OLB CONNOR BARWIN: the next Urlacher?? better than curry???!!!!

nsingh93 said
i think the top 4 OLB prospects are:

1) Curry
2) Cushing
3) Matthews
4) Barwin.

Honestly i think barwin should be #2

but the only problem is that he is more like a 3-4 linebacker. originally a DE

see, i really don't think that is the case at all.

i'll give you 3 reasons why:

1) not only does he better Gw's top linebacker selections of the past 10 years in terms of athleticism but he nearly comes close to matching CARLOS RODGERS in terms of atleticism as well and rodgers is a cornerback who is 50lbs lighter!

compare his 40-times, vertical, 3-cone, and shuttle to Gw's top corner in 2005 and you will be pretty amazed.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=54866&draftyear=2005&genpos=CB

2) some of the best 4-3 linebackers are responsible for defending a larger area of field than downhill thumpers like shanle.

bring your attention to segment 1:50 of the video where barwin moves from the left side of the defensive line, drops in zone, stops, starts, stops, then starts again to hurry the throw of the qb over a distance of like 30ft. in maybe 3 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u79CJdrxZbo

that's his shuttle time on display. that's his latteral agility in action! that's an aaron curry type play and no one is questioning his ability to play 4-3 olb.

3) no matter who you can name as who you can consider to be the best 4-3 outside linebacker in the league right now

beit karlos dansby

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=58545&draftyear=2004&genpos=OLB

or lance briggs

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=201&draftyear=2003&genpos=ILB

barwin has their number in physical skills hands down.