Linebacker
Inside Linebacker
Code:
Name Old TM Exp Cur Fut Key Stats
Code:
Randall Godfrey SEA 9 78 78 113 tkl, 5.5 sk, 3 hurr, 1 int, 6 defn
Al Wilson DEN 6 74 74 118 tkl, 2 sk, 3 int, 8 defn
Bernardo Harris BAL 10 48 48 42 tkl, 1.5 sk, 5 hurr
Ted Johnson NED 10 46 46 23 tkl
Wali Rainer DET 6 46 46 9 tkl
Don Davis NED 9 41 46 DNP
Orlando Ruff NOS 6 41 45 17 tkl, 1 int
Mike Maslowski KCY 6 40 46 90 tkl, 2 sk, 3 int, 6 defn
T.J. Slaughter JAX 5 40 50 8 tkl
Comments: This is kind of like a poor man's tackle position, without the quality depth. Like tackle, there are two standout players here. Godfrey is actually the top-ranked inside linebacker in football, which I am certain is a surprise to some of you (it was to me). Wilson is more well-known for his skills in real life. Either way, the two will be high-priced commodities on the market, just like Pace and Jones at tackle. The bad news is that if you miss out on those two, the pickings become very slim at one of the weaker all around positions in this class. There are warm bodies to be had, maybe even passable #2 starters for 3-4 defenses, but if you need a star at inside linebacker and you miss out on Godfrey or Wilson, you're pretty much S.O.L.
Outside Linebacker
Code:
Name Old TM Exp Cur Fut Key Stats
Code:
Ian Gold DEN 5 67 74 70 tkl, 2 sk
Carlos Emmons PHI 9 61 61 112 tkl, 3.5 sk, 8 hurr, 1 int, 13 defn
Marcus Washington IND 5 55 60 74 tkl, 1 sk, 4 hurr, 2 int, 6 defn
Mo Lewis NYJ 14 48 48 85 tkl, 2 sk, 4 hurr, 1 int, 7 defn
Cornell Brown BAL 9 45 49 38 tkl
Steve Foley HOU 7 45 46 7 tkl, 1 sk, 1 defn
Na'il Diggs GBY 5 45 49 67 tkl, 1 sk, 2 hurr, 4 defn
Eric Barton OAK 6 42 52 44 tkl, 1 sk, 2 hurr, 1 int
Barrett Green DET 5 42 56 60 tkl, 4.5 sk, 1 int, 3 defn
Brandon Short NYG 5 42 47 99 tkl, 1.5 sk, 1 int, 4 defn
Keith Mitchell JAX 8 40 40 64 tkl, 1.5 sk, 3 hurr, 6 int, 4 defn
Comments: Outside linebacker is about as shallow as inside, with the difference that the decline in available linebackers is much more gradual. There is a clear separation between each of the top four linebackers before you get to a glut of decent outside backers that round out the starter-quality players in this unit. Gold is not only the top backer, he is also the one with the best ability to progress further into superstar status. Emmons is a tier below him, but still a far above average linebacker. Washington has the potential to be as good as Emmons some day, and Lewis, on a tier below Washington, is the cagey veteran of the group. Lewis heads the last, large group of decent outside linebackers. Probably the most interesting of them is Mitchell, who has the potential to end up the second best linebacker in this group.
CR