I don't buy the sentiment that there isn't a legitimate passrusher out there in the 2009 draft. What makes this year's crop any weaker than others when in fact it's a pretty darn deep draft for linebackers? Either the draft is deep with good talent available, which I think it is, or it's shallow with slim pickings which is the way some people are talking.
Just because you haven't personally identified any good passrushers in the draft doesn't meant that they aren't out there. Luckily BB and his scouting staff will be doing the homework. And if they identify pressuring the QB as a high priority, and I think they will, don't be surprised to see one of these so called 'phantom' passrushers in a Pats uniform come 2009.
Do the Pats have players in the pipeline for OLB? Sure. But excuse me if I don't place all my faith in 2 practice squad walk ons and 2 young olb in Woods and Crable who have shown us close to nothing, not that the injuries were their fault, but that's how it stands. And please don't tell me we are set at linebacker when the Pats had to bring Seau out of retirement and picked up a jobless Rosevelt Colvin to get some warm bodies out there!
Please enlighten everyone on who these legitimate 3-4 OLB Pass Rushers are. There are some pretty damn intelligent people in this forum who watch the games and the consensus seems to be that there is no legitimate 3-4 OLB Pass Rusher in the draft. This draft is pretty weak for the 4-3 DE position in general, never mind a STUD sack specialst.
Things are NOT the way you describe them. Just because its a deep draft for the LBer position (more so ILB than OLB, btw) that doesn't mean there is a highly talented sack specialist in the draft. Its just means that there is a lot of talent. Particularly with the likes of Rey Maualuga, Aaron Curry, James Laurinitus, Brian Cushing, Clint Simtin, etc, etc.
What people like yourself don't seem to realize is that rushing the passer is just ONE phase of the game that the Patriots require from their OLB. That OLB needs to also be able to set the edge against the run and be able to drop back into coverage. There are a few OLBs in the draft who cold possible fit into that, but they aren't SACK SPECIALISTS by any stretch of the imagination.
What the Pats expect out of their OLBs is 3 things. That they can put pressure on the QB with the Pass Rush, that they can set the edge against the run, and that, if needed they can drop back into zone coverage on the TE or RB. Vrabel and McGinest were great at all three aspects. Colvin was excellent at rushing the passer, good at dropping into coverage and mediocre against the run, at least to start win. But he got a LOT better after his injury. Adalius Thomas was signed because of his versatility. He knows how to rush the passer, he can set the edge and he is very good in coverage.
No one is saying that the Patriots can't improve at OLB. People are saying that there are other priorities that are bigger and that, this draft and free agency may not provide someone who can help right away.
