Quote:
Originally Posted by HPF Bob
I'm not sure that what they did in the combine is a fair comparison because Mario has had several seasons to be beat down by OTs and cut blocks. I'd guess some of his speed has already left him.
My point is that, the 3-4 edge rushing OLB has one job and that is to reach the QB and lay a hit as quickly as possible. Tenths of a second count. There ought to be faster guys than Mario who can do that job. What Mario brings to the table is extraordinary quickness for a big guy which means he is capable of beating big oafish tackles at the snap but that doesn't mean he has the pure speed to do what Ware and Merriman do/did.
Now, I can envision a scheme where Mario lines up outside the SLB and then either do a straight rush or a stunt which will force linemen to decide between stopping two speedy rushers and creating openings for either Mario or the LB to get a free shot at the QB.
But when you make Mario the LB, you defeat that strategy. IMO, he's best suited as a pure 4-3 DE and making him an OLB is as short-sighted as making him a NT.
There were several anecdotal reports that Mario wasn't happy about switching to a 3-4 and this is his last year under contract, meaning he'll be an FA next winter unless he is re-signed or franchised. I think Wade is doing a sales job to try to get Mario enthused about this but it's like selling some hottie on the idea of fitting into a size 3 dress when she's really a size 5. It may sound good in theory to talk her into it but once she tries on the dress, she'll realize it's not going to work out - not unless she takes off a lot of weight.
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Bob, if Mario is good at beating oafish tackles, then just who do you think he will be blocked by when he lines up outside in a 3-4?