Preview '08: LB

LB Depth Chart
SLB	MLB	WLB
K.J. Wright So.	Jamar Chaney Sr.	Dominic Douglas Sr.
Anthony Littlejohn RSr.	Jamie Jones RFr.	Terrell Johnson RFr.
Mike Hunt Fr.	Bo Walters Fr.	Karlin Brown So.

2007 Stats
Name	Tkl	TFL	Sacks
Jamar Chaney	89	5	0
Dominic Douglas	78	11	1
Anthony Littlejohn	16	2	0
K.J Wright	7	0	0
Karlin Brown	1	0	0

Chaney returns to lead a very good LB corp. Last year Chaney led the team in tackles and I would expect this year to be no different. He is probably better at playing the run than pass (what linebacker isn't?) but he'll frequently be put into zone coverage.

Douglas was an unheralded JUCO recruit but he won the starting job and immediately became an integral part of the defense. He might be the fastest linebacker and was the only linebacker to frequently make plays in the opponent's backfield last year, partially due to the fact of how the linebackers were used.

K.J Wright replaces Gabe O'Neal after seeing limited time as a reserve last year. The coaches have raved about him saying he might be the best linebacker they've had when all is said and done. We'll see. He is a little light but he's long and fast and is supposedly very good when used to blitz the quarterback.

Anthony Littlejohn returns to bring a wealth of experience as a reserve. He has never been spectacular but will give the starters a valuable breather every now and then. Jamie Jones has impressed Croom in fall practices, leading Croom to say he is good enough to start right now. The rest of the group are unknowns.

Grade: 7.5/10

The starting 3 are one of the best groups in the SEC. Last year they were rarely used to blitz the quarterback. I expect that to change this year with the lack of an established pass rusher on the DL. Wright and Douglas will likely be sent after the quarterback often. Depth is a little iffy. Littlejohn and Jones are both quality reserves, but there doesn't appear to be a 3rd backup, unless Terrell Johnson steps up. Even so, 5 quality linebackers is nothing to sneeze at.