nashvillepatsfan

agreed. I feel better about the LBs than the secondary. If healthy, its clearly better than last year. As for the LBs, they're better period. Vrabes is gone. Sorry, but he looked like he was in slow motion last year. The younglings have a years worth of experience, and Woods isnt as bad as everybody thinks. Not to mention, Warren will be healthy.

Rob0729

We currently had two starter positions that are still a question mark. I am still not 100% sure how the two spots next to Mayo and Thomas will work out. I am not sold on Guyton, Woods, Crable, or TBC as fulltime starters.

I think this team may have the best depth it has had in a while at the position. We are actually in the position that the Pats may have to cut a pretty good OLB (at least in terms of depth) because of the depth at the position. Just am more worried about the talent at the top.

Granted if Taylor is signed, my opinion chances considerably. He can play every down if he had to, but even if he is only a rotational guy, he is good enough to alieve some of my fears about the other guys.

Still concerned whether Guyton can be a starter and I don't think Bruschi is anything more than a run down specialist at this point.

Pat_the_Patriot

I'm not worried. I like the youth infusion... when we talk about the corps, I am downright pumped with Mayo and AD... so now, it's just up to some of the youngsters stepping up and filling one of the mids and the weak side (I agree that AD moves strong side which should help us out)....I like Guyton as a starter, too (just not as much as Mayo and AD).... so that leaves us one of Woods, Crable, TBC, Redd (assuming that we get him back on now that McK is out for the season... unless we sign Tiramisu from STL... can't spell that dude's name to save my life... can't say it either) needing to step up.

I believe that the LB corps is the weakest portion of our team... and I think that they look good... what does that say about my feelings toward the team!

I'm enjoying the summer... but can't wait for September, either.

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patsfan-1982

i would agree that i feel more comfortable with guyton and crable or woods starting at LB then i do with shawn springs and Leigh Bodden starting at CB if you cant cover you cant get to the QB even if you got peppers and jason taylor on your team but im hopen butler or one of the young guys step up but BB knows more then me so im not losing any sleep over it

AzPatsFan

As far as I know AD has NEVER taken a snap at Strong-side OLB. That job belongs to Woods. Period. He has proven he controls the strongside run, pretty well as a SOLB must do first, last, and always. His backup will be primarily huge sophomore Redd. With more experience PW's pass rush that the Coaches see, will come on. But never forget SOLB is not a pass rushing position. In the past decade the average production is about 5-6 sacks a season, no matter who who played there.

AD is and remains the weak-side (pass rushing) OLB; some times lining up at ILB on passing downs merely to confuse and add ILB pass rushing. Proven TBC is his backup, with Crabel continuing his education there, and hopefully chipping in occasionally in his second training season.

Guyton got lots of snaps sharing the ILB job with Bruschi, as a rookie. I expect more of the same, with Guyton increasing the number of snaps versus Tedy. He had 34 tackles as rook in the rotation. What is wrong with that?

Did y'all consider that with two true talented NTs now, Wilfork and Brace, to keep each other fresh, RBs might seldom even get to the ILBs? After all, stopping the run is the primary job of the three man D-line, and the NTs in particular.

mgteich

You are pumped about two fine linebackers. Just a few years ago, we were pumped about five fine linebackers.

satz

I am excited to see the development of all the new young lb. we have seen repeatly that by the time playoff comes by our veterans seem to run out of gas as sometimes and lets get real we cannot develop any LB if we refuse to play any.

Our ILB is very good with bru playing early downs and guyton coming in run downs. Down the road we need a 255 lb ILB but for now we are good.we have appltey[sp?] who can do that down the road.

OLB - Thomas/TBC will be their and also woods\redd\crabel form the 2 sides.i will maintain the order and give redd the node over crabel as he played and has learned what it is going to take. He is working out more
from knowing what he needs where as crabel is still not faced any real competition [a reason more players get better in yr 2]

what people are forgetting is green had a down year and he does generate pass rush and ty was injured. seymour had a career year last year with these 2 guys not 100%. I expect atleast 1 or both 2 to come back stronger which will benefit our sack leader[seymour] even more. we can generate alot more presure from our DE if our OLB can hold the run better.Now with weaker OLB our DE have to hold the ground stronger then pass rush.Also, when wood was in ty was out and we did not struggle alot which tells me woods was doing a good job. their is a drop from warran to wright yet teams did not rip our defence on that side.

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Garbanza

Color me worried. Besides Thomas and Mayo - this group is a glaring weakness. We replaced Vrable with who? Tully Banta-Cain? That's an upgrade? I have far more confidence in the secondary than the LB's. The d-line is going to have to play lights out.

JoeShmoe

One of Woods, Redd or Crable is going to have to step up this year. Suspect Woods will start so will be interesting to see how he goes but in a passing league we cant let the Mannings, Big Bens and even Penningtons of the world sit in the pocket for 5 minutes a time

mayoclinic

Speaking of stepping up, here's a cute read on Vernon Gholston and the Jets:

Vernon Gholston impressing New York Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, plus tidbits from Thursday's organized team activities - NJ.com

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