Keith Rivers MLB?

[whokevjones]

Hi first time poster but i've reading this site since last years draft. I just have one observation i wanted to see your view points on it. Everyone says that Rivers is WLB and not a MLB. I think he would be a great WLB but also would be a great fit for a MLB in the Tampa 2. Can someone tell me what i'm missing about him

[Paranoidmoonduck]

Rivers could probably play all three spots in a Tampa 2 scheme. He isn't the strongest guy and while he works through traffic fairly well, he isn't a earth mover, so putting at SLB in a conventional 4-3 or MLB without a good pair of defensive tackles in front of him might be asking for some trouble, but he's a very natural linebacker. His versatility is one of the reasons I like him so much as a prospect.

[ThePudge]

Rivers is on the rise, mainly because through the Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Day and various interviews, he has shown/said he could play basically any Linebacker position. I don't buy him as a 3-4 OLB, but I could see him as an ILB in the 3-4 or possibly MLB in the 4-3 if he had to be. I think the most ideal position is the Will in the 4-3 though.

[ChezPower4]

I think Rivers can play both and would be just fine, he would also be fine in a 3-4 scheme even though i think that the 3-4 doesn't play well to his strengths. Hes great athletism so naturaly and with his speed he makes a great chase LB also known as a Will. I think he might get a little over drafted but he is a good player and should be an automatic upgrade to any team that selects him.

[yourfavestoner]

He's a lot like Jonathan Vilma in the fact that he's got great instincts to match his athleticism. Combine that with his solid size (he's about an inch taller and ten pounds heavier than Vilma) and you could conceivably play him at any position in a 4-3 scheme - provided that you've got the right personnel around him. Personally, I like him as a MLB just as much as a WLB - especially if you've got some good defensive tackles to keep blockers off of him.

He's essentially a Vilma/Briggs clone for me. Remember that Briggs was a MLB who moved outside because the Bears already had Urlacher. He'd likely be a more than capable MLB.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

He's a lot like Jonathan Vilma in the fact that he's got great instincts to match his athleticism. Combine that with his solid size (he's about an inch taller and ten pounds heavier than Vilma) and you could conceivably play him at any position in a 4-3 scheme - provided that you've got the right personnel around him. Personally, I like him a

Imagine him paired right next to Vilma. *crosses fingers*

[diabsoule]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Imagine him paired right next to Vilma. *crosses fingers*

I was thinking that same thing. I hope that we are able to land him.

[asmitty45]

if he can play the middle id love to have a guy like that next to ernie sims

[CC.SD]

Originally Posted by asmitty45

if he can play the middle id love to have a guy like that next to ernie sims

If he falls to Detroit, that's a no brainer. Automatic, even for Millen.

[BlindSite]

Jon Beason was never expected to play middle linebacker but he was the best 43 linebacker taken in last years draft by a country mile and has excelled in the middle.

There's still a bit of a non-sequitar in NFL draftnik circles that see a big difference needed in size between a MLB and WLB which isn't the case. for arguments sake in Minnesota behind two mammoth DTs Rivers would be a probowl calibre MLB.

In Cincinnati behind two middle of the road (see: bad) DTs he'd get busted in traffic and not be as productive.

It depends where he's going and who's around him just as much as it does his skill set.

[CC.SD]

Originally Posted by BlindSite

Jon Beason was never expected to play middle linebacker but he was the best 43 linebacker taken in last years draft by a country mile and has excelled in the middle.

There's still a bit of a non-sequitar in NFL draftnik circles that see a big difference needed in size between a MLB and WLB which isn't the case. for arguments sake in Minnesota behind two mammoth DTs Rivers would be a probowl calibre MLB.

In Cincinnati behind two middle of the road (see: bad) DTs he'd get busted in traffic and not be as productive.

It depends where he's going and who's around him just as much as it does his skill set.

I've always thought the biggest difference between WLB and MLB is pursuit angle responsibilities. The Will is always gonna have to be a more athletic guy to chase down plays from behind, whereas the action comes to the MLB quite a bit more.

Obviously there's a million other differences, but I think that's why a lot of the times good WLB's can make the jump pretty easily ala Beason.




and yes, Vilma next to Rivers would be awesome. I think Dan Morgan will have a pretty big impact too, but it's not like Fujita is a scrub.

Why aren't the Saints trying to snag Lito Sheppard? They're so, so close to being a good defense.

[Paranoidmoonduck]

I think weakside guys make the jump easier because, typically, the job is easier. They are responsible for less of the field, have to deal with less traffic, and aren't required to do things that would make them over pursue as often. Rookie weakside linebackers likes Thomas Howard were able to come in, and simply by proxy of being to able to stay home in their gap and tackle reliably, were successes right off the bat. Finding a middle linebacker who can read and react at a professional level and has the instincts and ability to make it work as a rookie is typically harder.

[d34ng3l021]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Imagine him paired right next to Vilma. *crosses fingers*

Lets not do it, and pretend as if we did. That would be terrible.

And really Paranoid? I dont agree with that. I think the transition between MLB in college and the NFL is pretty easy and thats why we so much success in rookie MLB or ILBs (Willis, Ryan, Tatupu, Beaston)

[D-Rod]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

Imagine him paired right next to Vilma. *crosses fingers*

What, next to him on the bench with a knee injury? I didn't think that Rivers had injury problems...

Sorry, just a Falcons fan who is also moderately concerned about the impact of a healthy Vilma...

[Flyboy]

So says the team that will probably get Glenn Dorsey in the draft. Eat me. :(

[MetSox17]

Keith Rivers = DJ Williams?