Linebacker update

For some odd reason, I’m obsessing over who is going to play linebacker for us this fall. After losing all three starters (Tony Taylor, Jarvis Jackson, Danny Verdun-Wheeler), it was a concern for most.
Despite everything that has been said, Brandon Miller was NEVER going to be asked to move to defensive end, regardless of his size. If you read any fan blog at all (and let’s face it, collectively we know best), you’ve heard how disappointed Dawg fans are about Brandon. Regardless, Miller has been moved to the middle and seems to be taking a shine to that spot. There are varying opinions on his speed, but the fact is, he is huge for a linebacker and he will probably help stuff the run more than anything. Word from spring practice is that he has found his home and he is really getting comfortable as a player and a leader. Good thing. Considering how highly touted he was coming out of high school, he hasn’t lived up to the hype and this is his last chance to impress numbnuts like Mel Kiper.
It was just assumed that because Dannell Ellerbe has turned his life around and is not stealing teammates’ cars anymore, he would be the starting WLB. And on the other side at SLB, we were watching redshirt freshman Akeem Dent and sophomore Darius Dewberry slug it out for the starting spot. Richt was actually quoted as saying, “we’re in real good shape [at SLB]”.
The week before the G-day game, Ellerbe was demoted to the back up spot and Dent was moved to the starting spot at WLB. So we now have Dewberry, Miller and Dent as the starters, with the obligatory statement that, “of course this line up could change before the Oklahoma State game”.
It should. Several times – just so none of those guys gets complacent.
I’m not a X’s and O’s kind of guy, but I would have thought the LB’s could have made more plays during G-day, since we’ve upgraded in the speed department. If Richt says not to worry, I won’t. There’s a couple of months to work on it, but there’s no actual practice and hitting until the fall. So, I’ll worry just a little.
And I don’t know what the true definition of being “deep” at one position is (that seems to vary on who you’re talking to), but we seem to have some depth there. Outside of the above four listed, Jr Marcus Washington, Rfr Akeem Hebron (suspended the first two games), and RSo walk-on Tommy Watkins provide back up. Why mention Watkins? I have no idea, except there were several feel good stories about him last year. Many think that in coming freshman Rennie Curran will be able to contribute right away. I poo-poo’d the idea of Stafford coming in last year and contributing at QB, so I won’t ever say “never” again. I hope he’s that ready and can at least get some playing time, as well as Charles White.
After all is said and done, the rest is left to coaching. Jancek and Martinez have done pretty well up to this point. I mean, look at Jarvis Jackson. Starting MLB and he weighed 215lbs. He did pretty well for us. I think Jancek will improve now especially since he has more to work with. Do I worry about the LB corps next year? Sure. But just a little.

Update - Akeem Hebron was arrested AGAIN for underage possession. Before you say it's no big deal, ask yourself, "what if it were my kid?" How mad would you be then?