miDeuce
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I think he'd be worth a look, better schematic fit than Paris Lennon (though not sure if he can help on STs), and has the size we've missed since Ted J. I mean, not out of the question he could take Bruschi's job as 2 down run stuffer (as much as I love Tedy)...
Filling in for Donnie Edwards, Wilhelm played well in his first season as a starter. He wasn't spectacular and didn't make a huge amount of big plays, but he was productive and regularly around the football. He is a bigger inside linebacker with the power and bulk needed to engage offensive line blocks at the point of attack. Wilhelm is a powerful, technically-sound tackler who plays the game with passion on every snap. He is a tough guy who doesn't shy away from engaging. Wilhelm finds himself out of position on occasion, but is improving in this regard. He also can play too high and struggles to get off blocks at times. His athletic ability and knee bend is a problem and will limit his upside going forward. He isn't real smooth flipping his hips and his change of direction isn't ideal. He also offers little when rushing the passer and is best playing only on early downs. He has battled injuries and his durability is a concern.
I'm not really sure he is a better schematic fit or not. Just because he played ILB in the Chargers' 3-4 doesn't mean he would do well in the Pats' 3-4. The Chargers run an one-gap 3-4 defense. Wilhelm probably hasn't had much experience trying to shed blocks from guards like he would with the Patriots. Not all 3-4s are the same.
He could be a good fit for the Pats. I don't know enough about him. But just because he played in the 3-4 doesn't mean he can play in the Pats' 3-4.
Here's Scout Inc's take on the guy:
They give him a grade of 61 which is the low end of the average starter.
Matt Wilhelm Stats, News, Photos - San Diego Chargers - ESPN
If the Chargers play 1-gap 3-4, shooting the gap, wouldn't that mean that there are MORE guards getting into the LB area? The 2-gap is where the DL holds their guy at the point of attack? I don't know, just wondering, but I do agree that all 3-4 players do not fit all 3-4 schemes.I'm not really sure he is a better schematic fit or not. Just because he played ILB in the Chargers' 3-4 doesn't mean he would do well in the Pats' 3-4. The Chargers run an one-gap 3-4 defense. Wilhelm probably hasn't had much experience trying to shed blocks from guards like he would with the Patriots. Not all 3-4s are the same.
He could be a good fit for the Pats. I don't know enough about him. But just because he played in the 3-4 doesn't mean he can play in the Pats' 3-4.
Edit: To address someone's point about needing another Ted Johnson type, why? Even when he was here, BB replaced him early on with Roman Phifer, who was more mobile. Ted Johnson's been gone for 5-6 years now, and BB has never made an attempt to replace his type, even with a UFDA.
Edit: To address someone's point about needing another Ted Johnson type, why? Even when he was here, BB replaced him early on with Roman Phifer, who was more mobile. Ted Johnson's been gone for 5-6 years now, and BB has never made an attempt to replace his type, even with a UFDA.
Well, wow. I never once connected the loss of Ted Johnson with not winning a superbowl since he left. I always assumed the reason we stopped winning superbowls was because Je'rod Cherry left the Patriots in 2004.Yes, but must I bring up what else hasn't happened in the last 5 years
Well, wow. I never once connected the loss of Ted Johnson with not winning a superbowl since he left. I always assumed the reason we stopped winning superbowls was because Je'rod Cherry left the Patriots in 2004.
I'm disappointed this thread hasn't degerated into "a do we have to have a thread everytime some shmoe is release.."
Maybe I should have read page 2 of the posts...
I believe you have that reversed Db, I recall Tedy at the "Mike" and Mayo at the "Jack" (if I have my terms right). Tedy in his more mobile days was on the weakside more often with T.J. plugging things up. Tedy took T.J.'s role on Junior's first year here, then the two of them switched off in 07 and Tedy moved back when Mayo moved in on the weakside.I don't see Wilhelm being brought in to play the Strong ILB position because that is the position that Mayo played the entirety of last year. If BB felt that Mayo was better at the WILB, that's where he'd have played with Bruschi at the SILB (a position that Bruschi played when Vrabel played the WILB).