis

It's asinine to even discuss it. There is no possible way they could work a trade for any kind of value, especially given his cap number.

I must be the only one who isn't sold by half a good season out of LJ.

I agree it is assinine. But in the What If world if we HAD to trade someone I say Priest simply because of health and age is at the tops. But then again that hurts trade potential too so....don't know who brought it up but it was fun to play along.

[mcan]

We all want to see Johnson get on the field as soon as possible. So does Vermeil, I guarentee it. The thing is, we eventually want our three best guys on the field. That means, Barber, Johnson, and Bell. So, Johnson will have to spend ALL of his time learning that left side. Forget about him playing WILL.

Now, as for the "weak side" monicre:

"Weak" side means that the linebacker lines up on the OPPOSITE side of the TE, or the 'weak' side of the offensive line. We prefer not to have out linebackers trading places every time the TE moves. So, we play left and right sides.

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Coogs

I'm going to change the wording around a little so we don't have the Planeteers confused. All of these words came out of DV's mouth (none from mine)....

"Johnson is going to play Scott Fijita's position, which is the left side LB".

Hope that makes it a little clearer for everyone.

Not saying I agree with DJ on the left, but it does make a little sense. If DJ is to start on the right, he may have some trouble vs the run. Specifically, he'll be behind Jared Allen, who is still unexperienced himself. I don't know if DV will approve 2 young guys handling the run responsibilities there.

Last year, Allen's downside (IMHO) was being too aggressive to the QB and not respecting his run lane. I think he overcomitted at times leaving whoever was playing OLB at the time alone to take on the blocker with no cover.

If Allen corrects that, it will be a moot point.

[Chan93lx50]

I don't really care what Dick said, its Gun's D not his!

[keg in kc]

Left side = strong side and there's no question about what Vermeil meant:

“No, we don’t play weakside, strongside. We play left and right. He’ll probably work at the left side. But I don’t know how long it will take him to end up making a strong contribution, but obviously he’s going to be on the roster and competing at that position with Scott Fujita.

That makes no sense to me, in terms of why we would have two of our three top LBs competing for a spot rather than finding a way to have them both on the field. If that's the case, then we still have a whole at will.

[buddha]

Originally Posted by mcan

"Weak" side means that the linebacker lines up on the OPPOSITE side of the TE, or the 'weak' side of the offensive line. We prefer not to have out linebackers trading places every time the TE moves. So, we play left and right sides.

mcan, it can mean that, but it can also mean wide side or short side of the field in some terminologies.