AzPatsFan

The only good Steeler Defensive lineman is almost as old a Willie McGinnest; and there is no one on the horizon to replace him.

AzPatsFan

Belichick had to spend the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 offseasons rebuilding the Offense, if you hadn't noticed, Bro. Belichick has had to rebuild every squad on the Patriots since he arrived in 2000. His initial construction of the LB corps in 200-2001, has had augmentation until 2007-2008 offseason.

I fully believe that the LB corps is pretty good, even is some youngsters haven't made their marks fully. Mayo, Woods, Crabel, Guyton, and even Redd, all have ideal size, and either truly rare, (all but...), or only good (Woods), speed & size. All save Redd, have shown flashes of talent. I didn't even include the high draft pick, smart & talented, Tyrone McKenzie among the newcomers, but he is out for the year, just like a vet from mid-decade. He would be the sixth youngster to go with three vet starters, Adalius, Paris and Tedy.

Just how many youngsters can you groom simultaneously? The Pats F. O. had lots of opportunities to draft more LBs than the single high pick, they used this draft. Many have said they appear non-chalant; and they did freely trade Mike Vrabel. Everyone has speculated that they have seen lots in practice that we haven't seen yet, and I agree.

Despite your memories of the mid-decade Patriots LB corps, it seldom consisted of more than 5 available good players for four positions. By today's standard that is extraordinarily thin. On paper they had six, but every year one guy was out for the year, TJ bicep, then Tedy stroke, then Rosey hip.

Further proof that they are putting finishing touches on the LB corps rebuilding, is that Belichick is already starting to address the next rebuilding job, the Offensive line.

It is fine now, and will be so for a few more years. But he is already starting to obtain a next generation of Linemen to groom for that day, a few seasons from now. Volmer, Ohrnberger and Bussey, as well as freeing Nick Kaczur to move inside, are the beginning foundation of the next generation O-line...

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

Thanks for mentioning McKenzie because I forgot about him being taken in the 3rd round. That makes it 3 LB's taken in the first three rounds since BB has been head coach.

Who is their only good D-lineman? Last time I checked, Aaron Smith (age 31) is a very good DE and Casey Hampton (age 33) is one of the best NT's in the game. Brett Keisel (age 30) is a decent DE. They drafted Ziggy Hood in the 1st round of this year's draft.

Willie McGinest is 37 years old. I'm not sure what roster your looking at.

Because that is all they have. When a team has to depend on a 3-4 DE to produce a pass rush, that's pretty pathetic.

Check my responses again. I already mentioned that the Patriots are the one team that the Steelers defense can't hang with.

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apple strudel

1) OLBs do a lot more than rush the passer.
2) We're 1 year removed from having the 2nd most sacks in the NFL.

DL is by far the most important part of a 2 gap 3-4. Great OLBs are fantastic to have, but also hard to get. Also bear in mind that BB knows exactly how to evaluate them: he had DeMarcus Ware rated as the best player in his draft. I'm sure you're just trying to stimulate conversation (being generous here), but your point is completely whack.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

Really? 2007 is skewed because opposing teams offenses became predictable by throwing the ball the entire game. When teams are able to have a balanced offense against the Pats (2008), it was harder for them to get after the QB.

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apple strudel

Yeah and 2008 is skewed by the guy BB scouted and signed getting old and the other guy BB scouted and signed breaking the crap out of his arm. Oh yeah, and the solid cover corner BB drafted leaving for big bucks. Your point is completely whack. BB knows exactly what makes a good OLB and how to get them both by paying FA dollars, drafting them in the middle rounds, drafting them late, or (based on how he evaluated Ware) how to draft them early. The guy's not perfect, but compared to your argument he just discovered homomorphic cryptography.

Patjew

It wasn't only that. The 2007 LB crew was very good. You make it sound like the LB's were crap after 2004 and BB never bothered rebuilding it. A unit consisting of Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi, Seau and Vrabel is more-than-solid. That group was no embarassment; they made the cover of SI FWIW. Colvin's injury hurt them, but that unit and the D as a whole played very well, especially in the playoffs.

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Ian bows to no one. He is like the love child of Chuck Norris and Adam Seward.

PatsBoy12

Why are you all continuing to entertain some of the more ridiculous notions? None of the back-and-forth is going to change his mind. He clearly feels that the LB's were trash after 2004 and BB knows nothing about how to evaluate new LB talent. Apparently, he's reserving his expertise for the right team to ring his phone and offer him a head coaching job so he can show BB how it's done.

Patjew

There's not much else to talk about, especially since the rap thread died away.

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Ian bows to no one. He is like the love child of Chuck Norris and Adam Seward.

ausbacker

It's some comments in threads like these that you truly understand the implications of success and the expectations in some people's heads of what should be instead of what is.

It's not called elite sport for nothing. Nothing is easy and more often than not takes time.