Observer Depth Chart rant

Was just reading the O's Walker/Scott signing story and saw the defensive depth chart they posted. I know it's not gospel, but why in the hell is Richard Marshall still listed as a backup CB (behind Lucas)???

He is my 2nd favorite defensive player on the team for the simple fact that the guy can fucking play and shows up every game. Lucas has shown nothing since that Jets (?) game a couple years ago, aside from the tendency to get hurt or burned. He also pumps his chest too much when he does his job.

Sorry, but I just don't get this shit. The kid can play. Start him. Screw egos and salaries, etc.

 

Lucas is, IMO, still our best corner. Gamble's the one I have 3rd, and I think when Marshall did start, it was Gamble out.

If Lucas wasn't good enough, or wasn't going to start, he'd have been let go.

edit - by the numbers from the team site

Lucas 2 INT 11 PD 69 tackles
Marshall 3 INT 8 PD 73 tackles
Gamble 1 INT 6 PD 50 tackles

 

What did Lucas do last year that makes you believe that Magnus? Got any specific plays he made, or receivers he shut down?

 

just watching him play. See above stats and you see comparability, but yeah, he had a very good 2007. He had some issues in 2006, but they didn't carry over and I think the shelf life on punishing him for that has expired. He had the groin injury in 06, and I don't remember anything that made him miss snaps since.

That said, since I dumped on Gamble, he performed very well in the first half of the year and I think I remember an inury that limited him.

 

Marshall's numbers look ridiculously good for a "backup". How many more snaps were the other 2 in for?

 

he played about as much as Gamble did and obviously in passing situations. Certainly, you're not going to need to convince me that Richard Marshall is a quality player, he's visible and makes plays in space and on the ball. I think the part you need work with is with Lucas.

 

yeah, I'd rather it be Marshall and Lucas if anybody is going to go.

 

We need all three anyway. Your nickle plays starter minutes, and often has to line up against the other teams best reciever if moved into the slot.

 

My quibble is more about Marshall not starting than with Lucas in particular. Yank Gamble if that's what it takes. But my casual fan self remembers Lucas getting burned a good bit last year too.

 

The nickel plays close to starter minutes so it doesnt really matter