Draft Gurus: Bottom-line, is there a Mayo-Esque Starting OLB in this draft?

[JSn]

You guys post with a fury I can't even try to follow.

Any opinions? Who's an OLB that can very likely contribute immediately? Is the position tougher than ILB in that regard, or is there such a guy?

 

[dryheat44]

Sintim.

Next question?

 

[mayoclinic]

You guys post with a fury I can't even try to follow.

Any opinions? Who's an OLB that can very likely contribute immediately? Is the position tougher than ILB in that regard, or is there such a guy?

I'm not a "draft guru". With that in mind, I'm not sure there is one.

Everett Brown, Brian Orapko, Aaron Maybin, Michael Johnson, Connor Barwin and Larry English would all be DE/OLB conversions. You may be able to expect some immediate situational pash rushing benefit, but it would be unrealistic to expect a "Mayo-esque" starting 3-4 OLB (comparable to Adalius Thomas, or Vrabel of 2007) right away.

Clint Sintim is likely the most ready, but I don't see him being in Mayo's league. Clay Matthews may have more upside and may be somewhat ready, but he's on the small size and may need a year to bulk up, a la Shawn Crable.

Don't see it.

 

[Metaphors]

You guys post with a fury I can't even try to follow.

Any opinions? Who's an OLB that can very likely contribute immediately? Is the position tougher than ILB in that regard, or is there such a guy?

Depends on what you mean by "contribute"? There are probably quite a few that could be rush specialists for the Pats. A smaller number that could play downs in the base defense (but would come off the field in the nickel).

I took your thread subject to hint at a player that doesn't come off the field in most situations (like Mayo). I don't see a player like that available at #23. Curry is probably the closest thing, but I would project him more inside for the Pats.

I think you need to look to the sophomores (Crable/Redd) instead of anyone picked up in the draft.

 

[JSn]

I think you need to look to the sophomores (Crable/Redd) instead of anyone picked up in the draft.

That's kind of where I've been at. I think Guyton will show up at ILB a lot (if not starting) and our own undervalued (rightly, as fans) Crable will likely turn up.

I don't see much College ball at all, and it's tricky seeing how these 4-3 end conversion projects work, unless it's a strictly Pass Rushing OLB.

Were Vrabel and Thomas DE's in college?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Were Vrabel and Thomas DE's in college?

Ayup. So was Bruschi and TBC, and Wood, Crable, Redd, and Craig are hybrids.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Good question, right of the bat I would say Sintim but after I though about it Larry English is the guy who was not on my radar at all a month ago who is flying up the draft charts lately. It is such a tough position to judge that is why BB is making that decision as he did great with Mayo last year.

 

[JSn]

Ayup. So was Bruschi and TBC, and Wood, Crable, Redd, and Craig are hybrids.

OK, so forgive my ignorance, but is the college game strictly a 4-3 kind of deal?
That seems like a lot of guys that are converts. I guess it also make a case that Julius Peppers "could" make the jump as well. Probably not here, but somewhere.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

OK, so forgive my ignorance, but is the college game strictly a 4-3 kind of deal?
That seems like a lot of guys that are converts. I guess it also make a case that Julius Peppers "could" make the jump as well. Probably not here, but somewhere.

There are some 3-4s in college, few and far between and they tend to use smaller kids because that's who they can get. Others switch into a 3-4 in some situations, but play a base 4-3. And the hybrid kids above all played some LB and switched back and forth between DE based on team needs. It's like Barwin playing one year of DE, he was a TE they converted because his Special Teams play showed he had the ability and they had lost two starting DEs and needed the help.

 

[Feep50]

Speaking of ILB's and OLB's. I have a question. Would Mayo be able to play OLB for us? He surely has the speed to do so. Vrabel and AD moved from one to the other as need dictated. Would Mayo be able to at some point? Or am I missing something obvious and asking a stoopid question?

 

[mayoclinic]

Speaking of ILB's and OLB's. I have a question. Would Mayo be able to play OLB for us? He surely has the speed to do so. Vrabel and AD moved from one to the other as need dictated. Would Mayo be able to at some point? Or am I missing something obvious and asking a stoopid question?

He probably could, though he's a bit on the small side. But we need him too much at WILB, where he's a perfect fit and the future captain of the defense.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Speaking of ILB's and OLB's. I have a question. Would Mayo be able to play OLB for us? He surely has the speed to do so. Vrabel and AD moved from one to the other as need dictated. Would Mayo be able to at some point? Or am I missing something obvious and asking a stoopid question?

He could, but the problem of having shorter LBs on the edge in NE's defense is they are trying to see around TE/OTs that are so much larger. Playing off the LOS lets them see the play developing behind the O-line and anticipate the play, whereas a 6'6" Crable can see over the TE/OT and read the play for himself.

 

[Feep50]

He probably could, though he's a bit on the small side. But we need him too much at WILB, where he's a perfect fit and the future captain of the defense.

Thx MayoClinic, 2 thoughts. Small as in short? or height and weight both?
I was somewhat amazed that he was a starter from day 1 as I was used to all the talk here of how complicated our LB system is. Amazed and pleased I should say. It will be fun to see how he progresses from last season.

Thx, BoR also..... missed your post will writing this one......Makes sense... It's height that's the key

 

[satz]

Thx MayoClinic, 2 thoughts. Small as in short? or height and weight both?
I was somewhat amazed that he was a starter from day 1 as I was used to all the talk here of how complicated our LB system is. Amazed and pleased I should say. It will be fun to see how he progresses from last season.

Thx, BoR also..... missed your post will writing this one......Makes sense... It's height that's the key

Vrabel is around 265 and thomas 270 lb compared to mayo at 240. you cannot ask him to engage tackles at 300-330 lb every down.

what ever olb we get it is going to take time to develop so i do not see one at 23 as if you could a CB or DE[with all the money their if we can a stud for 5 yrs we can clear cap and get rid of 1 big $$$ contract] who can contribute . the best value is to pick them in the 2nd as they will be atheletic enough and can take time to develop playing in limited role.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Vrabel is around 265 and thomas 270 lb compared to mayo at 240. you cannot ask him to engage tackles at 300-330 lb every down.

what ever olb we get it is going to take time to develop so i do not see one at 23 as if you could a CB or DE[with all the money their if we can a stud for 5 yrs we can clear cap and get rid of 1 big $$$ contract] who can contribute . the best value is to pick them in the 2nd as they will be atheletic enough and can take time to develop playing in limited role.

Yeh, but we can get a 5th year on contract in the late first.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Starting from Day 1? Highly doubtful!

However at #23 it is not out of the question to get a guy that could be groomed for PT duty in the base defense by game 6 or so and then finish the 2nd half of the year as the first and second down LBer. (giving way to a pass rushing vet like Taylor on 3rd down.)

 

[Feep50]

Starting from Day 1? Highly doubtful!

However at #23 it is not out of the question to get a guy that could be groomed for PT duty in the base defense by game 6 or so and then finish the 2nd half of the year as the first and second down LBer. (giving way to a pass rushing vet like Taylor on 3rd down.)

Following this thought further: who do you like in this role/pick?

In other words, whose your binkys here at #23 if they did look to OLB

 

[bakes781]

Wannabe Guru here

I've made it clear I like Larry English and here's why...

2005
78 tackles, 7 TFL and 1 sack
2006
51 tackles, 16 TFL, 12 sacks and a 1st Team All-MAC selection
2007
67 tackles, 17 TFL, 10.5 sacks, an MVP trophy and another 1st Team All-MAC selection
2008
37 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8 sacks and MAC MVP

His stock only went up from competing with the best at the Senoir Bowl. He caught my eye when I saw him manhandle the LT and still manage to take down the RB. Almost all the prospects at this position are conversion guys, so there will be a learning curve, but as others have mentioned he has the potential to play inside as well.

 

[Feep50]

Wannabe Guru here

I've made it clear I like Larry English and here's why...

2005
78 tackles, 7 TFL and 1 sack
2006
51 tackles, 16 TFL, 12 sacks and a 1st Team All-MAC selection
2007
67 tackles, 17 TFL, 10.5 sacks, an MVP trophy and another 1st Team All-MAC selection
2008
37 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8 sacks and MAC MVP

His stock only went up from competing with the best at the Senoir Bowl. He caught my eye when I saw him manhandle the LT and still manage to take down the RB. Almost all the prospects at this position are conversion guys, so there will be a learning curve, but as others have mentioned he has the potential to play inside as well.

Hard to pass up these stats and production. I have been in the English camp for a while myself. I also like Matthews here because of the BB connection to his dad. But production is a priority #23. coming in third on my list is Sintin, although #23 seems to steep a price for him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Wannabe Guru here

I've made it clear I like Larry English and here's why...

2005
78 tackles, 7 TFL and 1 sack
2006
51 tackles, 16 TFL, 12 sacks and a 1st Team All-MAC selection
2007
67 tackles, 17 TFL, 10.5 sacks, an MVP trophy and another 1st Team All-MAC selection
2008
37 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8 sacks and MAC MVP

His stock only went up from competing with the best at the Senoir Bowl. He caught my eye when I saw him manhandle the LT and still manage to take down the RB. Almost all the prospects at this position are conversion guys, so there will be a learning curve, but as others have mentioned he has the potential to play inside as well.

You do know Barwin's first year on defense he matched English's sophomore season? And he plays Special Teams and he's a good TE and he's more athletic... I like the longer production timeline on defense, but all things being equal, you lad is a damned fine 4-3 DE who still has to face the same transition challenges with fewer tools.