Why is a top FA LB more likely in 2010?

[mgteich]

Belichick had his chances to secure more LB help in 2009. He chose to use resources differently. Why should 2010 be any different?

I expect Burgess or Green to be re-signed, Wilfork to be franchised, and Woods to be again be given a high enough tender to keep him. That would give us this group to start:

NT (2) Wilfork, Brace
DE (4) Warren, Wright, Pryor, Burgess/Green
OLB (4) Banta-Cain, Thomas, Ninkovich, Crable
ILB (3) Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie
LB/ST (2) Woods, Alexander

I expect that this group will be stronger as the kids get more experience.

There is certainly room for 2-4 new players as upgrade to this group of 15. Thomas could certainly be sent packing, but I don't see how it strengthens the team to do so.
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There will be room for as many young stud DE/OLB as Belichick wants to add as well as room for a veteran or two. Somehow, I don't see Belichick changing his approach much.
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And sure, I'd love to see Merriman and a top rookie ADDED to the above group.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I thought you were going to mention the fact that Karlos Dansby is a UFA who would have to be given QB money if Arizona franchised him again. . . .

 

[notex]

is it safe to say we can throw Crable into mix right? (or is he a FA?)

 

[mayoclinic]

Why do I think we could bring in a FA LB in 2010?

1. We did it in 2007 with AD when our LB corps clearly failed us in the AFCCG against the Colts. Our LBs, and our pass rush in particular, have been the glaring weakness on the defense this year.

2. We have a lot of youth on defense and clearly need some veteran leadership and some experience. Thomas and Burgess aren't going to provide it. A veteran FA like Merriman, Kampman or Karlos Dansby could.

3. A proven veteran pass rusher would accelerate the development of anyone taken in the draft.

4. BB loves redundancy. Last year he decided that the secondary was the area to address, and he brought in both veterans and rookies at CB (Bodden, Springs, Butler) and safety (McGowan, resigning Sanders, Chung). I think he'll address the OLBs and the pass rush this year, and I think he'll look for redundancy through FA and the draft.

Just a guess. I admit there's more than a spoonful of wishful thinking in there.

 

[mgteich]

Yeah, I'd agree that there was indeed more than a spoonful of wishful thinking in your post.

A) So, the strategy of paying a small ransom worked so well for us when we acquired Thomas (and Colvin before him) that Belichick will repeat this known successful strategy?

B) Belichick might not think veteran leadership is signed off the street. If that were the case, Bodden, Springs and Burgess would certainly be providing leadership. Perhaps, Belichick expects some of Mayo, Warren, Wilfork, Meriweather and Sanders to provide the leadership on defense. Apparently, Meriweather looks to Sanders.

C) I agree that a top player would help all the kids develop faster and better.

D) Belichick has different strategies for different positions. Some would say that he took your approach in 2009 and brought in Banta-Cain, Burgess and Ninkovich and drafted McKenzie. That's four new linebackers (although we often list Burgess as a linman). Are you suggesting that Belichick will bring in four more? One might say that we already have two youngsters for 2010: McKenzie and Ninkovich. I also think that Banta-Cain is working out very well. If Belichick and Thomas could make peace, the linebacking corps would be much stronger by the addition of a productive Thomas.

BOTTOM LINE
While I agree that a top free agent LB is a great idea, I could see us waiting all through the offseason and not seeing any signed, yet again.

Why do I think we could bring in a FA LB in 2010?

1. We did it in 2007 with AD when our LB corps clearly failed us in the AFCCG against the Colts. Our LBs, and our pass rush in particular, have been the glaring weakness on the defense this year.

2. We have a lot of youth on defense and clearly need some veteran leadership and some experience. Thomas and Burgess aren't going to provide it. A veteran FA like Merriman, Kampman or Karlos Dansby could.

3. A proven veteran pass rusher would accelerate the development of anyone taken in the draft.

4. BB loves redundancy. Last year he decided that the secondary was the area to address, and he brought in both veterans and rookies at CB (Bodden, Springs, Butler) and safety (McGowan, resigning Sanders, Chung). I think he'll address the OLBs and the pass rush this year, and I think he'll look for redundancy through FA and the draft.

Just a guess. I admit there's more than a spoonful of wishful thinking in there.

 

[mgteich]

Sure, I'll add Crable. I forgot him. I try to forget bad dreams.

is it safe to say we can throw Crable into mix right? (or is he a FA?)

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

If they do not get a pass rush, their defense will always get shredded by mediocre QB's and get embarrassed by elite QB's. If you enjoy watching their 2009 defense, you won't want them to get a FA OLB and FA ILB.

Shawne Merriman and either Kirk Morrison/Barrett Ruud/DeMeco Ryans should be pursued heavily in the off season if a new CBA in place.

Their 1st pick in the draft should be an OLB.

 

[mgteich]

My guess is that every poster would like to see the team secure a top free agent OLB. Such polls have never affected the choices made by Belichick, nor should they.

We could have done FINE in 2009 without signing a top OLB. We could have drafted Matthews and Lauriunitis. They might have prodcued a bit more than Burgess and Seau.

If they do not get a pass rush, their defense will always get shredded by mediocre QB's and get embarrassed by elite QB's. You enjoy watching their 2009 defense, you won't want them to get a FA OLB.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

Laurinitis would be playing ILB.

 

[mgteich]

Laurinitis would be inside and Matthews would be outside, replacing Seau and Burgess on the roster.

The inside starters would be Mayo and Laurinitis. The pass rush would improve if the insaide plays improved. You might note that Laurinitis has some sacks and has collapsed a few pockets. Guyton would be used more in passing situations and would have had some reps outside where his speed migfht be better utilized.

Unless we win the SB, it will be many years until I stop re-living this season in my mind, having drafted Matthews and Laurinitis. I suppose it would help if Brace and Chung were pro-bowlers in 2010 or 2011.

Laurinitis would be playing ILB.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

I don't know if Crable's injuries will ever let us be able to know what we have in this guy.

Unless he has phenomenal mental stamina...I don't see him ever being what his potential was when he was drafted.

 

[lamafist]

The Pats went after Jason Taylor aggressively. They eventually traded for Burgess. They resigned TBC. They probably sniffed around Julius Peppers.

Was their some genuine blue-chip OLB on the market last year that I don't remember?

Seems to me it wasn't BB's "choice" not to sign a top FA LB, so much as it was the scant few opportunities their may have been didn't pan out.

 

[supafly]

The Pats went after Jason Taylor aggressively. They eventually traded for Burgess. They resigned TBC. They probably sniffed around Julius Peppers.

Was their some genuine blue-chip OLB on the market last year that I don't remember?

Seems to me it wasn't BB's "choice" not to sign a top FA LB, so much as it was the scant few opportunities their may have been didn't pan out.

You make a good point in saying that Belichick was indeed looking for LB help from the examples you stated, but as mgteich said, we could've pursued the draft a little harder. (as most of us wanted)

Although it isn't my place to question him, (BB) I too was a huge Lauranitus supporter as I closely followed his OSU career every game. Many questioned his size and speed, but it just seemed like he possessed the raw instincts needed to be a true 'football' player. We also had the option to get Manauluga or Matthews, which have both played well.

More examples of some decent FA linebackers last year were Bart Scott, Ray Lewis, Michael Boley, Jonathan Vilma, James Farrior, possibly even Crowder. We all know our personal feelings on most of these guys, but it may have improved the team.

Bottom line, I think we just got a bit unlucky with the snubbing of Jason Taylor, the injuries of Crable and McKenzie, and the somewhat poor play of Burgess. When you couple that with AD's questionable performance, and then take into acct the effect of the front 7 with the last minute trade of RDE Seymour, it's not hard to see why we're having pass rush problems.

I too, expect the position to be improved again in the off season but have no idea if it'll come from the draft, FA market, or both. As long as it remains a problem, I suspect Belichick will address it.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i was realy hopeing to see shawn crable and he's speed as a pass rusher on 3rd down this year, but at this point i don't think he will be more then a preseason star like Childress, was


i would like to see what McKenzie. can do next year if he can play some ILB that would be good and maybe we can see guyton rush the passer a lil more as a OLB

TBC is haveing a nice for the pats and should be a starter again next year


AD i don't think they will cut him and if he is still on this team next year i don't look for him to do much more then he did this year

burgess i think will get resigned and unless some one offers woods more then pats will and i don't see that happening he will be back

but here are some LB's i would like the pats to look at in FA next year

ILB's

Karlos Dansby, i don't think the cards will put the tag on him again but the pats may not want to pay that much for a ILB

Barrett Ruud, DeMeco Ryans, Kirk Morrison, i think will all get the tag and not hit the market

D’Qwell Jackson, this is the guy i want at ILB he is not haveing a great year right now so maybe the pats can get him at a better price then Dansby if the browns let him hit the market


OLB"s

Elvis Dumervil, i realy don't think denver will let him hit the market


Shawne Merriman, this is the guy i want and with jackson and there LT both being FA next year for san diego i don't think they will tag him but im not sure the pats will pay that much

thomas howard, is a good LB but may be to small to play OLB in the 3-4


i would love for the pats to sign one or two of dose guys but i realy don't think the pats will sign any big FA next year

they will have to get done in the draft cause if it is a uncaped year next year not many teams let there big name players go

 

[cstjohn17]

Belichick had his chances to secure more LB help in 2009. He chose to use resources differently. Why should 2010 be any different?

I expect Burgess or Green to be re-signed, Wilfork to be franchised, and Woods to be again be given a high enough tender to keep him. That would give us this group to start:

NT (2) Wilfork, Brace
DE (4) Warren, Wright, Pryor, Burgess/Green
OLB (4) Banta-Cain, Thomas, Ninkovich, Crable
ILB (3) Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie
LB/ST (2) Woods, Alexander

I expect that this group will be stronger as the kids get more experience.

There is certainly room for 2-4 new players as upgrade to this group of 15. Thomas could certainly be sent packing, but I don't see how it strengthens the team to do so.
=============
There will be room for as many young stud DE/OLB as Belichick wants to add as well as room for a veteran or two. Somehow, I don't see Belichick changing his approach much.
==============

And sure, I'd love to see Merriman and a top rookie ADDED to the above group.

The problem with that lineup (same problem as this year) is that is still among the worst group of OLB/DEs in the NFL.

The free agent addition is key, otherwise it is the same old junk.

 

[FadedIdea]

id actuall like to see a good 3rd recievier and upgrade at dt and cb

 

[eagle eye]

The first thing that has to be figured out is what our base will be. This switching from 3-4 to 4-3 and back and forth is not going to work unless you have huge depth at both DE and OLB. We need a lot of players if we are going to persist with switching.

That defines the type of player you are looking for also. If they are going to play 4-3 then you are looking at DE as the most important need for this team. If you are playing 3-4 then the team needs the hybrid DE/OLBs and DE/DTs.

Until that decision is made its pointless discussing what our biggest need is.

On the other side of the ball, we need to protect Brady. The guy has been on his backside far too often this season, the only reason he doesn't have a huge amount of sacks is that he has been in the shotgun formation most of the time and can see the pressure coming and get rid of the ball. There is an urgent need to improve that line.

 

[Nunchucks]

I would love to see a thumper MLB who can get to the QB if the team decides to pass on first down. Mayo is supposed to be that guy, but he hasn't really shown it yet. Get a proven run stopping vet who also knows how to run those inside blitzes.

 

[eagle eye]

I would love to see a thumper MLB who can get to the QB if the team decides to pass on first down. Mayo is supposed to be that guy, but he hasn't really shown it yet. Get a proven run stopping vet who also knows how to run those inside blitzes.

Mayo is a run stopper, its a guy who can pass protect better that we need alongside Jerod.

 

[Nunchucks]

As for Crable looke really bad before he went on IR, I don't know if that was because he was playing injured or because he just isn't there. I wouldn't expect much from Crable next season.