Eric Barton, UFA, New York Jets

While Barton’s ’07 production didn’t match his ’06 production, he was playing for a defense that didn’t get much help from the offensive unit. Brett Favre’s arrival should improve the offense, which will also help alleviate pressure on the defense. Barton made 100 tackles and 4.5 sacks in ’06, and if he can reach similar numbers this season, teams will consider him a good free agent option.

Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals

Dansby is becoming a consistent linebacker in the NFL. In his last three seasons, he has tackle totals of 89, 82, and 99. He has also tallied at least 3.5 sacks in each of his four seasons as a pro. His three interceptions last season tied a career high, and Dansby is young and athletic. He isn’t in the same class as some of the linebackers on this list, but he may eventually be pretty close. Dansby will appeal to several teams because of his age, size, and potential.

Ray Lewis, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

With over 1,500 tackles, 30 sacks, and 25 interceptions during his 12 seasons, Lewis isn’t just a Pro Bowl player and Super Bowl winner, but also a future Hall of Famer. Since entering the league, Lewis has been a force and helped the Ravens to be one of the league’s best defensive units year in and year out. He’s been in Baltimore his entire career so it’s hard to imagine him with another franchise. The Ravens will make him an offer that should lock him up until almost the end of his career.

Mike Peterson, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

Peterson has played in just 15 games over the course of the last two seasons, but when healthy he is one of the better middle linebackers around. He hlikely six seasons in double-digit tackles and the three seasons he failed to reach that mark were injury-shortened years. In ’05, his most recent full season, he also had six sacks and three interceptions. His health concerns will scare some teams away, but Peterson may still have some quality seasons left in him.

Bart Scott, UFA, Baltimore Ravens

Even though Scott was an undrafted free agent, he has managed to become a quality linebacker. While he has benefited from playing alongside Pro Bowlers like Ray Lewis, he has also helped them benefit from his own contributions. He had just one sack last season as the Ravens defense struggled more than usual, but he showed in ’06 that he is capable of over 100 tackles and 9.5 sacks. The Ravens will probably pay Scott enough to keep him around, but they may be looking to see if he can have another solid season this year before they commit.

Jonathan Vilma, UFA, New Orleans Saints

Vilma will be coming back from an injury and trying to make an impression with his new team in New Orleans. Prior to his shortened ’07 season, Vilma had registered 108 tackles or more in three straight seasons, including 173 in ’05; he also has six interceptions in his four seasons of work. Vilma is quick to the ball and consistently makes the right play. At 26 years of age, he will be a hot commodity on the market if he shows that his injury is well behind him.


Linebacker:
Jordan Beck, UFA, Denver Broncos
Monty Beisel, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Angelo Crowell, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Channing Crowder, UFA, Miami Dolphins
James Farrior, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyjuan Hagler, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Willie McGinest, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Carlos Polk, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Sam Williams, UFA, Oakland Raiders


Alot of these guys are washed up.The only 1 i could see helping us is Bart Scott but BMore will most likely resign him.Vilma is way to small for the 3-4 and are Lbs are better than everyone else on the list.(Except Ray Lewis but he is old and will decline soon).So i guess we will have to get LBs in the draft.

Dansby, Scott (would never play here), and Vilma would be great additions.

Ill take Suggs, and a good draft! I think with the development of Hall and hopefully the same with Beau Bell then we might turn out alright with LB's. Our Defense right now is not the problem, it is our Offense.

On paper we don't need much except for a great disciplined team that plays together and can execute. Sounds like we need to get a COACH in FA

This is the weakest part of our team.

Suggs will be a Brown...Savage will target him!

I expect us to really get after a big name LB in the draft...1 of the USC boys or Laurunitus (although I dont think we will be picking that low). One of them will come up!

Dansby would be nice, Scott will most likely be resigned, Suggs will be very expensive but would be a nice addition, i also like angelo crowell he will most likely be resigned

Where is Suggs on the list? Didn't he get the franchise tag last year?

He did get the tag I dont know why he isnt included.

polk, williams, and beisel all have experience in the 3-4 and I'd certainly take suggs if he was willing to sign here.

I'm really excited to see the overall development of Alex Hall, this kid reminds me of Shaun Phillips of the chargers, a smart and fast LB who brings it every play. I hope Beau Bell is what the front office says and thinks he is beause with DQ seeming to "get it" I think Leon Williams could be on his way out. I think Bell also has the size to play OLB if needed, versatility is never a bad thing..

speaking of Shaun Phillips, anyone know his contract status?

From everything I've heard Suggs wants to go back to AZ. They also run a 3-4 and can use a pass rusher. I do not think we will need him. If Hall studs out that can only help Wimbley. At that point we have 2 solid OLB's. ILB's are what I am concerned about. DQ seems to be improving but Davis is well Davis he will need to be replaced we need a guy that can play in the backfield and bring the pain.

quote:

I'm really excited to see the overall development of Alex Hall, this kid reminds me of Shaun Phillips of the chargers, a smart and fast LB who brings it every play. I hope Beau Bell is what the front office says and thinks he is beause with DQ seeming to "get it" I think Leon Williams could be on his way out. I think Bell also has the size to play OLB if needed, versatility is never a bad thing..

i am looking at the Bungals game:

L. Williams 5-1 0.0 0 0
D. Jackson 1-3 0.0 0 0
A. Davis 0-1 0.0 0 0

why do u think Dairy Queen is "getting it"

All DQ is getting is getting run over

A. Davis 8-2 0.0 0 0
E. Wright 8-0 0.0 0 0
A. Hall 6-1 1.0 0 0
D. Jackson 5-9 0.0 1 0

against the Ravens

Its pretty clear, we win when Andra Davis and Dairy Queen dont get run all over.

WE NOT ONLY WIN BUT WE DOMINATE DEFENSIVELY

by "get it" i'm referring to other stats that people have posted on here. I didnt mean to imply he was dominating games. alot of posters have been raving of DQ lately so I figured there was something behind it.

sorry, I shouldnt be so ignorant.

quote:

Originally posted by Clevelandfreak:
This is the weakest part of our team.

Suggs will be a Brown...Savage will target him!

I expect us to really get after a big name LB in the draft...1 of the USC boys or Laurunitus (although I dont think we will be picking that low). One of them will come up!

...uuhh. I agree!

I'd take Farrior any day of the week, and Sunday over Davis. If we were running the 4-3, I'd say we go and get Vilma, but he's not a 3-4 LB or the Jets would have kept him. I like the way Hall has played thus far, and he's only going to get better. If you signed Farrior as QUALITY depth, and if Bell is the ILB the FO thinks he can be, we could have a decent LB corps - especially if Wimbley plays as well as he did last sunday.

quote:

Originally posted by buckydawg:
I'd take Farrior any day of the week, and Sunday over Davis. If we were running the 4-3, I'd say we go and get Vilma, but he's not a 3-4 LB or the Jets would have kept him. I like the way Hall has played thus far, and he's only going to get better. If you signed Farrior as QUALITY depth, and if Bell is the ILB the FO thinks he can be, we could have a decent LB corps - especially if Wimbley plays as well as he did last sunday.

buckydawg we need to upgrade the lb position and i think suggs could be a good fit for us.

quote:

buckydawg we need to upgrade the lb position and i think suggs could be a good fit for us.

Yea but Suggs is a OLB.I would still like to pick him up though.Leon is a big disapointment.He showed great promise as a rookie now he doesnt even hardky get on the field.

Leon (cant start fot the U of M) Williams is not showing much. A serious dropoff. A good athlete that isn't playing good football. Bad depth in a spot we REALLY need to step up to the plate.

YOU'VE GOTTA STOP SOMEBODY!!!!!!!

YOU THINK THE ECONOMY IS A MESS- LOOK @ THE BROWNS!!!!!

what about lance briggs, wont he be a FA after this year? didnt he get franchised meaning he would hit the market at the end of the year?

quote:

Originally posted by kmaurer24:
what about lance briggs, wont he be a FA after this year? didnt he get franchised meaning he would hit the market at the end of the year?

no

James Farrior signed a five year 18.2 million contract extension in September of this year. He will be mentoring the next group of linebackers for the Steelers.

Build through the draft.

BpG..Agreed. We needed fa signings in the past, because we had so many holes to fill. Do not think that is the present case.

I don't see Baltimore being able to keep Suggs, Lewis, and Scott. I do not think they have the money that will be needed, they can only tag one. Lewis seems to love Baltimore and will likely sign on his own. But Scott and Suggs (one will be tagged) will likely leave if the money isn't there. I would take either of them. If Hall does stud out we still need another outside guy as Wimbly has not been doing much so far. Suggs is better than Wimbly or Hall and would be an upgrade at outside or Scott would be an upgrade on the inside. He would be our best lber if we managed to get him here.

If we did that I think we could go 70% offense in the draft and 30% on defens looking for DB depth.