It wasn’t Reggie McKenzie’s most popular decision (especially from yours truly) to move on from NaVorro Bowman in favor of second-year linebacker Marquel Lee, but after one preseason game, the decision is looking like good a good one.
Not only did Lee post six tackles (4 solo) in limited action, he was given the Raiders highest overall performance grade (for the entire team) by Pro Football Focus:
Via PFF:
“The highest graded Raiders player for the game was linebacker Marquel Lee with a 91.2 overall grade. Lee had four run stops in only seven snaps against the run, and did not miss a tackle in five total attempts.”
Lee, who is just 22 years old, entered Friday night at the top of the Raiders depth chart at middle linebacker and while he left the field in some passing situations, there doesn’t seem to be any strong candidates on the roster to steal his role on early downs.
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has a history of getting the most out of interior linebackers and Lee looks like he might just be next in line.
Could McKenzie’s six-year drought at middle linebacker finally be coming to an end?
twitter: @raidersbeat
What’s his coverage grade? That’s never been his strong suit and why he’s not a complete MLB like Bowman
Bowman isn’t a great coverage LB. Yjay’s why Johnson was brought in. Johnson is a better coverage LB but weaker against the run,
Bowman is strong vs run not pass coverage. D.j is better at the pass then against the run. I think Lee will be a 2 down back and move d.j on 3rd or long yardage downs for coverage
Lee is a beast, and he has the potential to be a All-Pro caliber player. His tape was better than the ILB the Titans took 3 rounds earlier. drawing a blank on the name. M- something. Anyway, dude had serious sleeper potential, and I for one am stoked RM’s picks are starting to turn a corner. It’s crazy what high level coaching can do for players….
your last sentence says it all!
I like Bowman but Lee is an animal against the run and that is what we need. He did sit on some obvious passing plays and I’d like to see that change. I could also see Guenther going to a 4 linebacker set on certain downs because I still feel that we are going to be hurt by the screen passes and short dump offs as we put more pressure on the QB and our backs are covering better down field. The Rams will be a great test for the defense.
Derrick Johnson was signed for coverage purposes 3rd down or long yardage downs hes not as good vs the run as bowman but bowman lacks great coverage ability . Lee should b on the field for 1st and 2nd down and throw Johnson in vs the pass. Don’t forget there’s a reason bowman’s still unsigned he may be over valuing himself when Johnson signed for around a million for 1 year