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How does this year’s crop of elite rookie linebackers stack up against previous IFL linebacker classes?
Here at the Wichita Eagle we’ve analysed all of the LB’s selected in the 1st round in previous drafts and listed them by class.
Amongst the stats, we have included each rookie’s first year production so that we can compare how Watkins, Bean and Reilly are looking.
But to really add spice to the argument, we’ve looked back over the whole career of each 1st rd linebacker and used the following scoring system to give every player a total career score – the higher the better.
The points are allocated as follows:
Playing Time:
1 pt for each Four regular season starts
1 pt for each playoff start
Individual Stats:
1pt for each 25 tackles in a career
1 bonus pt for each 100 tackle season
1pt each 2.0 sacks
1pt each turnover (FF / Int)
Awards:
1pt for Player of Game award
2pts for Player of Week award
3pts 2ndTeam All-Pro
6pts 1st Team All-Pro
4pts DRoY
8pts DPoY
4pts Championship Ring
The career score gives an indication of how a backer has performed, black scores show a player is retired and red shows he is still active.
It gets really interesting when the player’s career score is divided by ‘years in the league’ to give an average season score.
This figure allows each linebacker to be compared against his peers, whether he is a 1st year guy or a 12 year veteran.
Here are the classes by year:
Using our scoring system, we can see some interesting results:
Top 5 Linebackers in IFL history by Average yearly score:
R.J KLEY 16.2
Lenny OLSON 15.6
Michael CIBELLA 15.4
Rickey MOSS 15.0
Clay BRADBURY 14.0
R.J KLEY 16.2
Lenny OLSON 15.6
Michael CIBELLA 15.4
Rickey MOSS 15.0
Clay BRADBURY 14.0
Rookie Winfred Reilly is on course to record a first season’s Average score of 16.5 making him the best LB ever drafted!
Is he having a freak season or will he match this production throughout his career?
Is he having a freak season or will he match this production throughout his career?
Biggest bust by Average yearly score:
T.J SOWERS 2.5
T.J SOWERS 2.5
Best Ever LB class = 2008
Here are some other interesting stats:
The highest selected linebacker = Jerome Watkins at 1.2 in 2016
To try and bottom out the argument, we felt we needed a neutral view from one of the more respected GM’s in the IFL.
Lawrence Phantoms GM, JesterBlaze has past experience of drafting a ‘phantastic’ linebacker early in the draft.
Back in 2008, the phantoms selected R.J ‘The Leash’ Kley with the ninth overall pick.
The legendary #56: Kley
Kley subsequently won the DROY award, has been voted All-Pro honors and has two Championship rings to his name.
The leader of the Phantoms defensive front is one of the top 10 LB’s in the game and clearly JesterBlaze knows a thing or two about drafting linebackers.
JesterBlaze had this to say about the current crop of rookies:
“The top 3 LBs in the 2016 draft? How can you go wrong?
They're all about the same right now.
If I had to take my pick then before and after the draft I'd take Thomas Bean.
Pre-draft I liked everything we saw about him.
Post-draft he's the most developed of 3 very equal monsters. All 3 have unlimited potential and really in the end it will be injuries, defensive schemes and team success that will separate and distinguish their careers more than talent.
As for 2016 being the best LB class ever... it might be in time but here are some members of the 2008 LB class who have Four Championship rings to back up their credentials.
RJ Kley - 1st Round pick 9 (2 Rings)
Karl Hinson - 3rd Round pick 4
Kim "Sergeant" Cortez - 1st Round pick 14
Clarence Qualls - 1st Round pick 8
Andy Barton - 2nd Round pick 4
Victor Wynn - 3rd Round pick 16 (1 Ring)
Doug Chandler - 3rd Round pick 20 (1 Ring)
My guy heads the list which obviously brought my attention quickly to that year, however, the 2010 LB Class boast some serious talent as well.
Because great teams usually keep offenses off the field and share defensive stats among multiple quality defenders, victories are as important a stat as any when it comes to LBs.
All three of the 2016 stud rookies have gone to teams apparently on the rise.
Come back to me in ten years times and we’ll see if they have become IFL Legends...
Clearly, the 2016 linebacker class was a special one.
One linebacker drafted in the top 5 is uncommon, but three studs taken so high is absolutely unique.
For the remainder of their careers, the names Watkins, Bean and Reilly will be forever linked.
Each of these three players will be judged by the standards that the others attain.
Who is the best, who will achieve the most during their pro career?
Only time will tell…..but we’ll have fun watching them wreak havoc as they deny the middle ground.
There you have it.
My interest was sparked by wanting to compare Bean and this is my take on the best ever IFL linebackers.
The scoring system is subjective of course but I think it gives a realistic result.
Thanks to Jester for his help and graphic.
Hope it was an interesting read.
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