Roth

[RZA]

Very interesting to read that Roth is getting reps at LB. I wondered if he might fit into the pass-rushing OLB that the Trifecta like in a 4-3 defence when they came onboard as he has the size and the obligatory “non-stop motor” that they like but he’s not the quickest so can he do it?

The best comparison I can think of is Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was a similarly undersized DE when drafted and struggled for playing time at PITT and considered retiring. I remember the Pats signing hime and wondering why they would do that and next thing he gets converted to OLB and makes the Pro-Bowl. Parcells has history doing this (McGinest, Bruschi, Vrabel) and Roth could cut some bulk to improve speed & quickness (from OTA pics it looks like he already has).

I like this move and really hope Roth can make the switch as I think there is a very solid player in there somewhere. He definitely has the fire but the light needs to go on this season. It would also be nice to get some return on the 2nd rounder that Saban burned on this guy as some team will pick him up a make him productive (i.e. the Pats!).

What do you guys think? Can anyone find 40 times, wingspan etc for Roth and Vrabel for further analysis?

Matt Roth 6’4 272
Mike Vrabel 6’4 261

 

[13mademeafan13]

Vrabel is quicker and faster than Roth. Roth is to slow to be converted into an OLB

 

[RZA]

Ok so after some searching Roth ran a 4.85 40 at 280 lbs at the combine but reckoned he ran a 4.6 at 260lbs at Iowa.

What's the prototypical time for an OLB in the 4-3?

 

[greasyObnoxious]

4.6 would be just fine for an OLB, but we're talking about straight-line speed here. IMO he's a bit too stiff to be relied upon in coverage and he's not quite the natural pass-rusher to play rush LB. to me, his best position is base-end in the 4-3, but i've been wrong before.

 

[FORMER FIN1]

I just hope they use this guy to his potential. You can almost always tell the guys that are going to make it at the next level by how dominant they are in college. Dude was a man amongst boys at Iowa. Killed my Boilers.

 

[XXXSURTAINXXX]

Ok so after some searching Roth ran a 4.85 40 at 280 lbs at the combine but reckoned he ran a 4.6 at 260lbs at Iowa.

What's the prototypical time for an OLB in the 4-3?

4.8 speed isnt bad for a OLB in the 40. Instincts matter much more than speed.

Remember the first game of the season 2 years ago. When Porter intercepted C-Pep and scored. Remember JP was in a 3 point stand, then quickly jumped up into pass coverage.

Porter isn't fast either. Zach for that matter isn't fast...Just has great instincts.

 

[RZA]

I want to see more of this, dude drilled Manning...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHVhMATHxek

I hope we can find a spot for him. Says a lot about Saban's evaluation of college players when he burns a #1 on a guy with all the talent in the world but with s4it for brains (J. Allen) then a #2 on a guy who maybe just don't fit in the NFL (Roth).

The only pick he got value for was Ronnie which was a no-brainer and maybe Channing but he's another dummy who better step it up or ship out.
I'm so glad we've got Parcells

 

[IAFINFAN]

When Roth got to Iowa he was a highly rated LB'r that got everyone excited. Problem with his was he runs great straight ahead but as a LB'r took horrible angles at plays and always seemed to run his way out of plays. Best thing for him was the move to DE by coach Ferentz.

Moving him to OLB not sure it this is good or bad. If he is a big as reports say he is now I just can't see how he can be as fast as he was in college and after not playing LB'r for the last 5 years can't see how his running himself out of plays has changed and not it will be against NFL speed which is much different than he played against in college.

Being a Hawkeye fan I LOVED Matt Roth in college and was excited to see him play when Miami drafted him. For him to excell he needs to eith gain more weight and move inside the DL or stay where he is. Moving him to OLB might end Roth's tenor in Miami. Love him, but can't see him excelling at OLB in the NFL. Maybe he does, just don't see it. Hope I am wrong.

 

[FORMER FIN1]

When Roth got to Iowa he was a highly rated LB'r that got everyone excited. Problem with his was he runs great straight ahead but as a LB'r took horrible angles at plays and always seemed to run his way out of plays. Best thing for him was the move to DE by coach Ferentz.

Moving him to OLB not sure it this is good or bad. If he is a big as reports say he is now I just can't see how he can be as fast as he was in college and after not playing LB'r for the last 5 years can't see how his running himself out of plays has changed and not it will be against NFL speed which is much different than he played against in college.

Being a Hawkeye fan I LOVED Matt Roth in college and was excited to see him play when Miami drafted him. For him to excell he needs to eith gain more weight and move inside the DL or stay where he is. Moving him to OLB might end Roth's tenor in Miami. Love him, but can't see him excelling at OLB in the NFL. Maybe he does, just don't see it. Hope I am wrong.

Damn Hawkeyes. Just Kidding.

 

[willmode]

Matt Roth should get down to 265 so if the NFL does not work out for him he could fight heavyweight in MMA fights. I think he could take Kimbo no problem. I would rather him have a good football career then go to fight MMA.

 

[2413fanphins]

Vrabel is quicker and faster than Roth. Roth is to slow to be converted into an OLB

that settles it than... somebody get the FO on the phone and tell them of the time they are wasting.


seriously dude, give the guy some reps. Nobody and I mean NOBODY on these boards knows for a fact what roth can and can't do.
I've seen more than a few slow LBers get the job done. Hopefully, if they are indeed moving roth, he finds a way to accell.

 

[IAFINFAN]

Matt Roth should get down to 265 so if the NFL does not work out for him he could fight heavyweight in MMA fights. I think he could take Kimbo no problem. I would rather him have a good football career then go to fight MMA.

He was training with the Militich camp while back in Iowa to work on his speed and agilitiy last year. Didn't seem to workout for him last year although from reports he was beat up last year.

 

[FINS4LIFE16]

I just hope they use this guy to his potential. You can almost always tell the guys that are going to make it at the next level by how dominant they are in college. Dude was a man amongst boys at Iowa. Killed my Boilers.

come on...

 

[IAFINFAN]

come on...

Being a Hawk I have to agree. In college Roth dominated because he was so damn strong and just blew by people. In the NFL the oline force him to make 2 or 3 moves to get by them and he has struggled with this. He only played DE at Iowa for really 2 years so he was pretty green by the time he got to the NFL. If he is allowed to learn some more from Jason Taylor before he leaves and takes that to the field he could be a Kyle Vanden Bosch type of DF. Major difference between the two is arm length. One thing you can't say about ROTH is he doesn't go all balls. Man doesn't take plays off and will keep coming at you all day long. Won't quit. His motor is non-stop. I really hope he learns some other ways to get to the QB because he won't blow by many in the NFL as he did in college. Change in coaching staffs might have saved his career. Have a good feeling about him this year.