mgteich

Our current stable of OLB's includes
Banta-Cain
Ninkovich
Woods
Crable and
Thomas
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We usually carry five, although six is possible if one doubles as a passrushing DE. Then we add
(Burgess) who we will re-sign or replace.
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I presume that you want upgrades on all six. This is very unreasonable. It is also unreasonable to expect more than ONE draftee to have significant reps in the early part of the season.
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So, we need to see how many new players will come in (and need to learn the system) and who will stay.

The BOTTOM LINE is that they are not all going.

pats1

Unreasonable as it may be, the current situation is unacceptable and WILL be the achilles heel of the team. Just like the wide receiver situation circa spring 2007, when the team signed Washington. Then Stallworth. Then traded for Welker. Then traded for Moss.

Thomas is a goner. You should stop wasting your time and don't even bother including him in your analysis.

Crable is a bubble player. If he makes the team it will be as a 4th or 5th OLB.

Woods and Ninkovich should be 4th OLBs/STs, but one of them will probably end up being the 3rd OLB due to the current personnel situation.

TBC ideally would be the 2nd or 3rd OLB, but will probably end up being the 2nd OLB due to the current personnel situation.

No matter how you slice it, the Pats are in the market for two Top 3 OLBs. They have one (Banta-Cain).

The Steelers have Harrison and Woodley. The Chargers have Merriman, Phillips, English, and Tucker. The Dolphins (had) Taylor, Porter, and Wake. The Cowboys have Ware and Spencer. The Jets have Pace and Thomas. The Packers have Matthews. The Broncos have Dumervil. The Chiefs have Hali and Vrabel. The Browns (had) Wimbley.

tanked_as_usual

thomas is still here and as long as he is, he pretty much belongs on that list........I believe he will be gone, but for now, he is still here......

I believe the pats will add 2 bodies through the draft who they will expect to contribute (meaning I think they will be in the first 2 rounds) like brandon graham and koa misi......there will also be another veteran added to the group maybe even 2...by the time the season starts....the only OLB's I expecet to be here that are already here are TBC and Ninkovich

mgteich

I agree.

I am just cautioning folks that it is unlikely that we will add three OLB's who will have an immediate positive effect on the team.

I'm fine with adding three. After all, Thomas and Burgess need to be replaced, and no more than 2 of Woods, Ninkovich and Crable are likely to be on the 53.

HarkDawg

I want 1-2 others in the mix for competition.

I foresee Thomas being traded.

then Crable and others who r borderline have competition.

As stated before I am not Anti-Woods... don't care abou 2mill.... if he is that good on ST.

VJCPatriot

Any of these teams, particularly the Dolphins might be competitors in the draft for a 3-4 OLB Or 4-3 End who might project to OLB. That's not a good thing for us. Although KC will likely go OL early, so that helps, but they could still take an OLB prospect in early round 2 before the Pats get to pick.

I would like to trade Adalious Thomas for the Saints if they will have him. A 4th round pick is all I ask in return, not sure they would even give that though... Why hasn't AD's name appeared on the trading block yet?

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PATRIOTS-80

TBC, Ninkovich and a high draft pick I think will be the top 3 spots. The rookie will see more time on 3rd down (ala Burgess) and Ninkovich will see more time on 1st/2nd. Brandon Graham or Koa Misi come to mind as potential draft picks in the first two rounds.

Woods would be in the 4th spot.

Unless, BB trades for a LB in RFA. Gocong comes to mind. But whoever plays opposite of TBC is not going to be a sack artist. BB will have to weigh out how high of a pick he would be willing to part with and how much better a player such as Gocong would contribute instead of Ninkovich. If it's a 2nd round pick, it might be better to draft a player with that pick and platoon him with Ninkovich.

We'll see.

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According to Rodney Harrison, new wide-receiver Wes Welker was “a pain in the butt” to deal with when he was with the Dolphins. “We had to double-team him because no one could stick with him man-to-man,” Harrison said.

Schmo

Graham and TBC on 3rd downs would make me very, VERY happy. That has the potential of being an actual pass rush.