Simple Question: Is the LB Core Good Enough to Win? - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

PatsFanInVa · 04-30-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onegr8om

I think the signing of AT ALONE would have put us over the top in the COLTS game. IF we had Adalius THEN, we'd probably have won the superbowl and that "collapse" doesn't happen.

I'm happy we've gone out and got the players we did NOW, so they have time to grow together as a team before the season and can start building the chemistry our Patriots teams are famous for.

A little Depth at LB would be nice, but i still think we're in better shape than most teams right now. Although i do still feel that either Seau or a similiar player will be added prior to training camp.

Straight up, homes. Unless of course AD had the flu that day

PFnV

brdmaverick · 04-30-2007, 09:55 PM

simple answer: yes

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 04-30-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchick

I think the answer lies in the spelling of this thread title. The LB core is absolutely good enough to win. Thomas, Colvin, Vrabel and Bruschi is clearly a championship-caliber group of LBs. The LB corps, though, still has plenty of question marks. If any of the "core corps" misses significant time--and they're all 30+--I don't see how anybody could be confident with Woods or Alexander having to start for extended periods. (And I like both players.)

Paging Junior Seau, come in Mr Seau...

I'm suddenly having flashbacks of Donald Duck arguing with Chip & Dale over an apple core.

2006:
- Bruschi: played the entire season in a cast.
- Seau: IR after the Chicago game when his cane broke.
- Vrabel: hurt his back so he should have been released at the end of the season.
- Colvin: why is he still here after breaking his hip?
- TBC: JAG.
- Gardner: IR, never missed him.
- Alexander: JAG, why is he still here?
- Woods: Rookie, won the job as a UDFA - UDFA's suck.
- Mays: Rookie, won a Practice Squad slot and signed to the active roster as a UDFA - UDFA's suck.
- Izzo: has naked pictures of Bob Kraft.
- Don Davis: IR, doesn't he play Safety?

2007:
- Bruschi: Let's see if Bill Polian objects to wheel chairs before we write him off.
- Vrabel: Isn't he using a walker?
- Colvin: Turning 30 sucked for me too, he's doooooooooommmmmmed.
- Thomas: $35 mil down the drain.
- Alexander: Poor kid, thrown into the flame in an AFCCG, is he out of the burn unit yet?
- Woods: Despite having a head start in the Michigan 3-4 defense, and demonstrating a better understanding of the 3-4 scheme in Preseason last year then similar first year players, he's just another UDFA JAG, nowhere near as good a fit as the undersized linebackers passed over in the draft.
- Mays: UDFA/Practice Squad kids who win roster slots here on hustle and hard work are ugly and their mommies dress them funny.
- Rogers: 6th round draft picks never amount to anything in NE.
- Lua: 7th round draft picks never amount to anything in NE.
- Warren: UDFA's never amount to anything in NE.
- Seau: Unsigned, rehabbing, he sucked so much last season that Hollywood wants him to play "Hoover" in the remake of Animal House.
- Gardner: Unsigned, rehabbing, just another JAG even Herm Edwards couldn't turn into a pro-football player.
- Izzo: Should be our leading tackler since most of the LBs fans really want are about the same size and speed.

Solution: Let's go sign a Free Agent who every team in the NFL has passed on since Free Agency started.
Alternative Solution: Let's trade a starting player from a playoff team that missed the Superbowl by the narrowest of margins for a starter from a 4-12 team that finished 2006 strong on a 4-game losing streak.
Final Solution: Bring back Bobby Grier and Bill "I'm job hunting and can't be bothered with the Superbowl" Parcells for their uncanny linebacker drafting skills.

chowder · 04-30-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brdmaverick

simple answer: yes

ditto. lol

shatch62 · 05-01-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwc

Vrabel, Colvin, Brushi, and Thomas are "slightly above average"?

Damn, an average set of starting linebackers must be pretty frickin' good.

Depth is an issue, but it just blows my mind when people say our starting linebackers are mediocre. Remember, last year when Vrabel moved inside, we didn't have much to take over the outside. Now, we have a Pro Bowl linebacker in Thomas.

Tedy is a warrior but he has clearly lost a step. Vrabel is one of the most underrated players in the league. He is -in my mind - a borderline Pro Bowl OLB but he is slightly above average ILB. Considering he can play both – above average – I love having him on the Pats but he is not a great ILB. Good, not Great. Colvin has his moments but only above average. Thomas is a Pro bowler.

So, the starting four is a slightly above average group of LBs.

I will be the first to admit that I love the young up and coming players (i.e. Demeco Ryans, Derrick Johnson, Ernie Sims, AJ Hawk) I would feel better about the group. If all 4 starters stay health for every game then the LBs will be fine but I just have a hard time believing 4 30+ LBs will all play 16 games.

aluminum seats · 05-01-2007, 10:34 AM

Right--I think that's the main point, which seems to be mostly agreed on here. "We're OK, unless..." And that's a little scary, as it is naturally somewhat more likely you'll see injuries with guys over 30. And while a healthy Seau-type adds depth, it's unlikely he'd be able to stay on the field all year.

What I would love to see (obviously) is a FA pick-up that offers the pleasant surprise of a Vrabel, as a few seasons back. I'd also like a pony. (Alright, scratch that joke, with this management team, you never know.)

Pat_the_Patriot · 05-01-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluminum seats

Analysis aside, bottom line, can the Pats win a championship with this group of linebackers, even assuming a veteran pickup? I suppose in one sense of course the answer is yes--the team is obviously loaded in a lot of areas, and will contend. I guess the better question might be will they. It became clear to me in the middle of last year that the LB core was becoming a weakness. Now, Bruschi & Vrabel & Co. are all a year older, and I'm just not sure that that softness in the middle won't hurt more than we think.

Simple answer: YES