Potential Patriots: LaMarr Woodley

[Kid~Brady]

Despite the looming labor uncertainty, as free agency approaches, WEEI.com will continue to offer daily insight and analysis regarding options that could be available to the Patriots in free agency this offseason.

New England has struggled to put together a consistent pass rush since the start of the 2009 season, and the arrival of someone like Woodley would bring an instant jolt of respectability to the outside linebacker spot. When it comes to pass rushers, Woodley figures to be one of the best available options on the free agent market — he has 39 sacks the last three years, including 13.5 in 2009 and 10 this past season. (He also had a sack in the Super Bowl XLV, which extended his NFL record of seven straight postseason games with a sack.)

Would this be a good move for the Pats? it'll definately solve that "Pass Rush" problem that everybody is yapping about. Would this move be better for the draft?

Full article here: It Is What It Is Potential Patriots: LaMarr Woodley

 

[DarrylS]

Not confident any one player will solve anything.. might be a nice addition, but after the Adalius Thomas fiasco I am skeptical that they will invest that much in anyone player outside of their system.

 

[Shelterdog]

If there's a franchise tag he gets franchised. If there isn't Pittsburgh will be willing to pay more to keep him than we will be to get him.

He's not playing in NE guys.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Strange but I can't remember the last time the Patriots signed a former Steeler...you have to go back 10 years ago to Vrabel perhaps?

 

[Dutchmaster617]

it'll definately solve that "Pass Rush" problem that everybody is yapping about.

So what do you think the problem is?

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

If there's a franchise tag he gets franchised. If there isn't Pittsburgh will be willing to pay more to keep him than we will be to get him.

He's not playing in NE guys.

I wouldn't be so sure about Pitt. franchising him, or being willing to overpay for him. Actually listening to all the reports out of the Pittsburgh media, they believe it's a foregone conclusion that Woodley will be the most likely to walk.

They have 2 young LB's who they feel can be difference makers on their D, in Worilds, and Sylvester. They love these guys. Not to mention they feel like they can turn any LB into an all pro. That coupled with the fact they recently broke the bank to extend Harrison, and have Timmons coming up for free agency next year, I too believe Woodley leaves.

I'm not saying he's going to be sporting a Pats uni next year (although I'd love that) but I think the odds are great that he's sporting colors other than black and gold.

 

[signbabybrady]

Strange but I can't remember the last time the Patriots signed a former Steeler...you have to go back 10 years ago to Vrabel perhaps?

I can think of two off the top of my head from the last few seasons, Kendall Simmons and Fernando Bryant. Though I think Bryant was only there for a year and neither really did much with us.


Oh and then there is the punter Josh Miller.

 

[Mogamedogz]

I wouldn't be so sure about Pitt. franchising him, or being willing to overpay for him.

I would be. When you have a player who can get to the QB like Woodley... you dont just let him walk. They are few and far between.

 

[Shelterdog]

I wouldn't be so sure about Pitt. franchising him, or being willing to overpay for him. Actually listening to all the reports out of the Pittsburgh media, they believe it's a foregone conclusion that Woodley will be the most likely to walk.

They have 2 young LB's who they feel can be difference makers on their D, in Worilds, and Sylvester. They love these guys. Not to mention they feel like they can turn any LB into an all pro. That coupled with the fact they recently broke the bank to extend Harrison, and have Timmons coming up for free agency next year, I too believe Woodley leaves.

Harrison's further into his contract than you think-he is entering year three of his six year contract, he's about to turn 33, and his salary balloons in years four-six. Harrison and Timmons are the only good players on defense who would be under 30 next year so you really, really don't ant to lose him.

I think they re-sign him.

 

[Kid~Brady]

So what do you think the problem is?

a pass rush, duh... sorry if I made it seem like I didnt agree with our # 1 problem Lol

 

[SNHU0311]

I'd much rather have Tamba Hali...I found this interesting: Bill Belichick Should Consider LB Tamba Hali Patriots Plus

 

[fair catch fryar]

Not confident any one player will solve anything.. might be a nice addition, but after the Adalius Thomas fiasco I am skeptical that they will invest that much in anyone player outside of their system.

This is a great point. When news broke about the Pats signing Adalius, I remember thinking how tough the Pats D would be with the front 3 at the time and the LBers they had. He had his moments, but it was amazing how fast he faded.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I wouldn't be so sure about Pitt. franchising him, or being willing to overpay for him. Actually listening to all the reports out of the Pittsburgh media, they believe it's a foregone conclusion that Woodley will be the most likely to walk.

They have 2 young LB's who they feel can be difference makers on their D, in Worilds, and Sylvester. They love these guys. Not to mention they feel like they can turn any LB into an all pro. That coupled with the fact they recently broke the bank to extend Harrison, and have Timmons coming up for free agency next year, I too believe Woodley leaves.

I'm not saying he's going to be sporting a Pats uni next year (although I'd love that) but I think the odds are great that he's sporting colors other than black and gold.

Interesting point about Timmons. Frankly, of the trio (including Harrison) he may be the most intriguing and I could see why he would be a long term priority for them.

 

[mcsully]

Why I am under the belief Woodley isn't coming here

1. He's one of the few impact starting defensive players for Pitt under the age of 30, high change of franchise
2. We haven' t hit on a big time free agent in a while
3. we will need to address the contract of Mayo, Brace, Chung, MW and a few others in the near future
4. Listening to Bruschi during last years draft party he basically said when he tried out at OLB, it last one day. He couldn't contain or seal the edge because of his lack of height. He mentioned players like Brandon Graham (their size) wouldn't fit our system but players (and this during a predraft remind you) built like Ricky Sapp, Sergio Kindle.. Graham and Woodley are built the same..

 

[UofApatsfan]

I wouldn't be so sure about Pitt. franchising him, or being willing to overpay for him. Actually listening to all the reports out of the Pittsburgh media, they believe it's a foregone conclusion that Woodley will be the most likely to walk.

They have 2 young LB's who they feel can be difference makers on their D, in Worilds, and Sylvester. They love these guys. Not to mention they feel like they can turn any LB into an all pro. That coupled with the fact they recently broke the bank to extend Harrison, and have Timmons coming up for free agency next year, I too believe Woodley leaves.

I'm not saying he's going to be sporting a Pats uni next year (although I'd love that) but I think the odds are great that he's sporting colors other than black and gold.

This, the Steelers almost never get in free agency bidding wars for their OLBs. Woodley isn't like Haggans or Porter whereas he's a lot younger than they were when they left Pittsburgh, but he's gonna be one of the highest paid linebackers in the NFL with the deal he gets. Pittsburgh also has guys waiting in the wings to takeover at OLB, just like Harrison was waiting in the wings to takeover for Porter, and Woodley was waiting in the wings to takeover for Haggans.

With that said, New England isn't gonna go after him. This will be much to people's dismay, but I'll bet BB is confident with going into next season with Ninkovich and Cunningham as the starting OLBs.

 

[Mogamedogz]

This, the Steelers almost never get in free agency bidding wars for their OLBs. Woodley isn't like Haggans or Porter whereas he's a lot younger than they were when they left Pittsburgh, but he's gonna be one of the highest paid linebackers in the NFL with the deal he gets. Pittsburgh also has guys waiting in the wings to takeover at OLB, just like Harrison was waiting in the wings to takeover for Porter, and Woodley was waiting in the wings to takeover for Haggans.

With that said, New England isn't gonna go after him. This will be much to people's dismay, but I'll bet BB is confident with going into next season with Ninkovich and Cunningham as the starting OLBs.

Yes... yes it will.

 

[Kid~Brady]

I'd much rather have Tamba Hali...I found this interesting: Bill Belichick Should Consider LB Tamba Hali Patriots Plus

I have to agree. This guy was a beast last year. I liked him alot.

 

[Dutchmaster617]

It is the new BB system, don't dare hit a QB or play close to a reciever or you will be traded to a failing franchise, or cut. Maybe he wants to be the first coach to win it all with UDFAs, rookies, and wash ups. He almost did it but won't happen if he keeps trying.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

NFL.com news: Woodley expects to be franchised by Steelers in coming weeks

And unlike some he isn't upset. He expects them to work out a long term deal once the CBA is settled. He realizes that because of his salary ($550K in 2010) and the 30% rule it would have been almost impossible to craft a deal under the expiring CBA.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Not confident any one player will solve anything.. might be a nice addition, but after the Adalius Thomas fiasco I am skeptical that they will invest that much in anyone player outside of their system.

bb has to stop thinking so much about his "system." his system hasn't worked in 6 years. that's what happened to clay matthews - he didn't fit the pats prototypical LB so they passed.