Honestly Spence sounds like the ILB equivalent of Troy Polamalu with very similar strengths and weaknesses. Now, for those saying he is too small, remember that Farrior was playing at 209 in 2009, even though he was listed at 230. He claimed he just lost weight during the season.
Could they be looking at Spence as a safety prospect?
My guess is he will be tried as James Farrior's replacement at ILB. I don't see him as a 3-4 OLB at all. They say he studies hard and is an on-field coach. Could turn out to be a great pick in 3-4 years...
Luck's getting some weapons in this draft. Who's the running back though? Looks like Arians is using a pass first offense there too but they'll need some linemen for that.
Am I the only one who hates the Cars.com ads where a little annoying head pops out of a person. I would FIRE the ad agency who proposed that stupid concept. In fact I will never use cars.com because that ad is so bad.
I brought Spence up a long while back on this board to see what everyone's opinion was and, as it stands, everyone has been consistent following his selection. SIZE. The video I watched of him was impressive to say the least - it's the whole reason why I mentioned him as an option. My question was then, where would he fit in our scheme? I doubt the Steelers envision him as an OLB. Though he's nearer to Harrison's height, he isn't close to the weight required of our OLB's (250 - 265). This is clearly addressing the ILB position. Larry Foote is not a bad fall back following Farrior for a year. Spence could put on muscle, anyone can, and with it weight, but he has an instinct that cannot be acquired by hard work and determination. Farrior was undersized himself, though taller. Imagine Spence at 240 and putting up a few more reps (20 or so) at the combine and we'd all salivate at his selection. He will get there. He's got speed, instinct, and he has the leader qualities that we need at ILB. Can he shed tackles? We'll see. But I don't think his height will be an issue in pass coverage. Timmons is the nickle LB and he handles TE's. If anything, Spence will cover RB's on a need basis and there aren't many tall RB, or ones that can sky for the football, so coverage is almost a moot point. Shedding tackles is my only concern.
It's okay. If it doesn't work out than it becomes another 3rd round bust ( which Colbert had a history of) or he could be a Mike Wallace. Didn't we all think Limas Sweed was going to be a Pro Bowler? Let it all work out. Mini camps and offseason work outs will show how this works.
Spence could put on muscle, anyone can, and with it weight, but he has an instinct that cannot be acquired by hard work and determination.
This is the only thing I'm not sure about. Reports said he went to Miami at 195 lbs, so he isn't naturally a big guy. He already put on 35 lbs if the measurements are right, I don't know how much more muscle he will add. But an ILB at 230-235 isn't bad in this system.
