HB Blades

by amkcaps on Nov 9, 2009 10:14 AM EST

Whenever people talk about moving Brian Orakpo to the line, a major argument is that we dont have a linebacker to replace him. Well I think that HB Blades is the kind of player who is ready to step up to the big time. His stats dont say much this season: 9 solo tackles and 5 assists this season. But the heart that he puts into every game is incredible. He makes good plays on Special Teams, and is a good cover back on D. So, to my untrained eye, he seems to be ready to go. A linebacker corps of McIntosh, Fletcher and Blades is one I could get excited about.... Thoughts?

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I thought HB was brought in to play MLB

in another post, I said something about Henson playing SLB so Orakpo could get down. But now that I think about it, HB does have that fire and passion that a LB should have.

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 9, 2009 10:26 AM EST reply actions

Blades can be that guy for sure...

He’s small, but he’s been behind London long enough to know how to run this D

by Kevin Ewoldt on Nov 9, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I think HB has been hurt

until recently; otherwise we would have seen more of him. Nice to see Rocky get that intercept, though.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Nov 9, 2009 11:57 AM EST reply actions

I agree fully

he was impressive yesterday. And to talk about heart, the man had arthroscopic knee surgery over the bye, but still suited up and played hard. He’s a Man in my book.

by CarverM on Nov 9, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions

not too many of those on this team

He’s a Man in my book.

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 9, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I'll take Blades or Henson

Someone other than career DEs Orakpo and Wilson in open coverage, PLEASE!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvIX3S0f-2c&feature=player_embedded

by VA_Skin on Nov 9, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply actions

Blades

Blades played a few games last year at SLB when Marcus Washington was hurt/out. I recall Cedric Benson getting around him for 75 yards last year and thinking that HB should not be playing there…..but I see now that Cedric is doing that to everyone. HB has earned a chance to win the SLB position after what we saw this week.

by liger99 on Nov 9, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions

HB

is the stickiest tackler on the team after London.

TTB!

by Ach on Nov 9, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions

just like a good LB should

SpotieOtieDopalicious

by Rekka on Nov 9, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

He's the perfect backup and eventual replacement for London.

But his small size makes it hard for him to see over the line and pursue on outside runs.

by SSBlitz on Nov 9, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions

Like everyone else, I agree

Seeing Orakpo get two sacks yesterday just proved that he is most effective as the full time pass rusher. Even though Carter has 6.5 sacks (I don’t think Carter got a sack yesterday did he?) Orakpo has 5.5, and is probably our best pass rusher, especially when you consider the amount of time he’s spent as a LB.

Add this to the list of things this coaching staff has done to hurt the team.

by bigrm18 on Nov 9, 2009 5:14 PM EST reply actions

Two problems

First, HB Blades is a middle linebacker. Yes, it’s still a linebacker, but it is completely different working inside v outside.
Second, you really don’t want Blades and Fletcher starting next to each other. Yes, they both play bigger than their size, but once you have two under-sized guys out there, you’re begging TEs to rape the middle of your offense.
I don’t want Orakpo as a LB, but until we get someone who can play that position, it’s the best we’ve got.
Anyway, it’s clear that once Fletcher retires, Blades is going to take over for him at MLB. We may as well keep him as the understudy for that role rather than asking him to learn a different position. Even if it would make a difference, this season’s lost. Time to work on the future, and that means making Blades the best MLB he can be.

"One-on-one? You can't." -Gilbert Arenas
JC Bandwagon all day!

by kseandoyle on Nov 9, 2009 7:41 PM EST reply actions