BradyManny

Per the Herald:

Willie McGinest considers return - BostonHerald.com

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, the intangibles I sometimes dismiss since the Patriots have abundance of them already (leadership, experience) are off the chart here.

Second, we normally don't use the word "clutch" to describe defensive players. It's normally reserved for QBs, kickers, etc. But Willie was as clutch a defender as you could have and always rose to the occasion. I do have to wonder if the late-game defensive collapses that ended 06 & 07 would've happened if Willie were here (though, yes, I am aware all 3 SB victories saw similar long drives yielded in the 4th quarter...).

Another bonus would be a mentoring role for Crable - they're having Crable watch film of Willie...well, what could be better than having the guy there in camp and in practice.

On the other side, I don't know what he has left in the tank and roster spots are tough enough to come by on this team as it is.

State

Oh, please. That ship has sailed. Bill Parcells drafted him out of USC in 1994 in the first round. Some of you may not yet have had your brit milah (circumcision).

Let's not reverse the needful youth movement at LBer, shall we?

I hope Teddy B. doesn't expect to play as big a role this year. Tremendous liability in the passing game.

KontradictioN

Please consult these lyrics for my answer...

George Thorogood And The Destroyers - Nobody But Me Lyrics

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PATS @ COLTS POSTGAME ANALYSIS BLOG IS NOW UP!

matt9071

Bad idea Willie is just to old and slow.

Double G

Willie did make some clutch plays in his day; the Manning sack in the home opener that pushed Vanderjerk, aka, "money", further back which caused him to miss the FG and the fourth down stop on James that clinched another win vs the Dolts.

That said, "in his day" applies here as it no longer is.

Also, you raised another great point; for a team who's head coach is known for his brilliant defensive schemes, this team has melted down defensively in the fourth quarter way, way too many times in critical games, 2001, 2003, 2007 Super Bowls and 2006 AFCCG as prime examples............

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"We don't throw at .260 hitters." Tek to Pay-Fraud before he smacked him across the face.

BelizePats

I love Willie! But, I'm not interested in bringing him back. Not as a player!
Bring him back a as coach. This D needs its younger LB's to get reps in meaningful situations.
Meaningful reps are critical to player development and I think we can all agree that player development is what the coaches want to see from our young linebackers. Getting better, readings keys faster, playing consistently. I am against anything that takes even a few reps from the young guys.
Bring him back for a "Ring of Honor" ceremony, which he deserves. Bring him back as a formal or informal coach. Just don't bring him back as a player. That ship has sailed.

BradyManny

I can't blame BB for any of those though - tired defenses. Of course, 07 was the killer - and that had nothing to do with the coach, just an absurd play based mostly on luck.

As for Willie Mac - I don't think they'd be asking the guy to come in here and start. At best, he'd rotate in the nickel/dime and provide depth at the position. I think that plus the role of mentor for the cast of young OLBs (Woods, Redd, Crable) might be valuable enough to at least have him here during camp.

mojocaster.com

If he wanted to come back as a coach I wouldn't be against it

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efin98

Does he even have anything left to give?

Emotions for the past aside, how did he look last year?

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"As long as we have Belichick, I always think that we're going to be just fine."...Tom Brady, in reference to his coach.

In BB we trust...not just a motto, but a belief.

jmt57

For those that prefer a non-Herald link: Q&A with ... free-agent OLB Willie McGinest | Sporting News

Q: With all the people with Bill Parcells and/or Bill Belichick ties running NFL teams, would those teams be the best fit?
A: That would be a good situation. It would depend on the conversations I'd have with them, and what role I'd have, to make it ideal. But a familiar situation— where I know what I'm getting and what I'm going to be a part of, where I know what to expect of the coaches, and they know what to expect of me, where I have a familiarity with the defense, knowing that 3-4 inside and out—would be great. Those are places where I can see things before they happen and where I could help younger guys.

Q: Would returning to New England be best, giving symmetry to your career?
A: Yeah, I've talked to Tom (Brady), (Richard) Seymour and some other guys there. Those guys are lifelong friends, and I've heard some people say that it'd be a good fit. Why wouldn't you want to go to a really good team, which is always close to the Super Bowl, which was in one a couple years ago, was a game away from another one, which has great coaching and is a great organization with a well put-together roster? Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that? And with all the history I have, what we accomplished in the playoffs, that wouldn't be a bad way to finish up.