Is this the year we draft a LB in the 1st?

[carolinatony]

There HAS to be one LB or DL type LB that we can draft this year. We need to get younger at this postion.
Who are the top LB's coming out that you like?
thanks

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

I think you guys will take either an interior linebacker or a 3-4 DE that can rotate from OLB and DE. The prospect of the Pats adding a Chris Long is scary to me as a Dolphins fan.

 

[Ishdul]

I think you guys will take either an interior linebacker or a 3-4 DE that can rotate from OLB and DE. The prospect of the Pats adding a Chris Long is scary to me as a Dolphins fan.

Why would we take a 3-4 DE? We're already having trouble fitting in Warren, Seymour and Green to two slots... If Chris Long can't be a full-timer at OLB than we won't pick him. He's a talented enough player that he could still make it work but he really should be in a 4-3 as a DE.

I don't expect us to take a LB with our first pick.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

Why would we take a 3-4 DE? We're already having trouble fitting in Warren, Seymour and Green to two slots... If Chris Long can't be a full-timer at OLB than we won't pick him. He's a talented enough player that he could still make it work but he really should be in a 4-3 as a DE.

I don't expect us to take a LB with our first pick.

Well something needs to be done for the Pats run defense plus Richard Seymour isn't getting any younger.

 

[Ishdul]

Our run defense is 6th in the league and Seymour is 28 years old, plus none of our tackling problems are from the Defensive Line. Chris Long would be more to shore up the pass rush, which isn't needed either.

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

Our run defense is 6th in the league and Seymour is 28 years old, plus none of our tackling problems are from the Defensive Line. Chris Long would be more to shore up the pass rush, which isn't needed either.

I don't care what a run defense ranks, run defense ranks and pass defense ranks are the worst stats in the NFL because if your run defense sucks, no one will throw on you.

With that said, the Pats are always nurturing large leads so no one can run on them; but Ronnie Brown did tear the Pats a new one until he got hurt.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I don't care what a run defense ranks, run defense ranks and pass defense ranks are the worst stats in the NFL because if your run defense sucks, no one will throw on you.

With that said, the Pats are always nurturing large leads so no one can run on them; but Ronnie Brown did tear the Pats a new one until he got hurt.

Do you think that has anything to do with the fact that the Pats were playing a nickel and dime defense thereby allowing the 'phins (or for that matter any team) to run wild on them.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

How about DE Harvery from Florida? He's 6'4 245, quick as a cat, ranked by many as a top 10 prospect. Ideal LB conversion project.

 

[pats63]

How about DE Harvery from Florida? He's 6'4 245, quick as a cat, ranked by many as a top 10 prospect. Ideal LB conversion project.

That's would be my choice if trade down....

 

[RussFrancis]

I actually like Long alot, but Im not sure he'll be worth taking that high based on the current depth. But I do like the guy. He's listed at 6'4 and 284 and he's already playing Dend in a prostyle 3-4 so he knows the schemes. Id thought he'd be able to convert to LB, but after seeing him tonite in the Miami game, he's a true end. Not an OLB. But he was drawing constant double and triple teams. I think he's worth top 5 status personally. I just dont know that it will be in NE. I was hoping NE would land Laurinaitis, but it sounds like he's going back for his Sr. year. I dont see 'em taking a LB that early. But we all know theyll probably trade down anyway and covert that top 5 pick into 3 lower picks.

 

[sebman2112]

Chris Long is more of a 4-3 DE, and I don't really see him as a great conversion to OLB. NE's OLB's need coverage ability, speed in the open field, and closing burst.

Also, NE doesn't need a DE. Ty Warren (26) is signed through 2013, Seymour (28) who is one of the best D-Linemen in the NFL doesn't hit free agency until 2010, Jarvis Green (28) doesn't hit free agency until 2010, and Kareem Brown (23) was second on Miami's all time sack list, so he's a candidate to develope over the next few seasons.

The Patriots don't need an OLB, so I don't really understand why people think they'd draft one in the top 10 of the first round. Vrabel is playing lights out, Colvin has been very good, and Adalius Thomas (playing more ILB) is a great pass rushing OLB. If anything the Patriots need two ILB's. Or, one hybrid backer who can play both inside, and outside, and one pure 3-4 backer.

I'd try and sign someone like Dansby in free agency, and draft either Rey Maualuga (with a trade down to the 12-16 range) if he comes out. If Maualuga doesn't come out then I'd draft Kenny Phillips in the first (after a slight trade down to the 8-12 range), and try to pick up an early-mid second for a shot at Jonathan Goff.

Also, I'd think about drafting Jasper Brinkley either late first day, or early second day. He's a very nice run stuffer who's strong at the point. His injury is the only thing that concerns me, but that injury will also drop him down a little, if the NCAA doesn't allow him to return in 2008.

 

[Pedrorocks458]

I don't care what a run defense ranks, run defense ranks and pass defense ranks are the worst stats in the NFL because if your run defense sucks, no one will throw on you.

With that said, the Pats are always nurturing large leads so no one can run on them; but Ronnie Brown did tear the Pats a new one until he got hurt.

He averaged less than 4 YPC.

Seymour was out as well, which additionally defeats your point.

 

[dryheat44]

How about DE Harvery from Florida? He's 6'4 245, quick as a cat, ranked by many as a top 10 prospect. Ideal LB conversion project.

I like Ghoulston better for that role, and he has a decent chance to slide into the second.