Patspsycho

Spikes and Murrell have taken reps at OLB. Spikes rushed the edge a few time yesterday. We have "5" OLB.

Our OLB depth is fine. I am not worried about it. Our OL is by far the worst problem we have.

Urgent

I'd place Spikes on the edge somewhere between Troy Brown on defense and Vince Wilfork fielding punts.

__________________
"Your father was a truck driver, Ray?"
- Trombley

Christopher Patriot

Sign Schobel, trade Mankins for Woodley problem solved.

Sicilian

You're reading too much into Spikes' 40 time. If he's as instinctual as he seems, and he has length and strength, I don't see why he can't be used on the outside in some situations. No one's saying he's going to be a 3 down OLB, but is there some reason he simply can NOT play the position in certain packages?

Patspsycho

Then you're smarter than Bill Belichick.

reamer

He cramped up in the heat and should be fine with some stretching and hydration. No big deal.

As for Guyton, why does everyone assume he's so small? He's bigger than Mayo is, and at least the same size as TBC. No, he's not a full-time OLB, but it's not out of the question that he could occasionally align outside and blitz.

Also, whoever mentioned that Schobel is almost 300 pounds is ill-informed. Schobel is about the exact same weight as Guyton, but is a taller and leaner. He's built like a LB. DEs in our system are like DTs in other systems, which is probably why the assumption about weight was made.

JackBauer

Uh, that doesn't solve any problems, other than making the lack of topline talent and depth at OL even worse.

PowerRunRevival

Guton is extremely fast. If Spikes shows that from time to time he can rush the passer from the silb position then Guyton wouldn't be rushing the passer but covering a back on that play.

Christopher Patriot

In my opinion a guard is easier to plug in a average player and have solid results. Where as a pass rusher you want elite talent.
I know protecting Brady is by far the most important thing in the world, I just believe as quick a decision maker Brady is, and if we take advantage of play action and we beefed up the tight ends to block as well.
I don't see how the Patriots will cave into Mankins requests unless Brady demands it or works something out with Kraft on his contract.
Mankins is a elite talent at a position that is arguably not of top 10 importance on this team. If Pitt has any interest in moving Woodley a player the majority of the board was in love with in the draft. Then I don't see why not.
Bottom line I'd much rather have a elite outside linebacker than a elite guard.

sbpatfan

There's no way in hell Pittsburgh would trade away one of like three guys on their defense that's under thirty anyways.