Michael Lombardi: The Pats are a sleeper team to get Dansby - New England Patriots Forums

***Rob0729*** · 02-16-2010, 10:59 AM

From his column:

Quote:

So who gets Dansby? My money would be on the Giants or Dolphins, but don’t rule out a sleeper team like the Patriots, who could use more speed on defense. One thing’s for sure when it comes to those three teams -- they all seem to share a passion for the same players, especially on defense.

Diner morning news: Race is on for Karlos Dansby | National Football Post

If the Pats don't get him and Lombardi is right about the favorites, I hope the Giants get him.

BennyBledsoe · 02-16-2010, 11:03 AM

It'd be nice if the Pats had drafted all those linebackers in the previous drafts when they had the chance instead of having to be in a bidding war.

I know the Pats have been monumentally successful compared to everyone else in the NFL but it was freakin' killing me the way they kept passing on linebacking talent in the draft.

robertweathers · 02-16-2010, 11:06 AM

Pats are like the Yankees this year. They are in on everyone even though they may no be.

***Rob0729*** · 02-16-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BennyBledsoe

It'd be nice if the Pats had drafted all those linebackers in the previous drafts when they had the chance instead of having to be in a bidding war.

I know the Pats have been monumentally successful compared to everyone else in the NFL but it was freakin' killing me the way they kept passing on linebacking talent in the draft.

First, just because a player excels in one system doesn't mean they would excel in another. Just because a player they pass on turns out to be a great player in the system they are drafted into, that doesn't mean that they would work in the Pats' system.

Second, the Pats won three Super Bowls with a LB corp mostly in their late 20s or early 30s. None of the LBs during those year had less than 5 years of experience.

I have no problem with the Pats staying with older veterans. I just think they need to be better at picking those veteran. Personally, if the Pats choose to spend their money to get outside pass rushers, I wouldn't mind the Pats going the value rout for ILB and get a solid 3-4 ILB like Larry Foote.

BennyBledsoe · 02-16-2010, 11:32 AM

Yeah, they signed those guys while working to develop their own talent.

Or are you suggesting BB and Co couldn't have done anything with the linebackers drafted in the past few years?

JackBauer · 02-16-2010, 11:45 AM

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

lostjumper · 02-16-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

I'd prefer Dansby. He's younger, and I think our linebacker core is weaker than the DL group.

***KontradictioN*** · 02-16-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackBauer

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

Dansby in a landslide. We know he can play ILB in a 3-4. We have no idea if Peppers can play OLB in a 3-4 and be as good in that role as he was as a 4-3 DE some time ago. I really hope we land him. He and Mayo would be a deadly combination against the run lining up next to one another.

BradyManny · 02-16-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KontradictioN

Dansby in a landslide. We know he can play ILB in a 3-4. We have no idea if Peppers can play OLB in a 3-4 and be as good in that role as he was as a 4-3 DE some time ago. I really hope we land him. He and Mayo would be a deadly combination against the run lining up next to one another.

I'd generally agree with you - but I was talking to an Arizona fan who said the perception out there is that Dansby is overrated. Not sure why. I haven't seen enough of him to say one way or the other, but I agree the thought of him next to Mayo sounds pretty good.

***KontradictioN*** · 02-16-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyManny

I'd generally agree with you - but I was talking to an Arizona fan who said the perception out there is that Dansby is overrated. Not sure why. I haven't seen enough of him to say one way or the other, but I agree the thought of him next to Mayo sounds pretty good.

Eh, you should keep in mind that that's the mentality of any fan whose team is about to lose a top shelf performer on either side of the ball. Whether you originally liked the Seymour trade or you didn't, you have to admit that there was a reaction around here from quite a few people who generally made Seymour out to be an absolute bum who had no business playing in the NFL for the past nine years, let alone this defense. It's pretty typical fan psychology, really.

From what I've seen of Dansby, I've been impressed. Really one of the few high level performers on what has been a lackluster defense for the Cards.