Today I'm officially endorsing Willie Gary for Jack Linebacker!

I think the release of Muhammad and the implications of Eric Johnson moving to Mack LB tell a lot about how Plank/Kronenberg plan to leverage the new rules. That is to say, Jack LB now becomes a fourth DB.

Now he can still only go five yards deep, so you're not necessarily looking for a guy with a lot of speed, but what you do need is a smart/veteran player who understands the dynamics of the game and the personnel makeup of the opponents.

The other thing you need is a guy that can square up an opponent and put them on their keister, and whatever you think of Willie Gary's deep coverage skills, that's one area where he has never disappointed. h6534y

I could vote for that. As long as he is not trying to catch up with a wide receiver running down the field, he should do fine and he can hit someone on a crossing route.

not a bad idea, however he is a little shorter then what I would want at that position to close down a passing lane.

If he were staying closer to home I think that's probably true, but if they're going to move him out wide to double up a receiver, or jam the guy in motion, I think the lower center of gravity serves him well.

Now in the red zone I'm completely with you. Besides, I can't see flanking out the Jack at the goal line anyway when you need him to support the run and take away the middle for the QB.

I think it probably depends on where he's deployed, which obviously may largely depend on the offensive formation.

I think the less experienced receivers will probably be a little overwhelmed if deployed aggressively. With a savvy veteran with great moves (see Chris Jackson), I don't know that it will really matter.