Oakland Must Resign Thomas And Kirk
by Remix. on Mar 18, 2010 3:28 PM PDT
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Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison have formed a bond together. The 2 LB's have been together for almost 5 years and have earned the name. "The Law Firm of Howard and Morrison" So I think its obvious that they shuold play their careers together in Oakland.
Thomas Howard has been one of our Top Defensive Players and has the potential to be even better. Oakland drafted Thomas in '06 and he's contributed greatly since. There is not question about it, Oakland needs to resign him to the extensive contract that he deserves.
At the young age of 26, Thomas had showed his dominance on the field consistently, racking up nearly 100 Tackles a year since entering the league. Despite his career low of 79 this year, He is a leader on the field and a true presence in run and pass game. In 2007, he intercepted 6 passes, returing 2 for touchdowns.
Kirk Morrison has lead the team in tackles since hios rookie year in '05. Kirk had his best year yet in '09 with 133 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He's only 28 Years old and grew up in Oakland. He's stated before that hes been a fan for his whole life and playing for Oakland has been a dream.
Although Kirk isn't the hard hitting LB you would want at the MLB posistion. He may get pushed back at times but I have realized that the LB can only be as good as his DL. And without a presence up front, Kirk will continue to have blockers in his face. It is my opinion that he will have a terrific year with a better DL, and may even make the Pro Bowl.
Keeping these two guyus together would provide stability and would mean that Oakland doesnt have to waste a pick on a unproven rookie. Plus, There are numerous Linebackers that can play next to these guys tht are available in the later rounds. Im gonna be the 1st to say it. I want the Law Firm for another 5-6 Years! Go Raiders!
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I'm totally in favor of keeping Thomas Howard a Raider for good - both his play and attitude are great
while he isn’t great in pass coverage he isn’t bad either.
Morrison, on the other hand, has been a disappointing MLB for two reasons:
1. Morrison is not a hard hitter – and for a MLB that is shameful.
2. Kirk is not a good field general and is often more confused or out of position than anyone out there.
Now, we have the Cleveland acquired OLB, Kam Wimbley and Trevor Scott adjusting very well to OLB too. So, either Morrison is going to remain at MLB or your desire to keep the LB Firm of Howard & Morrison will soon be dissolved.
There are many who would like to see Kirk continue as MLB provided a dominant DT is added to the line. My wish was that Trevor Scott returned to the DE position which he really excelled at (near- future Pro-Bowl caliber) and have Morrison and Howard take the OLB slots and acquire a rational animal named Angerer. But the Seymour deal ruined my hope for that.
Howard not great in pass coverage? Is any linebacker more avoided in coverage than him? From all the film I see, he’s amazing in coverage and is very frequently avoided. I see that from no other linebacker in the league like I do Howard.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Howard played great against the pass in 2007 and was good in 2008. I didn't consider him great v. pass last season 2009
Overall, he’s our best LB and I plays great ball for us – he also has a great attitude, hustles to the ball and takes no shit from anyone. I’ll take back what I said because overall – past 3 years – he’s doing a tremendous job and should be signed to a long term deal.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 20, 2010 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions
While I like both guys
I don’t think they are real losses if we were to trade them. There is alot of good talent available in this year’s draft. I love Howard’s ball-hawking ability but a LB is much more than that. He needs to read blocks & also have field awareness when it comes to taking on blocks & rushers. As good as their stats are, I am getting tired of guys I’ve never heard of like Kolby Smith rushing for 100 yds in a half against us. I do agree the front 4 needs to get better though in order to help these 2 out though.
I love them
I remember seeing some old intervirew with Kirk Morrison and growing up he was a diehard raider fan. He had a room full of Raider gear. I think its wrong people put so much blame on Morrison. He isnt a bad player but if your surrounded by players who cant make the tackle and get tricked easy do you think he will shine.? our DL sucks and really hurts the LB’s and our run game. Keep Morrison and Howard. please.
morrison did have trouble with play-action as well.
he’s pretty good in coverage in general, but he has to improve his awareness overall.
I love the fact he's a die-hard and I've never doubted his level of effort but only his intelligence in the MLB positon and
inability to lay the wood.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 18, 2010 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions
maybe he’d be better on the outside than the middle… its hard to say because a good DL can make all the difference,
It's really a shame he's been put in this role - I believe he would have made an excellent OLB - we haven't had a real
MLB since Matt Millen in 1988! (pathetic)
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 18, 2010 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
bring in trotter for a year and kick out morrison
or trade to those day trading seahawks and get lofa down here! thats what we need1
by rodeosnake12 on Mar 18, 2010 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Trotter belongs in a old folks home!
Are you saying he would play better than Kirk? Thats absurd!
In Bruce We Trust
Ive said this before
Ray Lewis can be 50 Years old and still maek the Pro Bowl. Hes a god of the football world and another Ray Lewis type of linebacker wont come around for another 5-10 years
In Bruce We Trust
Where did Bill Romanowski play?
I thought he was a ILB. Maybe he was a OLB though.
Im convinced Kirk will excell with a better DL, he is constantly getting hit by pulling guards or tackles that have upper field blocks. But if we had a dominate DT (Suh). Offensive Lineman would have no choice but to stay or be man handled by Kong.
Plus, After watching Brandon Spikes run a 5.1 today I decided keepin Morrison would be better than most MLB’s in this years draft. The only worry for me is the other OLB spot. We have 2 pass rushing LB’s who both suit a 3-4 more than a 4-3. If only we played a 3-4. We’d be set in the linebacking area and a NT away from a scary fucking D
In Bruce We Trust
That was the 2002 season that Bill Romanowski played LOLB for 1 year here
Napoleon Harris was our MLB that year. Harris played MLB about 2 years after replacing Greg Biekert.
….Biekert played MLB from ‘94-’01.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 19, 2010 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I love Kirk
Any MLB with 0 DT’s will struggle with guards and center blocking him. I think he’s a great LB but needs help and is suited for OLB unless you got a beast of an OB or D line than he can play MLB. He did go to my HS though so I have a biased :P
We all love the Warriors..
We all hate Cohan as an owner of this franchise…
Big surprise. I disagree.
Morrison is an average at best MLB. His stats are padded due to most of our DLine not being able to shed blocks and tackle the ball carrier. We should have shopped him heavily. He’s routinely caught out of position and he’s the starting MLB on one of the league’s worst run defenses. I do like Howard. Keep Howard, shop a package of Morrison and a pick to move up positions in the second round or even the 1st if we can. Snagging a guy like Suh will domino effect into watching Morrison’s replacement look good.
Ideal Situation if:
You want recognition based on tackles. Led us a few years in a row only because our d-line blows. Still, he’s slow and non-intimidating. To me he’s also expendable and over-priced.
by golfswithglock on Mar 19, 2010 12:36 PM PDT reply actions
they are great LB's
But i think they are both destined to be OLBs. i think they would fit great in a 3-4 scheme.
neither is big enough for 3-4. If you complain they can’t shed blockers in a 4-3, wait till they have to do it nearly every play in a 4-3.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
Howard NEEDS to stay. No one is as aggressive as he is in the run game (other than maybe Scott or Branch) and his high energy inspires that whole defense. You seem him bouncing around, laughing it up, and suddenly that whole defense is.
Our defense is amazing when it’s having a good time and just having fun playing the game. Howard spreads the good times like it’s a virus. Oh yeah, he’s also arguably the best coverage LB in the NFL.
Morrison meanwhile, is a player I’m done with. His coverage was great in 07, but since then it’s been very unimpressive. he’s not aggressive, struggles finding the runner, and is no vicious hitter either.
I’m done hoping for him to go to SLB (especially since Scott has been doing wonders there). The time is now, trade him and get either Spikes, Micah Johnson, or Angerer to go behind a DT like Dan Williams or Cam Thomas
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
If I had to put them in a priority list
Id easily put Thomas in front of howard
And am I the only one hear who thinks Cam Thomas is the most overrated DT in the draft???
In Bruce We Trust
TM would approve, I believe that's the way he signs his name too
As for Cam Thomas, he’s in a lot of tackles but doesn’t get there first. NC had a good D and there’s still not a lot of film on Thomas per se. I tend to agree with you on him.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 20, 2010 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions
On many boards he’s a second rounder. I have him pegged as a third round guy though.
People are overrating him, making him out to be this year’s Ron Brace. I’m not buying it. Brace is going to step in when Wilfork leaves the Patriots (whenever that will be) and they won’t lose much of a step.
Cam is far from that, but he’s a solid enough guy at NT that he can do his job well for several years. After Dan Williams is off the board, the talent for the size of DT we need drops off staggeringly. Which is why I still hold out that we should draft Dan Williams.
Evey- "Are you a crazy person?"
V- "I'm quite sure they'll say so."
V for Vendetta, blowing your mind away since 2005.
bth should be signed as olbs
our need is mlb and those 2 are better at olb
by sports with steve on Mar 20, 2010 7:03 PM PDT reply actions
Unless we switch to a 3-4
Howard can stay but Morrison must go( unless we draft Suh). Morrison cannot handle the middle alone. He’s not a great field general. He’s not a hard hitter. He tends to over pursue.
If we switched to a 3-4 he could split the middle with say Ricky Brown and leave Howard and Trevor Scott where they are. Then Draft Linval Joseph NT in the second round
If we somehow end up with Suh then maybe that would be enough help for Kirk to keep blockers out of his face.
The Raiders “d” last year was actually good if you take out the huge running plays givin up
Watch film when big Ted Washington was playing NT
Kirk was definitely a different player, and had opportunities to look for picks much more. He got four that year and Howard got six or seven. He can’t see into the offensive backfield and if he misreads off the snap he’s beaten, much like we saw all of last year. The front four’s inconsistency was largely responsible for many of Kirk’s miscues, but a better field general, as you pointed out, would eliminate those mistakes and get the front four working for him—something Kirk’s been unable to do.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Ted Washington was a great NT
but like many others we end up trading or signing them in the twilight of their careers. Same can be said trading a 1st for Seymour & paying him QB $$$. If we keep both or either player we need a solid NT playing in front of them.
The (Law Firm of HOWARD-N-MORRISON) IN SILVER N BLACK
I’m totally 100% for our RAIDER’s to keep them both together home in OAKLAND they get along with one another and that help’s on the feild so BIGG AL let’s get it done soon please.4 THE RAIDER NATION.
With Wimbley coming in and Trevor Scott confirmed as weak side OLB what happens to Howard?
Plus, we still do not have a real MLB and most of us are expecting to see one drafted on Day 2 9 (2nd or 3rd round) … so this makes me wonder about Kirk as well – this trend to part with all the older players ….. Morrison too?
by Sons-of-Blanda on Mar 23, 2010 10:40 AM PDT reply actions
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