Originally posted by RavensBerns
Zach is a stand-out LB because he does everything he can do with his size as such a disadvantage. I put him in a class above Brookings et al.
Statistics don't tell the entire story. First, consider that Ray finished with nearly 200 tackles when in the first half of the year he was considered as having an off-year. Second, there is no stat that can read how often the defense tries running away from you or when the defense busts a play because you're in the way even though you don't get a tackle. Ray makes a difference in 70% of the plays on the field. He is everywhere, even if he's not making the tackle he's disrupting something.
This same arguement could be used for Zach, but I would add that Zach played a few games this season w/an ankle injury, and then missed 1 game w/a torn rotator cuff. I would also argue that even though they have the same stats that Ray plays w/a much better d-line, and lbs since Darryl and Rodgers went down. ZAch always is calling the plays befroe tehy happen, he is in on atleast 70% of the plays, and he usually a factor on every play. The last thing I have to say is it is ver hard to run away from a MLB, and if he was a good at reading plays as you say he is then no play would be run away from him.
