Luke Kuechly is the star of a tough Carolina defense. (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com
If one is a coincidence, two is a concern and three is a trend, then job of linebacker in the NFL is trending in a bad direction with a rash of injuries that complicates deciding who are the best in the business.
In this chapter of a series by The Sports Xchange, linebackers were evaluated by reporters covering each team, but injuries are a complicating factor in analyzing what otherwise would have been the top units in the league.
Some of the best, if not the best, linebackers are spending more time in rehabilitation and/or on injured reserve than playing the game.
On Tuesday, that M.A.S.H. unit of sidelined linebackers added the name of Buffalo’s brilliant young Kiko Alonso, while in Dallas star middle linebacker Sean Lee was placed on injured reserve and, in desperation, the Cowboys traded for controversial former first-round pick Rolando McClain. The Falcons also lost Sean Weatherspoon (Achilles) to an offseason injury.
Other great linebackers sidelined too often include Houston’s Brian Cushing, who is making a second comeback in three seasons, and, most dramatically, San Francisco’s NaVorro Bowman, possibly the most dynamic inside linebacker in the NFL last season.
And, yes, that is claiming he was better than teammate Patrick Willis, who is still among the best even if he is a step slower, and Carolina’s consistent Luke Kuechly, whose text-book play is the key to a defense built around his ample abilities.
Bowman’s season came to a sudden and shocking end in the NFC Championship Game when he blew out his knee while making a remarkable goal line play, although the officials fouled up the fact that he actually caused and recovered a fumble.
It was of little solace that because of that play the league made a subsequent rule change that would have allowed a review that certainly would have changed the call on the field. It was a horrid end to a season in which Bowman was arguably the best big-play — as in game-changing — inside linebacker in the NFL.
Bills general manager Doug Whaley confirmed Wednesday morning that Alonso, who was already rehabbing a back injury, sustained a significant knee injury while working out on his own in Oregon.
“We have updated information regarding Kiko Alonso from yesterday. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and will most likely miss the 2014 season,” Whaley said in a statement. “He will be scheduled for surgery in the near future and begin a rehabilitation program at the appropriate time. We feel badly for Kiko because he has worked very hard this offseason in preparation for the upcoming season, but we look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the league’s outstanding rookies in 2013.”
Alonso was a second-round draft pick (46th overall) whose great rookie season included 159 tackles, four interceptions, one forced fumble, two sacks and was honored as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month last September.
As for McClain, the Ravens already tried and failed to get him to show the ability that enticed the Raiders into spending their No. 8 overall pick for him in the 2010 draft. He opted to announce his retirement, from which he is now emerging for yet another try in Dallas.
McClain played three seasons in the NFL, leading the Raiders in tackles in 2011. After several off-the-field incidents, he was cut by the Raiders in April 2013. He signed a one-year contract with the Ravens, then he claimed to have retired from football in May 2013.
McClain has not played since 2012, but he is only 24 years old, and has experience playing middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, the position the Cowboys need filled after Lee’s season-ending injury during offseason workouts in May.
In the midst of all this mayhem, here is analysis by Sports Xchange reporters covering each NFL team:
ARIZONA CARDINALS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB John Abraham, ILB Kevin Minter, ILB Larry Foote, SLB Matt Shaughnessy. Backups – OLB Sam Acho, OLB/ILB Lorenzo Alexander, OLB Alex Okafor, OLB Marcus Benard, ILB Kenny Demens, ILB Ernie Sims, ILB Glen Carson.
Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington were among the better tandems in the NFL and both are gone, Dansby to free agency and Washington to a minimum one-year suspension. The position is the biggest weakness on the team. Minter, a second-round pick a year ago, played one defensive snap. Now, he’s making the calls. Foote is 33. Neither player is known for his pass defense. The outside positions are in much better shape. Shaughnessy is steady and tough, while Abraham (11.5 sacks) proved he has plenty left at age 35. Acho and Alexander started the first three games before going down with injuries. Acho and Okafor, who both missed most of last season with injuries, are healthy. If they stay that way, the team has great depth at outside linebacker.
ATLANTA FALCONS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Prince Shembo, MLB Paul Worrilow, WLB Joplo Bartu. Backups – OLB Marquis Spruill, OLB Walker May, OLB Jacques Smith, OLB Tyler Starr, ILB Yawin Smallwood, ILB Brenden Daly.
The unit was decimated by the loss of Sean Weatherspoon, who will be out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Shembo will be placed on the fast track to the starting lineup. Worrilow and Bartu ended last season as starters. Both were productive and flashed some ability. The Falcons are looking for linebackers, who can rush off the edge and drop in coverage.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Terrell Suggs, OLB Courtney Upshaw, ILB Daryl Smith, ILB C.J. Mosley. Backups — OLB Elvis Dumervil, ILB Arthur Brown, ILB Josh Bynes, OLB Nick DiMarco, ILB Albert McClellan, ILB Zach Orr, OLB Pernell McPhee, OLB John Simon, ILB Austin Spitler, OLB D.J. Roberts.
Although he’s been in the NFL for a decade, Smith is one of the most underrated all-around defenders in the NFL. Smith remains fast in pursuit, sharp in pass coverage and is a good blitzer, contributing 123 tackles, three interceptions and five sacks last year as he proved he has plenty of good football left in him. Mosley is the front-runner to start next to Smith at inside linebacker. Suggs made the Pro Bowl for the sixth time, but the Ravens want to see him become more productive for the entire season after watching him wear down last year with just two sacks in the final nine games. In a situational pass-rusher role, Dumervil delivered 9.5 sacks before an ankle injury slowed him down. Upshaw unselfishly stuffs blockers and sets the edge at strong-side outside linebacker.
BUFFALO BILLS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — MLB Brandon Spikes, WLB probably open competition between Nigel Bradham and Ty Powell, SLB Keith Rivers. Backups — WLB Nigel Bradham, MLB Preston Brown, LB Jimmy Gaines, LB Randell Johnson, LB Darrin Kitchins, SLB Ty Powell, LB Jacquies Smith, LB Nathan Williams. Likely on IR: Would be starting ILB Kiko Alonso.
The Bills have done a complete makeover at linebacker, and now it’s going to be even more of a change with news that Alonso suffered what is believed to be a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament while working out on his own at home in Oregon. Alonso played inside last year in Mike Pettine’s 3-4 base scheme and went on to record 159 tackles, third-most in the NFL, while making four interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble, and five pass breakups.
He was runner-up in the NFL defensive rookie of the year balloting, and was considered one of the critical players as the Bills transition to Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 base defense. Alonso was slated to move outside to the weak-side position where he would have been better able to use his speed and athleticism to pursue the ball.
To that end, in the offseason, the team signed the veteran Spikes to play the middle linebacker spot. Spikes is the mean-spirited leader the Bills need, and playing on a one-year contract, he is primed to have a big season. They also signed another veteran of lesser stature, Keith Rivers, to play the strong side. Alonso’s injury creates a gaping hole because the Bills do not have great depth at this level of the defense.
Based on the depth chart, it would seem that players such as Bradham and Powell, who have scant NFL experience, will get the chance to win Alonso’s vacated spot in training camp. There’s a possibility that veteran Lawson — who played outside linebacker last year in his first season with the Bills – could get a shot. He was going to play rush end in the new defense. However, Lawson’s speed has waned and he may not be up to the task.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Chase Blackburn, MLB Luke Kuechly, SLB Thomas Davis. Backups – Denicos Allen, Billy Boyko, Adarius Glanton, Ben Jacobs, A.J. Klein, D.J. Smith, Jason Williams.
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Kuechly anchors a strong unit that includes the now seemingly ageless Davis. The 31 year old has missed one game in two seasons after returning from a third ACL surgery. Blackburn will be pushed by Klein, but weak-side linebacker does not get a ton of snaps in the Panthers’ nickel-heavy defense.
CHICAGO BEARS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – OLB Lance Briggs, MLB D.J. Williams, OLB Jonathan Bostic. Backups – Shea McClellin, Khaseem Greene, Jerry Franklin, Christian Jones, DeDe Lattimore, Conor O’Neill, Jordan Senn.
Briggs appears back in form at age 33 after a shoulder injury cost him half of last year, while Williams’ return from a torn pec muscle is expected to strengthen a run defense that was still above average before he went on injured reserve. Bostic has been working at all three positions after struggling as a rookie to take on a veteran’s responsibilities. McClellin has been a linebacker before — in college — so dropping off the line and rushing the passer or covering receivers is not new. It’s just going to take some adjustments. In OTAs, his ability to drop deep with tight ends appeared questionable. Greene got pressed into a starting role part of last year, but struggled even more than Bostic. Senn is an outstanding special teams player taking the role Blake Costanzo had. It’s a linebacker group with talent, but the same problems as last year are there: relying on older starters with young, unproven backups.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — MLB Rey Maualuga, SLB Vontaze Burfict, WLB Emmanuel Lamur. Backups — Brandon Joiner, JK Schaffer, Vinny Rey, Sean Porter, Jayson DiManche, Marquis Flowers, James Davidson.
Burfict comes off a season in which he led the NFL in tackles and developed into a heart and soul member of the defense. Few compete as hard as Burfict, whether a monotonous June OTA or playoff game in January. Lamur brings a rare dimension of size and speed, with Maualuga coming off his best season with the Bengals in a more streamlined, run-stopping role. Rey will currently slot as the first backup at all three linebacker positions. His impressive showing filling in for an injured Maualuga last year is not forgotten. Last year’s fourth-round pick Porter never saw a snap last year due to injury and he’ll battle for the final roster spots along with Flowers and Schaffer.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Barkevious Mingo, ILB Karlos Dansby, ILB Christian Kirksey, SLB Paul Kruger. Backups — OLB Jabaal Sheard, ILB Craig Robertson, OLB Tank Carder, ILB Zac Diles, ILB Darius Eubanks, ILB Brandon Magee, OLB Eric Martin, OLB Justin Staples.
Coach Mike Pettine wants the linebackers to be the most improved segment of the team. Mingo, Kruger and Sheard won’t be asked to drop into coverage as often as they were in the defense they used last season. Sheard in particular is excited about that. He led the Browns in sacks for the third straight year, but his totals steadily declined — 8.5 sacks in 2011, seven in 2012 and 5.5 a year ago. Dansby is the big addition to the defense. He replaces D’Qwell Jackson. Dansby made impact plays with the Cardinals last season — 6.5 sacks and four interceptions — and the Browns are counting on a similar output. Sheard, Kruger and Mingo will rotate.
One of the better battles of training camp will be between Kirksey and Robertson to start inside. Dansby is experienced enough to help cover mistakes by the rookie Kirksey.
DALLAS COWBOYS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Bruce Carter, MLB Justin Durant, SLB Kyle Wilber. Backups – MLB Anthony Hitchens, MLB Rolando McClain, OLB Devonte Holloman, OLB Cam Lawrence, MLB Orie Lemon, OLB Keith Smith, OLB Will Smith, OLB Joe Windsor, OLB Dontavis Sapp.
The Cowboys have one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL when Sean Lee is healthy, but he has never played a full season because of injuries and he was put in injured reserve this week because of a torn ACL suffered in OTAs. The big question heading into camp is who will man the middle in place of Lee. The veteran Durant will get the first shot. He manned the spot in OTAs and minicamp and looked comfortable. Holloman will also get a long look in training camp.
The Cowboys drafted Hitchens to be Lee’s primary backup, but he remains a work in progress and is still trying to make the transition from outside linebacker in college. McClain was acquired in a July 1 trade with the Baltimore Ravens, which took him off the retired list. The oft-troubled McClain has not played in an NFL game since 2012, but he is just 24 years old and has experience at middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. He had 246 tackles and 6.5 sacks in three seasons with the Raiders (2010-2012), who drafted him No. 8 overall in 2010.
Carter was a huge disappointment at weak-side linebacker in 2013, but he is the one they are counting on to finally hit it big in 2014. The defense has been tailored for Carter to make plays. He will be covered by a tackle at all times so he can run free to the ball. Wilber remains a fixture on the strong side after moving to the spot from defensive end for emergency reasons last year. A bust as a defensive end, Wilber has seemingly found a home at linebacker.
DENVER BRONCOS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Von Miller, MLB Nate Irving, WLB Danny Trevathan. Backups — SLB Lerentee McCray, MLB Lamin Barrow, WLB Corey Nelson, LB Brandon Marshall, LB Steven Johnson, SLB Shaquil Barrett, LB Chase Vaughn, LB Jerell Harris, LB L.J. Fort, LB Jamar Chaney.
Miller’s return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament bolsters the unit, but what is equally important is the weight that he has shed. He carried too much upper-body bulk last year after returning from a six-game suspension, and lacked the consistent explosiveness he showed in 2012, when he set a team record for sacks. Trevathan pushed out Wesley Woodyard as the weak-side linebacker last year and will be the focal point of the unit, and is likely to wear the helmet radio to relay calls from the sideline. For a second consecutive year, Irving will have the chance to earn a starting role in the middle. After strong play on the strong side in place of Miller in the postseason, he seems a good bet to hold on to the assignment this time.
McCray comes off a rookie season spent on injured reserve. If he stays healthy, he could be worked in as a spot pass rusher. Barrow and Nelson should factor in as backups. Barrow, in particular, could be the middle linebacker of the future. Marshall and Johnson are special-teams standouts that need to play well in training camp to hold off the challenge from the rookies.
DETROIT LIONS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB DeAndre Levy, MLB Stephen Tulloch, SLB Kyle Van Noy. Backups — OLB Ashlee Palmer, Tahir Whitehead, Julian Stanford, Cory Greenwood, Travis Lewis, Brandon Hepburn, Justin Jackson.
Van Noy provides an instant upgrade on the strong side with his coverage and blitzing skills, and he’ll help the defense be versatile by playing some standup defensive end. Tulloch is perennially underrated and Levy is coming off the best year of his career. While the unit is solid, it lacks a difference-maker unless Van Noy has a stellar rookie season. This team also doesn’t have a true backup for Tulloch, who has started every game the past four seasons including three in Detroit.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – OLB Clay Matthews, ILB A.J. Hawk, ILB Brad Jones, OLB Julius Peppers. Backups – OLB Nick Perry, OLB Mike Neal, ILB Jamari Lattimore, ILB Sam Barrington, OLB Andy Mulumba, OLB Nate Palmer, OLB Carl Bradford, OLB Adrian Hubbard, ILB Joe Thomas, ILB Jake Doughty, ILB Shaun Lewis, OLB Jayrone Elliott.
Matthews was hopeful during his spring without football that he would be ready for the start of training camp after he was held out to give himself further recovery time from his twice-broken thumb sustained last season. Whenever Matthews is back on the field, it will provide the first glimpse of the team’s new pass-rushing tandem. The Packers pounced on signing 13th-year standout Peppers after he was released by Chicago in March. Peppers has made his living ambushing quarterbacks as a defensive end, but he hung out primarily with Green Bay’s linebackers during the offseason program. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers, though, will utilize the 34 year old in a hybrid “elephant” role. Ditto for Neal, a natural defensive end who worked with Peppers as the starting linebackers with Matthews and Perry sidelined the last two months. The arrival of Peppers and the return of Neal (career-high five sacks in 2013) as a free agent in his fifth pro season don’t bode well for Perry, who has been dogged by injuries and inconsistency since being taken in the first round of the 2012 draft. Green Bay has a logjam at outside linebacker with returnees Mulumba and Palmer and rookies Bradford (fourth-round pick) and Hubbard also in the mix for spots. The coaches plan to stick with the incumbent starting duo of ninth-year Hawk and sixth-year Jones inside in their four-linebacker alignment. Yet, Lattimore, who produced in four starts last season, should warrant more playing time in some of Capers’ schemes. Just like Hubbard on the outside, Green Bay has a couple undrafted prospects inside with Thomas and Doughty.
HOUSTON TEXANS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Whitney Mercilus, SILB Brooks Reed, WILB Brian Cushing, WLB Jadeveon Clowney. Backups — SOLB Ricky Sapp, SOLB Chris McAllister, SOLB Jason Ankrah, SILB Jeff Tarpinian, SILB Max Bullough, SILB Justin Tuggle, SILB Chris Young, WILB Mike Mohamed, WILB Akeem Dent, WOLB Trevardo Williams, WOLB Paul Hazel, Terrance Lloyd.
The Texans have a lot of talent, but players are being moved around under new coordinator Romeo Crennel. Only Cushing, who missed the offseason program while rehabbing from knee surgery, will play the same position. And he’s missed much of the last two seasons because of knee injuries. Clowney is learning to play up for the first time in his career. He missed the last two OTAs and the three-day minicamp after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia injury. His head is spinning learning to play outside linebacker, but his primary responsibility will always be rushing the passer. Playing Clowney on the weak side caused last year’s starter, Whitney Mercilus, to move to the strong side.
Brooks Reed, a starter on the strong side the last three years, moved inside. That foursome must get to the quarterback. Mercilus registered seven sacks in his first season as a starter and hopes to reach double digits. Nobody will see it until the regular season begins, but Crennel will be moving around players in his front seven to create mismatches. They’ve got depth with Sapp, Tarpinian and Dent, all of whom have started games. Mohamed and Tuggle played reserve roles last season.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – SLB Erik Walden, SILB D’Qwell Jackson, WILB Jerrell Freeman, WLB Robert Mathis. Backups — OLB Daniel Adongo, ILB Andrew Jackson, OLB Cam Johnson, ILB Josh McNary, Aaron Morgan, ILB Henoc Muamba, OLB Jonathan Newsome, ILB Kelvin Sheppard, OLB Andy Studebaker, OLB Bjoern Werner.
Mathis will miss the first four games of the 2014 season as he serves a league-mandated suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy. Who takes over for the league’s 2013 sack leader remains to be decided. Werner, the Colts’ 2013 first-round draft pick, had a learning season as a rookie. Now it’s time for him to show that the coaching staff’s faith in his abilities has been well-placed. Freeman and former Browns starter D’Qwell Jackson are expected to start inside with Walden returning for his second year on the strong side. Big things are expected from Adongo, McNary, Newsome and former CFL player Muamba in backup roles. Sheppard might be the odd-man out when final roster cuts are made.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Dekoda Watson, MLB Paul Posluszny, WLB Geno Hayes. Backups — OLB LaRoy Reynolds, OLB Telvin Smith, MLB Nate Stupar, MLB J.T. Thomas, OLB Allen Bradford, OLB Marcus Whitfield, OLB John Lotulelei.
Two of the positions are locked in, with Posluszny holding down the middle and Hayes a solid starter at one of the outside linebacker spots. The third starter was supposed to be Watson, and he still might be, but the Jaguars need to see him on the field practicing instead of watching from the sideline. Watson was signed from Tampa Bay to fill the newly created spot of “Otto” among the trio of linebackers. This spot was designed to have someone who could not only put pressure on the quarterback, but had enough speed and savvy to cover pass receivers. Watson was signed for such a role, but a mid-May groin injury limited him to a just a few practices. “We’ve got to figure it out with him and see where he is in training camp,” coach Gus Bradley said.
If Watson isn’t the guy or is still on the mend, Reynolds has shown he’s ready to step in on a permanent basis. He may have been the biggest surprise of the offseason workouts with his work ethic and high energy level. Smith is undersized, but comes in with high grades by what he did at Florida State. The depth after that is not the best with Stupar and Thomas probably taking up the last two spots.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Justin Houston, MLB Joe Mays, ILB Derrick Johnson, WLB Tamba Hali. Backups — OLB Frank Zombo, OLB Dee Ford, ILB James-Michael Johnson, ILB Nico Johnson, OLB Josh Martin, OLB Dezman Moses, ILB Ben Johnson, ILB Alonzo Highsmith, ILB DeRon Furr.
Houston, Derrick Johnson and Hali seldom leave the field, all playing as three-down linebackers. Johnson is only a handful of tackles away from 1,000 stops on his career. He’s dropped weight coming into this season, in hopes of being able to maintain his speed and quickness. Ford impressed his new teammates with how quickly he picked up the defense and his first step on the pass rush, that Hali compared to that of Hall of Fame Chiefs pass rusher Derrick Thomas.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Dannell Ellerbe, MLB Koa Misi, SLB Philip Wheeler. Backups — MLB Jason Trusnik, MLB Jordan Tripp, SLB Jelani Jenkins, WLB Jonathan Freeny, MLB Andrew Wilson, SLB Chris McCain, SLB Derrell Johnson, WLB Tariq Edwards.
There are concerns here. This group was viewed as the reason the run defense struggled and they’re bringing back the same three guys, although Misi and Ellerbe switched positions. The idea behind the change was to get Ellerbe on the outside where he’s most comfortable. The key is whether Misi can play a position he’s never played. Misi is a sure tackler and is athletic, but it’s tough to say whether he’s a middle linebacker. Keep an eye on Jenkins. He’s developing and could see time in the nickel package.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Chad Greenway, MLB Jasper Brinkley, SLB Anthony Barr. Backups – WLB Brandon Watts, WLB Larry Dean, SLB Gerald Hodges, SLB Audie Cole, MLB Michael Mauti, MLB Mike Zimmer, MLB Dom DeCicco.
By far the most unsettled and intriguing area to watch in training camp. Barr, the ninth overall draft pick this year, will start and be a major weapon in coach Mike Zimmer’s attempt to revive the worst scoring defense in the league a year ago. But what will his exact role(s) be? Barr has the length and speed to run with fast tight ends down the seam. But he also has the agility and instincts to rush the passer. He’ll most likely play strong-side linebacker, which is the primary rush linebacker position in Zimmer’s defense. Greenway’s role also will be interesting to watch unfold. After eight seasons in the same Cover 2-oriented, read-and-react defense, Greenway is playing in an aggressive scheme for the first time. The defense will be more flexible with schemes based on opponents and individual matchups. Greenway likely will be the weak-side linebacker, but could shift inside to the middle if Brinkley doesn’t impress. Brinkley, who started in the middle for the Vikings in 2012, returns after spending last season in Arizona. He’s a two-down run stopper who is extremely limited when it comes to pass coverages. The backup battles will be interesting as well because there are some intriguing prospects who could become starters quickly. Cole is a tall, rangy, fast player who surprised everybody when thrust into the starting middle linebacker job later in the 2013 season. Mauti is an overachiever whose knees are finally healthy. Hodges has speed but needs more polish. Watts, a seventh-round pick this year, also has the kind of sideline-to-sideline speed the Vikings have lacked at linebacker in recent years.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Jamie Collins, MLB Jerod Mayo, SLB Dont’a Hightower. Backups — OLB James Anderson, MLB Steve Beauharnais, MLB Josh Hull, MLB Chris White, OLB Cameron Gordon, LB Darius Fleming, LB Ja’Gared Davis, LB Taylor McCuller, LB Deontae Skinner.
As far as starting lineups go, New England’s linebackers could be a pretty impressive, athletic, versatile group. Mayo is returning from a torn pectoral and probably will return to the middle after the departure of Brandon Spikes through free agency. Mayo is a 100-tackle machine and the leader of the front, even if he doesn’t make quite as many impact plays as might be ideal. Hightower has spent time at both outside and inside linebacker in his first two seasons. A year ago he took over the leadership role and play-calling with Mayo injured, leading the team with 137 tackles. He was drafted with an eye on playing outside and will return to that spot in 2014, where he has the potential to make an impact both in coverage and as a rusher, something he says he wants to do more often in his third season.
Collins is one of the more interesting players on the defense, maybe the entire team. The second-year second-round pick had a breakout game last postseason in a win over Andrew Luck and the Colts when he notched a sack, interception and covered Coby Fleener all over the field. Now a full-time starter, Collins is a unique combination of length and athleticism that will make him a versatile cog at head coach Bill Belichick’s weekly disposal. But that’s a lot to expect for a guy from Southern Mississippi who had only 38 tackles and three passes defensed in starting eight of the 16 games he played last fall.
Linebacker depth is limited, but was improved by the signing of the veteran Anderson early in June. The former Panther and Bear made 100 tackles in Chicago a year ago and will certainly present possibilities as a speed-based coverage linebacker. Beauharnais played in just two games as a seventh-round rookie a year ago, but was on the active roster all season. The Rutgers product will have a chance to earn a backup and special teams role, but is still an unknown.
White was a core special teams contributor in 2013 with nine special teams tackles. Hull was brought aboard with a similar background and could battle for that role as a special teamer and backup. Davis played in one game a year ago spending the rest of the time on the practice squad.
Fleming has been injured for the beginning of his career with two torn ACLs with the Dolphins. Gordon is the most intriguing of the group of undrafted rookies that also includes McCuller and Skinner, and the Michigan prospect has the length that could make him a reserve option on the outside of a thin group.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Junior Galette, ILB David Hawthorne, ILB Curtis Lofton, OLB Victor Butler. Backups — OLB Parys Haralson, ILB Ramon Humber, OLB Keyunta Dawson, ILB Kevin Reddick, OLB Khairi Fortt, OLB Ronald Powell, OLB Kyle Knox, OLB Cheta Ozougwu, OLB Kasim Edeball, ILB Todd Davis, OLB Chidera Uzo-Diribe.
This group was active and aggressive last season despite a slew of injuries — including one to Butler, who was sidelined for the year after tearing an ACL last offseason. He’s a likely starter this year opposite Galette, a speedy former defensive end who had a career-high 12 sacks off the edge last season. Lofton and Hawthorne formed a solid inside duo with 139 and 122 tackles to rank 1-2 on the team. Haralson, Humber and Dawson were all capable backups last season, but will be challenged by Fortt and Powell, who were taken in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively, of this year’s draft. Knox impressed on special teams after being promoted from the practice squad late last season and Reddick made the team as an undrafted free agent. Ozougwu could make a push for a roster spot with two years of experience in the league.
NEW YORK GIANTS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – WLB Jacquian Williams, MLB Jameel McClain, SLB Spencer Paysinger. Backups — Jon Beason, Terrell Manning, Devon Kennard, Mark Herzlich, Dan Fox, Kendrick Adams, Justin Anderson.
An injury to a key starter such as Beason, who broke his foot during the team’s ninth OTA, is never a good thing. However, the Giants should be in good hands in the middle as McClain, who has had experience playing that position, will slide over from the strong-side linebacker spot where he had been working at until Beason returns. Speaking of Beason, who didn’t need surgery, the hope is he’ll be back for opening night, but a more realistic scenario is probably Week 3 or 4 assuming there are no setbacks in his rehab. Rookie Kennard, the fifth-round draft pick, has turned quite a few heads with his play in the spring, but it’s probably too soon to anoint him as a starter for either the middle or outside linebacker spots where he’s worked. Kennard isn’t the only rookie who has caught the coaches’ eye; Fox, the undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, has turned a few heads with his athleticism. He could be the one who ends up pushing veteran Herzlich off the roster if Fox shows he can match Herzlich’s production on special teams. Paysinger and Williams will probably split time again at the other outside linebacker spot once Beason returns and McClain moves back to the outside. Williams is the more athletic of the two, but Paysinger plays a smarter game.
NEW YORK JETS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Calvin Pace, OLB Quinton Coples, ILB David Harris, ILB Demario Davis. Backups — Garrett McIntyre, Antwan Barnes, Nick Bellore, Troy Davis, A.J. Edds, Jeremiah George, Trevor Reilly, Jermaine Cunningham, Steele Divitto, Ikemefuna Enemkpail, Tim Fugger.
No unit on the Jets maximized its abilities more last year than the linebackers. Pace racked up a career-high 10 sacks as a situational pass rusher, Harris led the Jets in tackles for the sixth time in seven years and Coples and Davis emerged as legitimate starters. The Jets might get even more production out of their linebackers this year, especially if Barnes, who had two sacks in five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, completes his comeback and rookie Jeremiah George, the likely successor to Harris, can translate his college numbers to the pros. McIntyre has established himself as a solid, versatile backup. The other veteran linebackers, Bellore and Troy Davis, are key special-teams contributors who see little time on defense.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Khalil Mack, MLB Nick Roach, WLB Sio Moore. Backups — OLB-MLB Miles Burris, OLB Kaluka Maiava, OLB Kevin Burnett, OLB Kaelin Burnett, OLB Justin Cole, LB Carlos Fields, LB Bojay Filomeautu, LB Marshall McFadden.
Mack will be the strong-side linebacker, but could wind up with his hand on the ground rushing the passer in nickel situations as well as being utilized as a blitzer. The Raiders believe him to be a game-changer — something the defense hasn’t had along the front seven for a decade. Roach is the steadying presence of the defense who showed himself capable of being a fulltime middle linebacker. Moore showed promise with 4.5 sacks as a rookie, but found himself pushed by Burris in the offseason.
Burris was the team’s second-leading tackler as a rookie, but his second season was slowed by a long rehab following knee surgery. Maiava is a capable reserve at all three linebacker spots, while Kevin Burnett, a starter last season has a $2.8 million salary that could be a target because of Mack’s presence. Kaelin Burnett, Kevin’s brother, was a special-teams regular last season and could stick again on that basis.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – LOLB Connor Barwin, LILB DeMeco Ryans, RILB Mychal Kendricks, ROLB Trent Cole. Backups – Brandon Graham, Marcus Smith, Travis Long, Bryan Braman, Jake Knott, Jason Phillips, Emmanuel Acho, Najee Goode, Casey Matthews, Josh Kaddu.
The Eagles had just 37 sacks last season and just 13 from their two starting outside linebackers, Cole and Barwin, which is why they spent their first-round pick on Smith. But Smith is a bit of a project and probably will see limited action as a rookie. Cole, who spent his entire career as a 4-3 end, had all eight of his sacks in the final eight games. He’s a liability in coverage, but still can rush the passer. Barwin did most of the dirty work last year, dropping into coverage and setting the edge against the run. Ryans played more snaps than any linebacker in the league last year. He’s a solid run-defender and a good blitzer, but coverage isn’t his strength. He probably won’t be used nearly as much in nickel situations this year. Kendricks is only 5-foot-11, but is one of the league’s most athletic inside linebackers. The Eagles view him as a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Long was an undrafted rookie who tore his ACL in his next to last college game and spent last season on the practice squad. But the Eagles think he has the potential to battle for a roster spot. Braman was signed primarily for his special teams prowess.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — ROLB Jarvis Jones, LOLB Jason Worilds, ILB Ryan Shazier, ILB Lawrence Timmons. Backups — OLB Arthur Moats, OLB Chris Carter, OLB Vic So’oto, ILB Vince Williams, ILB Kion Wilson, ILB Jordan Zumwalt.
This is a position that must improve if the Steelers are going to get back to the playoffs. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s defense is at its best when the outside linebackers are putting pressure on quarterbacks and getting sacks. That did not happen often enough in 2013. Worilds had a career-high eight sacks, but he won’t be worth the $9.8 million the Steelers are paying him this season unless he doubles that amount. Jones had one sack in a disappointing rookie season. He was benched after being handed a starting job at the beginning of the season. The Steelers brought in Joey Porter as an assistant coach to help Jones become a better pass rusher.
Timmons, entering his eighth season, is solid against the run and Shazier has the ability to make an impact immediately. The Steelers are investigating ways to take advantage of Shazier’s speed in their blitz packages. Williams started most of last season, but he could be in a battle to make the roster because the Steelers added two players with the flexibility to play inside and outside. Moats practiced mostly with the outside linebackers this spring, but he has the ability to move inside. Zumwalt was drafted to play inside, but he practiced in both spots this spring and is expected to make a strong push for the active roster because of his special teams abilities.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – LOLB Alec Ogletree, MLB James Laurinaitis, ROLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Backups – OLB Ray Ray Armstrong, MLB Daren Bates, Caleb McSurdy, Phillip Steward, Tavarius Wilson, Aaron Hill, Etienne Sabino, Johnny Millard.
Ogletree lived up to expectations as a late first-round pick last year, and showed the ability to be a playmaker. He wound up leading the team with 155 tackles, while forcing six fumbles and scoring on a 98-yard interception return. As a blitzer, he had 1.5 sacks, seven passes defensed, five pressures and three quarterback hits. Those numbers could increase with Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator. Laurinaitis is the steady leader of the defense, and will contribute big plays. He was second on the team with 144 tackles. Dunbar is strong in run support, and the team’s rush defense began improving last season after he returned from a four-game suspension to start the season. He also contributes knowledge of Williams’ system after playing for him at New Orleans. Armstrong and Bates are two of the team’s better special teams players. Armstrong led the team with 12 tackles, and with experience, could become a top performer from scrimmage. There will be competition in camp for one or two jobs. Steward was a rookie in 2013, and missed the entire season because of an injury. Hill, Wilson and Millard are rookie free agents.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — LOLB Jarret Johnson, ILB Donald Butler, ILB Manti Te’o, LOLB Melvin Ingram. Backups — OLB Dwight Freeney, OLB Thomas Keiser, ILB Andrew Gachkar, OLB Jerry Attaochu, OLB Larry English, OLB Reggie Walker, ILB Kavell Conner, OLB Tourek Williams, ILB Jonas Mouton, ILB Alvin Scioneaux, OLB Colton Underwood.
The Chargers are banking on this unit to produce and help the secondary. Butler is a tackling machine and was brought back with a contract extension. Te’o had an uneven rookie season as a foot injury delayed the start of his year, and he still has plenty of growing to do. The Chargers hope Ingram and Freeney bring the heat on quarterbacks. But does Freeney have much left after coming off of two injury-marred seasons? Attaochu is a rookie and intriguing, but he is raw — maybe he contributes more toward the end of the season than at its beginning. The Chargers have good depth with Keiser and Gachkar on running downs, and English gets one more chance to prove he’s not among the biggest first-round busts in team history — a history that includes Ryan Leaf.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – OLB Aldon Smith, ILB Patrick Willis, ILB NaVorro Bowman, OLB Ahmad Brooks. Backups – OLB Corey Lemonier, OLB Dan Skuta, ILB Chris Borland, ILB Michael Wilhoite, ILB Nick Moody, ILB Blake Costanzo, Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas, OLB Aaron Lynch.
San Francisco could be without two of its starting four linebackers for the first part of the season with Smith’s potential suspension and Bowman likely to start on the PUP list. That means Willis is likely to see more time working as the MIKE linebacker after primarily playing JACK. While Smith was out for five games attending a drug and alcohol treatment facility last year, Skuta and Lemonier combined to fill in admirably. Skuta played mostly base downs while Lemonier — a rookie third-round pick – was used in passing situations. A key competition in training camp will be between Wilhoite and Borland as they battle to start next to Willis in Bowman’s absence. Moody and Costanzo will both have to prove they can be key members of special teams if they want to stick around the roster. Lynch is the wild card of the group who showed tremendous talent in his first collegiate season at Notre Dame when many tabbed him as a future first-round pick. But after a slew of personal issues, Lynch ended up transferring to South Florida, losing weight and seeing his stock fall to the fourth round.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – SLB K.J. Wright, MLB Bobby Wagner, WLB Malcolm Smith. Backups – SLB Bruce Irvin, SLB O’Brien Schofield, MLB Heath Farwell, SLB Mike Morgan, SLB Korey Toomer, WLB Kevin Pierre-Louis, MLB Mike Taylor, WLB Brock Coyle, WLB Horace Miller.
The thinking around the team is that this is the year Wagner becomes acknowledged as one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. His speed, awareness and lateral movement set him apart, and all that held him back last year was an ankle injury early that cost him two games and had him less than 100 percent for a few others. Few think it a coincidence that the team played its best defense when Wagner got healthy for the stretch run. Wright could also break out this year as one of the best in the NFL, boasting 6-foot-4 size and enormous wingspan that makes him one of the better pass defending linebackers in the NFL. He could end up on either the weak side or strong side. Same with Smith, who won the MVP of the Super Bowl, symbolic of his knack last season for always seeming to be around the ball — he was the one who caught Richard Sherman’s tip that clinched the NFC title. Irvin, a first-round pick in 2012, could be sort of a hybrid, playing on the strong side on early downs and defensive end end on passing downs. Pierre-Louis, a fourth-round pick, should make the team as a backup weak-side linebacker and special-teams demon. Toomer was one of the surprises of mini-camp, finally healthy after missing the last two years due to injury, and could make a run at a roster spot. Farwell doesn’t play much linebacker, but is a respected special teams player and that alone might get him on the roster for one more season. Schofield is used similarly to Irvin, and if healthy also will be hard to keep off the roster. The team is also high on Miller, an undrafted free agent who has the kind of athleticism the team values.
TAMPA BAY BUCANNEERS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters – SLB Jonathaan Casillas, MLB Mason Foster, WLB Lavonte David. Backups —
David’s career has exploded and the comparisons at this point in his career to Derrick Brooks are unfair, but understandable. He has led the Bucs in tackles the past two seasons and is the de facto leader of the defense. The Bucs would like for Foster to take over the play-calling duties from David, which would be good for both players. Casillas re-signed with the Bucs in the offseason and is effective when healthy.
TENNESSEE TITANS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — LOLB Derrick Morgan, LILB Wesley Woodyard, RILB Zach Brown, ROLB Kamerion Wimpley. Backups — OLB Sean Phillips, OLB Akeem Ayers, ILB Zaviar Gooden, ILB Colin McCarthy, ILB Patrick Bailey, ILB Moise Fokou, ILB Avery Williamson.
One thing is certain here: Not all of this group will make the final 53-man roster, simply for the fact of numbers alone. Morgan, a career defensive end, is learning to play standing up as a rush linebacker, while Wimbley may have a new lease on life getting to go back to linebacker after being miscast as a free-agent end two years ago by Tennessee. Free-agent pickups Phillips and Woodyard figure to help out, while Brown and Ayers, both former second-round picks, are being challenged by the coaching staff to produce more consistently in the new scheme than they did in the old one.
Gooden has the speed to convert to the inside, but might get passed by Williamson, a rookie fifth-rounder who will learn on special teams. Bailey has been a special teams ace, while McCarthy, a former defensive captain in 2012, and Fokou have to show they can fit in the new system in order to stick.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
–LINEBACKERS: Starters — LOLB Ryan Kerrigan, LILB Keenan Robinson, RILB Perry Riley, ROLB Brian Orakpo. Backups – OLB Trent Murphy, OLB Rob Jackson, ILB Akeem Jordan, ILB Darryl Sharpton, OLB Brandon Jenkins, ILB Adam Hayward, OLB Adrian Robinson, OLB Gabe Miller, ILB Will Compton, ILB Jeremy Kimbrough.
Although Orakpo has the bigger reputation and more Pro Bowls (three to one), Kerrigan was just as big a playmaker during their first two years on opposite sides of the defense. Orakpo missed almost all of 2012 with a torn pec. However, the Redskins were just 8-24 during those two years so neither was a true difference-maker. Orakpo, who was franchised this winter, is playing for a mega-lucrative contract as he was last year when he bounced back well from the injury. Kerrigan is a warrior who never misses a play. Riley, a starter since the middle of 2011, has become as reliable as London Fletcher was in the middle from 2007-12 before he finally hit the wall in 2013 at 38, prompting his retirement. Keenan Robinson missed the final five games of his rookie year of 2012 and all of 2013 with torn pecs, but his knowledge of coordinator Jim Haslett’s defense and his athleticism certainly make him the favorite over free-agent signees Jordan (a former Eagles and Chiefs starter), Sharpton (a Texans starter in 2013) and Hayward in the battle to replace the four-time Pro Bowl pick/captain/soul of the team. Jenkins, a fifth-rounder in 2013, saw little time as a rookie. Adrian Robinson bounced from Pittsburgh to Denver to San Diego to Washington over the past two seasons without starting a game. Miller spent time with three teams the past two years but has yet to make his debut. Kimbrough missed last season after separating his right shoulder in the preseason. He and fellow 2013 rookie free agent Will Compton, who got in one game, are back for second chances.
–Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, covered the NFL and the draft since the 1960s and is a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
