Jonathan Goff 2008 LB

[blh0240]

I don't have much scouting info on this guy, but he seems perfect. High-character, smart, great size 6-4 240-250 and speed 4.5. def someone to keep your eyes on looking to next year when we really will need a LB

 

[Metaphors]

I don't have much scouting info on this guy, but he seems perfect. High-character, smart, great size 6-4 240-250 and speed 4.5. def someone to keep your eyes on looking to next year when we really will need a LB

Only have seen a couple of games (Vandy doesn't make TV very often for me) but the guy is ideal. You notice him on just about every play. Can't tell you about his coachability but you can see that he is football smart. Reads and reacts fast and can shed blocks (doesn't run around them). If you get a chance, catch a Vandy game this year. Given the 1st day assets in 2008, the Pats can get Goff if they want. If Laurinaitis comes out, that would be 2 attractive targets for the Pats in 2008.

 

[dryheat44]

At this point, I'm not sure Belichick would draft Mike Singletary in the first round.

 

[ayjackson]

At this point, I'm not sure Belichick would draft Mike Singletary in the first round.

BTW, I see that at least one very significant talent evaluator agrees with your view that Anthony Spencer would make a fine OLB in the 3-4 defence.

 

[Metaphors]

At this point, I'm not sure Belichick would draft Mike Singletary in the first round.

It makes economic sense to sign FAs (Vrabel, Colvin, A.Thomas) and coach up middle-round projects (Bruschi) than to get a LB in the 1st round. Few LBs in college will demonstrate an aptitude for thriving in the Pats' system. Not that they can't, just that they haven't. Most of them are chase-n-hit types, not read-n-fill. So any LB pick is essentially a complete guess as to whether the skills will translate.

Look at the LBs the Pats have now and where they were drafted:

Bruschi 3rd (96 overall)
Vrabel 3rd (91)
Colvin 4th (111)
Thomas 6th (186)

Not that high picks can't be successful (Willie was perfect for the system), but the cost for failure is so high...economic and on the field. I would expect more of the same in the future unless/until the Pats FO sees a "can't miss" prospect for their system. We just won't ever be able to guess which prospects meet that criteria in their eyes.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

BTW, I see that at least one very significant talent evaluator agrees with your view that Anthony Spencer would make a fine OLB in the 3-4 defence.

In Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4.

 

[reflexblue]

I don't have much scouting info on this guy, but he seems perfect. High-character, smart, great size 6-4 240-250 and speed 4.5. def someone to keep your eyes on looking to next year when we really will need a LB

After next year were probely going to need a few. I just can't fathom BB's aversion to drafting LB's on the first day. We're goin to have to eventualy. FA can be just as risky.

 

[cstjohn17]

At this point, I'm not sure Belichick would draft Mike Singletary in the first round.

Too short, not from a major program....

I hear you, I will let the geniuses be geniuses.

Just because I can't help myself (I really need help).

My new binkie and hopeful future Patriot is James Laurinaitis (ILB) from Ohio State. Seen him in a few games and he looked great. He is a Junior this year but he may come out early.

Name: James Laurinaitis
College: Ohio State Number: 33
Height: 6-3 Weight: 245
Position: ILB Pos2: OLB
Class/Draft Year: Jr/2009
40 Time: 4.59 40 Low: 4.52 40 High: 4.67

Interesting Note
I haven't watched much wrestling since the days of Randy "the macho man" Savage and Ricki Steamboat but this is interesting:

"Is the son of Joe and Julie Laurinaitis ... his father was a popular professional wrestler in the 1980s and 1990s, known as "Animal" of the Legion of Doom, The Road Warriors ... "

 

[dryheat44]

"Is the son of Joe and Julie Laurinaitis ... his father was a popular professional wrestler in the 1980s and 1990s, known as "Animal" of the Legion of Doom, The Road Warriors ... "

Greatest tag-team of all time. I also like Laurinaitis. He's like a smarter Katzenmoyer.

 

[dryheat44]

In Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4.

I don't think the OLBs have different duties. Rush the passer and contain the run. I think the difference comes in the DL playing a one-gap and one LB playing the tight end one-on-one.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Greatest tag-team of all time. I also like Laurinaitis. He's like a smarter Katzenmoyer.

I love little animal, please never compare him to Katzenmoyer though.

 

[DaBruinz]

I love little animal, please never compare him to Katzenmoyer though.

ESPN did a special on him and talked about how his dad and his dad's partner "HAWK" had an influence on how he plays.

I wouldn't mind seeing Laurinaitis beign drafted by the Pats.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I got to see Goff live and in person for the Michigam game and the Georgia game last year.
He is every thing the Pats desire in an ILB. I don't think he is 4.5 fast but everything else is legitimate about him.

Also keep in mind Dan Connors of Penn State. From what little I saw of Penn State last year, his play impressed me more than that of Posluzny's.

 

[cstjohn17]

I got to see Goff live and in person for the Michigam game and the Georgia game last year.
He is every thing the Pats desire in an ILB. I don't think he is 4.5 fast but everything else is legitimate about him.

Also keep in mind Dan Connors of Penn State. From what little I saw of Penn State last year, his play impressed me more than that of Posluzny's.

Jasper Brinkley (I think that is his name) from South Carolina (I think that is his school) looks like a solid 2 down LB with average to above average speed. Saw him a couple of times, he can really lay the lumber.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

We'll find out how a 1st round ILB does in the 3-4 just by watching the Jet's Harris a guy many of us liked.

He will play next to Vilma in the 3-4 and be the strong side backer.
I guess we are about to find out if a rookie can come straight from college where he played with Branch and Woodley in front of him, to take on guards at the next level.

 

[patsfan55]

I don't have much scouting info on this guy, but he seems perfect. High-character, smart, great size 6-4 240-250 and speed 4.5. def someone to keep your eyes on looking to next year when we really will need a LB

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=40701&highlight=goff

i mentioned this guy in here last fall, i liked what i saw from him at the beginning of the yr
the one thing i wonder about drafting a linebacker early is this:
we know it will take a couple yrs to develop
and when you draft a rookie high, you expect him to contribute by his second yr at a high level, which we would not be able to expect with a linebacker
so, its somewhat of a waste of money for one yr
this could be why we shy away
or it could be that we jus havent seen a guy we love fall to us(which makes perfect sense)

 

[mcbee]

USC's middle linebacker is pretty impressive. He may declare early, as a junior. Forgot his name, Megalua or something Hawaiian like that.

 

[cstjohn17]

We'll find out how a 1st round ILB does in the 3-4 just by watching the Jet's Harris a guy many of us liked.

He will play next to Vilma in the 3-4 and be the strong side backer.
I guess we are about to find out if a rookie can come straight from college where he played with Branch and Woodley in front of him, to take on guards at the next level.

The also drafted Anthony Schlegel (Height: 6-1 Weight: 251)
in round 3 last year to fill that role, many thought he has a reach for round 3.

Should be interesting to watch.

 

[rookBoston]

More on Laurinaitis...

http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120506aaa.html

I watched a lot of him, last year, while scouting the Big-10. He's the real deal. Firey competitor. Definately has the size.

Dan Connor is listed in the 220-230 range. Unless he bulks up, he's more like a SS for us than a solution at ILB.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

More on Laurinaitis...

http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120506aaa.html

I watched a lot of him, last year, while scouting the Big-10. He's the real deal. Firey competitor. Definately has the size.

Dan Connor is listed in the 220-230 range. Unless he bulks up, he's more like a SS for us than a solution at ILB.

I cant believe how much i love this kid.