ayjackson

What draft prospects do you feel have the best chance of being 3-down ILBs in the Pats system, within two or three years?

I'd say Stewart Bradley and Anthony Waters.

DaBruinz

Waters has to show that he's fully recovered from his knee injury. He'll attempt to do that on April 3rd with his private workout.

I agree with you on Bradley. I think that Zak DeOssie is another player.

Guys who may or may not be:
Harris, Posluzsny, Willis, and Siler

patchick

Hmm, good question. Willis looks like a 3-down type...assuming he's a Pats type at all. Harris probably (though his short arms leave me a little nervous), Bradley possibly, Waters will take some work in coverage. DeOssie I still like best at OLB.

OK, now I'm just depressing myself.

dryheat44

I think we're all getting caught up in the 2 vs. 3-down linebacker discussion. On third down, the offense is usually in one of two scenarios:

1) Short yardage (0-2 yards)
2) A likely passing situation.

The former is played like first or second down.
The latter is usually played with a nickel package, meaning there is only one linebacker with short-zone responsibilities.


There are very few inside linebackers in the NFL who stay on the field in 3rd and passing yards to go situations, let alone the rookies-to-be. There's nothing wrong with using a high pick on an inside linebacker that is of the "two-down" variety. There will be very few situations where that's going to an issue.

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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

ayjackson

It would be nice to have an ILB in two years who can stay on the field with short zone responsibilities on obvious passing downs. Actually, it wouldn't be bad to have two to lessen our vulnerability to the no-huddle. The problem is that they're rare, and thus the question was posed as to whom may succeed at the position in this draft (not as a rookie, though).

cstjohn17

Beason can be thrown into the "maybe" group.

The bigger question is does such a mythical beast exist in any draft?

It is almost like looking for a White Elephant.

PATSNUTme

Willis can be that if the defense requires it.

dryheat44

Exactly. Urlacher is the only one that comes to mind in recent years. Hawk can't do it. Greenway can't do it. Vilma can't do it. Ray Lewis is probably the best example. Bruschi worked hard to make himself acceptable. I mean we're talking about a stout, bulked up tough S.O.B. that also has lighting-quick recognition skills, and can change direction with the fluidity of a player four inches shorter and forty pounds lighter. If you go through linebackers in the NFL, I don't think you'll find a dozen.

But that's the beauty of a 53 man roster. You can have two people to do one Superman's job.

__________________
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

captain stone

What aspects of his game make people feel that Bradley can successfully convert to ILB?

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Question Authority.

DaBruinz

The fact that he's stout against the run, but also has coverage abilities. He has good play recognition abilities as well.