I'm all for getting the most talent on the field and finding creative ways to put players in positions to succeed. Poz's retirement creates a hole at one of the LB positions. Jack & Smith will continue to be the 2 LB's on the field for nickel. So that means that on base downs we need someone to fill the SLB role now that Jack is assumed to move inside to MLB full time. Here are the options we have at filling that hole:

a) Blair Brown
b) Play Nickel as our Base D
c) draft a Rookie
d) Play Fowler at SLB, and in Nickel/3rd & long have the NT (Dareus or Jones) come off the field, Calais kick inside, and Fowler play with his hand in the ground.


I like Blair Brown, but I don't believe he's fully ready as last year when an injury created an opportunity against Arizona, he was exploited frequently. I also don't believe he's a true SLB, IMO Brown fits better as a WLB given his skillset.

We struggled against the run last year, if we were to play this as our base we'd be run all over again, even the addition of Dareus can't overcome a numbers disparity in the Box with 1 less defender due to Nickel

Draft a rookie. While probably the most likely option given that SLB is a part time position that comes off the field in nickel situations; there will be less of a learning curve for a rookie to get a grasp of their responsibilities from a mental standpoint so they can play fast. But who's available and how early do you draft them? I like Roquan Smith but he's more of a middle linebacker.. if we go this route I'm sure Caldwell, Coughlin & Co. have someone specific in mind.

Fowler to SLB makes a lot of sense. at the combine he measured 6'3" 261 (no idea what he is now) he ran a 4.60 40 yard dash and had a 4.32 short shuttle. This past year, I've seen them firezone him out to the flat a few times where he hasn't been exposed and even at his weight he clearly has the speed, agility to play in space. The Pros and cons to the move are this:

Pros: We get another big body out there in base against the run. Fowler can set the edge, plays violently and from the limited amount we've seen can hold his own in space running to the sideline, covering flats, shrot zones. Having him out there is another pass rusher that the Offense has to account for, he can be sent on a stunt, a delayed blitz; If he's coverage responsibility stays in to block he'd be a nightmare on a "Green Dog" concept, and can even be audibled to have a Safety pick up his guy if they recognize something at snap that they want to send him to disrupt. It's just another way of getting our most talented 11 on the field. Much like Kiwanuka on the Giants he can still play with his hand on the ground for 3rd downs and rotate in as a pass rusher if we're nickel heavy that game and want to get him snaps. He projects to the position very well and is comparable on paper to Bruce Irvin from a size scheme fit perspective; he was billed as a "Lights out 3-4 SLB" coming out of the draft. Lastly, if he were to excel, the contract extension for a SLB is MUCH MUCH cheaper than for a DE.

Cons: He's developed decently thus far as a DE passrusher so why mess with that? that's probably the biggest factor. 1 injury to Calais or Yannick would force Fowler to start so we'd still have to end up going with one of the other options if god forbid that happens. Also we've only seen limited action of him covering/playing in space; there's no guarantee he'd do well there full time. There's also a chance that he'd be unwilling to make the switch, as with his improved performance he may no longer feel the same way about how he was used and wanting to play standing up (although I doubt this).


Bottom Line: In OTA's before the draft they should try it out, if you can get a look into how he can handle it mentally and whether or not he has the athleticism for it you can then make an informed decision about the position heading into the draft as to how big a need/how early to address it. they have very little to lose trying it out, and until Blair Brown proves to be a better option I'd love to see them give him an opportunity there.

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