Is Ahmad Brooks the answer at OLB?

[NinerSickness]

Brooks has 1 year left on his contract, but he's looked like the best LB on the field all throughout practices, and he looked great against the first team in New Orleans...

I know preseason is meaningless, but the one thing Brooks has never lacked it's talent. Brooks is crazy talented & always has been. I always think he's one of the older guys, but the dude just turned 27. Maybe he's finally put it all together.

...by the way, I thought the Niners were gonna convert him to an ILB. Did I hear wrong?

Also, I wouldn't mind seeing him in as a DE on passing downs.

 

[49ermann]

he looked good last night. He came around the edge and put pressure on the QB. I hope he can stay healthy and put it together on a consistent level.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

I think he is. My only problem is he hasn't been the undisputed starter and played starter snaps for an entire season at OLB for us. I'm hoping this season he gets to do just that. If he does I think he can get 10 sacks and give us one of the better tandems in the league.

 

[CalamityX11]

As far as the other ILB spot, I think right now that's Bowman's to lose.

With Brooks athletic ability he may be able to cover more or do more as an OLB vs Aldon(nickname!) and/or Parys.

 

[NinerSickness]

I think his success will have a lot to do with whether Baalke is smart enough to build a dominant D-line or not. He needs to learn from Belichick. Bill understands where the battle is won or lost on D.

 

[MW49ers5]

I think he is. My only problem is he hasn't been the undisputed starter and played starter snaps for an entire season at OLB for us. I'm hoping this season he gets to do just that. If he does I think he can get 10 sacks and give us one of the better tandems in the league.

I am big on Brooks and I agree with this

 

[clyde_carbon]

He'll be a decent starter, but I don't he's the "answer", no.

 

[Dodub]

I would be upset if they didn't keep him in the future, he and Aldon will make a great combo IMO.

 

[numone9er]

He'll be a decent starter, but I don't he's the "answer", no.

Right on the money. I like what i saw from him yesterday, but he hasn't shown he can get constant pressure over the stretch of an NFL season and has some work to do as far as coverage goes. He looked better against the run, but again this is only preseason.

 

[maniax]

I actually think our D is just fine.

The starting Saints offense didn't go anywhere, they had a bunch of 3 and outs.

Whitner was real good, I think Goldson will bounce back if not Reggie Smith will be starting at FS.

Linebackers are set and I think the starting lineup will be Aldon - Willis - Bowman - Brooks

D line will be just fine, we'll get Soap back and Justin Smith will start on all downs and for the other 2 positions we'll cycle between Soap, RJF, and McDonald. It will be fine.

If others on the defense can draw attention (Willis, Aldon, Justin Smith) I think Brooks has enough talent to take advantage of getting less attention.
He could have a great year.

 

[maniax]

I actually think our D is just fine.

The starting Saints offense didn't go anywhere, they had a bunch of 3 and outs.

Whitner was real good, I think Goldson will bounce back if not Reggie Smith will be starting at FS.

Linebackers are set and I think the starting lineup will be Aldon - Willis - Bowman - Brooks

D line will be just fine, we'll get Soap back and Justin Smith will start on all downs and for the other 2 positions we'll cycle between Soap, RJF, and McDonald. It will be fine.

If others on the defense can draw attention (Willis, Aldon, Justin Smith) I think Brooks has enough talent to take advantage of getting less attention.
He could have a great year.

Forgot to add that overall, I am not worried at all about our defense. I actually think with the talent on the defense it's a top 10 defense.

I'm 1000 times more worried about our O-line and QB play. If we could just get that fixed!!! I think at the other skill positions on offense we finally have talent at those positions as well now with Gore, Vernon, Walker, Braylon and Crabtree.

This season is gonna make or break on the QB and O-line play.

 

[dasharpest1]

i didn't get to see the game. Where were the problem spots on the o-line? chilo & davis?

 

[maniax]

i didn't get to see the game. Where were the problem spots on the o-line? chilo & davis?

Basically everywhere. It was swiss cheese.

 

[MW49ers5]

Forgot to add that overall, I am not worried at all about our defense. I actually think with the talent on the defense it's a top 10 defense.

I'm 1000 times more worried about our O-line and QB play. If we could just get that fixed!!! I think at the other skill positions on offense we finally have talent at those positions as well now with Gore, Vernon, Walker, Braylon and Crabtree.

This season is gonna make or break on the QB and O-line play.

I agree with this entirely. I would add only the following, that I saw more 'hitting' and less 'tackling' than I like to see.

 

[vvoland]

I agree with this entirely. I would add only the following, that I saw more 'hitting' and less 'tackling' than I like to see.

agreed. but it is preseason. that should improve as we go along. and i don't think brooks' play has warranted 'the answer' tag, but i do think aldon will be starting at OLB for the next decade. brooks/haralson/et al can cover the TEs. aldon will just need to pin his ears back. get after the QB while keeping containment and being careful w/ the run to his side. he was 3 for 3 last night. i'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but the saints had no answer for aldon, he was held on virtually every play. its preseason so the refs won't call it that often [also why a davis was only flagged for 1 false start, he also had like 5] and our coaches aren't working the refs for those calls, but he was held on virtually every rush. his jersey was always pulled, shoulder pads popping out, etc... he's verrrry impressive and is 'the answer' at 1 of the OLB spots.

 

[FourBeeDen]

There was one statement about Brooks from the broadcasters during the game that piqued my interest. They said that last year he suffered a lacerated kidney in the pre-season. This caused me to re-think the way he played last year. I am not sure whether that injury some what hampered him all of last season but it's worth to see how he plays this season compared to last.

 

[RedneckNiner]

I am not ready to Anoint Brooks as the answer based on one preseason game. He looked good yes but I want to see it carry into the regular season. After watching the game twice last night we really need to get the offensive line working.

 

[NinerSickness]

I am not ready to Anoint Brooks as the answer based on one preseason game.

Neither am I. I'm encouraged by how well he's been performing in practice and in the one game though.

 

[CalamityX11]

I wouldn't say he's the answer but by default he's our OLB covering Manny's role & more for the start of the season. Unless we want to try and move Bowman out there.

 

[mem49er]

i didn't get to see the game. Where were the problem spots on the o-line? chilo & davis?

Problems all over, but Staley stuck out as especially bad. Alex was getting dropped from the blind side on almost every drop. Staley gave up at least 3 quick QB pressures/hits. I saw Davis pull the Matador on Will Smith once as well.