Hey, Other Brian...how does keeping DQ Jones change how we recruit DT's in the closing stretch?

Typing "to" literally only requires one more keystroke.

I agree that we neither have a superstar LB on the field, bench, or recruiting class. LB was a huge weakness for us this yr, and i dont think we did much of anything to mend out problems, now or future. We did lose our worst starting linebacker, in Thompson, but the fact that he did start says a lot about the talent behind him. We havent seen much of fitzgerald, demens, marrell, or any of his backups, so im not sure how confident i am in our LB core moving forward. Mouton did seem to make some progress as the season went on, but hes still a liability in the passing game. As is obi ezeh, who in my opinion had a very disappointing season, despite getting a lot of tackles, after a promising freshman yr. I do like the idea of having faster, smaller OLBs (converted safeties) to better cover the spread. But I expect growing pains, as added pressure will be on the LBs with a very young Dline in front of them. Although I do have to point out for the record, Mouton was a convertd safety, rated much higher as such than jones or bell, and that worked out kinda meh. Its a big change for a lot of safeties that are more used to playing the ball in front of them or in deep patterns, than trying to break up slant routes while simultaneously paying close attention to the run. The big question is whether they can add the weight and maintain their speed.