The Way We Hear It - Maualuga

[BadMoFo]

There are only four ILB that I would want us to get day one.
1) Aaron Curry-ILB/OLB Wake Forest
2) Rey Maualuga-ILB USC
3) Clay Matthews-ILB/OLB USC
4) Brian Cushing-ILB/OLB USC

I've never heard of anyone talking about moving Curry to ILB. The three USC guys, I agree. But, not Curry.

 

[BadMoFo]

Maualuga hasn't run the 40 yet at the Pro Day, and I don't expect much out of him. He is gameday fast and quick.

As far as the others:

LB Kaluka Maiava: 4.68; LB Clay Matthews: 4.57; DE Kyle Moore: 4.76; LB Brian Cushing: 4.68;

Matthews/Mayo anyone?

 

[jays52]

Matthews/Mayo anyone?

There is no doubt in my mind that Clay Matthews son will be an outstanding 43 Will. He can also likely play Mike in a scheme where he would be protected such as the one Ray Lewis has mandated in Baltimore. Defending the A and B gaps while driving through guards? Not so much.

 

[slash83]

There is no doubt in my mind that Clay Matthews son will be an outstanding 43 Will. He can also likely play Mike in a scheme where he would be protected such as the one Ray Lewis has mandated in Baltimore. Defending the A and B gaps while driving through guards? Not so much.

Good points, I wonder if hes strong enough to be a good run defender playing olb in a 34.

 

[BadMoFo]

I really don't think I'd be mad with us drafting any of the USC LBs, or Larry English or Conner Barwin, or ... I think it's gonna be pretty tough to be upset in this draft, unless we start reaching for players or trading away every one of our draft picks.

 

[mayoclinic]

There is no doubt in my mind that Clay Matthews son will be an outstanding 43 Will. He can also likely play Mike in a scheme where he would be protected such as the one Ray Lewis has mandated in Baltimore. Defending the A and B gaps while driving through guards? Not so much.

Agreed. I floated the idea of Matthews as an SILB a couple of months ago, and most of the expertienced people on the board agreed with Jays52. I could see him as a Ray Lewis-style ILB where he's protected, but he really seems to have been best when he's been shielded from OLs and darts through gaps to make the play. Not exactly the kind of scheme we use, or the skills we demand of our SILBs.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I have said this before and I will say this again, Rey Maualuga will drop out of the first round. Teams will be afraid of his slow forty time and him being a weak link in that talented USC defense.

 

[slash83]

Agreed. I floated the idea of Matthews as an SILB a couple of months ago, and most of the expertienced people on the board agreed with Jays52. I could see him as a Ray Lewis-style ILB where he's protected, but he really seems to have been best when he's been shielded from OLs and darts through gaps to make the play. Not exactly the kind of scheme we use, or the skills we demand of our SILBs.

Thats why I think Maualuga would be a really good SILB next to Mayo even if hes only a 2down lb, we always have Guyton who could replace Ray on passing down if all else fails.

 

[mayoclinic]

and yet every year teams still spend 1st rounders on unpolished, high potential guys. I hope the negative PR keeps coming and Maualuga falls to us with one of our top 4 picks.

Gee Mav, when I read this at first I thought you were advocating for a certain unpolished, high-potential linebacker from Cincinnati.

I posted this thread because I thought it was noteworthy, not because it is my opinion. I have been agnostic on Maualuga - I'm not convinced he is a 3-down SILB for the Pats or that he has the instincts, pass coverage ability, or ability to grasp our complex schemes that is required. On the other hand, he has intriguing ability as a 3-4 SILB, and other than Brandon Spikes I don't see anyone being a clear improvement on him. So I'm happy to keep him in the mix for consideration in the 2nd round, if he somehow slips (which I consider unlikey). I don't see him being value at 23, however.

 

[bakes781]

I really don't think I'd be mad with us drafting any of the USC LBs, or Larry English or Conner Barwin, or ... I think it's gonna be pretty tough to be upset in this draft, unless we start reaching for players or trading away every one of our draft picks.

Right, but with so many options I think the best play would be to see which of those players falls to #34. Trading #23 for a 1st in 2010 would be a great move IMO.

 

[BPF]

I've never heard of anyone talking about moving Curry to ILB. The three USC guys, I agree. But, not Curry.

How about Curry himself: Seen as draft's 'safest pick,' LB Aaron Curry in a favorable spot - USATODAY.com

INDIANAPOLIS — What does it mean to be labeled as the "safest pick" in the NFL draft for Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry?

"I can come in instantly and make an impact on anybody's defense," Curry said. "And (with) my versatility as a linebacker to be able to play in the 3-4, inside or outside, or 4-3, inside or outside, you just can't go wrong."

 

[BadMoFo]

How about Curry himself: Seen as draft's 'safest pick,' LB Aaron Curry in a favorable spot - USATODAY.com

I'm sure he's not biased.

 

[BadMoFo]

Well, any chance of us getting Maualuga is out the window anyway.

Dude, ran a 4.66.

 

[slash83]

Well, any chance of us getting Maualuga is out the window anyway.

Dude, ran a 4.66.

trade up for the man

 

[BadMoFo]

trade up for the man

As an SC and Pats fan, that'd be my dream pick up. But, I'd be happy with Cush or Matthews. The 40-time I got is from the USC Rivals site, so we'll have to see what he is given officially by Mike Mayock, but if it's true or even in the low 4.7s, I think that cements him as a Top 15 pick.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Well, any chance of us getting Maualuga is out the window anyway.

Dude, ran a 4.66.

Was that the stop watch with USC engraved on it?

 

[Patriot Missile]

Was that the stop watch with USC engraved on it?

I liked Mauluga with the slow 40 time because it is pretty evident to me he is a good football player regardless.

 

[BadMoFo]

Coach tweeted it also.

Pete Carroll (PeteCarroll) on Twitter

He's saying 4.6.

 

[slash83]

As an SC and Pats fan, that'd be my dream pick up. But, I'd be happy with Cush or Matthews. The 40-time I got is from the USC Rivals site, so we'll have to see what he is given officially by Mike Mayock, but if it's true or even in the low 4.7s, I think that cements him as a Top 15 pick.

yeah id love mau at 23 man, I think hes the only lb besides curry that would fit perfectly next to mayo on the strong side, probably even better then curry. Take ray at 23 we could find an olb pass rusher at 34 no problemo.

 

[Nestapats]

They say a lot of mistakes got covered by a great defense, but that's exactly what BB will do. He will use Maualuga's strenghts and let his defense cover up his flaws. But this is all part of the game, trying to get him to slip. I would absolutely be thrilled if he would fall to us at 23.