Ray,
If you are going to grow low rated players, it does take time. But the Pats, and Pitt do so, and already have invested time, and culled.
Robertson didn't make it after a year; the others are still around. Woods had three years of training before he saw the starters position last season, at SOLB. I assume Crabel, Redd, Craig and all will have another year of training, and might be ready in 2010, but they can spot contribute this season, as sophs.
TBC went thru four years of training and started to see reserve reps before heading off the SF for fairly good money. Now he returns. I would not say that either of these Woods and TBC, are inexperienced players. They may not be stars, (yet, or maybe ever), but they are qualified to play their positions. The untrained, raw youngsters are Crabel. a high draft pick, and Redd and Craig, raw developmental players, in the pipeline. Even there, they all have a year of training invested in them.
I can see why Belichick acted and drafted so unconcerned. He really beleives that he has several good ones coming on at OLB. He has never shied from starting youngsters when he feels thay have earned it. Its just fear of the unknown that prompts so much skepticism from the fans.
If you are going to grow low rated players, it does take time.
Yes it does, a very good point. I'm happy to see we finally have some competition at LB, albeit only among players available for free.
TBC did not leave because of an offer, though he received one. His time with us ended when we were forced to replace him in a playoff game, with another nonentity. This was one of our saddest chapters.
When players are given positions by default due to lack of competition, this can happen. All we got out of our entire program to replace aging players in the 2000's before Woods was two special teamers, both of whom could be gone by September.
Pierre Woods beat out one 6th rounder, then was handed the job after two years of special teams and virtually no competition. Sound familiar?
If we continue to keep 4-8 linebackers with actual (size etc.) potential to start between the back of the roster and practice squad (where we've hardly had LBs compared to other positions, curiously)
Maybe we will get 1 or 2 NFL quality starters in a few years.
Maybe there will actually be some competion at OLB between Woods Crabel and Redd and maybe it will produce an NFL quality starter.
There hasn't been such competition and imagining a totally unfocused scenario to produce a quality NFL starter in the short space of a training camp is hope, not what NFL teams want to depend on at the start of a season. Having them fight for time while we bring in a vet is a scenario more likely to have results IMO. I don't think Woods would beat out an actual NFL starter at this point.
I realize they try to save money at LB and I love our expensive D Line. It's a fact of life, however, that you need to spen either money, resources, or you own time and work.
They haven't worked to provide competition at LB until last year. It will take time and continued stocking of UDFAs and street free agents to have the similar success to teams that spend money and draft picks, it's only common sense.
Somebody wins the lottery every day. That doesn't mean it wil always be you. They'll probably bring in one vet and try to bring along the young players to find a starter, maybe two, eventually.