upstater1
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In addition, if you want to argue that some of the Patriots current edge players don't fit the prototype, I would submit the following:
Other OLBs on the Patriots 2009 Roster and how the relate to the prototype
Adalius Thomas: At the 2000 combine, Thomas measured in at 6'3 270 lbs and ran a 4.56 40, very close to the Belichick standard. He also has very long arms and had proven he could play in the NFL with the Ravens before the Patriots acquired him in 2007. Also was valued in part because of his ILB/OLB versatility.
Tully-Banta Cain: While he doesn’t fit the prototype, he was drafted late (7th round) and has been best used situationally as a pass rusher. When he has been asked to be a base 3-4 OLB on run downs, he struggles setting the edge. See the 2006 AFC divisional game v. San Diego (in which he was benched the following week v. Indianapolis) and his unremarkable stint with San Francisco.
Derrick Burgess: At the 2001 combine, Burgess measured in at 6’3 264 lbs and ran 4.92 40. While he also doesn’t fit the prototype, he was used as little as possible on run downs as an OLB in the base 3-4 in 2009. Pierre Woods and Adalius Thomas got most of the snaps in the 3-4 on 1st and 2nd down.
Rob Ninkovich: Measured in at 6'3 260 lbs. at the combine and ran a 4.71 at his Pro Day in 2006. He is close to the prototype and was also a waiver wire acquisition, not a high draft pick.
Since 2000, the Patriots adherence to the 6-4, 4.6 formula has resulted in them being very picky in regards to OLBs in the draft (their only high pick was Crable in ’08). The only time they have gone outside this criterion is in later rounds (and even then it has been a slight deviation). Thus, if fans are waiting for the Patriots to select an impact pass-rusher high in this draft, it will more than likely be a player who is 6’4 plus, runs in the 4.6s or faster, and the Patriots feel can succeed at the NFL level.
Some may point to some of the Patriots recent veteran acquisitions at OLB (Thomas, Burgess, Ninkovich, etc.) and conclude that the Patriots adherence to the 6’4 4.6 40 standard isn’t as rigid as advocated here. However, as explained above, these players are relative close to this prototype and/or were used situationally as pass rushing DEs in the Patriots four-man fronts and sub-packages. Given his past statements about positional value and the draft, I highly doubt Bill Belichick would spend a high draft pick on a defender he doesn’t deem to be a three-down player.
Given their current roster situation, the Patriots need an OLB who can both rush the passer and has the size, length and strength to effectively set the edge and stay on the field all three downs. The Patriots believe that a three-down player at OLB in their 3-4 defense is someone who in addition to being a good football player, is 6’4 and runs a 40 in the 4.6s.
The whole 3 down thing may be a bit odd when you consider that the Patriots have spent both a 1st and 2nd rounder on Wilfork and Brace.