Inside linebacker

[SAPHOJUNKIE]

This seems to be our biggest need at the moment, which is completely frustrating, considering we have derrick johnson at the position.

Still, regardless of what we think of Haley and his benching of DJ, the guy simply has never performed up to his talent level.

We might be able to find a solid player in free agency, but as of now, how do you view our main rotation?

Interesting sidenote: Demorrio Williams had 117 tackles last year. Normally, I would say "well, so what? If teams run the ball on us 40 times a game, SOMEONE has to tackle him. Numbers don't mean anything." EXCEPT that 95 of his tackles were solo.

that tells me the guy is a sure-tackler, which is it's own kind of asset. he is listed at 230, which seems undersized a bit for a 3-4 guy, but maybe he's the play-maker ILB. Would that mean that haley wanted DJ to be more of the thumper? Perhaps this was the friction - they wanted DJ, due to his size, to hold position and occupy blocks, but he wanted to use his athleticism to make plays.

I don't pretend to know the ins-and-outs of either the system or the haley/DJ friction, but this situation had sparked some theories for anyone else.

[Three7s]

well if they were not running by williams they were running by mays then. all DJ did was make plays when they put him in. But do think that the ILB is still a major need to fill.

Yeah right, the guy screwed up his assignments all the time. Derrick "2 games a seasons" Johnson!

[matthewschiefs]

Don't be quick to assume that benching DJ was all Haley. There's a good chance it was a Pendergast move.

I think there's a good possibility that Crennel will be given full reigns on the defense, and since he seems to be really into giving a troubled player like Shaun Smith a shot at NT, he may have a lot of faith in someone like DJ as well. The fact that we didn't draft an ILB tells me that DJ has a future with this team.

Crennel will probley help not only DJ but the whole defense. He has a much better track record then Pendergast so that will help.

I dont think Pendergast could bench A player unless Haley was all right with it. Haley was the Head Coach I think he was the big reason DJ was not starting.

[Bike]

This seems to be our biggest need at the moment

I think Crennel will get improvement out of both DJ and Williams. Our biggest needs remain at NT and LOLB imho...

[Hayvern]

They seemed to use DJ a lot in situational downs. He was definately a playmaker, of the linebacker core this last year, he made the most big plays at the time they were most needed.

I will tell you this, I would rather see a linebacker with more tackles than a safety, so having Williams be the tackle leader means improvement over last season.

[pbatrucker]

Michael Johnson ILB, North Alabama.
3rd or 4th rd talent that went undrafted because of were he played. From what I can find on him, he could be the proverbial diamond in the rough.

[Coach]

DJ will be big this year. I can feel it in my bones. This is his year! Crennel will do more for this defense than any single player we've drafted/added.

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[Chiefster]

DJ will be big this year. I can feel it in my bones. This is his year! Crennel will do more for this defense than any single player we've drafted/added.

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Feb. was his "commin out party". I believe, now more then ever, that he will play like he has something to prove; because he does IMO.