Best rookie LB, so far.

[draftguru151]

Carpenter hasn't seen the field much because Ellis has done so well at OLB. He is going to be a beast though.

Right now it is Sims, but I really like DeMeco, and Howard has a great future.

[D4rk 0ne]

Originally Posted by Godsend

1. Ryans
2. Sims
3. Howard (don't know why he's not in the options...)

++

[LTgiants]

THOMAS HOWARD

[VernonLawson89]

Manny Lawson.

[Shiver]

4-3

• Demeco Ryans

3-4

• Manny Lawson

Those two positions are too different to compare against eachother directly.

[bigbluedefense]

Originally Posted by Shiver

4-3

• Demeco Ryans

3-4

• Manny Lawson

Those two positions are too different to compare against eachother directly.

Yup, thats the best way to put it. Both are playing real well in their respective systems and both are looking like steals. I honestly didn't expect Lawson to have a good year, I thought he would be a disappointment in the NFL. He is proving me wrong. I knew Ryans was gonna be the bomb, he's the man. If we didn't have AP, I wouldve really wanted EA to get him.

[jkpigskin]

demeco has played real well, but i think ernie sims will be the best the rest of the way.. he is so explosive

[ninerfan]

manny baby big time

[Vikes99ej]

Originally Posted by diehardvikingsfan

Why exactly is Chad Greenway not on this list?

LOL

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by 661rep

Thomas Howard of the Raiders has been really good.

Morrison is doing a darn good job following up a very good rookie season too. Strongside LB is still up in the air, but those two, so far this season are performing admirably.

I'll tell you right now, the defense is not the reason why the Raiders are at the bottom of the barrell at 0-2 right now. That offense is downright pitiful, but the defense has been pretty stout. It's young and can give up mistakes, but it's a good start.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

Morrison is doing a darn good job following up a very good rookie season too. Strongside LB is still up in the air, but those two, so far this season are performing admirably.

I'll tell you right now, the defense is not the reason why the Raiders are at the bottom of the barrell at 0-2 right now. That offense is downright pitiful, but the defense has been pretty stout. It's young and can give up mistakes, but it's a good start.

just say it. if they had danny clark, they'd be 2-0.

[Ace]

1) Demeco Ryans

2) Ernie Sims

3) Thomas Howard

[Staubach12]

I know stats aren't everything, but no one has posted them...

Demeco Ryans - 17 tackles, 3 assists, 0 sacks, 0 Ints

Ernie Sims - 14 Tackles, 3 assists, 0 sacks, 0 Ints

Thomas Howard - 15 Tackles, 1 Assist, 0 Sacks, 0 Assists

AJ Hawk - 10 Tackles, 2 assists, 0 Sacks, 0 Ints

Bobby Carpenter (Not starting) - 0 Tackles, 0 Assists, 0 Sacks, 0 Ints

Manny Lawson - 9 tackles, 0 Assists, 2 Sacks, 0 Ints


Outside stats, I say
1.Ryans
2.Sims
3.Lawson

I haven't seen Hawk play.

[LonghornsLegend]

Carpenter will be a very good LB, he is learning alot this year although not seeing the field much, but if he's not starting that says something about our LB corps, and i dont think anyone was expecting the greg ellis situation....carpenter will be fine....


I know his name hasnt been mentioned, but i like wimbley in clevelands 3-4 defense, stats may not be up there with sims, but he's very athletic and active, i think he will be a pro bowler for that team

[P-L]

I have a hard time considering Lawson for this discussion. Yes, he is listed as an OLB but his responsibilities are much different than every other one of these LB. Lawson is more of like a DE as he gets to rush the passer more than any of these other LB do.

[LonghornsLegend]

Originally Posted by Patriots-Lions

I have a hard time considering Lawson for this discussion. Yes, he is listed as an OLB but his responsibilities are much different than every other one of these LB. Lawson is more of like a DE as he gets to rush the passer more than any of these other LB do.

I agree. its really hard to have an accurate grade if you want to rate who is better...I just go by how important they are and what they do for their team....


I dont think derrick johnson would of done as well in a 3-4 and rushing the passer every play, where as manny lawson, merriman they excell in it...but the stats are skewed because of it

[keylime_5]

I guess Wimbley and Lawson count as DEs since they are 3-4 OLBs, huh?

[DHVF]

Originally Posted by keylime_5

I guess Wimbley and Lawson count as DEs since they are 3-4 OLBs, huh?

Yup, pretty much.

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by njx9

just say it. if they had danny clark, they'd be 2-0.

Ugh, no. The key to the defense has actually been, in part, Morrison's upgrade over Clark. Clark was cool, but Morrison is just that much better. Howard has been great at WILL, we're just trying to figure out SAM. Sam Williams and Grant Irons are both ok, and if Williams can actually see the field with any regularity (instead of the trainer's table) he could be good.

But no. That offensive line, Aaron Brooks, the lack of a running game and the terrible play calling are why the Raiders are 0-2. No amount of Danny Clarks, Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lotts or Lawrence Taylors would be able to change the outcome of the last 2 games.

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

Ugh, no. The key to the defense has actually been, in part, Morrison's upgrade over Clark. Clark was cool, but Morrison is just that much better. Howard has been great at WILL, we're just trying to figure out SAM. Sam Williams and Grant Irons are both ok, and if Williams can actually see the field with any regularity (instead of the trainer's table) he could be good.

But no. That offensive line, Aaron Brooks, the lack of a running game and the terrible play calling are why the Raiders are 0-2. No amount of Danny Clarks, Ray Lewis, Ronnie Lotts or Lawrence Taylors would be able to change the outcome of the last 2 games.

morrison is faster and more athletic then clark.he also always makes the takle.the reason why we cut clark is cuase he cost to much $$$ to be second team linebacker.howard has more time to improve hes a physical beast. he ran a 4.43 at the combine.

[Shiver]

Through three games Demeco Ryans has 30 tackles.

[datchapin]

Originally Posted by Shiver

Through three games Demeco Ryans has 30 tackles.

While that is all good and well. It means the rest of our defense SUCKS. I don't know if it's maybe because we're allergic to blitzing or what ever, but thank god we got Ryans, I don't know if we would have a hope in the future for our D if he wasn't there.

[defensiveback23]

Ryans, Lawson and Simms have all been very good but I have to give it to DeMeco.

Tim Dobbins of the Chargers has looked good in the preseason but hasn't been able to get PT since the season started. He's a name to look out for in the future.

[aheineken]

I haven't watched the Raiders much this year for obvious reasons, so I don't know how well Howard has been playing. But, from the one Texans game I saw, DeMeco Ryans was all over the place making tackles.

[ny10804]

AJ Hawk has 20 tackles and a sack thus far. He's been good/great in coverage, and most the tackles he makes are within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage. He's gotten better each game, and has had plays where he showed why he was the fifth pick. Can't wait for next Monday....