RayClay

Some may think I'm negative or obsessed with linebackers , but I'm not.

Nor am I "worried" about our lack of depth at inside linebacker. I don't own stock in the team so it doesn't affect me, (although I do have this recurring nightmare of LaDainian Tomlinson ripping right through our defense over and over........

It's just that the rest of the team looks great and the problems at WR are because of one idiot and his agent and should take care of themselves.

Looks like they're patching the LB corps this year.

Vrabel, Seau and Gardner look fine if healthy.

All our promising youngsters are OLB so that position would look strong with Vrabel. Without him we're "hoping" our starters are ok.

When Bruschi returns do we keep Vrable there and have Gardner and Seau as backups, letting TBC, Mincey and Woods/Alexander get some time?

Or do we groom one of the OLB candidates as an ILB?

We have zero youth at ILB as I don't think Roach makes it. (I'm disregarding Beisel because... It's my post and I can ignore him if I want. )

Thoughts?

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D-cleater

I'm with you Ray Clay. I think a strong case can be made for Vrable to stay inside long term, providing Bruschi a solid running mate during his last few years and taking over play calling duties, helping out the youngsters. We simply need to get some youth at LB, and we have some at OLB. Get a rookie in next year to groom at ILB, and we may have the next generation Patriots LB by 2008.

We just have to hope that we are not being overly optimistic about TBC, but I seriously think that after investing three years in the player, and considering his injuries last year.... its his time to step up and its the coaches time to rely on investment they've made in this player. Perhaps Mincey or Woods can provide some reliable backup before too long.

If TBC continues to improve, I think we gain with Vrabel at ILB, regardless of the fact that he is a more natural OLB.

Pats726

No...I hope that is far from the case...There may be some OLB that can slowly learn the role of ILB...Do people remember how long it took TB to understand the inside slots?? It did not happen overnite...and/or 2 seasons.
It takes time...there are some candidates...Biesel is still a possibility, but the fact that he's down past the 2nd stringers is NOT good...whether it is more injury or he doesn't get it and is tailing off..who knows. I would not count him out yet, although I think he has to get it soon..or he may be pink slipped..Gardner is also a possiility..he is a vet and I think is slowly understanding the 3-4...but again time. Learning the ILB roles takes time and patience..and few if anyunderstand it all quick fast...Roach is another who will take time..he may be injured and out.and if that is serious..IRed..a year to learn and look at film and slowly start to get it all. He may be a possible ILB..in the TJ role. I also think there may be others who in time MIGHT be able to ove inside...Alexander is a possibility and another might be Mincey..but again, it will take time a few years...and one has to be patient. I think everyone is full of panic..I think this year Vrabel stays outside...he is more effective there and with Junior inside..all will be OK. NO time for panic..

Box_O_Rocks

Nasty things, I avoid them like the plague.

We need another run oriented team to test us again, unfortunately Washington isn't it with Portis hurt. Seau isn't any kind of thrill for me, if BB thinks he can help then well and good. I would rather see Vrabel inside right now so TBC can get the additional reps. Folks keyed on his pass rush, but I'll repeat myself and point out we already knew that, we were waiting for his pass coverage and run stopping skills to improve. Based on preseason, we have a pretty good looking OLB rotation developing. As of this moment, I'd keep Woods and move Mincey to the Practice Squad.

ILB, I need to see Seau playing in our system to know what to expect. Gardener still isn't up to speed there, but I like him as the MLB when Pees throws his 4-3 curve ball. Roach needs to go to Practice Squad, I think he is a good futures' project. Alexander is making the argument to replace Izzo. I don't mind Vrabel inside, you can use Woods to rest TBC and Rosey if that happens. Beisel (ignore him if you wish ) needs to be alongside Vrabel or Bruschi, maybe Seau if he fits well. He isn't ready to be a field leader and putting him alongside Roach or Alexander is trouble. I see the flashes of ability that Pees talks about, I see the improvement - I also note that unlike Vrabel, who learned OLB as a 4 year reserve in a 3-4 system, Monty was raised wrong, he's got a lot of unlearning to do and one year isn't enough - if BB keeps him, I expect it's because he has the "potential" to be a future Bruschi clone.

ILB is our weak spot, but BB can always play the 'currant' strength of the team by using the 4-3 with Green and Wright in the mix. Patience, BB and Pees are growing ILBs. I see reason to be optimistic in the long term, a few lumps and bumps in the short term are survivable.

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D-cleater

Good argument, Pats726, but I think it actually favors RC's and my position. The fact that it takes a while to learn the ILB spot is a clear case for the position to be manned by a solid player like Vrabel, who

1) Already has almost a full *successful* season at the position ( started well into the season, but played there in the post season as well, IIR)
2) Understands the defensive scheme as well or better than any player next to Bruschi.
3) Has the physical and mental attributes required to be successful at the position
4) Has a comfort level with Bruschi and the confidence of the rest of the team that he can get it done.
5) We have more young depth at OLB. Plain and simple.

Disclaimer: If Gardner continues to improve I may change my position :-p

Finally, everyone, can we please stop insisting that moving Vrabel to ILB is a "panic" move? Can we just leave that word out of the conversation? Panic is what happens when I'm stuck in rush hour traffic after a night of mexican food and beer. Panic happens when there there is no coffee in cupboard on sunday morning. Why does everyone who doesn't love Beisel or Don Davis have to be in "panic" mode, or labelled as a chicken little? Seems like an immature way to present an argument. Not directed at you Pats726, just something I've noticed a lot around here.

AzPatsFan

Ray Clay,

Welcome to the club. I have been saying I am sanguine about the ILBs since Vrabel demonstrated last season two things;
a) he could move in side and excel
b) he could set the defense and call defensive signals.

I know it is unfashionable right now to credit anything to Monty Beisel and Chad Brown and they are dinged, so they aren't playing, but both add depth. When Brown is available, he frees Vrabel to move inside and Beisel still gives us the the inside coverage LB that is needed, although Davis and Gardner might have something to say about that...

patsfan13

Vrabel is very good on the inside. The optimium situation is IF we can keep Vrabel on the outside. Ideally we can have a rotation of Bruschi, Seau and Gardner (?) inside (he seems to be coming on), with Alexander as the 4th guy. with Vrabel, Colvin and TBC on the outside with Woods/ Mincey as the developmental guys. Then the question is do we carry 10/11 LB's and are Izzo and Davis. Do C Brown and Beisel make the team?

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

RayClay

Thanks but I'm not really totally in favor of the move, (and neither is Vrabel from what I hear), but it is the strongest lineup with current personnel.

I'd like us to spend for a kickass ILB. Otherwise, a lineup of Vrabel and
Bruschi with Gardner and Seau backing is our strongest.

We weaken the OLB, but there's more possibilities there.

You just can't win and be soft up the middle IMO.

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RayClay

I like your idea too. How about grooming Woods as ILB? He seems active and a hitter.

We're in the position where we're robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The best scenario to me is coaching up Gardner and Woods Alexander so we can have an adequate rotation when Bruschi returns.

Then there's Beisel

I hope we don't have to keep Vrabel inside when Bru returns.

But we need to do what's necessary. You can't win consistently while teams can run through the middle IMO. Bottom line.

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Zuma

Vrabel may have "graduated" to the inside. ILB is more difficult to play than OLB. This might be a trend in BB's system where the veteran OLB that has a very good knowledge of the system...moves inside. Vrabel is now working on his "Masters" by playing inside (just kidding..ie..masters). Colvin may do the same down the road as well.