Starter out of Pope, Hodge, Spragan, Moore?

[circumstances]

Out of these four OLB's, who do you think gets the start on opening day (not taking into account possible free agent signings)?

Ideally Eddie Moore would show up healthy and big-time in training camp and pre-season and win the job outright. As the highest draft choice and the player with the highest pedigree out of the group, it would be nice to see him merit his draft position and flash some serious talent. I'm not incredibly optimistic about this happening, but it would be the most satisfying turn of events at the OLB position. I like D. Pope, Spragan is a savvy vet and hard worker, and I know little about Sedrick Hodge. What do you guys think?

 

[DolfanISS]

Well between Hodge and Spragan I've read Spragan is smarter and more polished but Hodge has more ability. I'd also like to see Moore stay healthy and compete. When he played he was pretty good, the guy can run. Pope seems like a reliable backup who has filled in nicely when called upon.

All that being said, Spragan is the safest, but if Hodge or Moore could emerge we could end up being better off. Like I said, I see Pope as a backup.

 

[SweetLou]

I still see Spragan coming out the winner. He is bright and u need to be in order to learn our system on defense. Hodge has a lot more speed and athletic ability so I see us bringing him in on 3rd and long to put pressure on the QB or drop back into coverage.

 

[Doakle]

Pope cant play the sam role in our scheme, I actually like him a great deal, but he is limited to backing up Crowder and Zach due to his size.

Eddie Moore obviously needs to find a way to be healthy, like Pope though he is only really a fit at will, and Crowder has that spot locked up.

Spragan would be my pick to open up at sam, he isnt much athletically, but he doesnt get out of position and does the basics. He is limited to first and second down though really due to his athleticism.

As for Hodge? Who knows. Could suddenly wake up to the fact he is a big athletic linebacker, or he could continue being an ok backup/special teamer.

 

[circumstances]

Can Crowder play the strong side and give Eddie Moore a chance at the weak side, if that is his natural position?

 

[gmoney]

i think if we stay with the 3-4 our linebakcers would be thomas and hodge on the inside, crowder on one side and hopefully moore on the ohter if he stays healthy..

 

[derek]

In 3-4, the best pass rusher of the bunch is probably Hodge. In 4-3, Spragan fits the bill. Who knows what we have in Moore. Pope is listed on NFL.com as an OLB, but I've only seen him play on ST and that brief stint filling in for Zach.

 

[PhinFan0202]

Hodge is a big outside linebacker that fits the mold of what we are trying to do. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Hodge will eventually become the starter.

 

[Regan21286]

Pope played well filling in for ZT as a starter so he's certainly capable. Hodge can pass rush but that's about it. Spragan can't cover that well and Moore's too injury-prone.

 

[FinNasty]

Out of those 4... Sparagan is clearly the best...

 

[GCD960]

i think if we stay with the 3-4 our linebakcers would be thomas and hodge on the inside, crowder on one side and hopefully moore on the ohter if he stays healthy..

Wheres Taylor in this equation?