Outside Linebackers

[mgteich]

This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.

IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.

If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Outside Lienbackers

This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.

IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.

If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.

That's what happens when you add an outstanding (we hope) vet to a bunch of role players. Instant depth, good mix of rushers and a stout run stopper (we hope).

I'm pretty happy with the looks of it.

 

[slash83]

Re: Outside Lienbackers

I agree, Thomas and Burgess could and should become a top tier pass rushing force. Woods and TBC are good backup players, might not be legit starters but thats fine because the signing of Burgess takes pressure off the both of them.

 

[mayoclinic]

Re: Outside Lienbackers

This is NOT a terrible unit. Thomas, Burgess and Banta-Cain are fine in their roles. So is Pierre Woods. Woods is not being asked to be THE PLAYER opposite Thomas. He is asked to perform the role of a run-containing OLB. Will he "start"? Maybe. It depends on game plan and who we play. In any case we have four reasonable players to cover these two positions. In addition, we have a developmental youngster in Crable.

IMHO, the pass rush will be much better this year with the addition of Burgess and Banta-Cain in their hybrid roles. In addition, the secondary is likely to be much stronger than 2008 giving the coaches more freedom in their scheming. At times, maybe we can go back to have the front seven all standing up until the offense sets.

If Woods turns out to be our #4 OLB, we still will be fine at OLB.

There's not a "terrible" unit on this team. Best balance and depth that I've ever seen.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Outside Lienbackers

I agree, Thomas and Burgess could and should become a top tier pass rushing force. Woods and TBC are good backup players, might not be legit starters but thats fine because the signing of Burgess takes pressure off the both of them.

I am intrigued by thought of Thomas, Burgess, and Tully on the field at the same time. obviously in nickle or dime situations.

for example lets construct a nickle. 5 DBs the 3 above plus Mayo Seymour and Warren with Burgess putting his hand down for 3 DL. Pretty normal looking nickle for this team considering somethings they have down thru the years but you can mix and mask your blitzes pretty well from this.

 

[slash83]

Re: Outside Lienbackers

I am intrigued by thought of Thomas, Burgess, and Tully on the field at the same time. obviously in nickle or dime situations.

for example lets construct a nickle. 5 DBs the 3 above plus Mayo Seymour and Warren with Burgess putting his hand down for 3 DL. Pretty normal looking nickle for this team considering somethings they have down thru the years but you can mix and mask your blitzes pretty well from this.

I just think there are so many pass rushing formation and options its going to be nuts, Seymour is an animal whether hes stopping the run or rushing the qb, warren can get to the qb, bugess is an established legit pass rusher, Jarvis is healthy again we know he can get after the qb, add in Adalius, TBC, Mayo has been a best at TC, Merriweather is an effective blitzer. This team will and can get to the qb, id be shocked if the results were anything close to last year, especially with the improved secondary.

 

[stinkypete]

I'm happy overall with the LB unit. It certainly isn't of the '03 - '05 quality, but the 2009 group seems to have the best depth since those years.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'm happy overall with the LB unit. It certainly isn't of the '03 - '05 quality, but the 2009 group seems to have the best depth even compared to those years.

There I fixed it for you.

 

[Sicilian]

I think the only thing we lack is an edge-setting run stopper opposite Thomas. Woods could be that, but it's up in the air at this point, we'll have to see how he develops. But I don't think Burgess or Banta-Cain specialize in that, and Crable is still a raw asset right now.

Other than that, I have no concerns with the OLBs, assuming they stay relatively healthy.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think the only thing we lack is an edge-setting run stopper opposite Thomas. Woods could be that, but it's up in the air at this point, we'll have to see how he develops. But I don't think Burgess or Banta-Cain specialize in that, and Crable is still a raw asset right now.

Other than that, I have no concerns with the OLBs, assuming they stay relatively healthy.

I agree. If I recall, when Colvin and AD first got here, there was some concern about their edge-setting capability. BB fixed Colvin and I think AD has been pretty good.

Granted there is a small sampling of his game action but I think Woods will be ok setting the edge.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree. If I recall, when Colvin and AD first got here, there was some concern about their edge-setting capability. BB fixed Colvin and I think AD has been pretty good.

Granted there is a small sampling of his game action but I think Woods will be ok setting the edge.

"Fixed" Colvin may be a bit strong, but Rosie always started the season struggling and got stronger as the season progressed - kind of like Ben Watson as a blocker. It's like some guys lose their muscle memory each summer the way I lost math skills, then they have to painfully reacquire them in the Fall.

 

[RobertWeathers]

"Fixed" Colvin may be a bit strong, but Rosie always started the season struggling and got stronger as the season progressed - kind of like Ben Watson as a blocker. It's like some guys lose their muscle memory each summer the way I lost math skills, then they have to painfully reacquire them in the Fall.

Good point. Colvin played OLB 4-3 OLB in Chicago and was called to pass rush more than set the edge. With Rosie, it was more of a technique thing that he needed to adapt to once he came to the Pats. As do you, I seem to recall late in 2004 and mid-late 2005 as periods where he really came on strong.

 

[condon84]

I like our OLBs. I thought last year, our OLBs was a pretty good unit until Thomas got hurt. Obviously with Thomas being our main edge rusher, we lost a lot there. But with the addition of Burgess and the return of Thomas, our edge rushers are looking pretty good. I think Woods is a serviceable OLB and I'm still hoping Crable comes through. I always thought TBC showed some speed coming from the outside so I was glad we signed him back. I think we got a pretty diverse group that we can throw out there for different packages.

 

[363839]

I like our OLBs. I thought last year, our OLBs was a pretty good unit until Thomas got hurt. Obviously with Thomas being our main edge rusher, we lost a lot there. But with the addition of Burgess and the return of Thomas, our edge rushers are looking pretty good. I think Woods is a serviceable OLB and I'm still hoping Crable comes through. I always thought TBC showed some speed coming from the outside so I was glad we signed him back. I think we got a pretty diverse group that we can throw out there for different packages.

I still worry about our depth, though.

 

[mgteich]

I don't understand. Banta-Cain and Woods are fine depth. And that doesn't count Crable who could step up.

I still worry about our depth, though.

 

[Patriot 37]

My concern is if they plan to use the 4-3 a lot, Banta-Cain and Burgess are DEs in that system. They don't have a lot depth.

Crable at 6-5 isn't the typical 4-3 OLB (neither is Woods). I would think Guyton would be able to play it but I don't remember seeing outside. Did they use him at OLB against Phi ?

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

My concern is if they plan to use the 4-3 a lot, Banta-Cain and Burgess are DEs in that system. They don't have a lot depth.

Crable at 6-5 isn't the typical 4-3 OLB (neither is Woods). I would think Guyton would be able to play it but I don't remember seeing outside. Did they use him at OLB against Phi ?

Gary Guyton is the prototypical OLB in a 4-3 defense. In fact, I think the lineup of Mayo, Guyton and Thomas would be pretty good. That's a lot of speed at LB if you ask me.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Gary Guyton is the prototypical OLB in a 4-3 defense. In fact, I think the lineup of Mayo, Guyton and Thomas would be pretty good. That's a lot of speed at LB if you ask me.

Yep. I'm of the same line of thinking.

Remember that the 2001 Pats played a good amout of 4-3 at the end of the season.

Line was Pleasent, Seymour, Brandon Mitchell and Bobby Hamilton w/ Willie Mac as the "elephant".

LBs were Teddy in the middle w/ Phifer and Vrabel on either side.

This is not foreign by any means.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

My concern is if they plan to use the 4-3 a lot, Banta-Cain and Burgess are DEs in that system. They don't have a lot depth.


We're going to mix the 34/43 play w/ diff. personnel doing different schemes, with different gap duties on different downs-w/ the ability to contain the run WHILE pass rushing. THERE WILL BE NO WHERE TO GO!This will be deadly with the speed and intelligence from our DB's too.

This defense will dominate as the season progresses ESP. with our offense

Yin/Yang

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Yep. I'm of the same line of thinking.

Remember that the 2001 Pats played a good amout of 4-3 at the end of the season.

Line was Pleasent, Seymour, Brandon Mitchell and Bobby Hamilton w/ Willie Mac as the "elephant".

LBs were Teddy in the middle w/ Phifer and Vrabel on either side.

This is not foreign by any means.

That's right...good point.

Some fans need to remember that it's really who we have as players currently on D.
WE rebuilt the Dline...w/ Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, w/ some FA's like NT's (3/4)Ted Washington, Keith Traylor -and we had some good 3-4 LB's at the time.
BUT...we haven't been playing the 3-4 forever as you pointed out.
2001 was an awesome year....the team fought hard! Esp. in the SB!