PATSNUTme

I think she will go along with whatever I'mRonBorges has to say.

Metaphors

Does a "2-down, run-stuffing" linebacker (and specifically that it is a good fit for the Patriots) sound as stupid to anyone else as it does to me? Makes perfect sense if everyone was forced to run on 1st and 2nd down. You think the Colts, Chargers or Broncos...teams with solid TEs who the Pats are likely to encounter on the way to the Super Bowl...know what to do on early downs with a run-stuffing, no-coverage, no-pass-rush linebacker sitting in the middle of the field? I think they just might.

If the Pats take a LB early in the draft, look for them to get someone they believe can hold their own against the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. BB still has fresh memories of TEs dancing through his defense. Getting AT was step 1 in purging those memories. Look for that theme to continue in the draft...just like Warren and Wilfork served as therapy for 2002 and Steve Martin.

BB strikes me as someone who is guided by the past but not not constrained by it. I don't think Ted Johnson would have helped much against the Colts, so I'm not convinced BB is interested in finding the next Ted Johnson.

Box_O_Rocks

Sssssshhhhhhh! The Willis fanclub is meeting, don't upset them until after the meeting.

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sebman2112

What would the Willis fan club have to do with a two down run stuffer?

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14thDragon

Please define early? I do not see anyone projecting a 2-down run stuffer for the first day of the draft. But picking up a role guy, with some potential, on day 2. Why not?

If you can get a guy that can come in and shut down the run, some that could neutralize a guy like Tomlinson, (who if you recall, we had no answer for in the San-Degio game) then it is a good pick-up.

cstjohn17

It is funny they don't list Jon Beason from Miami, he is linkled to the Pats and even though he played mostly outside in college he would be projected to play inside for the Pats.

Personally I don't think PFW does anything special in their analysis, it seems like they have access to more information than the rest of us but lack any special insight.

I think John Murphy from Yahoo brings more the the table, and even cranky old Gil Brandt is a better read.

ALthough Murphy's latest draft (Jarvis Moss and Tanard Jackson) has me scratching my head...

spacecrime

I would think more like 98%. And playing high school ball doesn't count, either, especially for those of us who played back when tight ends were simply called ends.

TeamPats

It is interesting to see that on PFT's latest Mock Draft he has Willis # 4 overall to the Bucs. Now generally Florio is pretty inept when it comes to making his own analyses in football however he does seem to be the king when it comes to hearing rumblings around the league. I have never until now seen Willis above 10 let alone # 4, obviously his stock is soaring right now and I just don't think the Pats will be able to get him.

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zippo59

If we want to get him we'll definitely have to trade up.

I would be suprised if he goes in the top ten and I think he'll go around 11.

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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

Metaphors

First day is a reasonable description of "early". Casale's description of Siler is what really got me thinking about this. If he is truly just a 2-down run-stuffer, then he would be involved in short yardage and goal line...and probably not much else since he would be too easy to gameplan against.

Agreed, but not really where I was going with my comments. I don't believe that the Pats need at LB is a run-stuffing specialist (or a pass-rushing specialist or a coverage specialist). While these specialists have value, they take up a roster spot and the Pats would still have a need at LB.

If there is a LB in this draft that can "neutralize a guy like Tomlinson", then sign me up! Just kidding. I understand your point but it also helps to highlight mine. The Pats play SD and Tomlinson can't seem to find much space because a run-stuffing LB seems to have his number. If I'm SD, all I do is run some middle screens with Tomlinson or hit Gates in the seam on early downs to expose this guy's weaknesses.

"Siler may be relegated to a two-down run-stopper at the pro level. However, 3-4 teams like the Patriots don’t necessarily consider that to be a bad thing."

I find Casale's comment to be too simplistic at best and (in this era of short passing on early downs) totally off-base at worst.