2014 Offseason: Linebackers

Post #1 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:37 pm

A lot of question marks here. Brian Orakpo was tagged, so he's probably not going to go anywhere. It's in the team's best interest to get a long term deal w/him b/c there's no way he is worth the $11+ million per year that his tag is valued at.

Outside Linebacker:

Presumably they will role with Orakpo and Kerrigan as the starters. I would assume they will bring back Rob Jackson and they drafted Brandon Jenkins last season. So I don't think they are going to do much when it comes to finding someone w/in free agency, they've got the starters and might add a couple of more players for depth and special teams purposes.

Inside Linebacker:

There's already been reports that Perry Riley has been re-signed to a 3 year deal worth about $13 million. Riley's contract is apparently for about $4 mil a year, roughly. They have Keenan Robinson on the roster but he has barely played due to back to back season ending injuries. A lot of work to be done here.

My targets:

Brandon Spikes - 2 down player, a beast against the run bit a liability against the pass. I would definitely bring him into the fold and would probably be my top target for the position. Only 26 years of age and he would fit well for this team.

Daryl Smith from the Ravens. If you can get him on a 2 or 3 year deal, it would be a nice signing for the team. He's 31.

Draft wise? Expect to hear Christian Jones' name a lot over the next 6 weeks or so. He could be a target in the 4th or 5th round.

Chris Borland from Wisconsin is another name to keep your eye on, though he's a bit on the small side, maybe 6 feet tall. Could be there in the 3rd round.

Both those guys are inside linebackers, and I could see them drafting one for depth and teams purposes.

Post #2 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 8:44 pm

Adam Heyward was signed to a 3 year deal. Depth and a special teams guy. Bruce Allen and Doug Williams were the ones who scouted and brought him into Tampa.

Post #3 » by **LyricalRico** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:29 pm

Rafael122 wrote:Adam Heyward was signed to a 3 year deal. Depth and a special teams guy. Bruce Allen and Doug Williams were the ones who scouted and brought him into Tampa.

Don't know much about him, but nice to have real special teams guys again instead of guys who don't really want to be there.

Post #4 » by **Rafael122** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:00 pm

Akeem Jordan was signed to a 1 year deal also. Solid player, depth at the linebacker position as well as another special teams guy. It seems like Orakpo/Kerrigan/Riley are our starters with guys like Sharpton, Heyward, and Jordan providing depth.

Still got Jenkins there as well, and hopefully they bring back Rob Jackson, he was solid while Orakpo was out.

Post #5 » by **Rafael122** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 5:35 pm

Rob Jackson was signed, presumably a 1 year deal. Good depth at the linebacking position.

Post #6 » by **LyricalRico** » Fri Apr 4, 2014 7:52 pm

Rafael122 wrote:Rob Jackson was signed, presumably a 1 year deal. Good depth at the linebacking position.

Are any of them good in coverage?

Post #7 » by **Rafael122** » Mon Apr 7, 2014 1:50 pm

LyricalRico wrote:
Rafael122 wrote:Rob Jackson was signed, presumably a 1 year deal. Good depth at the linebacking position.

Are any of them good in coverage?

Jackson is for sure, not sure about the others, at the end of the day they could be special teamers.