BradyManny

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...on_the_inside/

I haven't seen this discussed on the boards as much as I thought it would be.

Any thoughts here?

My gut tells me that Belichick has Hobson and Mayo working together in the 2nd unit b/c he envisions these guys starting together some point during the year - and depending upon if we re-sign Hobson - in the future. I've read multiple times now that Bruschi playing SILB full time was the weakest link on the defense last season once Colvin went down. So, my assumption - and I could be way off base - is that Tank Williams playing WILB alongside Bruschi on the "first unit" is misleading. They're the first team at this point early in the season.

Specifically for Williams playing at ILB - obviously it gives us greater coverage abilities. Clearly BB has targeted that this offseason as an area of need. Just another hunch that could be way off - but if Tank is playing at ILB, and coverage is the emphasis, then we're much more likely to see Meriweather out there at FS than Sanders, and have Sanders/Harrison playing SS, with things changing in nickel/dime situations. Breer was on NEST the other nite talking about how this team really needs Meriweather's coverage ability at FS and I agree.

signbabybrady

I coukd envision on 2nd or third and long that both Williams and Rodney may line up in a LB position and Merriweather and Sanders deep and maybe only ine real LB on the field

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Rob0729

Mike Reiss addressed it in his mail bag. He feels that Williams could play ILB in some subpackages, but not neccessarily full time. Last year Harrison lined up in a lot of instances in more of a LB position. I think this could be the evolution of the Big Nickel they tried in 2002.

mdhprime

I really hope to see Merriweather start at FS this year. The second year in this defense should be the year he makes the leap. With the exception of the drops, I thought he integrated pretty well last year even though he was probably asked to do a bit too much as far as playing nickel corner and safety. Versatility is great and I am glad he can play multiple positions, but it would be nice to seem him flourish at FS.

MrBigglesWorth

Did they ever try Tebucky at ILB last year? or did he get injured too quickly?

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bradmahn

I think Williams is being groomed for nickel and dime packages where the Pats want to keep most of the base 3-4 personnel on the field but would like more coverage ability. I'd assume that would mean playing next to Mayo but seeing as how they are both new to the system (and one to a position) it wouldn't be as productive to have them practicing together, especially on the first team and not necessarily in nickel formations.

I think Williams is learning all of the assignments of ILB to better understand the positional responsibilities and prepare himself for real action - when running plays and draws are legitimate possibilities - and won't be seeing much early down action at all.

Plus, Bruschi knows his ****e and has been here forever; is there a better teacher for a S trying to play LB?

Great thread for discussion, btw.

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tajapandu

agreed. id love to have our own version of bob sanders or ed reed, but that may be asking too much. anywhere close would be great.

patsox23

From what I hear, he's not just flexing to ILB - a la Meriweather as CB/S or Geno Wilson in the past. He's playing almost all of his reps at ILB. So Tank as Sanders or Reed is kind of a misnomer. It's looking like he's a linebacker now.

signbabybrady

I think they were saying Merriweather as Sanders or Reed. But lets not get to ahead of ourselves. I will just take some really good play from him...he doesn't have to be the best in the league though that would be great.

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Wotan_the_Wanderer

Bingo, and that's my take on it as well. I'd also throw in that Tank's getting more looks in the middle of the field as LB in case he's needed to fill the Don Davis role. I really wouldn't put too much into Tank being lined up as ILB during camp for I really don't expect him to see many snaps, if any at all, at the ILB spot once the games actually matter. If Tank is going to see snaps at LB, I think it'd be in place of Rodney should 37 get nicked up or need a breather in subpackages as an OLB in a 43.

In a sense, Tank at ILB is the reverse of Roman having seen snaps from the safety spot during camp a few years ago. Obviously, once the real games began, he remained a LB.