Evaluation of Defense: LBs

The most disappointing group of the team was the linebacker corps.

Zach Thomas

Zach only played in 5 games this season due to a combination of concussions and migraines. When he did play he was his usual self, albeit understandably a step slower. The problem is that Zach is past his prime and doesn't fit into the defense as well as he did in the Dave Wannstedt era. Parcells prefers bigger players, though Thomas' production speaks for itself.

Verdict: His 8 million dollar cap hit means he will have to either restructure or he'll get cut/traded. I would hope they could squeeze a late round pick out of a guy who can still be productive if he isn't the focal point of the defense. If not, I would rather let him loose and save the money, letting a younger guy fill in his place. I love Zach and everything he has done for the franchise, but at this point he won't win a title with us. In fact, I would rather he just retire, because the injuries are beginning to pile up and there is a risk of permanent damage to his health.

Channing Crowder

He was drafted under Nick Saban as the heir apparent to Thomas at MLB. Initially he played OLB to learn in the NFL and did admirably as a rookie. However, he hasn't really progressed much in the NFL, and isn't a playmaker at MLB. He's not a bad player, but he can't be the leader of your LB corps if you expect to win Super Bowls.

Verdict: I believe he is still on his rookie contract so he needs to stay, but I wouldn't expect him to be around in the long-term if he doesn't improve.

Joey Porter

Our big free agent splash was a big free agent bust. Joey did a lot of talking and took 3/4th of the season to start backing it up. It's clear he isn't the same guy he was in Pittsburgh, but towards the end of the year he finally started making some plays.

Verdict: He'll be around for at least a year before he is asked to restructure or is cut. If he plays all 16 games next year like he did the end of this season, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in 2009 though.

Donnie Spragan

He's not terrible, but you forget he is in the game. Doesn't really do anything to change the game and is nothing more than a backup.

Verdict: You can find players with similar skill sets at a cheaper price and with more potential.

Derrick Pope

I've always had a soft spot for Derrick, whose energy I liked coming in from Alabama. However, he is way undersized for a Parcells defense and he is a special teams contributer at best.

Verdict: Probably won't be back. Expect him to be part of the huge roster turnover coming this offseason.

Kelvin Smith and Edmund Miles

I bunch these two together because they are rookies who were brought in as potential gems. Smith was a 7th round pick and Miles was an undrafted free agent. I mention this because they didn't do much to stand out and we passed on former Gator Brandon Siler in the 7th round, twice picking other linebackers. Siler wasn't a starter, but his contributions to a Chargers defense now playing in the AFC title game would have been appreciated on this defense.