I know a lot of the hatred for our starting LBs is mostly from what they showed last year, but I have rewatched the series from the first preseason game for the third time, focusing on just the linebackers. They didnt stand out as far as making big plays, but they played fast and were very active. We can win with all 3 of them and have a very good defense. There were a couple of missed tackles, but Misi was in god position almost every time. I think we need to give them more of a chance and see what they do in this defense and in their new positions. I have never been a fan of Wheeler, but lets at least see what he does week one in a real game.
Jordan Tripp
- Thread starter MarinoEqualsGod
- Start date
I'd be more willing to give them a chance if they weren't also always in position all of last year and still utterly and completely failed to make plays. This is nothing new for them.
Not necessarily a lock, but he has shown enough that he would be an extremely difficult cut.
KTOWNFINFAN
Seasoned Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 7,426
- Reaction score
- 2,440
I believe our 1st stringe LBs were the one that gave up that 76 yard rushing play that was called back. I know it was Misi that whiffed on the tackle and was completely out of position.
KTOWNFINFAN
Seasoned Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 7,426
- Reaction score
- 2,440
The only way McCain doesn't make the final 53 is if he gets hurt or gets in trouble. His potential is off the charts, great instincts, the best pass rushing LB on the team, and probably already the best cover LB as well. I don't think there has been a day that I haven't seen his name come up in camp for making a play behind the LOS or breaking up a pass. If we tried to stash this guy on the PS he would last exactly one second before he was GONE. They are bringing him along slowly but by the 4th preseason game people will see what I was talking about after the draft when picked him up. I've been watching this kid since his 10th grade year in HS, if he keeps his head in the game, he will become a play maker, household name. Go ahead and laugh if you want, I was laughed at when I said it about Wake too, so I'm used to it.
Dr. Phin
Scout Team
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2008
- Messages
- 8,346
- Reaction score
- 66
That's what happens when you look at "measureables"...instead of looking for "football players".
He whiffed on the tackle, I don't know if he blew the assignment necessarily. Was that the one where an obvious holding call brought it back, or was it something else?
My fingers are crossed. Great linebackers can make everyone look better. It would be amazing to have an athletic freak able to cover for once. Does anyone remember when we could truly stop a TE? If he's the better player than Wheeler; you play him. Who cares if that's one pricey bench warmer... Same thing with Tripp, young players will take their mental lumps but in end maybe the experience will help them grow and develop. We can only wish I guess, it is the nfl, you never know... Especially since were the Dolphins we know the starting 3 will remain the same
Tripp could play any of the 3 lb positions.
Even IF the young LBs showed well enough to start, Ellerbe's and Wheeler's contracts are fully guaranteed this season. They'd at least stay as backups.
Last edited by a moderator:
Good to see you getting passionate about an undrafted free agent. You must really like him. I hope that you are right. I haven't seen many of his plays and didn't realize his natural instincts were as strong as you indicate. Thanks for explaining.
It is pretty rare for a College Head Coach to kick his best player right off the team with zero explanation. I presume that the Cal Coach had good reason and hopefully Chris learned his lesson. Do you know the nature of the transgression to cause an immediate exit? Drugs? Violence? Depravity? How difficult do you think it will it be to keep McCain on the straight and narrow? There is a reason no NFL team drafted him. Is there a possible mental health issue below the surface eg Incognito, and an implosion is inevitable? After last year's bullygate disaster, the Dolphins are not the team that wants to roll the dice on another prospective sociopath out of control in the lockerroom, regardless of talent. Even Belichick may be wary after Hernandez.
Last edited by a moderator:
Chubby
SUPERFAN
I honestly dont mind getting Tripp and McCain more playing time on the field.. Can they really be any worse then what we have out there? Seriously? At minimum it would be refreshing to finally have LB's with some instincts.
Chubbs
Chubbs
Wishfishin
Waterboy
From NFL website 9-30-13:
California has dismissed junior defensive end Chris McCain, citing "conduct detrimental to the team" in a terse one-sentence statement.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound McCain had long been one of the most mercurial talents on the Golden Bear roster, with the athleticism to take over games (four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks in last season's upset win over UCLA) and the immaturity to disappear from them.
McCain had 11 tackles and one forced fumble in three games this season, starting two as a defensive end in Cal's new 4-3 defense. McCain earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition last season after posting 8.5 tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks last season as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
McCain clashed with strength and conditioning coach Mike Blasquez over the summer, BearTerritory.net reported, while his propensity for exaggerating injuries became a running joke among teammates and fans.
McCain has legitimate NFL talent, but he has never been able to fully tap into it. This embarrassing and public rebuke might be the wake-up call needed to fully harness it, either by transferring and redshirting before playing his senior season or dropping down to a lower level of competition and playing immediately next season.
California has dismissed junior defensive end Chris McCain, citing "conduct detrimental to the team" in a terse one-sentence statement.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound McCain had long been one of the most mercurial talents on the Golden Bear roster, with the athleticism to take over games (four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks in last season's upset win over UCLA) and the immaturity to disappear from them.
McCain had 11 tackles and one forced fumble in three games this season, starting two as a defensive end in Cal's new 4-3 defense. McCain earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition last season after posting 8.5 tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks last season as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
McCain clashed with strength and conditioning coach Mike Blasquez over the summer, BearTerritory.net reported, while his propensity for exaggerating injuries became a running joke among teammates and fans.
McCain has legitimate NFL talent, but he has never been able to fully tap into it. This embarrassing and public rebuke might be the wake-up call needed to fully harness it, either by transferring and redshirting before playing his senior season or dropping down to a lower level of competition and playing immediately next season.
FinSince1971
FinSince1971
Cracks me up to see all this info on McCain. I dvr'd the game and just had the chance to watch it on Sunday morning. So I'm sitting there watching the second half, looking to see who our backups and developmentals look, and all I'm taking note of besides Will Davis making a play on every ball thrown his way is McCain all over the place, hitting everybody and standing out like a sore thumb. After watching Wheeler run around and continue to do absolutely nothing, this kid is a sight for sore eyes. Trust the coaches see exactly what we all saw. Standby.