Jovan Belcher, a gem found in the rough ?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This is what I saw as well, which seems to be in direct contradiction to what people are arguing.

Name an interior linebacker that can consistently throw off a guard.

Remember - the guard gets paid to play football as well. In fact, he gets paid exclusively to move large objects out of the way. His sole purpose on that field is to run into someone and dislodge them from where they want to be. This person will generally weigh in excess of 300 lbs.

There's just not an ILB in the game that will consistently be able to go head up with a guard and 'get off' his block. In a 4-3, the linebacker is much less likely to be facing a guard and is likely dealing with a FB or TE, which is managable for a LBer. But in a 3-4, it's almost always going to be an interior lineman or even a tackle trying to set the edge. That ILB is going to have one hell of a time moving a person that has 50 lbs on him and knows what the play is designed to do.

You're making unreasonable demands of the kid, IMO.