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Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Fungi
Wait...what? Vrabel trending down??
I wrote that before the season started, nailed another one! Vrabel is my favorite current Patriot and I glad he is doing so well.
As usual my predictions are deadly accurate, let me lnow if you need any stock tips...
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Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by cstjohn17
I think they lose 2.5 LBs, Seau and Brown. Bruschi comes back but shouldn't be considered more than a situational player. I also think Colvin stays.
The FA market stinks, so I think the will draft an ILB and OLB plus sign a veteran. I disagree about the special part, a LB in round 1 would have to be special. A LB is rounds 2 & 3 would just have to be good.
My peek into free agency
This LB thing is driving me crazy. By not drafting any LBs we have put the heart of the defense in a tough spot next year. Keeping Rogers would have helped the cause, I don't think he was ever going to be a starter but could provide TBC quality backup (which wasn't that bad).
2008 LB Picture
ROLB - Colvin, Woods - no real problems here
RILB - VETERAN FA, Bruschi
LILB - Thomas, Lua, DRAFT PICK
LOLB - Vrabel, DRAFT PICK
Assessment
Colvin - Very solid player in the peak of his career, no issues with him at all.
Woods - Appears to be an improving adequate backup, time will tell.
Thomas - Good player, not sure I want him at ILB but so far I like what I see.
Alexander - Improving player, not sure I want him as the number 1 starter
Vrabel - Trending down, it will be interesting to see if he bounces back with more time at OLB.
Lua - Has shown some potential, it would be a disaster to pencil him in as the starter next year.
Wildcards - Bruschi - I think he returns for P/T duty.
Forecast - very hazy
Day 1 - ILB\OLB is drafted, doesn't start but provides some versatility and backup ability
Aging veteran - Who knows maybe Big Willie is brought back from the dead
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by RussFrancis
Considering the tenative situations of many of those players you mentioned entering '08, I dont see how we CANT draft a LB on the 1st day next year. It may not be in the 1st round, but we've got 2 3rd rounders iirc, one is Oakland's which is early 3rd, so one of those picks is going to be a LB. Not a doubt in my mind. It doesnt make sense to bring in high priced FAs every single year and pay them all 7 or 8 million a year. And that's what a guy like Dansby would demand.
A couple of years ago, when we drafted Maroney and Chad Jackson with our first 2 picks, I remember being shocked. Never thought Id see that happen. But it did. Ive learned to never say never with how these guys draft. Anything's possible. But a 1st day LB next year is not just likely, imo. Its almost a lock.
Even if we draft a linebacker, he won't be effective or see much time on the field for 3-4 years in our system. College linebackers don't really have the size to play in the 3-4, and the experience/intelligence required to be effective in this system isn't going to come from a rookie.
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by emoney_33
Even if we draft a linebacker, he won't be effective or see much time on the field for 3-4 years in our system. College linebackers don't really have the size to play in the 3-4, and the experience/intelligence required to be effective in this system isn't going to come from a rookie.
3 or 4 years? Geez, what do we think Belichick is teaching in his D schemes...advanced astrological physics? New precedent is set all the time. We'd never gone out and aggressively pursued a player like Moss before. Or who'da thought we'd given up a few picks for a small slot receiver. I dont doubt no rookie LB would be prepared to start in the system. But Im sure there are unique players out there available in the draft with the intelligence and skill set to pick up the system by year 2. It would obviously be rare. But I cant write it off just because it hasnt happened. But 3 or 4 years? Im sure a smart young player could pick it up quicker than that. Imagine a player like the 'Niners' Patrick Willis playing ILB on this team. that kid's already a Pro Bowler. You honestly dont think that kid would be good enough to be ready by year 2? he was drafted 11th last year. The rare players are there. NE has just chosen to load up on young, big stud linemen with most of those early picks. I have no doubt if they were to draft the LB equivalent of Richard Seymour and received Belichick coaching, he'd be an All-Pro.
Are you sure about Haggins, Hobson and Thompson? Their names aren't listed with the other '08 FAs.
I don't think that Dontarrius Thomas is too small for ILB, at least not WILB.
Teddy Lehman and Raonall Smith are two other names to consider.
KFFL is wrong and I am right... well maybe not, but I am pretty sure that Vrabel is not an UFA until after the 2008 season (per Miguel who I trust above all others).
I have been wrong for 5 years and won't stop now, the Patriots will draft a LB and a CB in the first 3 rounds of the 08 draft! (ok, prepare for OG, Punter and QB)
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by DefenseRules
After reading this article in the Globe,
a couple of things became crystal clear.
1. I will be STUNNED if we draft a linebacker on day 1 of the draft. If we do, this young linebacker would have to be "SPECIAL", and I mean Richard Seymour / Teddy Bruschi / Mike Vrabel "SPECIAL".
2. BB values "EXPERIENCE" above everything else in his linebackers.
We all know this, but I think some of us forget this especially at draft time.
Count me among those who continue to forget.
Now having said all of that and keeping that in mind, what do you guys think the Pats will do to improve our Linebackers?
If we win the Super Bowl, Junior Seau and Chad Brown are gone...PERIOD.
It's also possible that Bruschi will follow them into retirement also.
I've also heard a strange comment from the PFW guys that Mike Vrabel might retire as well...I don't believe that for a second, but you never know.
Colvin has a VERY HIGH cap number next year, he will either reconstruct or they will cut him, IMHO.
So it's VERY POSSIBLE that we could lose 3 to 4 linebackers from our current linebacking corp next season.
How do you think BB/Pioli will rebuild that group? I am done looking at the draft. Unless you guys know of an EXTRA SPECIAL Linebacker that the Pats might select with that 1st round pick, I just don't think that we will take a LB that High.
What about free agency or trade? Who is available? Are there a few 30ish linebackers that BB might be interested in?
In the many years BB worked for Parcells, he secretly conducted cloning experiments in his spare time.
Pepper Johnson and Lawrence Taylor II are almost ready with Carl Banks Jr. soon to follow.
Young McGoo and Bruschi are still a few years away.
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
My unfortunate prediction is we will end up sticking a couple green rookies or JAGS into the lineup and the will stink because we didn't develop LBs years ago when we had a chance.
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fencer
Yeah. I'll also be interested to see whether the Red Sox recover from their slump and make some noise in the postseason ...
C'mon, man. The Philly game notwithstanding, Vrabel's doing great this season.
He's the one constant that I almost never see out of position or have a brainfart, aside from that whole pushing rodney over on the Addai catch and run.
Those hoping for that special player in the first round, don't hold your breath. It's not easy to find a college player capable of playing the 3-4 LB. Even a "special" player may not make an impact for a couple of years.
Re: Pondering the future of our LINEBACKER Position
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