AzPatsFan

I was scanning the new Sporting News Profootball annual.

The Sporting News writers do not even list Manny Lawson on the first or second teams of the 49ers and assume that he is gone. Is this reflecting conversations with the 49er Coaches or management? Of all the OLB available, I would think that he would be of most interest to the Pats and Belichick because he is a complete OLB. Manny can stand against the run and drop well against the pass. His biggest weakness is pass rushing, but he does have spectacular speed and is the tall rangy type that Belichick covets. he has been good for 5-6 sacks a year though. OTOH, he is lighter than the ideal. But weight is meant more to help stop the run, and he does that at 240-245. You can always add a little weight.

The Sporting News writers do not show Connor Barwin as an OLB for the Houston Texans and relegate him to a potential pass rushing DE used on third downs only. There is some pretty stiff competition there at DE too, from Mario Williams and first round pick JJ Watt.

I still think one of these fellows is in Belichick's sights, if any are. Both have served apprenticeships on somebody else's dime, and BB might want to harvest them like he did with Phifer and to a better extent with Mike Vrabel.

PatsFanStnfrd

Coonor Barwin is unlikely to be traded this year. Team is in process of switching to a 3-4 defense and have a lot of player switching/testing/proving to go. Mario Williams is being transformed into a OLB. Will it work? Barwin is a valuable piece of the team now. They will wait and see how this year plays out.

Of course, if someone offers them a sufficiently high price.......

sbpatfan

People are still obsessing over Connor Barwin? The guy hasn't done jack in two years. He has experience doing what exactly, playing defensive end for a few meaningful snaps?

DaBruinz

Not sure where people are getting their information on the Texans.

1) Williams has played in the 3-4 previously since that is what the team was running when he first joined them.

2) Barwin is slated to be an OLB for that team.
Recovering Barwin slated for key role in 3-4

3) At 295 lbs, Mario Williams will be lining up at DE in their 3-4, not at OLB.

DaBruinz

First, he played very well his rookie season for getting very little playing time. Second, he got injured last season.

Since you seem to have blanked it out, it took Bruschi the better part of 3 years to learn BBs 3-4. And that was despite having several years in the league..

mcsully

Houston Texans' Mario Williams will move to linebacker in new 3-4 scheme - ESPN


He's got the talent," Phillips said of Williams. "With him standing up, he lines up a little wider, and he's coming every time on a different angle. This gives him the chance to be the premier rusher, just like DeMarcus


They plan to play him at OLB, not DE.. I've seen multiple reports citing this..

Sciz

Yeah, Mario is cutting weight to play OLB.

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sbpatfan

So did you actually watch his playing time or do you just see 3.5 sacks and equate that to good? And a season ending injury in week 1 is a serious thing, it's detrimental to a player's career - especially a young non starter. Also, thanks for reminding me about Bruschi, for some reason I kept thinking he was the exception to the rule. I forgot the league was littered with guys like him. Please Belichick, go out and trade for all the OLB JAGs please so you can turn them into SB champions.

supafly

I share your enthusiasm with Lawson too, AZ.

I think if there's anyone who could possibly help him take things to the next level, it would be Bill Belichick.

I also think there's a distinct chance that we could stick with the OLB's already on the team too though, much to many posters' dismay. I think there's a good chance that we'll see improvement in that area as a whole, and that the supposedly improved defense as a whole will help mask what still may be the weakest position on the team.

One way or another, I expect the defense to continue to improve, and am hopeful for what we saw down the stretch with limited players in some aspects--position wise.

It'll be interesting regardless, to see what happens.

MoLewisrocks

You mean like another Vrabel?