2010 NFL Draft: IsThere A Complete Middle Linebacker This Year?

There's an old adage that says; "defense wins championships". Most NFL GM's and coaches buy into this belief. For defenses to be effective it has to have great players in the triangle. This triangle involves the two defensive ends and the middle linebacker as the anchor of the defense (its a little different in 3-4 defenses because the nose tackle is the anchor in that scheme). This is one of the many defensive philosophies in the NFL, that establish the middle linebacker as the person that controls the defense.

Over the last decade, nine Defensive rookie of the year awards were given to linebackers—a testament of their worth to a defense. Its well publicized by pundits around the web and the media, that the Giants are in the market for a new middle-linebacker.The question: Is there a complete linebacker in this years draft worthy of a top 15 pick? Five of the better inside linebacker prospects in this years draft,in no particular order are: Sean Weatherspoon, Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, Jamar Chaney, and Pat Angerer.

Sean Weatherspoon: Leader, high motor, can chase down plays from sideline to sideline but he's on the small side. Chances are he'll struggle getting around with huge centers and guards. With out good play from the Defensive tackles he may struggle playing inside.

Brandon Spikes: Huge, physical, nasty, gritty, big hitter—the right attitude for a linebacker but he's a slower linebacker and a liability in coverage; hence why he isn't considered a 3-down linebacker.

RolandoMcClain : Big, intelligent, leader, tackling machine but,a bit of a liability in pass and man coverage (someone that Brent Celek and Chris Cooley may have a field day with—same for Spikes).

Jamar Chaney: Physical, smart, big hitter, great against both pass and run, sideline to sideline type player, fast, but he's not the most vocal at times.

Pat Angerer: Leader, great tackler, good in pass and man coverage but some say he's small for the position.

In previous drafts, the complete middle linebackers taken, made an immediate impact on their team. Either in the locker room or on special teams til they become the starter. In the past team's and their fans have been blessed with the likes of Ray Lewis, Harry Carson and Mike Singletary.Most recently, DeMeco Ryans, Patrick Willis and Jerod Mayo to name a few.

NFL scouts and pundits for the most part believe that, complete middle linebackers should be able to lead their defense, motivate, bring a swagger, play good against run and pass, and be the physical presence in the middle.There are a lot of good linebackers but some of these attributes separates the good ones from the greats.

The guys in this year's middle-linebacker class, are great players in their own right—just not the complete ones, we're accustomed to see enter the NFL. Unless they improve the areas their lacking, there arguably isn't a complete middle linebacker in this years draft. Whether or not, they'll develop into complete players after spending time in the League,remains to be seen...