Signing James Just Makes the Strong Stronger

The signing of Robert James does a lot to help the linebacking corps.  Yes, everybody wants James to produce this year.  I do, too.  But James's contributions to the LBs this year will be as a situational player.  However, there his college career provides encouraging insight.  James didn't crack the starting lineup at Arizona State until his senior year.  However, in that year, he was all-PAC10 and he was named the Sun Devil's most valuable player.  This gives me hope for the guy moving into the future.  Clearly, he may (probably will) take some time to develop, but his history indicates that his potential for development is there, and further, that when he hits the field, he makes the most of any tutelage he's received.  I think he also plays the role of stop gap in the middle (should he pan out this way in training camp) in case Lofton doesn't get signed in time.  This will allow Brooking to continue work at the Will position, with Lofton or James at the Mike.  I know the middle of the field is a tough place to play, which is why James will take a couple of years to become an every-down player.  But he seems like the perfect project.