BradyManny

There's no rationalizing the loss. He's probably been the 3rd or 4th best/most productive member of the defense this year, and he will be tough to replace. It will probably take a combination of the aforementioned changes to replace him (AD playing some outside, AD inside with Brown outside, nickel packages where Rodney plays like an LB, etc.).

ATippett56

Yes there is! For whatever reason, BB/Pioli refuse to select linebackers especially in the last two drafts. For example, why draft Garrett Mills in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft when linebackers Leon Williams and Tim Dobbins were available? Also, why draft offensive lineman late in the 2007 NFL draft when linebackers H.B. Blades and Brandon Siler were available? To blatantly ignore linebackers in the NFL draft and rely upon no depth whatsoever is simply illogical. The bottom line is stiffs like Chad Brown equal no depth and no contribution to special teams.

__________________
The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

stevepratt

wow a bit harsh on a team that is 11-0 and won three super bowls this decade...I dont think it is logical to simply look next on the "depth chart" and see guys like woods and alexander and assume they are going to be getting a lot of reps...we will play more of a 4-3 (where we have been successful this year), use the 4-2-5 and also a base of thomas and vrabel outside and junior and bruschi inside (on early downs)...i dont think i would fret about us missing out on some 6th round linebackers who probably still wouldnt be playing...

letekro

Why? b/c they thought they had no chance of making the team? How about that. Did you watch a lot of film on those guys, or did you just read a couple of draft magazines? I would rather the Patriots take players that they think have a reasonable chance of making the team or being developed on the practice squad, than guys that are highly ranked in predraft publications.

They had many chances to draft Brandon Siler, and BB should be familiar with him from the time he spent with Urban Meyer. Apparently, they think he sucks. That's not ignoring a problem, that's being smart and not exascerbating the problem by drafting bad players.

NYCPatsFan

Agree with letekro.

I am confident that our FO does an great job of screening the college kids to see who might or might not fit the team. I am content being a fan and see how things play out. Questioning the team's decisions with no information on what exactly they look out for, how they evaluate etc. might be an exercise in waste... my 2c.

ATippett56

As opposed to cutting practically every player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft. That is exascerbating the problem since free agency is a very expensive alternative.

__________________
The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

BradyManny

I meant rationalizing in the sense of "oh, it's OK, we'll be just fine without Colvin". I still think this team wins the Super Bowl and is by far the best team in the league, but some people are acting as if this won't be something to overcome. This is adversity, the team will deal, but it is certainly a very negative thing to lose Colvin.

As for drafting, we do have Woods and Alexander groomed and presumably ready to fill in, both are STers as well. BB clearly prefers vet LBs, no doubt about that.

newton_tom_cat

reality is LB is the most vulnerable part of this team, and i think rosie was the highest impact LB we had. he is probably our most versatile lb combining both football smarts and physical skills (Adailius is clearly the most physically gifted). Take a look at this - current ages of our top 5 lbers - 34, 38.5, 37, 32, 30 (including Chad Brown). our linebackers average over 34 years old. If teams learn from the Eagles game, the defense could take a beating. There seemed to be a serious weakness over the middle of the field. The longer these old men are on the field the more problems they're going to have. will be interesting to see what adjustments BB makes now. it's not just a matter of replacing him, i think it will require a change in defensive strategy

ATippett56

I agree with that assessment.

After watching Eric Alexander in the AFC Championship Game last season, no thanks.

__________________
The End of the Chad Ochostinko Era!

letekro

First of all, we only had a few roster spots available. The better your team is, the fewer rookies are going to make the team. That being said, Richardson and Lua showed promise before being IR'd. Along with Meriweather, that's 3 players that weren't cut. Justin Rogers looked good, but we didn't have room on the roster for him. What makes you think there was room for the crappy players that you mentioned?

Look at it this way, the top 5 LB's + Izzo weren't getting cut. Period. They obviously liked Pierre Woods more than Justin Rogers. That leaves Eric Alexander's spot. I don't think anyone would've been surprised if Lua beat him out. So all this fuss is about Eric Alexander v. Oscar Lua v. a bunch of random scrubs? Point is, One spot was up for grabs, and all the choices were limited players - chances are Alexander would've held on to his spot given his experience in the system.

Obviously, this offseason is different. It's time for Seau and Bruschi to retire or take more limited roles. Colvin may be gone. This year, we will have the roster spots to add young FA LB's or draft LB's.