OLBs from #28 on?

[BritPat]

Well then we have this year's version of Sean Crable, and we all know how well that 3rd round gamble turned out for the Pats. Could've had Cliff Avril who had dropped into late 3rd

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I like Chris Carter but I'm in the minority with that one.

I agree that Carter may be a nice 3rd round pick up as a situational pass rusher for this season.

 

[BelichickFan]

Patriots fans have a lot of hate for Ayers but it doesn't seem to be matched elsewhere. NFLDraftScout (through Lindy's draft preview) certainly doesn't have him as not powerful enough or liking to avoid contact as I've read on other Pats' boards. Average instincts they do agree with. I've never watched him, I don't know, but he's a bit of a mystery for sure.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think you are delusional on Klug. Hes a solid player but most sites have him as a 5-7th rd pick. You think hes the best LOLB in the draft? I really respect your opinion but I don't see it. Id rather have Quinn, Reed, Kerrigan, Sheard, etc.

The guy is a tweener and asking a player to drop 20 pounds is a lot. Its not like Klug is fat and out of shape. I like him as a player I just don't think hes fits our scheme. I don't see how hes going improve his agility that much to play 3-4 OLB. Hes also never dropped into coverage and he always played with his hand in the dirt. He would be used best as a 4-3 DE.

You really need to learn to read better. Box said he needed to lose 20 lbs to gain that explosiveness. Me, I'm not sure. 275 lbs is where Willie Mac played. 265 is the weight that Vrabel played at regularly. And, unless you've seen Klug with his shirt off and can tell us that he's chiseled with only 5% body fat, he could lose weight. He also had Klug rated as a 7th rounder. So, you blasting Box about that is pretty silly.

That being said, the kid ran a 4.79 at 275. That tells me a lot. And just because he's never been asked to drop into coverage doesn't mean he can't.

How do you know what Klug's agility is, exactly? He didn't run the shuttle or 3 cone at the combine.

BTW, Bruschi had never played LB prior to coming to the Pats either. He played DE and DT in college.

Some of the things that you ignore that are huge in terms of a LB is:
1) Ability to get through trash.
2) Ability to find the ball
3) Ability to make the play behind the LOS

Those are all things that Klug does and does well.

 

[charlie2]

The more I think about it the more I think the team holds off until the second round to draft an OLB pass rusher. Think about it- BB will not use a first round pick on a player that is not going to come in and start and/or play a majority of downs from the get go- he is on the record as saying this. This is compounded by the fact that there are significant holes and needs on the O-line and at DE. Cunningham is most likely pegged as the starter on one side and while Ninkovich is far from great, I think he is very undervalued by fans. Sure he is not a great passrusher but I think BB loves the consistency and flexibility he brings in pass coverage. All in all I don't see a rookie coming in and pushing Nink for the other starting spot. All of this leads me to believe that 17 and 28 will be used on players that can come in immediately, play every down, and develop (ideally a DE and an o-lineman). On a side note- I think 33 is a perfect spot to grab someone like B. Reed.

 

[DW Toys]

The funny thing about watching Elmore highlight videos is that they make me like both the Reed boys more. Brooks drew a lot of double teams, freeing up Elmore -- and when D'Aundre subbed in for Brooks, he often inherited those double teams. I seem to recall one play where D'Aundre pushed a pair of OLs into the backfield on the QB's blindside, delivering him into Elmore's waiting arms.



Forgot about Winterswyk -- I like his all-around game too, but he seems sorely lacking in suddenness and explosion. I see a very low ceiling.

First of all I am a Greg Romeus fan. I would also not be disappointed to see Herzlich. Post his medical issues he was just as good and if not better than some mentioned.

Has anyone considered this move? If we are scratching our head as to where an OLB can fall in the second or lower to help us and fits in the so called Pats "mold". Robert Ayers is not a round peg in a square hole in Denver. They say he was their best LB and started coming into his own when he was injured in the middle of the season. He went from bust to...."Wait a minute. He is getting it." As the Broncos switch the a 4-3, he is not the type of 4-3 OLB but more of a 3-4 edge rusher at 6'3" and 263lbs. He should not command a high pick. He is NFL and 3-4 ready. He has only two years under his belt so he can learn yet. He got into Josh's dog house (surprise!) for not attending a meeting and now worked his way out acknowledging his mistake. Perhaps #92 for him? Now we know he will fit our system and play so we can go out and get D and O line picks.

This was from ESPN:

"The Denver Post is reporting that Denver linebacker Robert Ayers is out for 2-3 months with a broken foot.

This is a blow for Denver. Ayers, the No. 18 overall pick in 2009, was the Bronco’s best pass rusher with linebacker Elvis Dumervil out for the season with a chest injury".

Well on paper he did not post many sacks but he must have had pressures.

DW Toys

 

[patchick]

Has anyone considered this move? If we are scratching our head as to where an OLB can fall in the second or lower to help us and fits in the so called Pats "mold". Robert Ayers is not a round peg in a square hole in Denver. They say he was their best LB and started coming into his own when he was injured in the middle of the season. He went from bust to...."Wait a minute. He is getting it." As the Broncos switch the a 4-3, he is not the type of 4-3 OLB but more of a 3-4 edge rusher at 6'3" and 263lbs.

DW Toys, the Broncos have made it clear they plan to use Ayers as a 4-3 DE, not OLB. I always thought that was his natural position to begin with.

 

[DW Toys]

DW Toys, the Broncos have made it clear they plan to use Ayers as a 4-3 DE, not OLB. I always thought that was his natural position to begin with.

You could be right. It has been suggested they might move him. It might be a good fit here.
DW Toys

 

[CTHuskies]

The Patriots can afford to gamble in the third on a player like Romeus.

Remember, 15 years ago, the Patriots gambled on another injured player out of Pitt, Curtis Martin. I wouldn't be at all against them going that route again.

I agree with you on Romeus. My take on the others.

Brooks Reed: His guy has come out of nowhere for me. My grade: late 1st - early 2nd round

Jabaal Sheard: Will not be on BB’s draft board – character issues.

Sam Acho: Team captain, very smart on and off field but may be too short for BB, if he falls to #92 grab him. My grade: high 3rd round

Greg Romeus: Potential to be special as an elephant type. I think he’s worth taking the risk on kid. My grade: late 3rd round:rocker:

D'Aundre Reed: 3rd DE in rotation at Arizona – may be diamond in the rough – see Cassell – My grade: 5th round

Pernell McPhee: We have plenty of these guys – see Watson, Deadrick, Brace. My grade: 6th round pick

Brandon Bair: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Ryan Winterswyk: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Karl Klug: see McPhee above. My grade: 7th round pick

Bruce Miller: Too short, arms too short My grade: UDFA

Josh McNary: My grade: UDFA

Add

K.J. Wright OLB 6’3 245 Mississippi State: Has size speed and skills but definitely needs coaching. My grade: early 3rd round

Jeremiha Hunter ILB 6’2 235 Iowa May be a natural ILB in a 3-4 scheme. Would be a luxury pick. My grade: late 3rd - early 4th round

Ugo Chinasa OLB 6”5 255 Oklahoma State: Conversion project, combine showed he has the potential. My grade: late 4th - early 5th round

Steven Friday OLB 6'4 245 Virginia Tech: Late bloomer. My grade: late 5th round

Thomas Keiser OLB 6'5 245 Stanford: Came out too early. Stanford used him as rush linebacker's ...had 15.0 career sacks in 25 games. My grade: 6th round

Quentin Davie OLB 6’3 240 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Vince Browne 6’4 265 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Alex Albright OLB 6’4 250 Boston College Team captain Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

:bricks:

 

[DW Toys]

I agree with you on Romeus. My take on the others.

Brooks Reed: His guy has come out of nowhere for me. My grade: late 1st - early 2nd round

Jabaal Sheard: Will not be on BB’s draft board – character issues.

Sam Acho: Team captain, very smart on and off field but may be too short for BB, if he falls to #92 grab him. My grade: high 3rd round

Greg Romeus: Potential to be special as an elephant type. I think he’s worth taking the risk on kid. My grade: late 3rd round:rocker:

D'Aundre Reed: 3rd DE in rotation at Arizona – may be diamond in the rough – see Cassell – My grade: 5th round

Pernell McPhee: We have plenty of these guys – see Watson, Deadrick, Brace. My grade: 6th round pick

Brandon Bair: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Ryan Winterswyk: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Karl Klug: see McPhee above. My grade: 7th round pick

Bruce Miller: Too short, arms too short My grade: UDFA

Josh McNary: My grade: UDFA

Add

K.J. Wright OLB 6’3 245 Mississippi State: Has size speed and skills but definitely needs coaching. My grade: early 3rd round

Jeremiha Hunter ILB 6’2 235 Iowa May be a natural ILB in a 3-4 scheme. Would be a luxury pick. My grade: late 3rd - early 4th round

Ugo Chinasa OLB 6”5 255 Oklahoma State: Conversion project, combine showed he has the potential. My grade: late 4th - early 5th round

Steven Friday OLB 6'4 245 Virginia Tech: Late bloomer. My grade: late 5th round

Thomas Keiser OLB 6'5 245 Stanford: Came out too early. Stanford used him as rush linebacker's ...had 15.0 career sacks in 25 games. My grade: 6th round

Quentin Davie OLB 6’3 240 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Vince Browne 6’4 265 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Alex Albright OLB 6’4 250 Boston College Team captain Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

:bricks:

Good post. Nice work. I agree with some.
DW Toys

 

[CTHuskies]

which ones rub you the wrong way?

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Let's assume that DaQuan Bowers, Von Miller, Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan -- whatever you may think of them -- are all off the board at pick 28, and the Patriots are still in the market for an outside pass rusher. I'm curious who you all see as the next tiers.

Some possibilities I see are below, in descending order with my own subjective grades. Don't be shy chiming in. ;-)


Brooks Reed: The more I see, the more I like. Showed off explosion with a great 10-yd split at the Combine, moved better than I expected in space, and looks as tenacious in drills as on the field. Great effort and leadership guy. A mini Kerrigan. (My grade: high 2nd.)
He made my binky list after the combine. I think his pass rush skills will translate to the nfl, as he already has more moves than TBC. He is a little shorter than I thought but that could be to his advantage.

Justin Houston: A pleasant surprise at the Combine with his size/speed combo, but in drills showed he can only move forward. Explosive pass rusher, but not a huge repetoire of moves. (My grade: mid-2nd.)

Turned me off watching him struggle during LB drills. @ 270 I have my doubts he is fluid enough to convert

Jabaal Sheard: Powerful, hustling pass-rusher who's solid against the run. Good effort/intensity, questionable agility. Doesn't always play in control. (My grade: late 2nd.)
Don't really know alot but if he was @ the combine than he didn't impress because I remember very little of him.

Sam Acho: Shorter player with nifty quickness and agility and good motor, but not the most explosive/powerful pass rusher. (My grade: high 3rd.)
He looked good in shorts. His speed/agility was impressive. I would be okay drafting him if reed/kerrigan are no longer possibilties in the 2nd-3rd

Greg Romeus: Potential to be special as an elephant type; potential to not play a down in the NFL. Shouldn't be the only player drafted at the position. (My grade: 4th.)
Have no problem taking a flier on this guy, his measurables are great. His unfortunate injury could be our gain if he is a player.

Akeem Ayers: An interesting athlete who isn't instinctive or powerful enough to match his reputation. (My grade: 4th.)
Very Dissappointed in his showing thought he would be faster. As his only draw to me is a guy who can cover right out of the box. I have my doubts about even that now, he definately isnt the pass rusher this team needs.

Jeremy Beal: I can't ignore the utter disaster of a post-season Beal has had. His measurables are weak, too. Yet he's smart, hard-working player who did too much on the field for 4 seasons to write off altogether. (My grade: 5th.)
DO NOT WANT

D'Aundre Reed: Caught my eye at the Combine -- had a good-sized frame and looked impressively agile and athletic, if unpolished, running LB drills. D. Reed was the 3rd DE in a rotation at Arizona headed by Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore, and was reportedly the best run stopper of the group. I went back and looked for him in pass-rushing highlights of the the other 2, and liked what I saw. (My grade: 6th.)

I noticed him @ the combine. He def has some tools and needs to be coached up. He could be a late round steal

Great thread Idea Patchick :rocker:

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

I think you are delusional on Klug. Hes a solid player but most sites have him as a 5-7th rd pick. You think hes the best LOLB in the draft? I really respect your opinion but I don't see it. Id rather have Quinn, Reed, Kerrigan, Sheard, etc.

The guy is a tweener and asking a player to drop 20 pounds is a lot. Its not like Klug is fat and out of shape. I like him as a player I just don't think hes fits our scheme. I don't see how hes going improve his agility that much to play 3-4 OLB. Hes also never dropped into coverage and he always played with his hand in the dirt. He would be used best as a 4-3 DE.

I watched a youtube interview of the guy (KLUG) and he said he ran a 4.67 in the spring. He didn't run in the combine because of a tweaked hammy but his proday is march 21st so we'll see.

Not only that, he played RB in high school. So he's got some athletic ability. He also mentioned he thinks he could get up to 285 lbs but that it would take a lot of work and be very difficult for him. Based on this I think he's playing with extra weight on him and see no reason why can can't drop around 10-15 lbs after showing up at the combine at 275.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Thomas Keiser (Stanford) - Listed at 6'5", 257. He seems to show up on film even if you aren't exactly sure why. Another guy that seems too limited in strength and quickness to be a starting 3-4 OLB, but when you watch him it is hard to dismiss him entirely. Another late round guy that may be a diamond in the rough...or a golfball lost in the rough.

Keiser is a very intriguing guy and I like him a lot. He doesn;t have the tremendous measurables, but yet the tape says he is a play maker. The 1st Quarter of the Oregon game he was a monster, then Oregon started doubling him and he quieted down and unfortunately for Stanford, nobody else stepped up.

I currently have the Patriots taking him in the 5th round on my mock.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Let's assume that DaQuan Bowers, Von Miller, Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan -- whatever you may think of them -- are all off the board at pick 28, and the Patriots are still in the market for an outside pass rusher. I'm curious who you all see as the next tiers.

Some possibilities I see are below, in descending order with my own subjective grades. Don't be shy chiming in. ;-)


Brooks Reed: The more I see, the more I like. Showed off explosion with a great 10-yd split at the Combine, moved better than I expected in space, and looks as tenacious in drills as on the field. Great effort and leadership guy. A mini Kerrigan. (My grade: high 2nd.)

Justin Houston: A pleasant surprise at the Combine with his size/speed combo, but in drills showed he can only move forward. Explosive pass rusher, but not a huge repetoire of moves. (My grade: mid-2nd.)

Jabaal Sheard: Powerful, hustling pass-rusher who's solid against the run. Good effort/intensity, questionable agility. Doesn't always play in control. (My grade: late 2nd.)

Sam Acho: Shorter player with nifty quickness and agility and good motor, but not the most explosive/powerful pass rusher. (My grade: high 3rd.)

Greg Romeus: Potential to be special as an elephant type; potential to not play a down in the NFL. Shouldn't be the only player drafted at the position. (My grade: 4th.)

Akeem Ayers: An interesting athlete who isn't instinctive or powerful enough to match his reputation. (My grade: 4th.)

Jeremy Beal: I can't ignore the utter disaster of a post-season Beal has had. His measurables are weak, too. Yet he's smart, hard-working player who did too much on the field for 4 seasons to write off altogether. (My grade: 5th.)

D'Aundre Reed: Caught my eye at the Combine -- had a good-sized frame and looked impressively agile and athletic, if unpolished, running LB drills. D. Reed was the 3rd DE in a rotation at Arizona headed by Brooks Reed and Ricky Elmore, and was reportedly the best run stopper of the group. I went back and looked for him in pass-rushing highlights of the the other 2, and liked what I saw. (My grade: 6th.)

The tape, the tape, the tape. When you start letting combine results dictate what is not supported on the tape, bad things happen.

For example Beal does have weak measurables, but the tape says he has great instincts and can read and react about as well as a guy we once drafted in the third round - Bruschi.

For example Brooks is sudden but the tape says he does not make a lot of plays and does not possess as nearly a set of violent hands as Kerrigan, who led the NCAA is TFL's and had a bunch of forced fumbles. Pass rushers without violent hands are one trick ponies - pure speed rushers and BB does not draft speed rushers.

All evaluation starts with the tape and other sources either support or disclaim what is on tape.

 

[patchick]

The tape, the tape, the tape. When you start letting combine results dictate what is not supported on the tape, bad things happen.

For example Beal does have weak measurables, but the tape says he has great instincts and can read and react about as well as a guy we once drafted in the third round - Bruschi.

For example Brooks is sudden but the tape says he does not make a lot of plays and does not possess as nearly a set of violent hands as Kerrigan, who led the NCAA is TFL's and had a bunch of forced fumbles. Pass rushers without violent hands are one trick ponies - pure speed rushers and BB does not draft speed rushers.

All evaluation starts with the tape and other sources either support or disclaim what is on tape.

Always appreciate your insights, Ochmed, but I think you're too quick to assume that when we disagree, it's because one of us is looking at measurables instead of football. E.g. on Brooks Reed, I liked what I saw on the field a lot but questioned whether he had the raw athleticism to transfer that to the NFL; his overall Combine performance simply reassured me. It sounds like we just disagree on the player, which has been known to happen.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Once the top DL's and OLB's are gone, the pickings seem thin. In the end, you have 2 choices at 28/33 and only four more in the 3rd-4th round.

There needs to alot more evaluation of Houston and Reed. If we haven't chose a passrusher at 17, it will takes nerves of steel to pass at 28.

Oh don't worry. BB has nerves of steel and brass balls as well. ^_^

I am thinking there's no OLB worth a 1st in this years draft for the Pats purposes. I wouldn't mind Houston or Reed but no earlier than round 2.

 

[WesWelker83]

You really need to learn to read better. Box said he needed to lose 20 lbs to gain that explosiveness. Me, I'm not sure. 275 lbs is where Willie Mac played. 265 is the weight that Vrabel played at regularly. And, unless you've seen Klug with his shirt off and can tell us that he's chiseled with only 5% body fat, he could lose weight. He also had Klug rated as a 7th rounder. So, you blasting Box about that is pretty silly.

That being said, the kid ran a 4.79 at 275. That tells me a lot. And just because he's never been asked to drop into coverage doesn't mean he can't.

How do you know what Klug's agility is, exactly? He didn't run the shuttle or 3 cone at the combine.

BTW, Bruschi had never played LB prior to coming to the Pats either. He played DE and DT in college.

Some of the things that you ignore that are huge in terms of a LB is:
1) Ability to get through trash.
2) Ability to find the ball
3) Ability to make the play behind the LOS

Those are all things that Klug does and does well.

First of all I didn't BLAST Box at all. I said I really value his opinion but I can't believe he thinks Klug could become the best LOLB in this class if he loses 20 pounds and gains explosiveness. I just don't see him being capable of becoming athletic and agile enough to play in the open field. I also doubt he can lose that much weight. Ive also read hes not powerful enough to bull rush or quick enough to get around the edge. He only had 22 bench press reps which isnt great either.

I will be very interested to see his 3 cone and shuttle. He only ran a 4.79 at the combine which isnt fast for a 3-4 OLB. I would say its average at the position. I really wouldnt mind picking him and trying to develop him but I just don't think he has that high a ceiling to be the top LOLB in the draft. Thats all I was saying.

 

[WesWelker83]

I agree with you on Romeus. My take on the others.

Brooks Reed: His guy has come out of nowhere for me. My grade: late 1st - early 2nd round

Jabaal Sheard: Will not be on BB’s draft board – character issues.

Sam Acho: Team captain, very smart on and off field but may be too short for BB, if he falls to #92 grab him. My grade: high 3rd round

Greg Romeus: Potential to be special as an elephant type. I think he’s worth taking the risk on kid. My grade: late 3rd round:rocker:

D'Aundre Reed: 3rd DE in rotation at Arizona – may be diamond in the rough – see Cassell – My grade: 5th round

Pernell McPhee: We have plenty of these guys – see Watson, Deadrick, Brace. My grade: 6th round pick

Brandon Bair: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Ryan Winterswyk: see McPhee above. My grade: 6th round pick

Karl Klug: see McPhee above. My grade: 7th round pick

Bruce Miller: Too short, arms too short My grade: UDFA

Josh McNary: My grade: UDFA

Add

K.J. Wright OLB 6’3 245 Mississippi State: Has size speed and skills but definitely needs coaching. My grade: early 3rd round

Jeremiha Hunter ILB 6’2 235 Iowa May be a natural ILB in a 3-4 scheme. Would be a luxury pick. My grade: late 3rd - early 4th round

Ugo Chinasa OLB 6”5 255 Oklahoma State: Conversion project, combine showed he has the potential. My grade: late 4th - early 5th round

Steven Friday OLB 6'4 245 Virginia Tech: Late bloomer. My grade: late 5th round

Thomas Keiser OLB 6'5 245 Stanford: Came out too early. Stanford used him as rush linebacker's ...had 15.0 career sacks in 25 games. My grade: 6th round

Quentin Davie OLB 6’3 240 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Vince Browne 6’4 265 Northwestern: Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

Alex Albright OLB 6’4 250 Boston College Team captain Developmental type. My grade: UDFA

:bricks:

GREAT INFO. Didnt Sheard throw someone through a glass window and resist arrest? I really don't see BB drafting someone with a major arrest like that. He looks pretty good rushing the passer vs Miami this year as well. Hes known for not bringing it every game too. Hes also a conversion project. I think he has too many question marks. I agree NO WAY Bill takes him.

I really like Brooks Reed out of all the available OLBs outside of round 1. My favorite OLB in this whole draft is still Quinn. Mayock has him rated as his number 1 DE and Michael Lombardi says hes better then Bowers. I just think this guy immediately upgrades a teams pass rush. However, I think he goes top 10. They also brought up the other night on NFL network about how he doesnt have elite production vs some teams. Lombardi says the same thing was said about Dwight Freeney coming out because he didn't have a sack vs Mount McKinnie on Miami. He said that if you watch the tape Freeney destroyed Mckinnie he just didn't produce stats.

He said that the tape doesn't lie and tells more of the story then stats do.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

First of all I didn't BLAST Box at all. I said I really value his opinion but I can't believe he thinks Klug could become the best LOLB in this class if he loses 20 pounds and gains explosiveness. I just don't see him being capable of becoming athletic and agile enough to play in the open field. I also doubt he can lose that much weight. Ive also read hes not powerful enough to bull rush or quick enough to get around the edge. He only had 22 bench press reps which isnt great either.

I will be very interested to see his 3 cone and shuttle. He only ran a 4.79 at the combine which isnt fast for a 3-4 OLB. I would say its average at the position. I really wouldnt mind picking him and trying to develop him but I just don't think he has that high a ceiling to be the top LOLB in the draft. Thats all I was saying.

I didn't even feel singed.

I don't think Klug ran at the Combine with his hamstring issue. NFL Draft Scout has splits up now and doesn't have any for Klug, which is why I believe he didn't run. I also don't recall hearing him discussed and Mayock raved about him at the Shrine Game so I'd expect some commentary.

Any OL/DL who breaks 20 reps on the bench I'm fine with, in Karl's case I've seen him bench press John Moffitt - I'm not worried about his strength. I watched several Iowa games this past season, based solely on my impressions (this is not based on physical data collection), offenses double-teamed Iowa's D-line with the following priority regardless of passing or running plays:
1. Klug
2. Daniels
3. Clayborn
4. Ballard
5. Binns
It seems a bit much to expect an already undersized DT to bull rush consistently against double-teams. As it was, his drawing the attention spoke volumes to me watching the game.

Karl is already explosive in the sense of combining quickness with strength, what I'm looking to do is improve his ability to cover 10 yards to the QB or change direction faster while in zone coverage or trying to track down a RB in space.

Consider the following timeline:
Sep. 2008 - He's Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week playing second string DT at a reported 235.
May 2009 - He's reported to be 255 and the most likely candidate to win the starting DT slot.
Nov. 2009 - All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media).
Sep. 2010 - Listed at 270.
Dec. 2010 - All-Big Ten Second Team (Coaches & Media).

Klug's had the strength at LB weights to impact inside against Big 10 blockers. He got my attention in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech, they were unable to run inside because there'd be this pile-up of blockers in front of Klug. They were forced to pull their starting LG for a heavier kid which eventually wore Klug down by the fourth quarter where the bigger kid could single block him on the backside, they still were unable to move him. Last season Iowa's defense averaged just over 100 yards/game in rushing yards given up, and Klug was voted their Defensive MVP.

So, let's ask the Belichick question, what does he do well?
-- He stops the run. LOLB needs to be a run stopper.
-- He rushes the passer (5.5 sacks which isn't bad for an interior DL). OLB needs a pass rush, BB doesn't demand they be 10 sack guys.
-- He plays Special Teams.
-- He's a very hard worker recognized by his coaches and his team mates with team awards.
-- Team Captain.

Set him a goal of 260 if you don't like 255, that puts him at Vrabel weight. With Ty Warren back and Klug at OLB, teams will be working for every inch running to their right. Unless you are one of the folks advocating Cam Jordan for OLB, then there is no other kid in this draft class who can stop the run as effectively as Klug ... at least none I'm considering for 3-4 OLB in NE.

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