Defensive Switches that may work

[Golden_Domer88]

Ive been thinking about this after the Purdue game. Tommy Z is a good player, but face it he is horrible with coverage. He blows to many plays, which end up in big plays. I saw Weis put Zibby at the LB position the 2nd half. It worked decently. I believe he would be a better LB than TT is. Zibby is strong, fast, can shed blocks, and he can get pressure on the QB.

As for Travis Thomas, move him to safety. His speed and ability to read the offense has got to be better than what Zibby does. This cant hurt us, since the upcoming games SHOULD be a walk-through.

Its just a thought, but tell me what you think.

 

[lattedatte]

IMO its too late to make these type of changes..

Zibby was likely only in there becuase they were in a dime package, normally in a dime package a lb goes out and a DB comes in at that position. What is interesting is that they put another DB at safety and moved zibby down to the lb spot.

I'm not saying this is a bad thought though becuase I think if zibby has an nfl future its at the LB spot. Urlacher like transition.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I think Polishdomer brought this up, too?

I don't know what I think of it.. but if Zibby were put at LB, I'd probably rather have Bruton or Herring at the safety position than TT. TT has made plays at the LB position, unlike Mitchell Thomas.... so I'd prefer he be replaced.

But the problem with that would be that the LB corps would be incredibly under-sized; only Crum would have LB size.

 

[jiggafini19]

As for Travis Thomas, move him to safety. His speed and ability to read the offense has got to be better than what Zibby does. This cant hurt us, since the upcoming games SHOULD be a walk-through.

No.

I think if zibby has an nfl future its at the LB spot. Urlacher like transition.

Please use someone else, anyone else, for this analogy. These two players are in different stratospheres.

How much bigger can Zbikowski get? He can't get to the size of an NFL linebacker.

 

[scooper]

Zibby doesn't have a LB frame. He's as big as he's going to get. People have been suggesting this move for two years. If it were that obvious, it would have happened by now.

If you think our current LB's get eaten up by O linemen, you'd hate Zibby playing full time at LB.

 

[luckofirish8]

Please use someone else, anyone else, for this analogy. These two players are in different stratospheres.

How much bigger can Zbikowski get? He can't get to the size of an NFL linebacker.

I agree about Urlacher, not even close to the same talent level.

zach thomas is the smallest NFL linebacker I can think of and he out weighes zibby by 15-20 pounds easy.

However, i think he would do alright at the college level as a LB. But, I do agree with others that is to late to make this change full time.

I think USC had a very undersized LB a few years ago, I can't remember his name, but he wore #6. I think it was Matt something. this guy made plays all over the field because of his speed.

 

[scooper]

I agree about Urlacher, not even close to the same talent level.

zach thomas is the smallest NFL linebacker I can think of and he out weighes zibby by 15-20 pounds easy.

However, i think he would do alright at the college level as a LB. But, I do agree with others that is to late to make this change full time.

I think USC had a very undersized LB a few years ago, I can't remember his name, but he wore #6. I think it was Matt something. this guy made plays all over the field because of his speed.

Matt Grotegood

 

[jiggafini19]

The way he's been missing tackles lately, I'm not sure I'd want Zbikowski at linebacker.

Travis Thomas was leading the team in tackles prior to the Purdue game, yes? I think he's done a very good job.

This is the hand they've been dealt. If anyone needs more PT at safety it is Ray Herring.

 

[BGIF]

Ive been thinking about this after the Purdue game. Tommy Z is a good player, but face it he is horrible with coverage. He blows to many plays, which end up in big plays. I saw Weis put Zibby at the LB position the 2nd half. It worked decently. I believe he would be a better LB than TT is. Zibby is strong, fast, can shed blocks, and he can get pressure on the QB.

As for Travis Thomas, move him to safety. His speed and ability to read the offense has got to be better than what Zibby does. This cant hurt us, since the upcoming games SHOULD be a walk-through.

Its just a thought, but tell me what you think.

Latte is on the mark. TOO LATE!

In the Spring I raised the question of moving Ndu back to LB but Charlie had him on a strict diet to improve Secondary play. I'll defer to CW, Minter, Lewis, et al. They can't all be wrong.

I was not a fan of the Travis Thomas to LB move either but agree with Jiggs that he's been an asset to the D. He's mobile and adds quickness to the LB corps. He improves the pass defense one on one or on the rush. Yes, he's having trouble shedding to 300 lb OLs, would Nedu at 208 or Zibby 7 pounds heavier be much of a difference? I don't think so.

Toryan Smith or other freshman aren't the answer at this time either. Travis played backer in HS and has had 6 months of film, preparation and practice and he's still learning. None of the freshman can come close to picking that up in 2 months.

We're undersized but you play the best you have that are ready to play.