Patriots kick tires on pass rushers [merged]

[Brono]

Last night, the Patriots sat down with South Carolina edge rusher Eric Norwood. Tonight, they'll do the same with Michigan pressure man Brandon Graham.

What does it mean? Well, it's still really early, and the Patriots will be meeting with plenty of guys over the course of these few days in Mobile, Ala. But it would seem to confirm what we all are well aware of ... Finding edge players is the priority this offseason.
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Norwood, the SEC's all-time sack leader, said his meeting with the team went swimmingly.

"It was a lot of board work, but I know my stuff," Norwood said. "I left thinking it was a good meeting, and I think I'd fit great in there, the type of team they have, type of structure they have. Their players don't have an ego, I don't have an ego. I think I'd fit in perfect."

Patriots kick tires on pass rushers - Extra Points - Boston.com

 

[carolinatony]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

Thats a good sign. As long as we buy one and don't just go for a test ride I'll be happy.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

i like both Norwood, and Graham, this may just be the pats trying to make there draft stock go up a lil higher so guys like Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes, and Jason Pierre-Paul, can fall to the pats thats what the draft is it's a poker game.




any why you cut it that still means the pats will be takeing a OLB in the first or 2th round of the draft and thats a good thing.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

i like both Norwood, and Graham, this may just be the pats trying to make there draft stock go up a lil higher so guys like Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes, and Jason Pierre-Paul, can fall to the pats thats what the draft is it's a poker game.




any why you cut it that still means the pats will be takeing a OLB in the first or 2th round of the draft and thats a good thing.

I'm really big on Hughes and with the high level of talent in this draft, he could very easily be there in the second round. Pierre-Paul and Kindle will likely be top 20 picks.

I hope that the focus for this draft is strictly on building up the LB corps. If they take 3 LBs with their first 4 picks(my pipe dream is hauling in Spikes and Dunlap from UF, Hughes, and one of Greg Hardy/Ricky Sapp/Brandon Graham) in my mind they had a great draft and will have solved their most apparent problems.

 

[37Harrison]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

I really hope that they "kick the tires" on guys that can/will actually pan out in their system. BB's past drafts for edge rushers and FA acquisitions have been less than mediocre.

 

[BionicPatriot]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

BB's problem is just not findin the complete package. He either drafts a good pass rusher, or a guy whos good at setting the edge. We need an every down well balanced OLB to do this for us.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

any why you cut it that still means the pats will be takeing a OLB in the first or 2th round of the draft and thats a good thing.

It means nothing of the sort. They're interested in finding the right guy but it absolutely does not mean that they WILL be taking one.

 

[NEPatriot]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

Here is my version of our D line in 2010

2 pass rushers on left side 3 Vince Folks in the middle 2 pass rushers on the right side.

 

[RayClay]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

They're both short, according to what they said criteria was last year.

 

[Jangles]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

Here is my version of our D line in 2010

2 pass rushers on left side 3 Vince Folks in the middle 2 pass rushers on the right side.

I know BB could clone people

 

[Jimke]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

It means nothing of the sort. They're interested in finding the right guy but it absolutely does not mean that they WILL be taking one.

Based on past history, I will remain a pessimist until they actually draft one.

 

[dryheat44]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

They're both short, according to what they said criteria was last year.

First thing I noticed too. But I think that after the first round, BB lets measurables slip. Neither of these guys right now are projected to go in the first. OK, so Norwood doesn't have the long arms to keep offensive tackles off of him and to give the quarterback an obstacle to throw around, but there's no denying his production in College Football's elite conference.

 

[pantoine1084]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

Unfortunately I agree with the pessimistic sentiment about our ability to bring in a premier every down backer whether through draft or FA. I like Mayo, but he is not yet a certified every down force. It's hard to find, but we need our Ware, Willis, Suggs to get our defense back to top tier.

Of course AD is a major reason for this conversation. Not the best splurge in Pats history.


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[hammertime]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

If James Harrison can succeed at 6 foot with a lighter build than Norwood, he can as well.

Love both players that they are talking to.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Patriots already kicking the tires on pass rushers

While they will be interviewing several players in Mobile,Al -It looks like the primary importance is going by the way of Pass Rushers as the Patriots have already begun talks with the first 2 prospective draftees being players who excelled on the college level as pass rushers.

According to Breer, the Pats sat down with the Gamec0ck's pass rush specialist Eric Norwood and Brandon Graham is up next with an interview this evening. - Graham has been noted to really want to be a Patriot as he reportedly likes the way Belichick coaches and said he thinks BB seems like a great guy.

Breer also expects the team down the road to take a good look at Cameron Sheffield and Brandon Lang who come from Troy which was the college school of both Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware... 2 pretty talented pass rushing guys to try and copy from.

Don't be surprised if Banta Cain is fighting for a spot in the rotation this year,There is A LOT of talent at OLB in this years draft - Adalius is just about a guaranteed out IMO.

 

[Jangles]

Re: Patriots already kicking the tires on Pass Rushers

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england.../317818-patriots-kick-tires-pass-rushers.html

..what?

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

They're both short, according to what they said criteria was last year.

Norwood would be moved to ILB more than likely.. and at 6'1 and change is about right.

Graham, I tend to agree with you since I think I saw that he was just over 6'0

I like Austen Lane and possibly George Selvie (wow, has his stock fallen)...

 

[Badluck]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

Based on past history, I will remain a pessimist until they actually draft one.

same here
although the thought of graham on the team after watching him at practice is exciting

 

[RichSeymour]

Re: Patriots kick tires on pass rushers

BB's problem is just not findin the complete package. He either drafts a good pass rusher, or a guy whos good at setting the edge. We need an every down well balanced OLB to do this for us.

Been missing a player like that since McGinest. God he was awesome....exactly what a 3-4 OLB should be.