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View Full Version : Josh Mallard as a Middle Linebacker!



Npba900
07-12-2008, 11:32 AM
I had just a thought....maybe more so for conversation. After watching Mallard play at DT last season, based on his hustle and perseverance, would Mallard perhaps be better suited to play middle linebacker?

At 6'2-265, he's too small to be a DT (IMHO), but has the size and strength to shed blockers as a linebacker! I think he's been playing out of position his entire NFL career.

Mallard may not have the speed and agility to be an every down Middle Linebacker.......however, I believe he could provide much needed size/weight and tenacity at the MLB spot for Denver.

SR
07-12-2008, 01:21 PM
We've got much needed size and tenacity at Mike with Niko.

turftoad
07-12-2008, 01:32 PM
We've got much needed size and tenacity at Mike with Niko.

SR, until Niko proves himself, we have nothing.

Magnificent Seven
07-12-2008, 01:52 PM
DJ Williams, Nate Jackson, Boss Bailey would look good. If they switch to 4-3 defense

Dean
07-12-2008, 02:06 PM
I had just a thought....maybe more so for conversation. After watching Mallard play at DT last season, based on his hustle and perseverance, would Mallard perhaps be better suited to play middle linebacker?

At 6'2-265, he's too small to be a DT (IMHO), but has the size and strength to shed blockers as a linebacker! I think he's been playing out of position his entire NFL career.

Mallard may not have the speed and agility to be an every down Middle Linebacker.......however, I believe he could provide much needed size/weight and tenacity at the MLB spot for Denver.

Before anyone on this board can answer the question whether he is better suited to play MLB several other questions must be answered. What kind of coverage skills does he have? Can he instantaneously read and react? What kind of closing speed does he have? Does he have the loose hips necessary to change directions quickly? Why wouldn't a coach have noticed before now that he had these skills?

I have more questions about him as a LB but I think that these make my point. Because he has the size of 4-3 OLB does not mean that he can play that position much less a 4-3 ILB.

He may not have the speed and agility to be an any down ILB. I am not trying to be arguementative but it seems unrealitic to me.

shank
07-12-2008, 02:24 PM
DJ Williams, Nate Jackson, Boss Bailey would look good. If they switch to 4-3 defense

:confused:

Npba900
07-12-2008, 02:33 PM
Before anyone on this board can answer the question whether he is better suited to play MLB several other questions must be answered. What kind of coverage skills does he have? Can he instantaneously read and react? What kind of closing speed does he have? Does he have the loose hips necessary to change directions quickly? Why wouldn't a coach have noticed before now that he had these skills?

I have more questions about him as a LB but I think that these make my point. Because he has the size of 4-3 OLB does not mean that he can play that position much less a 4-3 ILB.

He may not have the speed and agility to be an any down ILB. I am not trying to be arguementative but it seems unrealitic to me.

Great points Dean. Mallard may not be the answer at DT at only 265Lbs. My wish is that Shanahan could find a spot for him b/c of his high motor and never say quit attitude.

SR
07-12-2008, 03:06 PM
One thing I do like about Mallard is his speed. He does have the ability on definite passing downs to drop back in between the hash marks and play a zone. He's smallish to be an every down tackle and probably not fast enough to play LB on our 4-3 defense, but he's versatile enough to be able to fit somewhere on some downs and in some situations.

SR
07-12-2008, 03:06 PM
SR, until Niko proves himself, we have nothing.

You're absolutely right toad, but I've got that feeling about Niko.

Requiem / The Dagda
07-12-2008, 03:30 PM
Mallad is more fit for a straight jacket than a place on the football field. Ever seen his Broncos picture? Good Lord, the spawn of Charlie Mansen cometh.

Lonestar
07-12-2008, 03:37 PM
One thing I do like about Mallard is his speed. He does have the ability on definite passing downs to drop back in between the hash marks and play a zone. He's smallish to be an every down tackle and probably not fast enough to play LB on our 4-3 defense, but he's versatile enough to be able to fit somewhere on some downs and in some situations.

so lets keep a runt in case we have thse situations 8-10 times a year? Did I understand you correctly?

LAst year we had very few options this year many more..

SR
07-12-2008, 03:43 PM
so lets keep a runt in case we have thse situations 8-10 times a year? Did I understand you correctly?

LAst year we had very few options this year many more..

One of our best defensive players is a runt. Who is to say that Mallard, who is 6'2" and hardly a runt, doesn't find a place to fit in? If he's not good enough to make the team, then he doesn't make the team and it's nothing. But, if he does make the team he'll be a certain down and certain play call player. That's all I'm saying. And this year we don't really have any more options at tackle than we did last year. Robertson is a walking injury. Aside from him, it's pretty much the same at tackle.

Lonestar
07-12-2008, 03:47 PM
One of our best defensive players is a runt. Who is to say that Mallard, who is 6'2" and hardly a runt, doesn't find a place to fit in? If he's not good enough to make the team, then he doesn't make the team and it's nothing. But, if he does make the team he'll be a certain down and certain play call player. That's all I'm saying. And this year we don't really have any more options at tackle than we did last year. Robertson is a walking injury. Aside from him, it's pretty much the same at tackle.

@265 he is a runt @ DT.. not fast enough to Play LB nor DE..

I hope he makes the team on merit, not because that was all we had as an option..

SR
07-12-2008, 03:53 PM
@265 he is a runt @ DT.. not fast enough to Play LB nor DE..

I hope he makes the team on merit, not because that was all we had as an option..

He is a runt at DT. I won't argue with that. And he's probably not fast enough to play LB. He's at a kind of in-between size. If he packed on about 25 lbs of muscle, he'd be a solid DT.

Lonestar
07-12-2008, 04:22 PM
He is a runt at DT. I won't argue with that. And he's probably not fast enough to play LB. He's at a kind of in-between size. If he packed on about 25 lbs of muscle, he'd be a solid DT.


DT @290 still not what I'm looking for but IF he makes the team on merit then I have no issues other than we should be looking on day one in the draft to replace him..

shank
07-12-2008, 04:30 PM
i like mallard. he's our engelberger at DT. he had 3.5 sacks from the DT position in limited time in 8 games on a terrible line last year, mind you.

until someone with a better combo of talent and effort shows up, i'm happy to have mallard out there at DT, and his size is less of an issue with robertson and thomas as they should be able to hold down the NT position.

Nature Boy
07-12-2008, 05:52 PM
Sorry but in a 4-3 defense. You need a fast Linebacker rather than big. Mallard can't play MLB in any defensive format in any league. Too slow.

dogfish
07-12-2008, 06:08 PM
IMO it makes a lot more sense to use him as a base end, if anything. . . i believe he played there some earlier in his career, and as dean pointed out, his skill set is most likely best suited as a lineman. . . i wouldn't mind keeping him over engelberger, as i think he is a similar player, but younger and more versatile. . .

Nature Boy
07-12-2008, 06:10 PM
6'2'' and 265lbs is a little short to play DE effectively. Only reason Dummerville can get away with it is he's got arms as long as someone who is 6'6''. Mallard will be a roster casualty.

The Hamburgler
07-12-2008, 06:33 PM
LMAO, Josh Mallard as a MLB. Not gonna happen.

The guy will never be a everydown lineman, but he does have a great motor. It was a welcome site last year over the likes of Antwan Burton, Sam Adams, and all of the other defensive linemen that we signed and cut during the year.

SR
07-12-2008, 07:07 PM
i like mallard. he's our engelberger at DT. he had 3.5 sacks from the DT position in limited time in 8 games on a terrible line last year, mind you.

until someone with a better combo of talent and effort shows up, i'm happy to have mallard out there at DT, and his size is less of an issue with robertson and thomas as they should be able to hold down the NT position.

There is no nose tackle in a 4-3.

Ziggy
07-12-2008, 07:18 PM
We've got much needed size and tenacity at Mike with Niko.

Don't count Larsen out just yet.

shank
07-12-2008, 07:34 PM
There is no nose tackle in a 4-3.

There is in many 4-3 schemes a designation between a nose tackle, one who can occupy two blockers and stuff the run, and an under tackle, who is more of a penetrator and can get upfield to try and get sacks and TFLs.

thomas and robertson both have the size and versatility to play either role.

and if you're correcting people, i don't know how you let these slide:


DJ Williams, Nate Jackson, Boss Bailey would look good. If they switch to 4-3 defense


Because he has the size of 4-3 OLB does not mean that he can play that position much less a 4-3 ILB.

topscribe
07-13-2008, 12:46 AM
Sorry but in a 4-3 defense. You need a fast Linebacker rather than big. Mallard can't play MLB in any defensive format in any league. Too slow.


One thing I do like about Mallard is his speed. He does have the ability on definite passing downs to drop back in between the hash marks and play a zone. He's smallish to be an every down tackle and probably not fast enough to play LB on our 4-3 defense, but he's versatile enough to be able to fit somewhere on some downs and in some situations.


Well, CoachScout (http://www.couchscout.com/dnvr.htm) has Mallard as slightly faster than Niko.

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SR
07-13-2008, 01:24 AM
Well, CoachScout (http://www.couchscout.com/dnvr.htm) has Mallard as slightly faster than Niko.

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You're right...faster by .05 of a second. Touche Topper.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-13-2008, 11:02 AM
Noway.....Better shot moving him to DE. He does not have the hips to turn and run down the line..

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-13-2008, 11:03 AM
This is Niko spot and hes going to prove he deserves it.

Jwalk - JayCutty6Goes - CasinoRoyal
07-13-2008, 11:06 AM
Oh and dont pay any attention to 40 times. Means nothing. Its all about game speed if you ask me. If you ever played the game you would know alot of players dont play up to there Track time. And alot of other guys get that adrenaline rush and play faster than there 40 time. Niko has been waiting for this chance for years. He brings the wood and he is very smart and athletic. If he is not our starting MLB then its probably by injury.

Inkana7
07-13-2008, 11:45 AM
Mallard played more DE last year than DT. A lot more.