mayoclinic

Tennessee DE, 6'3", 270#, 4.75. Was originally recruited as an ILB out of high school, and has played some LB for Tennessee in addition to DL (both DE and DT). Didn't do too much his first 3 years but came on as a team leader and performer this past year. Was defensive MVP of the senior bowl. Good at taking on OLs and shedding blockers.

Does anyone see this guy as a potential SILB conversion? He played ILB coming out of high school, and has played some LB in college. Played with Mayo, who would probably have a good angle on him. Just a thought.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

Box_O_Rocks

Perhaps, he seems to have some of the tools needed to play OLB if he's not capable of moving back to ILB. More likely he's being assessed for 3-4 DE.

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condon84

I like the OLB idea. He showed in the Senior Bowl that he has the strength and speed to get around or through OTs. He was known for his ability to be stout against the run so that would go along the lines of what BB wants in his OLBs. I didn't see much Tennessee games this year, but Mayock, who I respect, was impressed by what Ayers showed and also mentioned that teams might be looking at him as an OLB.

cstjohn17

I see an outside shot that he could play 3-4 OLB, not sure he can drop into coverage. I think he could a be a Jarvis Green type, play 4-3 end or even move inside to tackle in obvious pass rushing situations.

Richter

If the Pats are going to go after a big guy like that to play inside on the strong side, I'd rather go after Jasper Brinkley, aka Levon Kirkland part two. Ayers would probably play outside regardless of where he goes.

Box_O_Rocks

I felt Jasper was stiff and not very instinctive prior to his knee injury.

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mayoclinic

I would agree on Brinkley. I haven't seen enough of Ayers to have an opinion on him. The main thing that made me think he might be worth thinking about in terms of being able to play SILB is that it was his original position, so he wouldn't be a completely raw conversion.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

BradyManny

It's an interesting thought. He's basically the same size as AD. What about the athleticism?

Which reminds me...What a freak of nature AD is...I think he has to be used inside more often next year.

mayoclinic

AD is one of my all-time favorite players. 2 years ago I wanted him in the worst possible way but didn't believe it was possible, and then couldn't believe it when we actually got him. I don't think he's come near his full potential here. He spent the first year learning the system, the second changing from ILB to OLB and then being injured. I expect him to be a beast this year.

Ayers obviously doesn't have AD's speed, but he seems to have been moved around and played a number of different positions, including DT, DE and LB. He was listed as one of the players the Pats specifically looked at during the Senior Bowl, though that doesn't mean much.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

BradyManny

I agree. I thought AD was playing at a Pro Bowl level when he went down w the injury. The defense unraveled with him out, and that is no knock on Woods who played well in his place.

I don't know enough about Ayers, but I want someone w that size at SILB, stuffing the run. For now, I want AD to be that guy at least in the near future, especially given he can also drop to cover or rush from the inside or the edge...basically can do anything.