Can anyone summarize our linebacker situation for at least the next game?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I guess Dirty Red Matakevich was next up for MLB, but he went out with a shoulder ... did Golden step in? And then did somehow Gay come in and play LB because communication was really bad?

I wonder how bad Dirty Red's shoulder is. Even at full strength, I'm not sure how reliable he is, I remember seeing him bite on a play action at the goal line and giving up a TD recently (GB game?). If he's out, I wonder what direction we'll go in ....

What do you guys think?

[Ernie]

This brings about a realization (coming into the season) that I was hoping would not come to light (lack of depth at ILB).

The two options that come to mind are L.J Forte and Arthur Moats. Moats played both positions in Buffalo, and that position flexibility is IMO one of the reasons he is still with us.

[williar]

Seriously, not trying to be funny, but can James Harrison play inside LB?

[Slapstick]

Well, here's what I'm thinking...

If both Matakevitch and Shazier are unavailable for the Ravens game, then I would assume we would go with Fort and possibly give some ILB reps to Arthur Moats in practice this week...maybe even some ILB reps to James Harrison, but he may simply stay outside with Chickillo...

William Gay came in as a LB/S on passing downs, which I think is doable in the short term...

[Slapstick]

Seriously, not trying to be funny, but can James Harrison play inside LB?

Prior to becoming a starter in 2007, Harrison was the top backup LB at three of the four spots, IIRC...

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I believe the thought is that James has zero coverage skills any more.

Any plays where that would not be a liability - he'll be in. But there probably aren't a lot of those ...

[williar]

I believe the thought is that James has zero coverage skills any more.

Any plays where that would not be a liability - he'll be in. But there probably aren't a lot of those ...

Man, they got to find something to do with this guy. What is he, an honorary team member or something? I love JH but I'm tired of looking at him in his grays, lifting weights. We need some of the tenacity on the field, somehow, some way.

[Oviedo]

The biggest challenge we have at ILB right now is that none of our healthy ILBs can cover a TE or RB. I expect our opponents will exploit that going forward

This is where we miss Timmons. VW has had a great season, far better than I anticipated, but he is not Timmons and even though he lost a step Timmons was still very athletic and do a decent job in pass coverage

[Ernie]

Man, they got to find something to do with this guy. What is he, an honorary team member or something? I love JH but I'm tired of looking at him in his grays, lifting weights. We need some of the tenacity on the field, somehow, some way.

I have yet to see anything this year in JH's very limited action that tells me he is a liability....and I agree, we need more than Ju Ju on the field (tenacity).

[Ernie]

The biggest challenge we have at ILB right now is that none of our healthy ILBs can cover a TE or RB. I expect our opponents will exploit that going forward

This is where we miss Timmons. VW has had a great season, far better than I anticipated, but he is not Timmons and even though he lost a step Timmons was still very athletic and do a decent job in pass coverage

Agreed 100% on Timmons. That's the only off season move that I was really down on, and was real vocal about at the time (on here).

[Ghost]

Here’s the linebacking crew depth chart (assuming Big Red doesn’t come back from his “undisclosed” shoulder injury):

LOLB: Dupree, Chickillo, Moats

LILB: Forte

RILB: Williams

ROLB: Watt, Harrison

[SidSmythe]

Moats sucks at OLB and I always thought he'd be a better ILB

[WB Tarleton]

Most likely scenario for short-term roster spots, promote Keith Kelsey from practice squad or maybe sign Sean Spence?

[steelerkeylargo]

Moats would back up both ILB positions and I assume the promote a PS player. If Mitchell is healthy I would consider playing him at that Dime LB position,

[Eddie Spaghetti]

lets not play revisionist history here

timmons struggled mightily in coverage

matakavich was always gonna be a weak link as a starter