Laurinaitis

[everlong]

6-3 240 and an all academic award winner to go with all of his other awards. So he certainly has size, speed and smarts. Yet when I see him play I don't see a player made for our 3-4 who's willing to take on guards at the point of attack. I think he'd be better suited as an MLB in a 4-3 where he can range from side to side in the lanes.

Another reservation I have is that he hasn't shined in the big games. I looked up his production for the LSU game and was shocked to see he had 19 tackles. I've never been less impressed with a total like that. It seemed like he was making those tackles down. He also had 10 solo and 5 assists vs Florida and again it didn't seem like he wanted to take on tackles and was making most of these down field.

Perhaps part of this is on the OSU defensive line.

With the emergence of Mayo and Guyton I think the priority has probably moved off of ILB going into next years draft but I still see plenty draft "experts" picking this as a direction the Patriots could go.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I know Ochmed is coming around on him, but I'm just not sold on either him or Maulauga, not that I'd expect the Pats to be picking that high.

 

[reflexblue]

I think BB has picked his LB in the first rnd. for this decade with MAYO

 

[Ochmed Jones]

6-3 240 and an all academic award winner to go with all of his other awards. So he certainly has size, speed and smarts. Yet when I see him play I don't see a player made for our 3-4 who's willing to take on guards at the point of attack. I think he'd be better suited as an MLB in a 4-3 where he can range from side to side in the lanes.

Another reservation I have is that he hasn't shined in the big games. I looked up his production for the LSU game and was shocked to see he had 19 tackles. I've never been less impressed with a total like that. It seemed like he was making those tackles down. He also had 10 solo and 5 assists vs Florida and again it didn't seem like he wanted to take on tackles and was making most of these down field.

Perhaps part of this is on the OSU defensive line.

With the emergence of Mayo and Guyton I think the priority has probably moved off of ILB going into next years draft but I still see plenty draft "experts" picking this as a direction the Patriots could go.

First let me say that I agree with you. We do not ned to be taking an ILB again in the first round. We need a pass rushing demon off the edge, ala Ware or Merriman.

But now back to Laurenitis. Last season I watched this guy and was very unimpressed with him. He ran around blocks and looked terrible when plays were run straightat him. He was at his best when he had freedom to hunt opponents down usually in pursuit mode when the play went away from him.

This year, I have seen 2 games and in both games, he was taking on everybody and anybody and making plays at the LOS instead of 4 yards downfield, like in the LSU game.
And while he still makes most of his plays in pursuit mode, I have no problem projecting him as a Weaksise ILB in the Pats system. Unfortunately for him, we have Mayo there already.
So I can not see BB drafting this guy or Malulauga either since we have Mayo manning that spot.
Now if we have Mount Cody playing NT for us, then we can get away with 2 weakside ILB's playing together against the run, because behind Cody, they won't have to worry about taking on anything more than a FB.
Since we are doing the Alabama LSU game this weekend, I am really hoping Cody is back and playing. I've never seen a college NT clog up the entire middle of the field like Cody, of course I have never seen a college NT that weighs in at over 400 lbs. either.

 

[everlong]

This year, I have seen 2 games and in both games, he was taking on everybody and anybody and making plays at the LOS instead of 4 yards downfield, like in the LSU game.

Was one of them the USC game? That's the only game I've seen this year for Ohio State but that game didn't change my opinion. Granted they got killed.

I haven't seen Cody play. Having kids most of my college football is limited to night games.

I finally got to watch a day game and Florida ends up killing Georgia.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Now if we have Mount Cody playing NT for us, then we can get away with 2 weakside ILB's playing together against the run, because behind Cody, they won't have to worry about taking on anything more than a FB.

A few questions, since I guess I'm a bit slow on the uptake:

(1) Do you think Mt. Cody will be available at #20 or so?
(2) If the Pats draft Mt. Cody, what would they do with Wilfork?
(2a) Is Mt. Cody an injury risk?
(3) If they draft Mt. Cody in the first, would they still be able to get Laurinaitis/Maualuga at #40 or so (the SD pick, at the moment)?

 

[cstjohn17]

A few questions, since I guess I'm a bit slow on the uptake:

(1) Do you think Mt. Cody will be available at #20 or so?
(2) If the Pats draft Mt. Cody, what would they do with Wilfork?
(2a) Is Mt. Cody an injury risk?
(3) If they draft Mt. Cody in the first, would they still be able to get Laurinaitis/Maualuga at #40 or so (the SD pick, at the moment)?

I heard someone on the radio this weekend that said Cody is a fast riser, likely top 10 pick. "A player you build your defense around"

Take it for what it is worth...

 

[NePatriots]

I heard someone on the radio this weekend that said Cody is a fast riser, likely top 10 pick. "A player you build your defense around"

Take it for what it is worth...

That would suck... Cody would be "huge" for the Pats.