Pats interested in FSU LB Buster Davis?

[Seneschal2]

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/ - Posted by Albert Breer

According to industry sources, the Patriots showed a keen interest in Florida State LB Buster Davis at last month’s combine. The team interviewed the five-year college player, and were said to have walked away very impressed. One source said the Patriots liked how well Davis “fit into their program.”

A three-year starter at Florida State, Davis made several All-America teams the last two years as a middle linebacker and would project to the inside in New England. At the combine, he ran a 4.67 40, repped 24 times on the bench and showed well in position drills. He measured out at 5-foot-9 3/8 and 238 pounds.

Would it work here? Well, Davis is well-regarded for his playing strength, his instincts and his intensity. Plus, his leadership skills earned him the moniker “The General” at Florida State and he’s been a solid coverage linebacker who also blitzes well. All those things say that he’d work out well in Foxboro. The only trouble is that, at his height, many feel he’ll be liable to get lost in traffic in the NFL and that would only be magnified in a gap-control defense. But the truth is, he really isn’t that much smaller than Tedy Bruschi. And having a guy like Bruschi around would mean that Davis wouldn’t have to jump right in, and that’s important since Bill Belichick rarely employs inside ‘backers who don’t have a good amount of pro experience.

If the Patriots don’t surrender their second-round pick (60th overall) to the Dolphins for Wes Welker, he could be a possibility. Florida State’s Pro Day is scheduled for next Thursday (March 15) and a Gillette Stadium visit for Davis could potentially follow that.

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He's one heck of a 'football player', was the defensive signal caller, has strong leadership abilities, and is a physical run-stopper. We can focus on his negatives -- or consider him. I'll choose the latter...

Here's two profiles:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/davis_buster

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ilb/busterdavis.html

 

[carolinatony]

I have seen him play and like him. I do hope we get a LB in the first.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/ - Posted by Albert Breer


---

He's one heck of a 'football player', was the defensive signal caller, has strong leadership abilities, and is a physical run-stopper. We can focus on his negatives -- or consider him. I'll choose the latter...

Here's two profiles:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/davis_buster

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ilb/busterdavis.html

5' 9 3/8". Lofa Tatupu would "tower over him" at 6', unless they're lying about him.

 

[cstjohn17]

http://news.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/ - Posted by Albert Breer


---

He's one heck of a 'football player', was the defensive signal caller, has strong leadership abilities, and is a physical run-stopper. We can focus on his negatives -- or consider him. I'll choose the latter...

Here's two profiles:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/davis_buster

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ilb/busterdavis.html

Good stuff, he sounds like a brick shthouse. Worth following at anypoint.

 

[Water Boy]

That's interesting. I've been assuming that he would not be on the Patriots radar because he may not have the size that the Pats look for in an ILB, but the guy is a player. He will be a good value pick for some team in Round 2 or 3.

 

[Remix 6]

this guy has some quick feet when he plays and hes like a fking tank. im a Miami fan and this guy was an animal against us in the season opener. Hes got the mentality, knows football in and out and will HIT you HARD

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

will he slip to the third? he's short

 

[drpatriot]

Davis will likely be a fantastic player on another team. Unfortunately, 5'9" just isn't big enough to fit our system. The shortest linebacker on our roster is 6'2", and most are at least 6'3". That's half a foot taller than Davis. I just don't see it happening.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Davis will likely be a fantastic player on another team. Unfortunately, 5'9" just isn't big enough to fit our system. The shortest linebacker on our roster is 6'2", and most are at least 6'3". That's half a foot taller than Davis. I just don't see it happening.

What was it BB said when talking about Maurice Jones-Drew last year, 'the odds of a smaller player being unable to perform in the NFL are significantly greater then those for a larger player of roughly equivalent talent at the same position.' Davis is indeed a little tank, I like his game when I've seen him play, but I'm hard pressed to say he's significantly better then any number of taller MLBs in this draft.

 

[drpatriot]

What was it BB said when talking about Maurice Jones-Drew last year, 'the odds of a smaller player being unable to perform in the NFL are significantly greater then those for a larger player of roughly equivalent talent at the same position.' Davis is indeed a little tank, I like his game when I've seen him play, but I'm hard pressed to say he's significantly better then any number of taller MLBs in this draft.

Fair enough. For every Maurice Jones-Drew there is a Darren Sproles. I still think Davis will do well despite his size.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Fair enough. For every Maurice Jones-Drew there is a Darren Sproles. I still think Davis will do well despite his size.

On another team is fine, I don't see the advantage to using a draft pick on someone who is significantly smaller than what is "standard" for the position in the Pats' 3-4.

 

[Seneschal2]

On another team is fine, I don't see the advantage to using a draft pick on someone who is significantly smaller than what is "standard" for the position in the Pats' 3-4.

I'm not willing to close the door on a prospect with great intangibles, just because he doesn't match the Pats PREVIOUS "standards" for measurables.

My potential Pats Prospects board will be made up of 'football players' with good to excellent intangibles. I like to make room for those who may lack the preferred size , just in case BB & Co. feel they're too good to pass on, and may have a role for them.

I could easily make a strong case for why Davis fits the BB-type player mold to a tee -- except height. In terms of value, his qualities far outweigh the 2-3" in height he lacks. And that's the ONLY reason he'll remain on my board as a potential prospect -- just in case he's too good to pass on. JMO.

 

[AzPatsFan]

That's interesting. I've been assuming that he would not be on the Patriots radar because he may not have the size that the Pats look for in an ILB, but the guy is a player. He will be a good value pick for some team in Round 2 or 3.

My opinion is that he is a second day player 4, 5, or most likely 6th round.

 

[chunkypony]

My ILB board, as of right now, looks like this:
Willis
Posluszny
Bradley
D. Harris
Zak Deossie
Buster Davis
Brandon Siler
Dallas Sartz USC

 

[Remix 6]

Fair enough. For every Maurice Jones-Drew there is a Darren Sproles. I still think Davis will do well despite his size.

Sproles didnt get a chance..hes behind LT and Turner.

 

[DB15]

Fair enough. For every Maurice Jones-Drew there is a Darren Sproles.

well said my friend

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm not willing to close the door on a prospect with great intangibles, just because he doesn't match the Pats PREVIOUS "standards" for measurables.

My potential Pats Prospects board will be made up of 'football players' with good to excellent intangibles. I like to make room for those who may lack the preferred size , just in case BB & Co. feel they're too good to pass on, and may have a role for them.

I could easily make a strong case for why Davis fits the BB-type player mold to a tee -- except height. In terms of value, his qualities far outweigh the 2-3" in height he lacks. And that's the ONLY reason he'll remain on my board as a potential prospect -- just in case he's too good to pass on. JMO.

It's your board. I'm looking at what the scouting reports says (granted it's a draftnik and not from the Pats' FO) and you have a kid who might be worth a flyer from the 6th round, not 3rd round as some draftniks have him.

 

[Seneschal2]

It's your board. I'm looking at what the scouting reports says (granted it's a draftnik and not from the Pats' FO) and you have a kid who might be worth a flyer from the 6th round, not 3rd round as some draftniks have him.

Yeah, it's my draft board -- but that will be another topic at a different time. This topic is about a potential Pats prospect (or not)? At no time have I hinted at WHERE he may be selected. We disagree on whether or not he fits -- I have no problem on that note.

Side note: On the subject of WHERE these prospects may be selected, IMO, it's more difficult to accurately predict where they'll go, than finding the Pats prospects. Case in point: Way back when, I had TBC and Bethel as sleeper picks. Thought BJ would go rounds 4-5, and Banta-Cain would go R3. Of course they went R2 and R7 respectively. Most of our projections are based on the draft sites rankings, and not from the NFL teams viewpoint. They obviously have the inside scoop on the real risers and fallers, and the all-important character risks, etc. Thought I'd mention this.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I could see a Buster Davis on day 2 but he's too small for the Pats to spend a day 1 pick on. I'd rather the Pats go after a guy like Zak Deossie who has prototypical size for the Pats system and showed well recently at the combine.

 

[DaBruinz]

He's very small. Bruschi would tower over this kid as he's barely 5'9". Yes, he's 240, but that's a lean 240.

He's not terribly quick, though he has good speed for a LB. He also doesn't have a great vertical.

I just don't see him as anything but a special teamer/emergency player like Izzo.

DeOssie and Bradley are my two picks for LB for the Pats.