09-23-2019, 04:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-26-2019, 07:08 AM by Fordhammer.)
Breaking Down the Top Linebacker Prospects
With the DSFL regular season ending and the NSFL draft just around the corner, it’s time to start examining all of the S18 class’s top prospects. Today we will focus on four standout linebackers that all had very productive DSFL seasons. They are presented in no particular order.
Please note that in the "Signature Game(s)" sections of this article there are many games selected where the player in question was against San Antonio. This is purely coincidental and is not indicative of any sort of bias or agenda against the good people of the city of San Antonio or it's DSFL franchise.
Maurice Virtanen
157 Tackles 3 TFL 2 FF 1 FR 2 Sacks 1 Blocked Punt
Kansas City had an absolutely amazing pair of linebackers this season. One could even say that they were reminiscent of the Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman pairing in years past. Virtanen did it all this year and has the stats to prove it. He was second in tackles, tied for first in forced fumbles, and was the only linebacker to block a punt all season. When you look at his upside though, it is plain to see that this is only the beginning for him and that he can be expected to put up even greater numbers in the NSFL for years to come. It is likely that he will be the first linebacker off of the board come draft day and there is no question about whether or not he deserves it.
Signature Game
Week 13 against San Antonio
17 Tackles 1 TFL 1 Sack 1 FF
The Marshals had the number one rushing attack in the league this season but you would not know it based on this game. Virtanen was spectacular and San Antonio was held to nearly 50 yards less rushing than their season average.
Thudd Kassel
126 Tackles 2 TFL 2 FF 2 Sacks 1 Int 3 PD
While originally drafted to be a bruising run stopper, it quickly became clear that Kassel is far more than that. Drafted onto a team that had just won the championship, he could have easily faded into the woodwork but instead stepped up and seized our attention with big play after big play. While his impact was not always easily captured on a stat sheet, his influence was undeniable and he still had a few games with jaw-dropping numbers. If Tijuana does go on to repeat as champions, you can be sure that Kassel will be a major part of their success.
Signature Game(s)
Week 6 against San Antonio
18 Tackles
Week 2 against San Antonio
10 Tackles 2 PD 1 Int
I had to cheat and pick two games here to fully capture his capabilities. 18 tackles is absolutely insane and requires no more embellishment. Perhaps even more impressive though is his 10 tackles and outstanding coverage during week 2 as no one else on this list managed to grab any interceptions, let alone while putting up double digit tackles.
Net Gaines
110 Tackles 5 TFL 1 FF 5 Sacks 9 PD
The other half of the deadly Kansas City linebacker duo. While Virtanen was devouring offenses and putting up some flashy tackle numbers, Gaines found numerous other ways to contribute to complement his partner. This included some big hits as Gaines was number one among linebackers in tackles for loss and second in sacks. Perhaps more impressive; however, is his ability to also be a major force against the passing game. He was second among all linebackers in passes deflected.
Signature Game(s)
Week 3 against San Antonio
14 Tackles 1 Sack
Week 11 against San Antonio
6 Tackles 3 PD
Again, I could not pick just one game as that would not fully display Gaines' ability to perform well in different roles, even against the same offense. While neither of these are as eye-popping as some of the other signature games listed here, they combine to show just what sort of impact Gaines has on the field.
Marlo Smart
173 Tackles 2 TFL 1 FF 2 Sacks 1 PD
The league leader in tackles. Smart was perhaps the most consistent defender in the league when it came to making stops as he managed to hit double digit tackles in all but two of his games while also being able to produce some pressure on the opposing quarterback. While Smart was initially thought of as a speed rusher coming out of college, the undermanned SeaWolves defense required him to take on a different role and he excelled. It will be interesting to see how his speed will be utilized in the NSFL.
Signature Game
Week 11 against Tijuana
25 Tackles (DSFL single game record)
In this game Smart shattered the previous single game tackle record of 22. To put things into perspective, he produced more tackles in that game than the top five leading tacklers on Tijuana combined.
[Word Count: 824]
With the DSFL regular season ending and the NSFL draft just around the corner, it’s time to start examining all of the S18 class’s top prospects. Today we will focus on four standout linebackers that all had very productive DSFL seasons. They are presented in no particular order.
Please note that in the "Signature Game(s)" sections of this article there are many games selected where the player in question was against San Antonio. This is purely coincidental and is not indicative of any sort of bias or agenda against the good people of the city of San Antonio or it's DSFL franchise.
Maurice Virtanen
157 Tackles 3 TFL 2 FF 1 FR 2 Sacks 1 Blocked Punt
Kansas City had an absolutely amazing pair of linebackers this season. One could even say that they were reminiscent of the Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman pairing in years past. Virtanen did it all this year and has the stats to prove it. He was second in tackles, tied for first in forced fumbles, and was the only linebacker to block a punt all season. When you look at his upside though, it is plain to see that this is only the beginning for him and that he can be expected to put up even greater numbers in the NSFL for years to come. It is likely that he will be the first linebacker off of the board come draft day and there is no question about whether or not he deserves it.
Signature Game
Week 13 against San Antonio
17 Tackles 1 TFL 1 Sack 1 FF
The Marshals had the number one rushing attack in the league this season but you would not know it based on this game. Virtanen was spectacular and San Antonio was held to nearly 50 yards less rushing than their season average.
Thudd Kassel
126 Tackles 2 TFL 2 FF 2 Sacks 1 Int 3 PD
While originally drafted to be a bruising run stopper, it quickly became clear that Kassel is far more than that. Drafted onto a team that had just won the championship, he could have easily faded into the woodwork but instead stepped up and seized our attention with big play after big play. While his impact was not always easily captured on a stat sheet, his influence was undeniable and he still had a few games with jaw-dropping numbers. If Tijuana does go on to repeat as champions, you can be sure that Kassel will be a major part of their success.
Signature Game(s)
Week 6 against San Antonio
18 Tackles
Week 2 against San Antonio
10 Tackles 2 PD 1 Int
I had to cheat and pick two games here to fully capture his capabilities. 18 tackles is absolutely insane and requires no more embellishment. Perhaps even more impressive though is his 10 tackles and outstanding coverage during week 2 as no one else on this list managed to grab any interceptions, let alone while putting up double digit tackles.
Net Gaines
110 Tackles 5 TFL 1 FF 5 Sacks 9 PD
The other half of the deadly Kansas City linebacker duo. While Virtanen was devouring offenses and putting up some flashy tackle numbers, Gaines found numerous other ways to contribute to complement his partner. This included some big hits as Gaines was number one among linebackers in tackles for loss and second in sacks. Perhaps more impressive; however, is his ability to also be a major force against the passing game. He was second among all linebackers in passes deflected.
Signature Game(s)
Week 3 against San Antonio
14 Tackles 1 Sack
Week 11 against San Antonio
6 Tackles 3 PD
Again, I could not pick just one game as that would not fully display Gaines' ability to perform well in different roles, even against the same offense. While neither of these are as eye-popping as some of the other signature games listed here, they combine to show just what sort of impact Gaines has on the field.
Marlo Smart
173 Tackles 2 TFL 1 FF 2 Sacks 1 PD
The league leader in tackles. Smart was perhaps the most consistent defender in the league when it came to making stops as he managed to hit double digit tackles in all but two of his games while also being able to produce some pressure on the opposing quarterback. While Smart was initially thought of as a speed rusher coming out of college, the undermanned SeaWolves defense required him to take on a different role and he excelled. It will be interesting to see how his speed will be utilized in the NSFL.
Signature Game
Week 11 against Tijuana
25 Tackles (DSFL single game record)
In this game Smart shattered the previous single game tackle record of 22. To put things into perspective, he produced more tackles in that game than the top five leading tacklers on Tijuana combined.
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