DJ's return
 

Where to put him? Joe mays is out for the year (I know you're all heart-broken), so we can definitely use him. It would seem that we have the most need at MLB. Woodyard and Von are playing at such a high level, he won't push them aside.

Brooking is currently starting at Mike and being backed up by Steven Johnson. DJ probably will not be quite so quick on the draw as he has been, so MLB would seem to fit his skill set best at this point. The question is, does DJ return to the starting lineup for the majority of snaps? Or does he see spot duty in certain situations?

What is DJ's role going forward?

Discuss.

I predict spot duty for a couple of weeks, at least. Others are playing well right now.. Who gets cut on the 53 to bring him on?

Caleb Hanie!!

Make him earn a starting spot back. The D is in a good place right now, it would upset the chemistry and morale to just hand a guy coming of a 9 week suspension a starting role without earning it.

DJ can have an immediate impact playing special teams and rotation duty on the D, cover guy in a nickel situation.

In b4 lonelystar takes a dump.

Or we could cut Andre Caldwell. Waste of space so far....

Yeah, it would be a great idea to cut WR depth...

If they aren't going to use Knowshoe drop that boy.

i don't know that i want him anywhere near MLB. he can't make calls.
he struggled badly with that last time he was the MLB.
he needs to be the WLB. as much as i love Woodyard and his play DJ is our best LB, Von is a beast but not a true full on LB yet.

I say put him at solb and bench miller.

DJ played solb a few years back in the day. He knows the position well.

Seriously? Show me when DJ had a better season than Woody is having right now.

This. Make the guy earn it. Have him play special teams, put him in certain blitz packages, but this defense is in a good place. Don't **** it up.

Show us when DJ played on a D this good before? WW should still start and play a ton but lets not act like we have had a D this good in years with a DC that knows a thing or two about LBs. WW has his limitations as well. Two weeks ago he was getting beat pretty bad against the Bengals with RBs out of the backfield. I think they can both work on the field together in packages.

Make him earn his stripes on special teams.

run more 3-4 and have him as the other middle LB. I am sure there is a technical term besides other MLB, I just choose not to look it up and try and appear like I know what I am talking about

The whole LB corp is subbing like crazy other than Von Miller. Just throw him in the mix and then let him play full time in a couple of weeks if he is looking ready.

Glad he is back!!

Gotta make him earn it. Too much positive chemistry on the D right now.

I guess this explains why Woody was more productive than DJ last year too...

I don't get it, DJ has always been an above average player, nothing more, but yet people around here still think he's a good to great player. And I just have to shake my head at people who say he's the best overall linebacker on our team. Von is better than DJ in all three linebacker fazes. Rushing the passer, stopping the run and even in pass coverage. And he's far better at causing turnovers. It's not even close who the best linebacker on the team is.

And if I recall correctly our D was better when DJ was hurt last year and Woody was filling in.

I will be amazed if Brooking can stay healthy the rest of the season. A guy his age usually hits the wall sooner or later. Bring DJ into the rotation and get him ready to help with the playoff run.

Also, just as a point of order. Our new coaching staff has everyone playing better (including Woodyard, Miller, Tevathan, etc.). I have no reason to believe that they willl fail with DJ. He might be about to receive the best coaching, and be part of the best system of his career. I expect him to look really good when he returns.

More productive? DJ had more sacks and same amount of FF. DJ does things WW doesn't just like WW does things better then DJ. It's not that hard to understand.

If DJ is an above average LB so is WW which is perfectly OK with me. As for the rest of that crap you posted not a single person thinks DJ is better then Miller. Why you even typed that I have no clue.

Woodyard is playing at a higher level than DJ has in recent seasons. DJ is not taking back that spot. When he retirns he needs to get used to situational work and working on taking over the MLB

That is easy, have him run in sub packages and spot duty and see if he can take over from Keith the old guy down the road.

I would see what he does in practice at MLB. He is more athletic than Brooking is. I know Trevathan has been getting reps, I wouldn't mess with the rotation other than take snaps from Brooking.

i don't see him being the MLB unless the defense is so different that the calls are simplified and he won't struggle with him.
he's not gonna take the SLB job from Von, he's not a MLB and he's always been best at WLB.

i love what Woodyard is doing but i don't see him holding off DJ for very long.