Here's a LB Nobody is Talking about

[PatsFan2]

Marcus Freeman | Ohio St. Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

I know the USC guys are getting all the hype...but i think Marcus-Freeman in the end will be just as good or better than all of them. Marcus-Freeman reminds me of Pittsburgh Steelers OLB James Harrison nuff said!

 

[Boston Boxer]

i like the idea of taking the "other LB" from solid schools like USC and Ohio St. I like Cushing and Freeman. While teams are trading up for Rey M and Laurenitis, i think the two i mentioned will be there for the taking and very good players

 

[DaBruinz]

Marcus Freeman | Ohio St. Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

I know the USC guys are getting all the hype...but i think Marcus-Freeman in the end will be just as good or better than all of them. Marcus-Freeman reminds me of Pittsburgh Steelers OLB James Harrison nuff said!

At 6'0 5/8" tall and only 235, he seems light for a Patriots player. He seems short for the OLB position and doesn't seem adequate for the SILB position where he'd have to take on guards.

Where do you see him fitting in being that he's projected as a 3rd round pick?

 

[PatsFan2]

At 6'0 5/8" tall and only 235, he seems light for a Patriots player. He seems short for the OLB position and doesn't seem adequate for the SILB position where he'd have to take on guards.

Where do you see him fitting in being that he's projected as a 3rd round pick?

I think the Patriots are going to a Pittsburgh Steeler Attacking style 3-4 in 2009. They would have the Speed to do it and Pittsbugh LB's average off at around 240lbs playing weight across the board. Right now both Mayo and Guyton play at around 240lbs. We would move AD to the Strong Side as Big and Freakish as he is and Freeman would be on the weak side. Freeman is a very versatile player just so you know. I think Freeman would be the player that puts our Defense over the Top.

 

[Clonamery]

I think the Patriots are going to a Pittsburgh Steeler Attacking style 3-4 in 2009.

Is that a premonition, a feeling or inside info?

 

[dryheat44]

Marcus Freeman | Ohio St. Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

I know the USC guys are getting all the hype...but i think Marcus-Freeman in the end will be just as good or better than all of them. Marcus-Freeman reminds me of Pittsburgh Steelers OLB James Harrison nuff said!

He's a good player, but I think he's your prototypical 4-3 Will. The Tampa-2 teams will have him pretty high. I can't see the Patriots taking him before round 5 or so.

 

[satz]

Woodley is like 265 so i do think a 235 lb guy is going to beat a tackle. Also when mayo and guyton were in their together we went too light against the run .

currently ,AD - 270 lb and Vrabel -265lb are our OLB ....we need someone atleast in that weight range to be effective most good OLB in the league who are young are big woodley[265],[merriman [272lbs] ,ware [262 lb] or seasoned veterans james harrison,AD,poter all over 30yrs .so if we want some young guy he should atleast be around 250/260 lbs.

 

[TheKraftyOne]

Marcus Freeman | Ohio St. Scouting Report - 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

I know the USC guys are getting all the hype...but i think Marcus-Freeman in the end will be just as good or better than all of them. Marcus-Freeman reminds me of Pittsburgh Steelers OLB James Harrison nuff said!

He did an excellent job in coverage drills at the Senior Bowl. I forget which one but either Mayock or Davis said he covered like a cornerback.

 

[PatsFan2]

He has the Speed we desperatley NEED at LB for covering TE's and RB's. How quickly most forget that our LB's minus Mayo stink at that. But ofcourse the Draft Guru's ie...BB's right hand men don't think that Marcus Freeman would be a good fit here. How many times have BB Drafted players that have all of us scratching our heads.:ugh: I am so glad BB has the final decison when it's all said and done. There is just alot to like about Freeman and i don't buy the under sized for our system talk. A football player is a football player plain and simple...*end of rant*.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think the Patriots are going to a Pittsburgh Steeler Attacking style 3-4 in 2009. They would have the Speed to do it and Pittsbugh LB's average off at around 240lbs playing weight across the board. Right now both Mayo and Guyton play at around 240lbs. We would move AD to the Strong Side as Big and Freakish as he is and Freeman would be on the weak side. Freeman is a very versatile player just so you know. I think Freeman would be the player that puts our Defense over the Top.

The shortest OLB the Pats have employed is 6'4 and that is Vrabel. For ILBs, yes, they have had guys who are barely 6'0, but Freeman can't handle the SILB position.

So, while you claim Freeman is versatile, I see him either as a back-up to Mayo and that is really what Guyton is as well, or I don't see him as part of this defense.

Ph. One thing about Pittsburgh's LBs. They play in a one gap system. Not a 2 gap. And I don't see Belichick changing from that anytime soon.

 

[DaBruinz]

He has the Speed we desperatley NEED at LB for covering TE's and RB's. How quickly most forget that our LB's minus Mayo stink at that. But ofcourse the Draft Guru's ie...BB's right hand men don't think that Marcus Freeman would be a good fit here. How many times have BB Drafted players that have all of us scratching our heads.:ugh: I am so glad BB has the final decison when it's all said and done. There is just alot to like about Freeman and i don't buy the under sized for our system talk. A football player is a football player plain and simple...*end of rant*.

How quickly you forget that you are talking out your arse here. Guyton did a better job at covering TEs and RBs that Mayo did.

People don't think that Freeman would be a good fit because you are just being plain ignorant. You are ignoring where Freeman would play and ignoring that the Pats have been pretty set in their standards for their positions at LB. People are saying that Freeman wouldn't fit in the normal package. You tout him like some kind of messiah and then get all whiny when people don't follow your line of thinking because the Pats line of thinking doesn't support yours.

You can not buy the "Undersized for the Pats system talk" all you want. That only reflects poorly on you. An intelligent person would review the Pats history of ILBs and OLBs and see that Freeman would be an ILB for them. And then, he'd play the WILB position. A place where the Pats just spent a 1st round pick and also have a good UDFA who can play in coverage as well.

 

[PatsFan2]

How quickly you forget that you are talking out your arse here. Guyton did a better job at covering TEs and RBs that Mayo did.

People don't think that Freeman would be a good fit because you are just being plain ignorant. You are ignoring where Freeman would play and ignoring that the Pats have been pretty set in their standards for their positions at LB. People are saying that Freeman wouldn't fit in the normal package. You tout him like some kind of messiah and then get all whiny when people don't follow your line of thinking because the Pats line of thinking doesn't support yours.

You can not buy the "Undersized for the Pats system talk" all you want. That only reflects poorly on you. An intelligent person would review the Pats history of ILBs and OLBs and see that Freeman would be an ILB for them. And then, he'd play the WILB position. A place where the Pats just spent a 1st round pick and also have a good UDFA who can play in coverage as well.

Ok Da BB isn't James Harrison under sized at OLB why he is so effective for Pittsburgh? Please explain that to me Da BB. Speed can cover up alot, you guys have just gotten use to seeing slow LB's play...ie Vrabel and Bruschi. I think Freeman with his ability can play the same position James Harrison play for Pittsburgh that's weak side OLB. BB can scheme to protect in our system.

 

[sebman2112]

Woodley is like 265 so i do think a 235 lb guy is going to beat a tackle. Also when mayo and guyton were in their together we went too light against the run .

currently ,AD - 270 lb and Vrabel -265lb are our OLB ....we need someone atleast in that weight range to be effective most good OLB in the league who are young are big woodley[265],[merriman [272lbs] ,ware [262 lb] or seasoned veterans james harrison,AD,poter all over 30yrs .so if we want some young guy he should atleast be around 250/260 lbs.

We've gone over this before, but I still wonder how good NE's defense could have been if they had selected both Meriweather, and Woodley.

 

[dryheat44]

I think Freeman with his ability can play the same position James Harrison play for Pittsburgh that's weak side OLB. BB can scheme to protect in our system.

I would not count on Freeman being able to set the edge, which would be the most important part of his job. In effect, he would be on the field in obvious passing downs and special teams. Not the best use of a high draft pick.

 

[DaBruinz]

Ok Da BB isn't James Harrison under sized at OLB why he is so effective for Pittsburgh? Please explain that to me Da BB. Speed can cover up alot, you guys have just gotten use to seeing slow LB's play...ie Vrabel and Bruschi. I think Freeman with his ability can play the same position James Harrison play for Pittsburgh that's weak side OLB. BB can scheme to protect in our system.

Sure, I'll explain it to you. Harrison plays for the Steelers. Not the Patriots. The Steelers play a different type of 3-4 defense than the Patriots. So they have a different types of players they can use to fill positions. You just don't seem to get that there are differences in what the two teams look for in that position. The Patriots defense requires that their OLBs be the equivvalent of 4-3 DEs. Able to set the edge against tackles and TEs against the run, but also be able to rush the Passer or drop into coverage when needed. You fail to understand that the Patriots defense was at its best when it could rush from any one of the 4 LB positions from its base defense. It couldn't do that this year for a couple of reasons. One is that Bruschi isn't nearly as quick as he used to be and he's never been really suited for the SILB position. The Pats clearly had Mayo's responsibilities limited because he barely rushed the QB. That left the job to the OLBs. And limited the Pats pass rush.

Speed can't cover up not being able to get your hands up into the Passing lane as the QB throws the ball over you. Speed can't cover up getting plowed over by an opposing OG who is pulling on a running play and wipes you out. Speed can't cover up a good TE washing you out of the play, preventing you from setting the edge.

And, instead of making idiotic comments about people having "gotten used to seeing slow LB play", you really should just read people's comments instead of making dumbarse assumptions about what people think.

 

[PatsFan2]

Well i will say this with the Fast guys they now have counting Mayo - Guyton and AD is still pretty fast. Add one more Speedy OLB and we are looking at a Steeler Type Defense. No more Two Down Thumpers like Vrabel and Bruschi. The Patriots need to scrap their current version of the 3-4 it doesn't work anymore. They were very below average against the Run and completely stink against the Pass. How was that Red Zone Defense last year?:snob: It's time for a change you heard it here first.

 

[DaBruinz]

Well i will say this with the Fast guys they now have counting Mayo - Guyton and AD is still pretty fast. Add one more Speedy OLB and we are looking at a Steeler Type Defense. No more Two Down Thumpers like Vrabel and Bruschi. The Patriots need to scrap their current version of the 3-4 it doesn't work anymore. They were very below average against the Run and completely stink against the Pass. How was that Red Zone Defense last year?:snob: It's time for a change you heard it here first.

So, they should scrap the type of defense that took them to 3 Super Bowls? Just on your uneducated say so?

The Pats were horrible in their Red Zone defense for numerous reasons. One of the biggest was injuries. When you are having to rely on Vince Redd and Rosie Colvin, both of whom did not make the regular season squad until late November, you know you have issues.

But, lets not forget that Mayo and Guyton were rookies and the Pats CLEARLY limited what they wanted those 2 doing. Mayo hardly rushed the passer. And Guyton was almost strictly in coverage and did not play the run very well.

But, yes, the Patriots should scrap their entire defensive philosophy because they are re-tooling their defense and because of the inordinate number of injuries they had.. Yes, that makes so much sense.

 

[PatsFan2]

So, they should scrap the type of defense that took them to 3 Super Bowls? Just on your uneducated say so?

The Pats were horrible in their Red Zone defense for numerous reasons. One of the biggest was injuries. When you are having to rely on Vince Redd and Rosie Colvin, both of whom did not make the regular season squad until late November, you know you have issues.

But, lets not forget that Mayo and Guyton were rookies and the Pats CLEARLY limited what they wanted those 2 doing. Mayo hardly rushed the passer. And Guyton was almost strictly in coverage and did not play the run very well.

But, yes, the Patriots should scrap their entire defensive philosophy because they are re-tooling their defense and because of the inordinate number of injuries they had.. Yes, that makes so much sense.

Took forever but i know you would agree with me!:woohoo::disagreement:

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

I would not count on Freeman being able to set the edge, which would be the most important part of his job. In effect, he would be on the field in obvious passing downs and special teams. Not the best use of a high draft pick.

This is how I feel about Freeman I think he will go in the third with his versitility (maybe Pittsburgh ) but would not be worth a day one pick on for us IMO. Woodley is a beast and is able to set the edge with the best of them I just do not see the toughness yet in Freeman to do that. I think he would be a good WILB in a 3-4 as been said before.

I really do not think we need to scrap are system yet as injuries played a big role last season. We were scraping DB's and LB's to get through the rest of the season and Warren had some problems as well. A lot of these guys understand the current system and some have been pro-bowlers. With a possible 6 picks in the first three rounds (2 in each if the Cassel trade goes through) and the talent I have seen in the draft I think we will fill spots and excel in the current defense. I would like to get at least one good FA either at OLB or DB though.

 

[Deus Irae]

Well i will say this with the Fast guys they now have counting Mayo - Guyton and AD is still pretty fast. Add one more Speedy OLB and we are looking at a Steeler Type Defense. No more Two Down Thumpers like Vrabel and Bruschi. The Patriots need to scrap their current version of the 3-4 it doesn't work anymore. They were very below average against the Run and completely stink against the Pass. How was that Red Zone Defense last year?:snob: It's time for a change you heard it here first.

The Patriots are 27-5 over the last 2 seasons with that defense, and they were 12-4 with it the season before. Exactly how is that (39-9) not working?