ATippett56

Now that would be shocking!

BelichickFan

I really like some of the DBs in this draft, enough that I wouldn't take two LB. I'm intrigued by Pozluzny, I wonder if he has size potential to get to 245, that's not a lot more weight and it's big enough.

DaBruinz

I think that Willis and Posluzsny would BOTH be very good candidates for the Pats at ILB. They are very similar. As people have said, prior to getting hurt, Posluzsny was was sure top 10 pick last year.

ATippett56

Name: Patrick Willis
College: Mississippi Number: 49
Height: 6-1 Weight: 240
Position: ILB Pos2: OLB
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.60 40 Low: 4.57 40 High: 4.65
Projected Round: 1 Stock:
Rated number 1 out of 91 ILB's 23 / 2335 TOTAL

Overview

Overview: In a year besieged with inconsistency and injury among many of the best senior prospects, there are few positions with an unquestioned leader. But there is no question Willis is the dominant figure at middle linebacker. Willis broke onto the scene last year, earning All-American honors for his 128-tackle, 9.5 tackle for loss, 3.0 sack performance. Not only did Willis' 128 tackles lead the SEC, his 9.0 solo tackle average per game led all of D-IA football. His performance would have been even more impressive had he not missed a game (Wyoming) due to a broken finger -- an injury he played through the rest of the season.

Through the first ten games of the 2006 season, Willis has been proving that last year was no fluke. To this point he has 112 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and a sack. Veteran scouts will tell you that statistics are a poor tool in judging a prospect's chances at the next level. While this is certainly true, so is the fact that Willis consistently pops off the film regardless of who his Rebels are playing. Whether against the likes of Northwestern State (11 tackles) or Auburn (15), Willis is among the best players on the field.

Analysis

Positives: Well built athlete. Solid physique from head to toe. Wide shoulders. Thick legs. Instinctive. Reads the action quickly and is seemingly always in the right place at the right time. Rarely fooled by misdirection or trick plays. Physical presence in the middle. Struggled with a club for a right hand (cast for broken finger) as a junior and yet still showed the determination, strength and technique to take on and disengage from blockers. Reliable open field tackler. Legitimate sideline-to-sideline speed due to not only his athleticism, but his ability to read the action. Cognizant in coverage, though this isn't his strong suit. Understands blocking schemes and has the short area burst to be effective as a blitzer, but not used enough in this manner. Hard worker. Team leader.

Negatives: Good overall athleticism, but can be beaten in both man and zone coverage. Try-hard guy in this area and has worked hard to improve, but looks like a very good two-down middle linebacker who will struggle on third down against the pass at the next level. Durability is a bit of a concern as he has suffered a broken hand and broken foot despite starting for the Rebels for only two seasons.

12/07/06 - 2006 Butkus Award Winner: Ole Miss senior linebacker Patrick Willis was named the 2006 Butkus Award winner on Thursday evening at the 2006 Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Show. Willis, a Bruceton, Tenn., native is the first player from the state of Mississippi to take home the award honoring the nation's top linebacker. "My heart was beating so fast I didn't hear them call my name," said Willis, who was named 2006 SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both The Associated Press and the league coaches. "My foster mother turned to me and told me they called my name, I'm still in shock." Willis led the Southeastern Conference in tackles for the second-straight season with 137, including 87 solos. He finished the season ranked sixth in the NCAA in total tackles and third in solo tackles. In addition, he had three sacks, 11.5 TFLs for minus 44 yards, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

SeanBruschi54

If we ended up with one of Poz or Willis i guarantee you this board will not regret it ever. Both are fast hard hitting tackling machines. Both have great on and off field personalities and give back to their respective communities. Both are very vocal team leaders and bringing in both together would be an instant massive upgrade to a depleted area. Bruschi can stick around one more year show these guys the ropes of the business and i know about the Defensive backs but if guys like Landry, Griffin and so forth are gone then i say why not?

If we could get one then I'd be more than happy.

Poz last year was rated higher than A J Hawk for every ones information. He decided to go back because he was injured in a bowl game and had a bad year only because he made a huge adjustment from OLB to ILB. He still did more than above average and has now shown he is versatile in both LB spots.

Something BB covets.

Another guy the patriots scouts have been all over is Zak DeOssie ive heard.

ATippett56

Name: Zak DeOssie (+) Coming off Injury
College: Brown Number: 38
Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Position: ILB Pos2: OLB/DE
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.62 40 Low: 4.55 40 High: 4.67
Projected Round: 5-6 Stock:
Rated number 9 out of 91 ILB's 181 / 2335 TOTAL

12/09/06 - 2007 Hula Bowl: Senior All-American linebacker Zak DeOssie (North Andover, MA) has received an invitation to play in the 2007 Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium, on Sunday, January 8, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game will be televised live in primetime on ESPN. A two-year finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation's top defensive player, DeOssie is a three-time first team All-Ivy and All-New England selection. A dominant defensive force, DeOssie led the Bears' defensive unit with 110 total tackles including 68 solo stops, second best in the nation. He finished his Brown career with 315 total tackles. DeOssie, a tri-captain for the 2006 Brown football team, ranked eighth in the nation with 11.4 tackles per game. He was named the Ivy League's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Cornell with 13 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, a half sack and several bone-jarring hits. He registered a game high 14 tackles against Dartmouth after he had 15 total tackles vs. Yale.

11/30/06 - All-New England Division I-AA Team: A three-time first team All-Ivy and All-New England selection, LB Zak DeOssie is a finalist Buck Buchanan Award as the nation's top defensive player. A dominant defensive force, deOssie led the Bears' defensive unit with 110 total tackles including 68 solo stops, second best in the nation. DeOssie also ranked eighth in the nation with 11.4 tackles per game. He was named the Ivy League's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Cornell with 13 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, a half sack and several bone-jarring hits. He registered a game high 14 tackles against Dartmouth after he had 15 total tackles vs. Yale.

BelichickFan

I agree with that but there's so many DBs this year that they won't be gone. Just safeties, I like Nelson, Landry, Griffin and Merriweather in Round 1. And there's a good group of CB too.

ILB is more of a need, I'll give you that. With Vrabel and Colvin outside, we just need a vet backup to go with the developing Woods and we're pretty much set there. Inside we have Bruschi and slop.

I won't be disappointed with them both but as long as his behavior checks out I'd probably take Merriweather with one of the picks.

BelichickFan

It would be sweet to pull another Wilfork with this guy - a player who looked to be top ten the year before, slips to us late in the first round, then plays like top ten with the Patriots

SeanBruschi54

If we take Merriweather and his gang banging personality i will buy you a new car.

His attitude and his ego far outweighs his playing ability thats why many scouts are staying away.

Nelson BB could covet hard core with his buddy down in championship land. Landry is great at covering more than tackling but hes solid there as well. Griffin has been most compared to none other than Rodney Harrison same height body and weight structure and is a punishing safety over the middle and in the run game.

I have my favorites in this draft probably through round three right now and if we nail a few of them, 90% defensive player, then we'll be a faster harder stronger team next year. Much like the 2003 draft class that was so vital to our success.

SeanBruschi54

Something is definitely not right about that. Theres no way a player with his ability and his talent is overlooked that much just because of one injury and switch of position.

Poz reminds me of Urlacher and you know how much i've coveted Urlacher for years. **Cough kff screen name cough**