Report: LB Jonathan Casillas acquired by Patriots from Tampa Bay at trade deadline

[Deus Irae]

Why trade for a gimpy linebacker? There are ENOUGH gimpy players on the team already. This makes no sense.

You can never have too many injured players on your team

- (fake) Bill Belichick





edit: And BelichickFan cries about a joke. Sad.....

 

[Oswlek]

Why trade for a gimpy linebacker? There are ENOUGH gimpy players on the team already. This makes no sense.

Because you don't expect him to play immediately anyway? And that he can use the healing time to get acclimated with the new system?

 

[BelichickFan]

"He's a good linebacker," said Mark Dominik, the former Bucs general manager who signed Casillas. "[He] will provide real depth and is a top-tier special teams player."

http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/patriots-trade-buccaneers-lb-casillas

 

[manxman2601]

Casillas was injured during the pre draft period so there's no athletic information but this nugget from a scouting report caught my attention.

Wisconsin officials say he has unofficially run the 40 yard dash in the low 4.4 second range, a time that many defensive backs would envy. He is a solid open field tackler, and has the speed to run down backs and receivers from behind. Casillas is at his best in coverage, where his speed and instincts allow him to make plays. He can cover tight ends and running backs with ease, and is excellent in zone coverage. He has a knack for forcing receivers to run their routes into the deep safeties in cover 2, taking away a quarterback's options. If he is as fast as reported, he might even be able to convert to strong safety in the NFL.

http://fftoolbox.scout.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=1687

The Pats looked at this type of linebacker last off-season (Dekoda Watson) and we've talked a fair bit about LB/S hybrids in the draft forum. It will be interesting to see whether Casillas gets used in that role.

 

[zipster9]

"He's a good linebacker," said Mark Dominik, the former Bucs general manager who signed Casillas. "[He] will provide real depth and is a top-tier special teams player."

http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/patriots-trade-buccaneers-lb-casillas

Which is why Bucs traded him... yeah, right.

 

[Kontradiction]

Oh well. So much for getting Barron and pairing him with McCourty.

 

[Oswlek]

Which is why Bucs traded him... yeah, right.

Former GM. The Bucs are a mess right now, even the 10-15 spot move up into the 5th round is worth more than a backup you don't expect to sign next year.

 

[BelichickFan]

Interesting that most thought we were too thin at LB coming into the season. Then we lost Mayo. Now, when we trade for LB depth there is a negative tone. I don't think anyone hopes this guy is on the field a lot but if we have another injury we need someone who can at least play at an NFL level to be ready to go.

 

[Oswlek]

Oh well. So much getting Barron and pairing him with McCourty.

On the bright side, laundry day was postponed for at least another week or so.

 

[Kontradiction]

On the bright side, laundry day was postponed for at least another week or so.

No, laundry day definitely has to happen tonight. Regardless of the sprayed boxers.

 

[BelichickFan]

Russell Lande ‏@RUSSLANDE58 secs58 seconds ago
I think @Patriots got VG bargain in trade for OLB J. Casillas as he is an explosive athlete with natural pass rush skills.

Lande is a draft guy and general talent evaluator.

 

[mayoclinic]

@AdamSchefter: Bucs finalized a trade of S Mark Barron to Rams, per source.

Reportedly for a 4th and a 6th. Cheap, if true. BB apparently preferred Casillas.

 

[ATippett56]

So either Barron is a bust or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are run by idiots.

 

[BritPat]

Goodbye sweet Barron *sniff*

 

[RobertWeathers]

Just talked to my friend who is a major Bucs homer and he said Casillas is versatile and play outside, rush passer and even is athletic enough to play strong safety. Says hes got good speed.

My buddy said the same exact thing and added that he thought he was pretty good in coverage. We'll see!

 

[BelichickFan]

Reportedly for a 4th and a 6th. Cheap, if true. BB apparently preferred Casillas.

Could have done both, guessing BB sees Barron as an "in the box" safety not much different from Chung. Would have cost us a #3 to beat this offer, we'd need him to be a significant upgrade for that price.

 

[mayoclinic]

Casillas was injured during the pre draft period so there's no athletic information but this nugget from a scouting report caught my attention.



http://fftoolbox.scout.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=1687

The Pats looked at this type of linebacker last off-season (Dekoda Watson) and we've talked a fair bit about LB/S hybrids in the draft forum. It will be interesting to see whether Casillas gets used in that role.

Casillas was very similar to Wes Woodyard at one point, FWIW.

Also, I have to believe BB passed on Baron. He should have good inside info on both players.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Interesting that most thought we were too thin at LB coming into the season. Then we lost Mayo. Now, when we trade for LB depth there is a negative tone. I don't think anyone hopes this guy is on the field a lot but if we have another injury we need someone who can at least play at an NFL level to be ready to go.

If....

-Is an able and willing tackler and wraps up ballcarriers
-Can cover TEs and RBs well
-Can blitz when appropriate
-Can learn aspects of the defense that are appropriate (big nickle)

With the amount of time this team plays in sub-package he will play a good chunk of plays per game.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Casillas was very similar to Wes Woodyard at one point, FWIW.

Also, I have to believe BB passed on Baron. He should have good inside info on both players.

Exactly. Both (assumingly) Saban and BB's BFF suggested that Baron was not a fit.

 

[manxman2601]

Casillas was very similar to Wes Woodyard at one point, FWIW.

Also, I have to believe BB passed on Baron. He should have good inside info on both players.

I suspect you were right regarding Barron's cost and the fact Chung is doing well lessens Barron's value to us. I'd have loved the trade but I didn't feel it likely for those two reasons.