so at LEO we have clemons, branch, davis, and watson. would there even be playing time for clowney or another rookie?

For clowney or a guy like Ford in the second, absolutely.

---

For clowney or a guy like Ford in the second, absolutely.

 

Ford scares me now (at least with an early draft pick) with the medical stuff that ended his combine early. 

---

I'm leaning towards Mack because I want to put the best 11 defensive players on the field at the same time.   As of now, with the guys we've signed, we have a bigger hole at LB than at DE.   And if you want to rush the passer, do you get the best results with Clemons/Mack or Clowney/Hayes?   If you draft Clowney you put Clemons on the bench.  If you draft Mack, you put either Hayes or Russell Allen on the bench.  

What about Watson? I know noise was made about him being a LEO candidate, but I tend to believe that he's more of a candidate for Hayes' job.

 

I'm still slightly intrigued by Gerald Rivers as a LEO option. 6'5" 250 4.68, at least on paper he fits the prototype. I'm curious to see what he can do in training camp.

---

We will need Gratz, Evans, etc to take big steps forward if Thurmond or another solid corner/safety isn't brought in though. I am loving our D-Line, but we still have some iffy spots. D-Line generally makes everyone better though too.

49ers secondary isn't that great. It starts with front 7. Cyp,Gratz,Ball,Dmac,Evans,Winston and Blackmon could be solid group. I think Outside linebacker still needs work though.

---

What about Watson? I know noise was made about him being a LEO candidate, but I tend to believe that he's more of a candidate for Hayes' job.

 

I'm still slightly intrigued by Gerald Rivers as a LEO option. 6'5" 250 4.68, at least on paper he fits the prototype. I'm curious to see what he can do in training camp.

 

Watson is a SAM. He is going to be more of a pass rusher. He's coming to take Russell Allen's job.

---

I'm leaning towards Mack because I want to put the best 11 defensive players on the field at the same time.   As of now, with the guys we've signed, we have a bigger hole at LB than at DE.   And if you want to rush the passer, do you get the best results with Clemons/Mack or Clowney/Hayes?   If you draft Clowney you put Clemons on the bench.  If you draft Mack, you put either Hayes or Russell Allen on the bench.  

Yeah, this, as well as like I said, Mack is so versatile i'm sure he'll play plenty of LEO at times too. I really love Mack. Honestly, I love Clowney and all, but I might almost prefer Mack tbh. Bridgewater is my #1, but Clowney/Mack are pretty damn close for my #2.

---

Ford scares me now (at least with an early draft pick) with the medical stuff that ended his combine early.

It was precautionary. He fully participated in his pro day a couple weeks after.

---

"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

on paper, yes.

 

 

...  great to have 'proper villians' running the show again.

 

This might be one of the coolest things I've read on this board.

 

 

 

Gotta admit, I really like what Bradwell
are doing with free agency. None of the obvious A-list huge dollar guys have been signed, but they're finding veterans to fill holes at reasonable prices. That's how it's done.

 

This is pretty cool too.

---

I'm trying to make myself more informed and less opinionated.

Stop saying whatever stupid thing you're talking about and pay attention to all the interesting things I have to say!

Yeah, this, as well as like I said, Mack is so versatile i'm sure he'll play plenty of LEO at times too. I really love Mack. Honestly, I love Clowney and all, but I might almost prefer Mack tbh. Bridgewater is my #1, but Clowney/Mack are pretty damn close for my #2.

See I would never draft a LB 3rd overall. I think LB is a plug and play position for the most part that can look great with a bunch of nobodies, depending on what you can do upfront. If we do draft Mack, he better sparingly drop into coverage cause that would be a waste of time.

---

See I would never draft a LB 3rd overall. I think LB is a plug and play position for the most part that can look great with a bunch of nobodies, depending on what you can do upfront. If we do draft Mack, he better sparingly drop into coverage cause that would be a waste of time.

Von Miller was taken 2nd overall and is a LB...which is like Mack would be used. On top of that, he would be good in coverage, not a liability.

---

Chris Clemons signing > Cleo Lemon signing

---

Only a chump boos the home team!

Chris Clemons signing > Cleo Lemon signing

I hear Detroit is signing Lemon to a three-year, $9M contract to replace Shaun Hill as Stafford's backup.

---

See I would never draft a LB 3rd overall. I think LB is a plug and play position for the most part that can look great with a bunch of nobodies, depending on what you can do upfront. If we do draft Mack, he better sparingly drop into coverage cause that would be a waste of time.

 

It always depends who is there but I'd take these @#3 if they were available all filled a similar role Mack will be seen as filling:

 

T. Suggs

D. Ware

V. Miller

---

It always depends who is there but I'd take these @#3 if they were available all filled a similar role Mack will be seen as filling:

 

T. Suggs

D. Ware

V. Miller

I would too but I just keep reading how good he is in coverage. Weren't those guys drafted to be pass rush specialists? I dont think Mack is going to be drafted with the same intention. Of course I could be wrong though.

---

I would too but I just keep reading how good he is in coverage. Weren't those guys drafted to be pass rush specialists? I dont think Mack is going to be drafted with the same intention. Of course I could be wrong though.

 

I think Mack will be drafted for those intentions but adds Versatility in that if we take another Leo in later rounds or if Clemons is on the field he can drop into that OLB coverage/tackler role just as well.

 

CBSSports.com:

 

COMPARES TO: Robert Quinn, Rams - Mack is a little more versatile, but both have an excellent blend of quickness and power to be effective sacking the quarterback or stopping the run.

 

NFL.COM:

 

 


BOTTOM LINE
 A havoc-wreaking rush linebacker with the burst and acceleration to excel as a right defensive end in a "40" front, Mack has demonstrated the instincts, toughness, athletic ability and explosive power to line up at any linebacker position in an even or odd front and factor readily. 

---

Why haven't we heard from SeaSea?

 

Here I am.

 

 

 

<div style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11.818181991577148px;">Louis Riddick ‏@LRiddickESPN  1m
<p style="font-size:11.818181991577148px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;">DE Chris Clemons: 4yrs/$18M w/upside to $22.5M via sacks/PT. #Jaguars

 

</div>

 

I was expecting around 3yrs and $12-14M.

 

To be fair, people probably said the same thing about Bennett before signing with SEA

 

Well, he was part of the rotation. Bennett has the most snaps, but because of rotation I don't think we really had "starters" on the DL last season.

 

Percentage of defensive snaps, according to sportingcharts.

 

Bennett 57,4%

Clemons 54,5%

Avril 53,2%

Mebane 51,1%

McDonald 51,0%

McDaniel 50,6%

Bryant 46,2%

 

 

Clemons had 11+ sacks in 2010, 2011, and 2012 before tearing his ACL and coming on strong at the end of last year and into the playoffs. Clemons is older, but there is no reason to think he can't be an impact pass rusher on this team. His best years came under Gus as well. His snaps also decreased last year with Bennett and co. coming in.

 

As you can see above, Clemons only played 54,5% of defensive snaps last season. Before his injury in 2012 he played around 90%. If you get him around 60-70% snaps, he will be good.

---

To pick up a pass rusher that knows your system, and has had 11 or more sacks in 3 of the last 4 years for $4-5m per season is a steal. Great job Dave and Gus!

---