Originally Posted by My2Cents

Oh, too, funny! You don't know football if you think I got my ass handed to me. That's an ass backward view.

Let me clue you in a bit. Of course Wilfork played Nose Tackle in college, and, get this, he did it in a 4-3 scheme, not a 3-4! Yes, that's right.

Both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses have a Nose Tackle! Why? Because "Nose" simply means you line up across from Center. Exactly where (note: "where" not "how") you line up is further explained by the "technique".

In a 4-3, the NT (like Wilfork at Miami and in some Patriots packages) is one of 2 DT's. He plays the 1-technique, which is over Center and weakside OG.

In a 3-4, the NT is more directly across from Center but still must occupy the Center and OG, except now it's the strongside OG. That's called 0-technique.

So Wilfork not only had experience at what the Pats wanted him to do, play Nose Tackle, but had experience with 1-technique and was capable of 0-technique. How you can think I'm wrong about any of this is beyond me.

As for Vrabel, that's exactly what I said. What he played in college (DE) was never in question. I know that! What was in question was whether or not he had experience doing what the Pats needed him to do, which is play some LB (and maybe more). To that, I said, yes! He played 4 years at OLB in Pitt.

Well...I don't have time for this.

Originally Posted by dryheat44

You're exposing your ignorance, not his.

Firstly, a 3 Technique tackle most certainly does not line up over center, as you said in your initial post. He lines up on the guard's outside shoulder. I don't know anybody who would say that it's the same as nose tackle.

Secondly, Vrabel was a Defensive End for the Steelers his rookie year, OLB his second, rush defensive tackle in his third, and OLB in the fourth. He got very little playing time at OLB, so it's hard to say he had much experience at the position. His greatest experience was probably as Scout team DE at Pittsburgh.

Originally Posted by alvinnf

When can we start talkin' about Bruce Davis of UCLA, now there is a guy who has played the five in college , OLB and could even project inside in the pros. 24 sacks in 2 years off the radar screen. If he played for USC, Rivers would only be out there covering kicks.

Originally Posted by My2Cents

This is beyond ridiculous. But I'll give you this, right or wrong, you stick together.
All that I ever meant to say was that the Patriots tend to bring in guys that they
know with certainty can perform specific tasks or fill a certain role. Did Vrabel have
experience at OLB, yes or no? YES! Did they get more out of him than expected? Yes.
Did Wilfork play 1-technique (aka: NOSE TACKLE) in college? YES!!!
Did he learn to play 0-technique as a Nose Tackle, also. Sure! If this is what you call ignorance on my part, I'll wear my dunce cap like a badge!

Originally Posted by My2Cents

Blah, blah, blah, blah... Lets just call it a day and say I've just handed you your ass, my friend. It's enough to say that the point I'm making is that the Pats tend to bring in players who already can do what they need them to, not that they never project a player at another position or see what else he can do for us, because, of course, they do! 'Nuff said!