Thread: LB/USC Rey Maualuga

Maualuga had a very productive true freshman season for USC in 2005. As a reserve inside linebacker, he tallied 37 tackles, 4.5 for loss, a sack and an interception. He stepped into a starting role as a sophomore, earning All Pac 10 1st team honors while posting 78 tackles, five for loss, two sacks, and an interception on the year. Maualuga became a two time honoree on the Pac 10 1st team as a junior, posting a team leading 79 tackles, 10.5 for loss, six sacks and a pick.

Strengths

Maualuga is the type of player you fear as an offensive player. He is very strong, aggressive, and plays with a real mean streak on the field. If you are carrying the ball or are in his way of getting to the ball carrier, he will do whatever it takes to make the tackle. His size and demeanor on the field make him a force between the tackles. He isn’t afraid to take on a lineman and is strong enough to fight off the block and make the tackle.

What separates him from most middle linebackers is the speed and athleticism he displays on the field. Maualuga easily chases plays down from behind and can run sideline to sideline to make plays. His athleticism allows him to match up in coverage and make plays with the ball in the air. All of his experience is inside, but Maualuga has the ability to move outside and perform at a high level there if the situation calls for it.

Weaknesses

While his aggression is mostly a positive thing on the field, it can get Maualuga into trouble at times. He plays so hard and moves so fast that he can overrun plays at times, allowing the carrier to slip by and pick up big chunks of yardage. He is so intent on reading the action that he can’t wait to react, and jumps too early. He will need to be a more disciplined player to take his game to another level.

Future

Maualuga is a part of the most talented linebacking duo in some time in college, teaming with Brian Cushing. The two are as physically gifted as any pair and will cause opposing coaches nightmares this season. Maualuga can do everything you want an inside linebacker to do and more, along with having the versatility to move outside. His all around game is going to entice some team to take him in the first round of the draft in April, barring any unforseen incidents.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/..._maualuga.html

I would boner party over sting rey, but i can't see buffalo taking him while they have poz, and certainly because poz is better, but to take rey is admitting a mistake and the bilsl front office is loath to do things like that.

well, if they changed to a 3-4 with poz and rey in the middle, and kaveeka and crow (who said he'd come back) on the outside would be a nice backer corps

poz couldn't play inside in a 3-4

Just admit the mistake in poz and sit him, or move mitchell to crow's spot, if he doesn't re-sign, poz to mitchell's and rey inside.

they won't do that, however. I honestly could see them drafting taylor mays or william moore.

why couldn't poz play inside on a 3-4?

Originally Posted by dasaybz

why couldn't poz play inside on a 3-4?

he isn't strong enough to fight off chipping linemen now, think about an unblocked guard getting their hands on him.

I don't think he's terrible at all. I know you don't like him very much, but his stats aren't horrible and he's got basically only 1 season under his belt. I don't think he's a pro bowler by any means, but I think he could be a serviceable 3-4 middle backer. Not every 3-4 middle backer needs to be a mauler.

you need your ilb's in a 3-4 to be able to take on and defeat blocks, poz can't do that. who gives a fuck about his stats watch the games, he makes tackles down field and rarely ever really strikes ball carriers.

the thing is, I dont' like poz because he's not good, certainly not nearly as good as fans actually try to make him out to be. He's a mediocre linebacker.

Originally Posted by Emocoremakesmecry

you need your ilb's in a 3-4 to be able to take on and defeat blocks, poz can't do that. who gives a fuck about his stats watch the games, he makes tackles down field and rarely ever really strikes ball carriers.

the thing is, I dont' like poz because he's not good, certainly not nearly as good as fans actually try to make him out to be. He's a mediocre linebacker.

Eh, whatever. I think he'd be fine in the 3-4. I'm not saying the guy is a stud, but he'd be a serviceable player.

Ya, people here just don't like him. I really don't have a problem with him in the middle. I'm thinking that our LBs are actually pretty decent if we can re-sign Crowell.

Originally Posted by LALALALALALAFONTAINE

He had 26 more tackles than the next closest Bill - not bad for what is actually his rookie season. In fact, that's quite amazing.

Oh yeah, he also had more interceptions than Shitner and Youboty combined.

Poz can play any position in a 3-4 or 4-3 and excel at it.

I can understand being pissed that Poz destroyed aO$UV while Hawk got ran over by Robinson and around by Williams en route to a Butkus and the first of two Bednariks. I might be pissed if that ever happened. But it hasn't, so I can't be sure.

Taylor Mays is a beast. Watching Mel Blount, I have a thing for huge defensive backs. Plus, the Bills are in dire need of a strong safety.

Maualuga is a great player too.

You never know who's available at 10 though. And trading down is something I'd look at. You can always find great, not good - great, players later.

Just because you are a Penn State player outplayed two other players who went to Ohio State doesn't make you a great fit for this team. Posluszny is a very good tackler, that does struggle with blockers, and needs to work on his coverage.

Oh, and as for that New England game, his tackles were all around the line of scrimmage because the wind was so brutal that the passing game was virtually eliminated. When you line up 8 or 9 in the box, most of your tackles better be near the line of scrimmage.

It's me making the criticism, and maybe you should actually watch bills games before you comment on the guy you'd go gay for. He, to quote dennis williams was "invisible" this year.

They guy is a mediocre nfl linebacker. Deal with it.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/allthingstrojan/