I've read a few reports that have said Ryans can play all 3 LB positions. Kiper's latest mock also has him dropping to the middle of Rd 2.

If we try to fill our MLB position with our #2, would Ryans be a better option than Jackson or Hodge?

yeah he has dropped a lot since the end of the season, I remember 4 months ago he was a consensus top 15 pick, I forgot all about him, but he did have a bad Senoir Bowl and there is no talk about him so yeah he will fall, but I forgot all about him

I think Ryans is considerably undersized to play MLB, but I could be wrong.

"Considerably undersized" - like him: http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/493101 ? (Jonathan Vilma); both are 6'1, 230ish lbs.

Ryans doesn't have the speed Vilma has however and thats what he's lacking (4.62), Vilma ran a 4.54 - so it ain't THAT far off.

I'd love it if we took ryans. With him, bulluck, and thornton, we'd have a fast LB corps.

Vilma is also undersized for an MLB. If you think Ryans is as good as Vilma, by all means draft him, but I don't think he is.

They guy is too slow. He is dropping like a rock. I wouldn't touch him until the fifth or sixth round.

Ryans is more from the davis thornton mold. An outside backer only. Roach at 6'2 250 would be a better bet for the middle and he could be had in the 4th rd. Maybe even the 5th.

He had a better 40 time than chad greenway. 4.65 isn't bad just not 1st rd material.

Vilma IS undersized no doubt, but he's still a force in the middle. As long as the DTs do their job - he will succeed wherever he goes. "Real" linebackers don't need help (if you are EVEN thinking of that) - Ray Lewis is a prime example.

greenway and ryans are falling................they are both alot slower than advertised...............i dont think either one will amount to much.............Saleem Rasheed who had alot better skills than ryans and better numbers fell to two to SF and he has dont nothing in the show.........my bet is ryans busts............the kid from Vandy Osemegie has better speed and would be an ideal fit a MLB alot lower................

I wonder how the Titans are on Thomas Howard. His name hasn't been mentioned in the same sentence as ours since the Senior Bowl. He seems to be climbing slowly up some draft boards. I have to wonder if we take a LB that can play the outside and shuffle our players, like move Thornton to the middle. Hasn't it been said he can play there if need be?

greenway and ryans are falling................they are both alot slower than advertised...............i dont think either one will amount to much.............Saleem Rasheed who had alot better skills than ryans and better numbers fell to two to SF and he has dont nothing in the show.........my bet is ryans busts............the kid from Vandy Osemegie has better speed and would be an ideal fit a MLB alot lower................

I think Greenway and Ryans will be OK because of their instincts but they might not be great. The MLB at Miami isn't real fast either so good instincts can go along way. Sirmon was decent before his injury.

I do agree that a guy like Osemegie could be a real sleeper and a guy who we could get in the 6th or 7th round. Thats is why I don't see us going MLB the first day. I see OT as a better possibility.

Osemwegie is a beast but he was originally recruited for safety in college and could easily convert back to a safety with enough work. He definitely would be a great second day value pick

I still feel that we should take Jackson with our 2nd round pick, if we don't get Jackson in the 2nd, with our 4th or 3rd if we get one, we could get Ryans.

He is not slow, just not fast

I'm with Soxcat, I think we should take a long hard look at the OT's that are still on the board, I think there's going to be some good talent there.

A MLB in my opinion isn't that important to our team, hell I'm almost inclined to think Sirmon and Reynolds are good enough for the position.

Since speed is so important to you at this position can i then assume that you consider jon alston to be the top linebacker? His 4.4 40 was the best at the combine. AJ hawk only ran a 4.59. So hawk's 4.59 is no problem but ryan's 4.62 time is slowwww?

Comparing ryans to rasheed just because rasheed was also a bama guy is quite lame. Bama has sent a boatload of backers to the nfl. Some all time greats like cornelius bennett and derrick thomas and some busts. So what's the point?

...have their college degree? Had a 3.5 grade point average? Were academic all american's?

A 3.5 in what though ? :P

who cares?

I've wondered about this exact thing Carpy (imagine a Vols fan thinking a Bama player would be a good pick! ;P ).

I'm kinda leaning toward o-line in the 2nd now. I'd like to see how Sirmon is in the middle.....if he'll be here.

roll titan...............MLB who are elite play with speed and instinct.............AJ has both Alsotn has the atheltic ability only.................Ryans is going to be rather ordinary.................so will Greenway.................if you want an Alabama player who will do surprisingly well in the show..............watch Croyle..............he has a real shot to make himself a player............he has the smarts and the arm............he needs time in an offense and I am told Nick Saban likes him alot in three.....................

Thanks for the tip Bongo......

:ha:

Can we trade Lendale for Demaco? Hey, the Texans need a RB :brow:

well I didn't call him ordinary, but Bongo also didn't want VY- he can change his tune...