Bengals bringing Thomas Howard for a workout

[augustisback003]

I'm sorry to see Lamur injured but I would gladly welcome back Howard into the fold, if he passes his physical, as he was our best LB in 2011.

excerpt~

The Bengals are bringing in linebacker Thomas Howard this week to check on the ACL he tore a year ago, according to Geoff Hobson of the team's official website. Howard was the Bengals' leading tackler in 2011 and plays the same outside linebacker spot as Emmanuel Lamur, who went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. "If they think Howard can help, they won't do anything until next week." Hobson wrote.

AFC North Blog - ESPN

 

[DanBengalfan]

Happy Days!

 

[bengaldoug]

Cool............................

 

[cincygrad]

I'm sure our medical staff will get him back up to speed ASAP. Not a thing to worry about.

 

[bengaldoug]

I'm sure our medical staff will get him back up to speed ASAP. Not a thing to worry about.

LOL! You, sir, are a funny man......

 

[jwil007]

He will sign next Sunday night after the Chicago game IF he is healthy and he will be used as a backup all season to give him time to heal and get in football shape....

 

[CrashDavisSports]

He will sign next Sunday night after the Chicago game IF he is healthy and he will be used as a backup all season to give him time to heal and get in football shape....

If he is going to be a backup, there is honestly no reason to even have him on the roster.

 

[cincygrad]

If he is going to be a backup, there is honestly no reason to even have him on the roster.

Of course there is.... He won't be a starter in the base package (Rey, Burfict, Harrison), but would be a key player in the nickel - Assuming he's healthy.

 

[bengaldoug]

Howard was +7.0/505 snaps in pass coverage in 2011, so if healthy the potential impact in the nickel is obvious. God help us if Maualuga (-17.2/556 snaps in pass cov last year) has to be on the field in the nickel.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Of course there is.... He won't be a starter in the base package (Rey, Burfict, Harrison), but would be a key player in the nickel - Assuming he's healthy.

That is not a backup role. That is a main starter in a different package, which is what Lamur was tabbed to be. Just because he is not a starter in the base 4-3 package, does not mean he is not a starter.

Basically the coverage backer, and the nickle corner in my opinion are starters, because it is based on the package on whether or not they are starters. If you came out in one of those packages to start a game, those guys would be "classified" starters.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Regardless...this team needs a nickle LB. It's not going to be Harrison or Maualuga, or this defense is sunk in the nickle package.

 

[cincygrad]

That is not a backup role. That is a main starter in a different package, which is what Lamur was tabbed to be. Just because he is not a starter in the base 4-3 package, does not mean he is not a starter.

Basically the coverage backer, and the nickle corner in my opinion are starters, because it is based on the package on whether or not they are starters. If you came out in one of those packages to start a game, those guys would be "classified" starters.

The statistic 'games started' refers directly to who lines up on the first play. Its the same reason why Dunlap is never listed as a starter.

Aside from a special teams specialist like Rey, there are very few linebackers that don't play in some common package (base, nickel, etc.).

 

[CrashDavisSports]

The statistic 'games started' refers directly to who lines up on the first play. Its the same reason why Dunlap is never listed as a starter.

Aside from a special teams specialist like Rey, there are very few linebackers that don't play in some common package (base, nickel, etc.).

Not really.

If the team is a 4-3 base, they usually have one extra specialist LB that does a certain job, pass coverage or run stuffing.

A base 3-4 usually has the run stuffer or the pass stuffer already starting.

Therefore, I think there are about 4 starting LB's on a team.

If Howard is hired to be the first LB in on passing downs, then he is a starter in my opinion.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Unless Howard starts in the base 4-3 he isn't a starter. That isn't a debatable stats. It's a fact.

 

[Cincyfan78]

It's semantics. Who the heck really cares?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Unless Howard starts in the base 4-3 he isn't a starter. That isn't a debatable stats. It's a fact.

Fine. Fact it up all you want.

In my opinion, if Howard is in that role, he is a starter to me, not a backup. If you want to call that a backup, as that exact role, then I suppose I am cool with him in that role. If he is not the first man out when in passing situations, and he is behind the guy that is doing that job, there is no point at all in having him on the roster.

 

[cincygrad]

Fine. Fact it up all you want.

In my opinion, if Howard is in that role, he is a starter to me, not a backup. If you want to call that a backup, as that exact role, then I suppose I am cool with him in that role. If he is not the first man out when in passing situations, and he is behind the guy that is doing that job, there is no point at all in having him on the roster.

Except of course the fact that he is cheap and he knows the system. There would be no downside at all to hire him if he's healthy. It's not like he's taking the position of a young guy that we would lose by keeping Howard at the spot.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Except of course the fact that he is cheap and he knows the system. There would be no downside at all to hire him if he's healthy. It's not like he's taking the position of a young guy that we would lose by keeping Howard at the spot.

But by keeping 10 OL (Roland), won't we have to release Rey or DiManche in order to make room for him, or not? Unless of course we are PUP'ing Whitworth.

 

[cincygrad]

We'd have to trim somewhere, but right now we are really light on linebackers -- Much lighter than you'd expect us to be for the season.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

We'd have to trim somewhere, but right now we are really light on linebackers -- Much lighter than you'd expect us to be for the season.

Where do you think we are trimming the fat then?