Lua will make the roster

[dryheat44]

Good point, I remember both of those guys now that you mention it. Do you recall how we lost them and who we kept instead? Did we cut one and lose one off the PS? TBC?

I just bring them up because they too were all-world in mini-camps, training camps, and pre-season. Just a caution to rein in expectations a bit.

For the record, we traded Dorsey to the Bears for a draft choice, and Romeo took Kurpeikis to Cleveland with him as a free agent. I believe they're both out of the league now.

 

[RayClay]

I just bring them up because they too were all-world in mini-camps, training camps, and pre-season. Just a caution to rein in expectations a bit.

For the record, we traded Dorsey to the Bears for a draft choice, and Romeo took Kurpeikis to Cleveland with him as a free agent. I believe they're both out of the league now.

Thanks, dryheat. I just asked because I've made so many arguments about them not supplying young LBs, I was surprised I forgot about them.

I have no expectations. When you scrape the bottom of the barrel, you need to try out a lot of players and hope to get lucky.

No offense, but if 6th and 7th rounders and UDFA were guarantees, why would anyone bother with the first 150 players.

I'm a Pierre Woods fan myself, but there's a reason he wasn't drafted. Hopefully he's matured or got a bad rap.

 

[RayClay]

By the way, I'm happy with the competition at LB for a change. It would have been nice 2-3 years ago.

 

[TheSeymonsta]

When you scrape the bottom of the barrel, you need to try out a lot of players and hope to get lucky.

100% Correct...And why I would like to see some real investment in the LB position.:bricks:

 

[RayClay]

100% Correct...And why I would like to see some real investment in the LB position.:bricks:

I doubt we'll see more that 1 on day one, if that. It'll be F.A. otherwise.

Check the Ravens and Steelers backups.

 

[mojocaster.com]

I'd love nothing more than to see Lua become a late round steal, God knows we need some depth and youth at that position!

 

[TheSeymonsta]

Check the Ravens and Steelers backups.

Why is that how we want to run our franchise????

Model what they do...

 

[patsfan209]

I'm calling my shot. Oscar Lua is a fine linebacker. He will find a role and place on this roster.

You're not alone here. Out of all the draft picks this year (of course Meriweather is a lock), I predict that Lua and Kareem Brown to make the roster this year.

 

[captain stone]

I'm hoping for a Blue Gay type deal. I think that might be the better comparison.

That's a very good comparison.

 

[captain stone]

Despite what you may think, you are not smarter than the Patriots front office.

I'm not?

Am I at least smarter than the Deadskins' FO?

 

[captain stone]

While I agree with you in theory, there's plenty of room on the defense and special teams. We've gone for offense at least 2 to 1 in the last few years and the defensive players on the field in the second half against the Colts tell you there are plenty of openings.

I don't know about Andrews potential, but he is the definition of an on the margin NFL player.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[captain stone]

100% Correct...And why I would like to see some real investment in the LB position.:bricks:

Keep preaching the Good Word, brothers...

 

[AzPatsFan]

Guys I think a very important point for Givens and Banta-Cain making the roster back in '03 was that we had a very incomplete team with little youth. Cain had to compete with the likes of Jerod Cherry and Givens had to compete with J.J. Stokes. This allowed them to initially make the team and conitnue to practice throughout the year and improve in order to solidify a spot.

This team is much deeper now these days and it makes it much more difficult to beat out a quality roster player. If Lua makes the team, does that mean we cut Willie Andrews? I know he is at another positions but his role was primarily ST which is what Lua's would be too. I for one think Andrews is an excellent player and would not be happy to see him cut be it for a ILB or anyone.

That is a valid observation . Especially if you were a Defensive lineman or an Offensive lineman. The Patriots usually keep 9 LBs. There are five almost certainly locked in. Bruschi, Colvin, Seau, Thomas and Vrabel.

That leaves four potential openings. I think Pierre Woods is a gem in the making, and Alexander is the next safe one. That leaves two more openings and Larry Izzo now 33 would seem to have th inside track on one of them but his ST play is falling off. The competition is Mays, Izzo, Rodgers, and Lua. It would not surprise me to have Lua pick of one of the two openings as one of the four candidates.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Why is that how we want to run our franchise????

Model what they do...

I suspect that Belichick is unwilling to lose for the 3 -5 years it takes to train a key young LB...

 

[psychoPat]

.... I think a surprise cut will be Tory James...well semi surprise I guess.

My take on James is that he is here for two blended reasons.
We always need bodies in the secondary ... especially in camp.
And he MIGHT turn out to be one of those players who has had a good career ...
which now seems over ...
but maybe a new coach and lockerroom can re-charge briefly.

So cutting James will neither surprise me nor semi-surprise me.
Candidly, i think it is all but inescapable.

 

[AzPatsFan]

My take on James is that he is here for two blended reasons.
We always need bodies in the secondary ... especially in camp.
And he MIGHT turn out to be one of those players who has had a good career ...
which now seems over ...
but maybe a new coach and lockerroom can re-charge briefly.

So cutting James will neither surprise me nor semi-surprise me.
Candidly, i think it is all but inescapable.

I suspect that Tory James is depth on the 53, a last opportunity for him to get a Ring. More probably he is auditioning for a key addition for the shadow roster is 2007...

 

[chowder]

Check this draft site out as to where they had Lua ranked:

http://www.draftstock.com/site_main/content/view/53/50/

interesting that they had Justin Warren ranked much higher than Lua but it's Lua that is the one that is still here...

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

interesting that they had Justin Warren ranked much higher than Lua but it's Lua that is the one that is still here...

Yes, Warren was a UDFA signee so the Pats felt Lua's experience in a pro-style defense and presumed higher level of competition ranked him higher. The thing to watch for with Warren is will they bring him back once he's healthy? Since he spent Rookie Camp practices on the exercycle, it made more sense to turn him loose to rehab, the Pats did that with that RB from Marshall (Charles) who was never healthy enough to do more than take some Practice Squad reps. They also brought back CB Gemara Williams who was injured last year. I won't be at all surprised to see Warren signed during the season.

 

[mgteich]

In the end, the question is likely to be whether we keep last year's ILB prospect on the 53 (Mays) or this year's (Lua). Isn't Mays one yer ahead in development. Isn't he a very solid special teamer? Is Kua really significantly better in talent and potential?

 

[mgteich]

LINEBACKER
Yes, the four position linebacker spots are spoken for. Almost all the regular reps (barring injury) will go to the five you mention:
Bruschi, Colvin, Seau, Thomas and Vrabel.

SPECIAL TEAMERS (pick four)
(at least one must be available as a backup ILB and a backup OLB)
Izzo, Alexander, Woods, Mays, Lua, Rogers

I WOULD be surprised if the very inexperienced Lua beats Mays or one of the others for a starting ST position.

That is a valid observation . Especially if you were a Defensive lineman or an Offensive lineman. The Patriots usually keep 9 LBs. There are five almost certainly locked in. Bruschi, Colvin, Seau, Thomas and Vrabel.

That leaves four potential openings. I think Pierre Woods is a gem in the making, and Alexander is the next safe one. That leaves two more openings and Larry Izzo now 33 would seem to have th inside track on one of them but his ST play is falling off. The competition is Mays, Izzo, Rodgers, and Lua. It would not surprise me to have Lua pick of one of the two openings as one of the four candidates.