Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if he's better than Woods

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I don't think Woods has been particularly effective when he has been in games this year and I hope BB activates the rookie Crable to replace Woods as the alternate OLB joining Thomas and Vrabel or at least to see what kind of talent he has before the season goes much farther.

I really haven't seen alot of productivity in Woods and would be looking forward to the rookie to see what he got or if he is a better choice than Pierre.

Sure Crable is a rookie but Woods is not exactly a seasoned veteran so why not?

 

[TheComeback]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Because Belichick has already seen what Crable is capable of in practice. If he thinks Crable can contribute to a victory, that is when we will see him play.

 

[JSn]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I don't think Woods has been particularly effective when he has been in games this year and I hope BB activates the rookie Crable to replace Woods as the alternate OLB joining Thomas and Vrabel or at least to see what kind of talent he has before the season goes much farther.

I really haven't seen alot of productivity in Woods and would be looking forward to the rookie to see what he got or if he is a better choice than Pierre.

Sure Crable is a rookie but Woods is not exactly a seasoned veteran so why not?

Not a bad idea, especially since he's supposed to be fast and the 49ers seem to like getting sacked almost as much as the Steelers.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Unless there is an injury or Crable improves dramatically on ST, I don't see how BB can activate him.

 

[102 Pat]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I for one can't wait to see him in a regular season game. Maybe this sunday?

 

[dhamz]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

If you've been following this organization since Pete Carroll left, you'd know that no one "deserves" any playing time. They have to earn it during practice. Clearly as of the first 3 games Crable has not earned it - hardly a surprise for a rookie on a veteran team.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I really think the reason we have not seen Crable yet is not because he has shown little in practice but more of the reason that BB likes to bring Rookie LBs along slowly especially when there some depth at the position.

Mayo was an immediate starter and a rare starting rookie ILB only because Seau had decided to retire and there was a huge hole inside,Otherwise if Seau was on the roster we might have only seen half of Mayo compared to him playing every down.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I really think the reason we have not seen Crable yet is not because he has shown little in practice but more of the reason that BB likes to bring Rookie LBs along slowly especially when there some depth at the position.

Mayo was an immediate starter and a rare starting rookie ILB only because Seau had decided to retire and there was a huge hole inside,Otherwise if Seau was on the roster we might have only seen half of Mayo compared to him playing every down.

I don't think it's so much that Seau's retired as that he wasn't/isn't ready to go. If, God forbid, his services become necessary, don't be surprised if he picks up the phone.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I really think the reason we have not seen Crable yet is not because he has shown little in practice but more of the reason that BB likes to bring Rookie LBs along slowly especially when there some depth at the position.

Mayo was an immediate starter and a rare starting rookie ILB only because Seau had decided to retire and there was a huge hole inside,Otherwise if Seau was on the roster we might have only seen half of Mayo compared to him playing every down.

I look at Mayo's starting as the lesser of two evils. Considering we have 3 NFL quality LBers (Vrabel, Bruschi and Thomas) for 4 spots. Where does BB hide the weak link.
The Pats could start Thomas and Bruschi inside, with Vrabel and Woods on the outside. The weak link is Woods.

Or BB can start Mayo and Bruschi on the inside with Thomas and Vrabel on the outside. The weak link is Mayo.

So of the two scenarios where is the best place to hide the weak link? The answer is on the inside where Mayo can get help from Harrison or Sanders as opposeed to Woods who has very little help on the edge.

If the run defense plays poorly again in San Fran, then maybe BB needs to sit Mayo and start Woods on the outside.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Crable has every day of the week except Sunday to prove it. Woods has earned PT and been fine in a limited role.

I'd love to see Crable contribute at some point, and if his pass rushing skills are as good as we hope, maybe sometime he'll take the field in one of the nickel/dime packages. But as of now, which OLB or DL do you take off the field on those downs? It's not AD or Vrabel. It's not Jarvis Green. It's certainly not Richard Seymour. It's not Mike Wright, he's been good as a pass rusher in the nickel packages he's been in.

So, for the time being, I don't see the need for him in that role, and I'm happy with Woods as the guy who spells AD or Vrabel, so I'd say it's all good right now.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Or BB can start Mayo and Bruschi on the inside with Thomas and Vrabel on the outside. The weak link is Mayo.

I have to disagree. Mayo's made some mistakes in recognition in run defense and in coverage - but BB's not playing him just to give him reps for shyts & gigs. He's been pretty solid overall I'd say. I expect the mental mistakes from a rook.

Frankly, when it comes to pure physical ability in run defense, so far Mayo has been better at shedding blocks than Bruschi this season. And if BB thought Mayo was the weak link in terms of coverage, he'd get him off the field on coverage downs and leave Bruschi in there.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I was a major fan of The Crab while attending summer camp practises, however he has to earn Woods' OLB backup spot. Play well during the week. Develop a better ST contribution. Or pray that Woods gets the flu. Both kids need to set the edge against the run better.

 

[JoePats]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Woods' role is primarily as a starter on special teams and then as a backup on defense. That is how BB looks at it anyway. So by deactivating Woods, you are weakening your special teams to perhaps improve a backup position on defense.

 

[Triple-T]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Guyton is getting into the game and seeing reps in the defense. Rookies can certainly get PT. Do something on special teams and open up opportunities.

 

[maryjane]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Give him some playing time ahead of Vrabel. It's not like it matters for a game like SF. Should be able to beat them with 1 hand tied behind the Pats' back.

If not, then it REALLy doesn't matter.

 

[Jimke]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

Give him some playing time ahead of Vrabel. It's not like it matters for a game like SF. Should be able to beat them with 1 hand tied behind the Pats' back.

If not, then it REALLy doesn't matter.

I'd also like to see Crable get a little playing time. This way he

could compete for a position when Vrabel's contract is up in 2009.

Forget the notion that the Pats can beat anyone in 2008 with one hand

tied behind their back. No blowouts this year for the Patriots. They

will have to try like hell and eke out victories in close games.

 

[pats1]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

That's nice, maybe you should get a head coaching job in the NFL first.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

That's nice, maybe you should get a head coaching job in the NFL first.

He shoots he scores!

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I'm curious about something.....


What exactly is it that Crable has done to 'deserve' a shot at alternate OLB?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Re: Shawn Crable deserves a shot at alternate OLB to see if hes better than Woods

I'm curious about something.....


What exactly is it that Crable has done to 'deserve' a shot at alternate OLB?

Because Woods hasn't done much to write home about so why not give another player a shot who looked respectable in preseason,even if its for a few downs and if they have the roster spot open for it?