Porter/Maybin Question

[patmoran2006]

I got a question for ya guys. Aaron Maybin is obviously going to OLB in a 3-4, and Joey Porter will be a free agent come March 5.

My question is, does Porter play the same OLB spot that Maybin will occupy, or could they each play a OLB (conceivably)

I’m not asking for opinions about Porter; I just want to know if it’s a feasible option postioning-wise...

[kelly2reed4six]

They should make it work!

[bigbub2352]

they should make it work is right
this is the exact kinda move a transition D needs someone who brings it and knows the system in and out can transition to any of the spots at LBer at this point in his career plus his pass rush alone is much needed form were ever he lines up

[YardRat]

I dunno...I see both of their 'strength' positions being on the weak side.

[OpIv37]

even if they both played the same side, Maybin isn't ready for prime time and Porter is a vet who could mentor him.

Regardless of the previous actions of the Bills' FO, depth is not a bad thing.

[ServoBillieves]

All the 3-4 means is Ellison is gone. With that, I can see a Maybin-Posluszny-MitchellorBuggs-FA/Draft Pick LB corp. If it's Porter? Yes, I can see Maybin with his quickness (hopefully strength too) on the weakside and Porter on the strong side. How great would it be to see Maybin and Porter high-low Brady/Sanqueer and Henne?

[JCBills]

I got a question for ya guys. Aaron Maybin is obviously going to OLB in a 3-4, and Joey Porter will be a free agent come March 5.

My question is, does Porter play the same OLB spot that Maybin will occupy, or could they each play a OLB (conceivably)

I’m not asking for opinions about Porter; I just want to know if it’s a feasible option postioning-wise...

Porter played ROLB, the weak side pass rush specialist, not nearly as demanding vs the run.

Maybin hasn't shown he could play the strong side, so yeah that places him in the same position as Porter at ROLB. We should be in the market for a strong side guy which is why I'm hoping we trade back in the 1st to grab one. It's tough to find someone equally effective vs the run and pass, and there's two mid-late 1st prospects in this year's class that could probably play on the strong side.

[patmoran2006]

Porter played ROLB, the weak side pass rush specialist, not nearly as demanding vs the run.

Maybin hasn't shown he could play the strong side, so yeah that places him in the same position as Porter at ROLB. We should be in the market for a strong side guy which is why I'm hoping we trade back in the 1st to grab one. It's tough to find someone equally effective vs the run and pass, and there's two mid-late 1st prospects in this year's class that could probably play on the strong side.

Thanks for the answer.. For someone like Porter to work, then it sounds like Maybin would have to be able to play the Strongside OLB spot.

[JCBills]

Thanks for the answer.. For someone like Porter to work, then it sounds like Maybin would have to be able to play the Strongside OLB spot.

Yeah, and I just don't see that as a good idea. Maybin still needs to show up at 250+, but he doesn't have the build or strength to consistently fight off blocks at the point of attack. We have to be looking for a blend between a 4-3 LE and 4-3 LOLB to play the 3-4 LOLB. Pass rushing specialists seem to be abundant recently, whereas strongside prospects are very hard to pick out.

[patmoran2006]

Yeah, and I just don't see that as a good idea. Maybin still needs to show up at 250+, but he doesn't have the build or strength to consistently fight off blocks at the point of attack. We have to be looking for a blend between a 4-3 LE and 4-3 LOLB to play the 3-4 LOLB. Pass rushing specialists seem to be abundant recently, whereas strongside prospects are very hard to pick out.

What's scary about that statement is that if he doesen't have the strength to fight off blocks as a OLB, how in the world was he ever strong enough to possibly play DE?

[JCBills]

What's scary about that statement is that if he doesen't have the strength to fight off blocks as a OLB, how in the world was he ever strong enough to possibly play DE?

Maybin should have never been considered a true DE prospect. I was hoping for a LE in the first last year, someone with size like Robert Ayers that could hold up on the strong side. I knew OBD was totally backwards when they said they were going to see how Maybin does at LE.

He could have played RE if we were sticking with a 4-3 as Schobel's replacement, most finesse rushers are REs that are relatively quiet outside of the few plays a game they create pressure, so he wouldn't have been a total mismatch at the position, he just isn't refined enough to have to use his hands every play like he would have been required to. In a proper two gap 3-4 scheme he would have more freedom to make plays instead of fighting lineman every down.

[DesertFox24]

Personally I would rather draft Graham and let him be the strong side guy and then sign a vet for competition.

Then let Maybin and Schobel battel it out for the other spot.

Chris Ellis could be a strong side contender as well.

[JCBills]

Personally I would rather draft Graham and let him be the strong side guy and then sign a vet for competition.

Then let Maybin and Schobel battel it out for the other spot.

Chris Ellis could be a strong side contender as well.

I like Graham a lot, I just haven't seen him stand up and don't know how he is in space. That being said, he's still one of the better strongside 3-4 OLB prospects in this draft. Personally I like Jerry Hughes, he has experience standing up. NE, NYJ, or MIA will probably draft one of them.

[patmoran2006]

What happens if Schobel doesnt retire

[JCBills]

What happens if Schobel doesnt retire

I don't know, but outside of Brett Favre, football players usually don't mention retirement unless they are serious. It's taken him this long to come to a decision, I don't see him staying. 9 seasons of mediocrity has to be mentally erosive. I also don't know how enticing a position change is at 32.

I think Jauron & co. were looking at Maybin as Schobel's eventual replacement and not an actual LE.

[Mudflap1]

Porter is better than what we've got. No reason not to bring the guy in for a year or two.

[WeAreArthurMoates]

Personally I would rather draft Graham and let him be the strong side guy and then sign a vet for competition.

Then let Maybin and Schobel battel it out for the other spot.

Chris Ellis could be a strong side contender as well.

I absolutely love Graham and if we go linebacker at 9, I'd much rather have him over McClain. You need two things for a successful 3-4, a NT and pass rushers.

[JCBills]

I absolutely love Graham and if we go linebacker at 9, I'd much rather have him over McClain. You need two things for a successful 3-4, a NT and pass rushers.

Not sure he's worth that #9 pick, if we can find a trade partner, moving back into the 16-25 range to grab Graham or Hughes would be a massive start to the draft. One if not both will be available in that range, and would give us extra picks as well.

I don't think there is a player worth the #9 pick with our list of main needs. Okung probably won't fall, so after that you're looking at mostly projects outside of maybe Bulaga who has limited upside.

Agree with OLB over ILB. Mitchell can be serviceable at that spot, and we could take someone a few rounds later like Micah Johnson.