ForThoseAboutToRock

I posted this before when the Peppers rumor first started. Figured this is slightly on topic here as it demonstrates who's on the Patriots roster right now and in conjunction with Belichick's comments from above, I think shows what these guys are there for.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-...ml#post1318963

cstjohn17

Some it comes down to how tall player is? I have heard him say that before, tall players can disrupt passing lanes even if they don't get to the QB.

Woodley, Porter, AD, Harrison, Merriman, etc. are not over 6'5 and they seem to be able to play the position.

Woods, Crable, Redd are all tall but have a career total of 0 sacks. I don't think this will be the final rotation at OLB, if it is lets hope for the best. BB is smarter than me but he has been wrong before.

SunnyDenmark

I agree (for what that is worth). Further, I think all the "why didn't we pick a rush OLB" crowd is forgetting that the best top QB rushers were already off the board when Pats were up to pick at spot #23:

11 Bills Aaron Maybin DE
13 Redskins Brian Orakpo DE
15 Texans Brian Cushing OLB
16 Chargers Larry English DE
18 Broncos Robert Ayers LB

I don't get why people can't see what many of our own PatsFans.com draftnics were saying before the draft (and before the run on QB pass rushers). Where was the value at picking at spot # 23?

There wasn't much so BB did the right thing and traded down.

Metaphors

I thought that Michael Johnson was the prototype and that would have made him too attractive for the Pats to pass on in the 2nd round. As far as consistency, Johnson showed up for big games but seemed to play down to his competition. Not your typical slacker type.

I think there was something else in play. My guess is that the Pats didn't believe he had the mental capacity to transition effectively to their scheme/responsibilities. If that is the case, I would agree that passing on him (regardless of round) was a good choice.

Metaphors

AD isn't tall but is still effective as an OLB because of his bulk/strength/speed. So I don't think that height is a disqualifying factor, but if Belichick is going to take less-than-optimal height, there better be other attributes that make up for it.

I don't think you can judge a Pats OLB just on sack stats. It is an important piece but not the only one. Woods, Crable and Redd have as many sacks as Maybin, English and Barwin so judgements for any of them are still just projections at this point.

jeffbiologist

I think BB even admitted this a little while ago.....Big Willy redefined the OLB position and setting the edge to BB, not the other way around. Athlete's that tall are rare, and BB doesnt like putting a square peg in a round hole too often. He is probably a bit jaded, understandably. He stopped looking for the next LT a long time ago.

dryheat44

It's a matter of value. In the first round, Belichick apparently wants the prototype in his OLBs, tall, long-armed, quick guys, and not so much the shorter or slightly slower guys, even if their college production seemingly warrants it. College production at DE is really not an indicator of NFL production at OLB, other than things like high effort and field intelligence. I could see maybe an exception for a shorter player with abnormally long arms, or maybe a player with a slower first step but off the charts instincts that would allow him to compensate. But from the Man's own lips, they weren't in the pool of first-round OLB candidates.

__________________
When it's third and 10, you can have the milk drinkers and I'll take the whiskey drinkers every time. -- R.I.P. Max McGee

cstjohn17

I hear you, I would rather have extra picks in 2010 than reach for someone who may not fit. Sign Jason Taylor and the team improves on 3rd down and has solid depth, leave Woods as a starter the OLB unit is below league average.

patchick

Maybe. But cross Cushing & Ayers off your list; neither one has pass-rush bonafides, both are best against the run. And...

No, we'll never know for sure. BUT, every shred of evidence points against it. BB said that this class of OLBs were either too short or two slow. The Pats' current lineup of athletic young OLBs over 6'4" gives ample evidence that this wasn't just throwaway lip service. English is both short and slow, so I don't find it credible that BB was hoping to pounce on him.

spacecrime

Read BB's presser.

That is EXACTLY what BB said.