Michael Lombardi: The Pats are a sleeper team to get Dansby

[Rob0729]

From his column:

So who gets Dansby? My money would be on the Giants or Dolphins, but don’t rule out a sleeper team like the Patriots, who could use more speed on defense. One thing’s for sure when it comes to those three teams -- they all seem to share a passion for the same players, especially on defense.

Diner morning news: Race is on for Karlos Dansby | National Football Post

If the Pats don't get him and Lombardi is right about the favorites, I hope the Giants get him.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

It'd be nice if the Pats had drafted all those linebackers in the previous drafts when they had the chance instead of having to be in a bidding war.

I know the Pats have been monumentally successful compared to everyone else in the NFL but it was freakin' killing me the way they kept passing on linebacking talent in the draft.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Pats are like the Yankees this year. They are in on everyone even though they may no be.

 

[Rob0729]

It'd be nice if the Pats had drafted all those linebackers in the previous drafts when they had the chance instead of having to be in a bidding war.

I know the Pats have been monumentally successful compared to everyone else in the NFL but it was freakin' killing me the way they kept passing on linebacking talent in the draft.

First, just because a player excels in one system doesn't mean they would excel in another. Just because a player they pass on turns out to be a great player in the system they are drafted into, that doesn't mean that they would work in the Pats' system.

Second, the Pats won three Super Bowls with a LB corp mostly in their late 20s or early 30s. None of the LBs during those year had less than 5 years of experience.

I have no problem with the Pats staying with older veterans. I just think they need to be better at picking those veteran. Personally, if the Pats choose to spend their money to get outside pass rushers, I wouldn't mind the Pats going the value rout for ILB and get a solid 3-4 ILB like Larry Foote.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Yeah, they signed those guys while working to develop their own talent.

Or are you suggesting BB and Co couldn't have done anything with the linebackers drafted in the past few years?

 

[JackBauer]

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

 

[lostjumper]

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

I'd prefer Dansby. He's younger, and I think our linebacker core is weaker than the DL group.

 

[Kontradiction]

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

Dansby in a landslide. We know he can play ILB in a 3-4. We have no idea if Peppers can play OLB in a 3-4 and be as good in that role as he was as a 4-3 DE some time ago. I really hope we land him. He and Mayo would be a deadly combination against the run lining up next to one another.

 

[BradyManny]

Dansby in a landslide. We know he can play ILB in a 3-4. We have no idea if Peppers can play OLB in a 3-4 and be as good in that role as he was as a 4-3 DE some time ago. I really hope we land him. He and Mayo would be a deadly combination against the run lining up next to one another.

I'd generally agree with you - but I was talking to an Arizona fan who said the perception out there is that Dansby is overrated. Not sure why. I haven't seen enough of him to say one way or the other, but I agree the thought of him next to Mayo sounds pretty good.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'd generally agree with you - but I was talking to an Arizona fan who said the perception out there is that Dansby is overrated. Not sure why. I haven't seen enough of him to say one way or the other, but I agree the thought of him next to Mayo sounds pretty good.

Eh, you should keep in mind that that's the mentality of any fan whose team is about to lose a top shelf performer on either side of the ball. Whether you originally liked the Seymour trade or you didn't, you have to admit that there was a reaction around here from quite a few people who generally made Seymour out to be an absolute bum who had no business playing in the NFL for the past nine years, let alone this defense. It's pretty typical fan psychology, really. From what I've seen of Dansby, I've been impressed. Really one of the few high level performers on what has been a lackluster defense for the Cards.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Dansby in a landslide. We know he can play ILB in a 3-4. We have no idea if Peppers can play OLB in a 3-4 and be as good in that role as he was as a 4-3 DE some time ago. I really hope we land him. He and Mayo would be a deadly combination against the run lining up next to one another.

Go check out my posts on the recent Peppers thread, Kontra. Maybe you can see the case for Peppers a little bit differently.

 

[BradyManny]

Eh, you should keep in mind that that's the mentality of any fan whose team is about to lose a top shelf performer on either side of the ball. Whether you originally liked the Seymour trade or you didn't, you have to admit that there was a reaction around here from quite a few people who generally made Seymour out to be an absolute bum who had no business playing in the NFL for the past nine years, let alone this defense. It's pretty typical fan psychology, really. From what I've seen of Dansby, I've been impressed. Really one of the few high level performers on what has been a lackluster defense for the Cards.

That's a good point, and I think that's a fair explanation. Anytime I've watched the Cards, I've certainly thought about how he'd look next to Mayo.

I hope the CBA uncertainty doesn't get in the way of what the Patriots need to do this offseason - which would start with - IMO - adding two legitimate NFL starters to their front 7 through free agency.

 

[alphilip77]

While Dansby would awesome, it probably won't happen. Somehow, someway, it'll turn into a bidding war for the guy. And we know how Bill is when it comes to that...Another poster made a good point about Foote. He'd be a solid veteran option next to Mayo, is only 29, and could be had at a reasonable to cheap price. Then you draft another ILB like Spikes in the 2nd and there you go, set for the next 4-5 yrs.:rocker:

 

[Kontradiction]

Go check out my posts on the recent Peppers thread, Kontra. Maybe you can see the case for Peppers a little bit differently.

I read them. You make some pretty solid points overall in that post. Here are my thoughts on the matter from the other Peppers post (the PatsFans.com article)...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we put a capable DE in front of him who isn't a liability against the run (which is not Jarvis Green), then he would be an excellent three down OLB. However, if we are unable to draft or make a move in free agency/trade for a capable DE, then the right side of our defense is still going to be a liability against the run. I will say, though, that our pass defense will be formidable with him in there. If we can pull the trigger on him AND Dansby, our LB corps should be set.

Now, keep in mind that when I focus on the DE position, I'm not necessarily saying that we need to pick up a Seymour calibur player, or a "shut down" type of DE. Just a DE capable of taking on two blockers and stuffing the run on a consistent basis. Without that type of blocker in there, Peppers will be looking at frequently going one on one with either a tackle or a guard (depending on the set up of the opposing offense). And this time, unlike in Carolina, he will be standing up and losing the leverage he had in a 4-3.

 

[Kontradiction]

That's a good point, and I think that's a fair explanation. Anytime I've watched the Cards, I've certainly thought about how he'd look next to Mayo.

I hope the CBA uncertainty doesn't get in the way of what the Patriots need to do this offseason - which would start with - IMO - adding two legitimate NFL starters to their front 7 through free agency.

I actually count three legitimate starters. DE, OLB, and ILB. IMO, Wright should only be seeing playing time on situational downs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I read them. You make some pretty solid points overall in that post. Here are my thoughts on the matter from the other Peppers post (the PatsFans.com article)...



Now, keep in mind that when I focus on the DE position, I'm not necessarily saying that we need to pick up a Seymour calibur player, or a "shut down" type of DE. Just a DE capable of taking on two blockers and stuffing the run on a consistent basis. Without that type of blocker in there, Peppers will be looking at frequently going one on one with either a tackle or a guard (depending on the set up of the opposing offense). And this time, unlike in Carolina, he will be standing up and losing the leverage he had in a 4-3.

If the Pats get Peppers, I agree. They will need to make sure they have someone in there who can be stout vs the run on Peppers side.

 

[condon84]

So I think the more interesting question is, would people here rather have Dansby or Peppers?

I'm not sure myself. While we're weaker at OLB than ILB, Dansby effectively improves two positions at once, by allowing Mayo to slide to WILB.

Peppers or a legit pass rusher can improve our entire secondary. In a pass driven league, I'll take an improvement to our pass defense over what Dansby can provide.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

Sign him up. In baseball you build the core of your team through the middle, and I think the same is true for football. It's safe to assume that Wilfork will be on the team next year or will supply ample compensation in draft picks that the Pats can draft a NT high and still address their other needs in the draft. Given that and the relative strength of at the Safety position with Meriweather and hopefully a more involved Chung, and an already very good LB in Mayo, all this team needs is an ILB to finish off building the core of what could be a much improved defense.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If the Pats get Peppers, I agree. They will need to make sure they have someone in there who can be stout vs the run on Peppers side.

Draft Mt. Cody to play NT, move Wilfork to DE opposite Warren and have Peppers play the elephant backer role from a two point stance. Guyton and Mayo have excellent speed in the middle, now all BB needs is an OLB with speed and coverage ability to play opposite Peppers.
On passing downs, TBC replaces Mt. Cody.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

Sign him up. In baseball you build the core of your team through the middle, and I think the same is true for football. It's safe to assume that Wilfork will be on the team next year or will supply ample compensation in draft picks that the Pats can draft a NT high and still address their other needs in the draft. Given that and the relative strength of at the Safety position with Meriweather and hopefully a more involved Chung, and an already very good LB in Mayo, all this team needs is an ILB to finish off building the core of what could be a much improved defense.