RayClay

I've made the point that Pittsburgh puts a lot more emphasis on drafting and paying LBs. Not exactly the same as managing ro do it.

Outside of Mayo we haven't drafted high and only AD is an investment.

I'm resigned to the fact that those two and Crable (2nd highest pick BB era) will be our OLB rotation (though) that could change. Id Crable's special, that works.

I have no problem with them trying to spend less at a position. My only question is the small amount of FA, vet jags they've tried out over the years.

Seems to me, if you aren't going to spend, you evaluate as many bodies as possible hoping to find some gems. Seems to me they aren't leaving much room for error.

A lot is riding on Crabel Guyton and Lenon imo.

spacecrime

What a dud coach.

We're doomed.

Maybe we can lure Wanny for Pitt or Herm from wherever.

Boy, you should be our head coach. You already know who is better. Belichick still needs to spend about 300 to 400 hours with these guys during training camp to make his decision on who will start opening day. ANd even then he may not do it the way you say. Have you thought of emailing him and tell him to start Crable over Woods? You could save him a lot of needless practices, viewing tape, etc etc. plus he won't pick the wrong guy due to all that time spent with them giving him informatin that might conflict with your knowledge. Tell him you watch NFL Live every night and watched most of the games last year if he give you and backtalk.

And while your at it, remind Belichick how important draft position is. He seems to think that where a player was drafted is meaningless after the draft, that it all depends on the player. What a doofus.

363839

And I won't mind if Woods turns into the next Ray Lewis.
BTW I'm not basing my opinion on that one play but that one
play was on the national stage. Not good.

363839

The only saving grace for not acquiring any linebackers in FA or the draft is that Bill Belichick is our head coach.
You know....In BB we trust.

jmt57

Impatient as we are collectively as a group, we're just going to have to wait and see. Perhaps, for example, BB has seen enough in sessions outside of public viewing of Crable that he was not only convinced he'll get the job done, but his play gave him enough confidence to let Vrabel go.

A year ago we had no idea that Mayo would be as good as he was. Three years ago we were elated with what we considered to be a steal when the Pats received Doug Gabriel in exchange for a fifth round draft pick. It's still a bit early to declare how the Pats wil or will not perform at the position in 2009.

I wouldn't say the Pats are doomed because of the OLB position but it is certainly a question mark. I'm cautiously optimistic that somebody will step up among the group of Crable, Woods, Redd, TBC and Alexander. It should make for an interesting and competitive training camp battle.

farn

Prob not gonna happen, but what if Woods IS actually a pretty decent player given an entire year of snaps ? Will everyone then be back here ripping BB because he didn't get a deal done earlier and allow "such a valuable piece" to hit the market ?

Let's chill and see what happens. Reiss thinks they go with Woods for a couple of downs and use Crable-TBC on 3rd and long. We'll see.

Dirk3601215

There's a couple options at LB. It is pointless to say "player A sucks, player b should start" when we haven't even seen these guys enough to form any knowledgable opinion on them. I'll take the wait and see approach. Whoever is playing the best by the end of the year should get the starting nod. Heck, maybe someone runs away with the job.

eagle eye

While its clear that there are players have to step on on previous performances and almost all of us would have liked to see some LBs coming in, the fact that BB didn't take any in the draft when there was ample opportunity and the fact that we have not signed any free agents in that position makes me believe that we are in very good shape with our linebackers. We all identifield LB both inside and out as key positions that needed to be addressed in the draft but BB decides we don't need any.

You got to trust that the greatest coach in the game knows exactly where he is at as regards our linebacking core.

DW Toys

Redd.
DW Toys

OldNEPatsFan

I don't know why people are complaining about Woods. When you look at his stats for last year he played in 12 games, started in 3, had 35 tackles and one sack. Compare that to Thomas who started 9 games, had 34 tackles and 5 sacks and Woods did a pretty good job last year.