OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher

[Since1971]

It would be nice to get some OLB depth, someone who can rush the passer preferably. But there are not many of those types available. Schobel is a possibility, can't count on it. With McKensie, Spikes and Mayo looking like a ILB rotation, Guyton could cetainly provide depth, possible pass-rushing ability. Dane Fletcher has really impressed so far in camp and is playing ILB. Was DE monster at division 1A Montana State. Kid has great speed and athleticism, something tells me Belichick really likes this kid and he could be another option to provide depth at OLB/passrush. He has a good chance to make this team if he can play ILB/OLB and special teams. 4.6 speed in 40.

Thoughts.

 

[sbpatfan]

Since when does Guyton have pass rushing ability? You honestly think he has a chance against a guy like Jake Long anyways? He'd get mauled.

 

[satz]

Both the guys are small . OLB in 4-3 plays off the line and can be send 1 or 2 plays as a blitzer in a 3-4 he has go against tackles.

would you send 245 LB guyton/smaller DE against vollmer [Our RT] every down ?. I am sure once or twice in a game is fine but if guyton runs into vollmer 15-20 times a game he will be in IR very fast.

you mention schobel who is close to 300 lb and then say guyton who is 50 lb less.there is a huge difference between a 300LB DE going against a 310-315LB tackle vs a 240LB against a tackle.

 

[RussFrancis]

Guyton is easily the least physical player of any of our LBs, inside or out. The man should be playing free safety. Nice fill-in role player. Nice depth addition. Not a starter, not an OLB, and not a player capable of taking on a tackle and shedding. A backup. I only hope the players ahead of him on the depth chart can stay healthy.

 

[patsox23]

Guyton cannot effectively play OLB in this system. (Or maybe any other.)

 

[satz]

Guyton cannot effectively play OLB in this system. (Or maybe any other.)

actually he will great in the colt system where OLB do not come near the LOS.
he will in coverage against RB and TE in open field where speed and his height will make a huge difference.

 

[Sicilian]

Guyton cannot effectively play OLB in this system. (Or maybe any other.)

I could be wrong, but I feel like OLB in the Colts' system are his size. But they favor quicker, smaller LBs in general.

I think he can play OLB for us in certain situations. The problem would be his pass rush from that angle wouldn't really be effective. You'd have to use it once in a while to keep the O honest, but in reality he'd be a coverage OLB if anything.

Edit: Satz beat me to just about everything here.

 

[Urgent]

Right now there seems to be decent depth at ILB and a terrible lack of talent at OLB, so there have been many suggestions of moving ILB's to OLB.
Guyton, Mayo, McKenzie, Spikes, Fletcher - it seems they have all been referenced.

However, none of them are really suited for the role. In fact, we may see ILB's playing nose more than we see them playing outside. There are third-and-long packages with two DL where the Mike moves up and plays the middle of the line - that may well be more common than seeing any of these ILB's at OLB.

The roles really are different in our system. On occasion, we have seen OLB's move inside - Vrabel and Thomas for example. Not the other way around, due to the skills required and role.

Yes, Fletcher was a college DE. So was Bruschi. His size, apparently, dictates a move inside. Belichick has really avoided the 6-1 240 OLB's for our system, or has converted them into ILB's. Until the system changes, none of the faster, smaller DE/OLB types are going to be OLB's in the Patriots system.

 

[mgteich]

I believe that Murrell is the 5th OLB at the moment, and will likely be much more useful at OLB in 2010 than Guyton or Fletcher. And he has the potential to move up a bit in the depth chart.

 

[Sicilian]

I believe that Murrell is the 5th OLB at the moment, and will likely be much more useful at OLB in 2010 than Guyton or Fletcher. And he has the potential to move up a bit in the depth chart.

Any update on his injury?

 

[Patspsycho]

Right now there seems to be decent depth at ILB and a terrible lack of talent at OLB, so there have been many suggestions of moving ILB's to OLB. Guyton, Mayo, McKenzie, Spikes, Fletcher - it seems they have all been referenced.

However, none of them are really suited for the role. In fact, we may see ILB's playing nose more than we see them playing outside. There are third-and-long packages with two DL where the Mike moves up and plays the middle of the line - that may well be more common than seeing any of these ILB's at OLB.

Spikes and Murrell have taken reps at OLB. Spikes rushed the edge a few time yesterday. We have "5" OLB.

Our OLB depth is fine. I am not worried about it. Our OL is by far the worst problem we have.

 

[Urgent]

Spikes and Murrell have taken reps at OLB. Spikes rushed the edge a few time yesterday. We have "5" OLB.

Our OLB depth is fine. I am not worried about it. Our OL is by far the worst problem we have.

I'd place Spikes on the edge somewhere between Troy Brown on defense and Vince Wilfork fielding punts.

 

[Christopher Patriot]

Sign Schobel, trade Mankins for Woodley :rockerroblem solved.

 

[Sicilian]

I'd place Spikes on the edge somewhere between Troy Brown on defense and Vince Wilfork fielding punts.

You're reading too much into Spikes' 40 time. If he's as instinctual as he seems, and he has length and strength, I don't see why he can't be used on the outside in some situations. No one's saying he's going to be a 3 down OLB, but is there some reason he simply can NOT play the position in certain packages?

 

[Patspsycho]

I'd place Spikes on the edge somewhere between Troy Brown on defense and Vince Wilfork fielding punts.

Then you're smarter than Bill Belichick.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Any update on his injury?

He cramped up in the heat and should be fine with some stretching and hydration. No big deal.

As for Guyton, why does everyone assume he's so small? He's bigger than Mayo is, and at least the same size as TBC. No, he's not a full-time OLB, but it's not out of the question that he could occasionally align outside and blitz.

Also, whoever mentioned that Schobel is almost 300 pounds is ill-informed. Schobel is about the exact same weight as Guyton, but is a taller and leaner. He's built like a LB. DEs in our system are like DTs in other systems, which is probably why the assumption about weight was made.

 

[JackBauer]

Sign Schobel, trade Mankins for Woodley :rockerroblem solved.

Uh, that doesn't solve any problems, other than making the lack of topline talent and depth at OL even worse.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Guton is extremely fast. If Spikes shows that from time to time he can rush the passer from the silb position then Guyton wouldn't be rushing the passer but covering a back on that play.

 

[Christopher Patriot]

In my opinion a guard is easier to plug in a average player and have solid results. Where as a pass rusher you want elite talent.
I know protecting Brady is by far the most important thing in the world, I just believe as quick a decision maker Brady is, and if we take advantage of play action and we beefed up the tight ends to block as well.
I don't see how the Patriots will cave into Mankins requests unless Brady demands it or works something out with Kraft on his contract.
Mankins is a elite talent at a position that is arguably not of top 10 importance on this team. If Pitt has any interest in moving Woodley a player the majority of the board was in love with in the draft. Then I don't see why not.
Bottom line I'd much rather have a elite outside linebacker than a elite guard.

 

[sbpatfan]

Uh, that doesn't solve any problems, other than making the lack of topline talent and depth at OL even worse.

There's no way in hell Pittsburgh would trade away one of like three guys on their defense that's under thirty anyways.