Rob Ninkovich

[rajncajn]

Of all the things that went wrong last night vs Dallas we did have a couple of shining stars. Saints 5th round prospect Rob Ninkovich, lining up as a DE/SLB racked up 8 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a bogus penalty which should have been a Julius Jones stop 5 yds behind the line all in limited action.

 

Now, before people go burning down the waiver wire for this guy, know that there is no way he will beat out Charles Grant or Will Smith for a starting job at any point this season. However, it has been rumored, by Saints fans (I stress that), that he could possibly be tried out at the LB position. If that does happen it would likely be the SLB position which Fujita is currently entrenched. As bad as our LBs are right now I wouldn't be surprised, but he would be a real long-shot. Possibly next year as Payton continues to instill his players he could end up being a rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense. For now though I see him as being mostly a rotation player, a rush specialist and a special teams guy. Where he lines up will be a big question. In the right situation he could play DE, DT or SLB.

 

Edit: When I saw him play last night he reminded me a lot of Jared Allen

Edited August 22, 2006 by rajncajn

[Stingers]

Of all the things that went wrong last night vs Dallas we did have a couple of shining stars. Saints 5th round prospect Rob Ninkovich, lining up as a DE/SLB racked up 8 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a bogus penalty which should have been a Julius Jones stop 5 yds behind the line all in limited action.

 

Now, before people go burning down the waiver wire for this guy, know that there is no way he will beat out Charles Grant or Will Smith for a starting job at any point this season. However, it has been rumored, by Saints fans (I stress that), that he could possibly be tried out at the LB position. If that does happen it would likely be the SLB position which Fujita is currently entrenched. As bad as our LBs are right now I wouldn't be surprised, but he would be a real long-shot. Possibly next year as Payton continues to instill his players he could end up being a rushing OLB in a 3-4 defense. For now though I see him as being mostly a rotation player, a rush specialist and a special teams guy. Where he lines up will be a big question. In the right situation he could play DE, DT or SLB.

 

Edit: When I saw him play last night he reminded me a lot of Jared Allen

 

I was watching part of that game and I was wondering why he was being put in in place of Smith - (smith owner) I need to put a contract year on Will in my dynasty - is Will the odd man out if this rook continues to produce like this? Or does Smith have the talent to hang on to his job for a few years. Just looking for your opinion of Will Smith I guess. TIA

[rajncajn]

I was watching part of that game and I was wondering why he was being put in in place of Smith - (smith owner) I need to put a contract year on Will in my dynasty - is Will the odd man out if this rook continues to produce like this? Or does Smith have the talent to hang on to his job for a few years. Just looking for your opinion of Will Smith I guess. TIA

 

Absolutely not. If anyone goes it would be Grant, but I highly doubt that happens. I think the coaching staff will find other ways of getting him in the game. If he does ever start at DE it likely won't be for another couple of years.

[Stingers]

Absolutely not. If anyone goes it would be Grant, but I highly doubt that happens. I think the coaching staff will find other ways of getting him in the game. If he does ever start at DE it likely won't be for another couple of years.

 

thanks - that helps. I think that Smith is a young talent that will be around for while and before we (co-owned team) decide how long of a contract, I was looking for some sort of insider opinion of Smith. Sounds like you like him.

[rajncajn]

thanks - that helps. I think that Smith is a young talent that will be around for while and before we (co-owned team) decide how long of a contract, I was looking for some sort of insider opinion of Smith. Sounds like you like him.

 

Maybe a homer opinion, but I think Smith will be a pro-bowl DE. Unfortunately he's getting very little help everywhere else so it may not seem like it at times.

[Stingers]

Maybe a homer opinion, but I think Smith will be a pro-bowl DE. Unfortunately he's getting very little help everywhere else so it may not seem like it at times.

 

 

thanks - stats show he did very well last year until his shoulder injury IIRC he had surgery in the off season and he looked last night pretty darn good. He was in the backfield before you could blink an eye. Just was concerned that they kept putting the rookie in his spot and Ninkovich did very well. Now here comes the hard question. Pro-bowl DE yes - but fantasy value =?

[rajncajn]

thanks - stats show he did very well last year until his shoulder injury IIRC he had surgery in the off season and he looked last night pretty darn good. He was in the backfield before you could blink an eye. Just was concerned that they kept putting the rookie in his spot and Ninkovich did very well. Now here comes the hard question. Pro-bowl DE yes - but fantasy value =?

 

Tough question, but I do think he'll make it in the upper top 10 this year simply because Grant takes on a good portion of the double teams.