Is Javon Belcher an above average middle linebacker?
 

I never would have thought so last year but it seems like he has quietly improved the most out of anybody on defense. He seems to be better at shedding blocks and is reacting quicker in stopping the run game.

I don't know about above average, but he's certainly not a weak spot on the D.

I grew to like Belcher last year. He brought some lumber to the party a few times.

Apparently, he likes to hit. And I like that.

Not sure he totally understands his role and responsibilities yet, though. Otherwise, he'd be popping some running backs at or around the handoff.

In this system, is he supposed to cover a lot?

FAX

He's a decent run-stuffer and a liability in space.

He's a more athletic, smaller version of Brandon Siler.

So no, he's not 'above average', but he's not a walking disaster either, IMO.

Average

Vanilla, average

He's kinda more of a thumper than I thought watching him in person.

I'd call him average. Nothing spectacular, a bit of a liability in coverage, but he does lay the wood in the run game. Not a hole, a team can win with him. But he's certainly not a stand out player yet either.

Average to less than average. Last year he missed pulling down a QB on blitzes on more than a few occasions. Now they don't blitz him much at all, maybe because of the Houston addition.

According to the advanced stat sites such as PFF BOTH Belcher and DJ are top 10 overall and Belcher is top 5 in the NFL in run defense.

I was thinking about this the other day. Both Belcher and DJ have clearly been more effective this season. Is it time to give ButterBean (Gregg) his dues?

The funniest thing I saw all day, Gregg Runs out infront of warpaint and out of the tunnel. slows his jog to a walk halfway to the sidelines, strolls over to the gatorade and drinks a cup and sits down with visable distraught coming from his breathing.

Belcher's definitely adequate. He is also capable of making a stunning defensive play or two, the kind that can stop drives.

Back in the offseason when I thought we were a playoff team, I wanted us to draft Vontaze Burfict, but that's just not worth it anymore. Burfict is the exact same liability in space that Belcher is, and after Belcher's improvement, I'm not so sure Burfict adds anything to this defense at all except for extra energy.

But yes, Belcher is good. Every team needs a player like him.

average.

But he's a MLB in a 3-4 so if I had any position to be average on, that'd probably be it.

He's improving. His run defense is really solid right now.