ILB-Besides Willis, Which Do You Want?

[zippo59]

I'm leaving out Willis because he is pretty unanimously the best prospect and if they Patriots wanted him they would almost definitely have to trade up.

Let's assume Posluszny would play ILB.

Steve DeOssie thinks Zak DeOssie would project into an OLB in this defense, but if you think he can play ILB here the you can include him in this discussion.

With all that said, the players I am most interested in are:

Posluszny
Harris
DeOssie
Siler
Beason
Bishop
Waters

They don't have to be from this list but which do you like best?

 

[Warren94]

Harris by far. Best fit for the team.

 

[BelichickFan]

Beason. He's a little light without growth potential due to his height but he's built very strong, I think he's the kind of light LB who could still be a good fit for us.

 

[14thDragon]

In Order

1st Day
Beason
Harris
Posluszny
Siler
2nd Day
Bishop
Burgess
Warren

De-Ossie to me is still an OLB candiate.

 

[Handel]

Beason. He's light but he has more potential than Harris. If Beason is taken, then Harris.

 

[sebman2112]

guys are leaving Bradley off your list?

I'll take:
1st day
Beason
Harris
Bradley
Siler
2nd day
Waters
Warren
Bishop

I like Woodley and Spencer as OLB's and I think Woodley has some potential as a pass rushing, run stuffing SILB.

Some people think there arent many good LB's this year, but the more I look at them, the more LB's I see who could fit in NE. It seems like day one has more WILB's with potential in NE's system, and it seems like day two has more run stuffing SILB potential.

 

[patchick]

I'll take:
1st day
Beason
Harris
Bradley
Siler
2nd day
Waters
Warren
Bishop

That works for me, I'd just flip Harris and Beason.

 

[14thDragon]

guys are leaving Bradley off your list?

He is on my OLB list. But I suppose he could move inside as well. *shrug*

 

[ayjackson]

Right now, I'm not liking any linebackers at #28, so at 91, we're looking at Stewart, Robison, DeOssie and then on day two, Waters, Bishop, Burgess.

I like Gaines Adams though.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If your team is playing a 4-3 and you take DeOssie, then you put him in at OLB and after he gets coached up, he will become a a very good LB.

However we play the 3-4 and based on his size and speed, he should make a very good ILB, provided he's mentally tough and physical enough to take on OG's and TE's instead of running around them.
Our defense relies entirely on gap responsibilities. LB's that run around blocks instead of taking them on, create giant holes which breaks the fabric of the defense.

I have no problem projecting DeOssie to the inside on the Pats defense, as long as he's as tough and physical as he is smart.

 

[Clonamery]

I have no problem projecting DeOssie to the inside on the Pats defense, as long as he's as tough and physical as he is smart.

His father was.......but the question is, how far did the apple fall from the tree?

 

[sebman2112]

If your team is playing a 4-3 and you take DeOssie, then you put him in at OLB and after he gets coached up, he will become a a very good LB.

However we play the 3-4 and based on his size and speed, he should make a very good ILB, provided he's mentally tough and physical enough to take on OG's and TE's instead of running around them.
Our defense relies entirely on gap responsibilities. LB's that run around blocks instead of taking them on, create giant holes which breaks the fabric of the defense.

I have no problem projecting DeOssie to the inside on the Pats defense, as long as he's as tough and physical as he is smart.

I think going by his size and intellect none of us have a hard time projecting him at ILB. The problem I have is his saying he doesn't want to play ILB, and his father saying in NE's defense he'd project at OLB. This basically tells me Zak, and his father both want him to play OLB. If neither Zak or his father had said anything I'd put him at ILB, but I'm worried that he doesn't want to play the position. I also kind of think they are correct, and that he does project better at OLB.

 

[zippo59]

I think going by his size and intellect none of us have a hard time projecting him at ILB. The problem I have is his saying he doesn't want to play ILB, and his father saying in NE's defense he'd project at OLB. This basically tells me Zak, and his father both want him to play OLB. If neither Zak or his father had said anything I'd put him at ILB, but I'm worried that he doesn't want to play the position. I also kind of think they are correct, and that he does project better at OLB.

From what I've heard neither Steve nor Zak seem like the kind of people who would dictate where they want to be used. I think Steve compared Zak to Mike Vrabel, who ideally is an OLB.

 

[sebman2112]

From what I've heard neither Steve nor Zak seem like the kind of people who would dictate where they want to be used. I think Steve compared Zak to Mike Vrabel, who ideally is an OLB.

Here's the thing when being interviewed and asked about playing ILB in a 3-4 defense Zak didn't simply say that would be interesting ir say he's an OLB, but he'd give it a shot. No, Zak simply answered the question with "I'm an outside Linebacker". Someones asking him about playing ILB, and his answer is simply "I'm an Outside Linebacker"? Sounds like someone who doesn't really like the idea to me. The look on his face said that, as well.

 

[captain stone]

Last night I watched a one-hour draft preview show, which focused on defense (a preview on offense will air next week) on the NFLN. Greg Cosell, who is absolutely terrific, spoke of 5 players, 2 of whom he really liked, and 3 about whom he had questions.

The 2 players he liked were Carriker and Willis.
He projected Carriker as a 3-4 DE who can move inside when the defense switches to 4-3.
He projected Willis as a Tampa-2 MLB; no mention of 3-4 ILB.

The LB he questioned was Posluszny. He thought that Poz was ill-suited for any position as a 4-3 LB, and that his best fit is as a 3-4 ILB. Encouraging news for the pats?

The other 2 players were CBs Houston and Revis, IIRC.

 

[Seneschal2]

The LB he questioned was Posluszny. He thought that Poz was ill-suited for any position as a 4-3 LB, and that his best fit is as a 3-4 ILB. Encouraging news for the pats?

That's encouraging for me (I guess). My top 3 prospects at #24 are Revis, Carriker, and Posluszny. I realize I'm in the minority (comfort zone), but there's no way I'm removing Pos from my board because of his size. With other prospects and positions, size would be an issue. But Posluszny's intangibles are too good to pass on. In addition to his smarts and character, this guy knows how to play LB. Taking OGs head on seems to be a concern by most here (as it should). Bruschi would be the first to tell us, that if he doesn't take proper angles to the ball, he doesn't stand a chance vs the 300+ OGs (evidenced by the fact of how many times he's been knocked backwards). But when he anticipates the play, flows to the ball, and takes proper angles -- he succeeds. Posluszny has this ability, and IMO, warrants a first round selection (among a few others).

 

[zippo59]

Here's the thing when being interviewed and asked about playing ILB in a 3-4 defense Zak didn't simply say that would be interesting ir say he's an OLB, but he'd give it a shot. No, Zak simply answered the question with "I'm an outside Linebacker". Someones asking him about playing ILB, and his answer is simply "I'm an Outside Linebacker"? Sounds like someone who doesn't really like the idea to me. The look on his face said that, as well.

Eh, maybe you're right. It's possible he doesn't think he projects well as an ILB, moreso than he doesn't want to play there. I don't really know.