RayClay

First two questions excerpts Reiss's mailbag:

"Here is Mike Vrabel's explanation for why the Patriots made the switch: "I think it gave us the best opportunity to set the edge over there on the left, and they weren't able to run much, and maybe get more pressure." I look at this decision as an indictment on Tully Banta-Cain, who finished without a tackle against the Chargers in the divisional round and was targeted by San Diego in that game"

"I thought Sunday night was one example of how the Patriots need an infusion of speed at linebacker."


"Looking ahead, much like the Patriots drafted Laurence Maroney to have younger, more athletic players to work with behind Corey Dillon, I think the team needs to do the same at linebacker."

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RayClay

But Ray, we can't draft linebackers high.

We never have and never will.

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BelichickFan

Does anyone think Pierre Woods has any chance to be a legit #3 OLB next year ? We need Colvin and Vrabel outside but one good OLB to rotate in and another usable desperation guy. Can Woods progress to either a rotation or desperation guy by next year ?

Inside is a *****ing mess. We may have no-one, we may have Bruschi. We HAVE TO sign a starting quality UFA like a London Fletcher and a rotation/time splitting guy.

Seneschal2

Absolutely. Banta-Cain will be evaluated along with everyone else. If it's deemed an upgrade is necessary at the DE/OLB position, I'm sure BB & Pioli will address it. Doesn't mean a rookie is going to step in and start however.

Same with the Safety position. Harrison will return for next season -- but how many more? Is Sanders his replacement? And Wilson's performance had declined...do we need an upgrade there?

Will Samuel depart? Maybe we go CB early -- who knows.

As a fan, the 3 areas I'd look at in round one are:

Safety
CB
DE/OLB

IMO, the value will be there in at least one of those positions where we pick.

For the purpose of this topic, three day one DE/OLB candidates who may fit are:

DE Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame -- measured in at 6044 271
DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue -- measured in at 6024 266
DE Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan -- 6'3" 265

As we get closer to the draft, I'm sure they'll be others...

RayClay

Davis might be retired and Izzo can't be far behind. Maybe we get decent backups and special teamers from the Woods, TBC and Mays group.

More old linebackers aren't the answer, although we may be forced into at least one experienced one as an emergency.

Patches only hold for so long, we need at least a couple young talented LBs and probably a vet or two.

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satz

I think the future needs the 3 -4 to be tweaked a bit.Even though OLB will be same , i see a lighter faster ILB and a heavier Brushi type player or both can be lighter.
The biggest mismatch we face are the TE and we need lighter faster ILB to hang with 1 TE at the least. Eric alexander did that but i think he should have had some pratice then in the playoffs.

Brushi led the team in tackles ... i would keep seau + brushi in rotation with a another vet[donnie edwards lighter/faster] and younger LB to play inside due the evolution of the TE`s and no huddle offences.

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Seneschal2

Sure he can. But if BB has the opportunity to draft someone with more potential than TBC or Woods -- he'll do it. Those two would then compete with the rookie. An upgrade's an upgrade at any position...

AzPatsFan

We need to draft LBs and DEs... for 2008 - 2009.

They tried to get more speed in the center of the field, by putting former SS Alexander into the middle. Than Vrabel bumped TBC, and they split snaps until Colvin got hurt, and both played.

Alexander an UDFA and a ST player was faster, than Vrabel, but his inexperience proved a liability in coverage, and he was also exploited by the Colts running game up the middle.

BB usually floods the defense with DBs against a passing team, but we just didn't have any left for this game on this day. Harrison was out, Hawkins went down with injury, and Geno, Tebuckey, Mitchell, Gay and others were injured and on IR.

There also wasn't any other adequate ILBs, as Seau and Gardner were also on IR. Just too many injuries all in one area. Still they were only one minute away from another Super bowl.

The Patriots are congratulating the Colts for winning, and do not make excuses. I suspect that many defensive players like Bruschi, Colvin, Wilfork, and others were all playing with the flu, and it showed after a couple of quarters when their endurance just wasn't there. but for the half game the were able to play, they pulverized the Colts.

I still say the Patriots are in the unique position of not having to put a better player in any of the starting 25, including the specialists. That's not to say that the Pats can't upgrade in places, and they will, but there are competent starters everywhere including the reserves. This team is stronger than any other.

Wait till next year.

RayClay

If you mean we needed to draft some young LBs in 2003 I agree with you. Fact of the matter is we had to replace one special teamer on the outside who'd been exposed with a specialteamer on the inside who wasn't ready.

In the AFC championship game.

This is without a LB significantly injured in the second half of the season.



As the saying goes, "the race isn't always to the swift, but that's the way to bet".

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ajmitch81

Paul Posluszny could be worth taking a 1st rounder on. He was rated ahead of AJ Hawk in 06 by many but chose to return to school after hurting himself in a Bowl game. He's been rather unimpressive in 2006 but he's still a player that could fit well in the NE system.

Beyond that LaMarr Woodley from Michigan could be a perfect hybrid DE/OLB in the mold of Kemerion Wimbley or Shawn Steroidman (except he has legit talent w/o having to turn to steroids).

It will be interesting to see what they do come draft day, and if they don't retain Samuel a CB is a must one way or another. Sign London Fletcher, draft Posluszny and a Safety (LaRon Landry?) in round one, a WR/CB in round two, and Woodley in round three. I'd be happy with that scenario and I'm sure the rest of the NFL would not!