Will LB be a "need" in the off-season?

[gomezcat]

There have been several college LBs that Belichick would've drafted, but didn't. This is well-documented, so I hope we won't veer into the "BB doesn't draft LBs" lane.

Agreed. After all, he "never drafts guards in the first round", would never go for a "locker room cancer" like Dillon or Moss and would never spend enough cash to get the likes of AD.

Being totally honest (something that sometimes isn't that popular on this board), I was guilty of thinking these things.

I realise, of course, that I was alone in this and that 99% of people on the board disagreed with me.

That said, the draft board doesn't have many 250 lb types who can take on OLs.

 

[patsox23]

Agreed. After all, he "never drafts guards in the first round", would never go for a "locker room cancer" like Dillon or Moss and would never spend enough cash to get the likes of AD.

Being totally honest (something that sometimes isn't that popular on this board), I was guilty of thinking these things.

I realise, of course, that I was alone in this and that 99% of people on the board disagreed with me.

That said, the draft board doesn't have many 250 lb types who can take on OLs.

I was, too - at least of the "never drafts guards" and the Dillon thing. After Corey came in and (basically) behaved, I never had an issue with Moss being brought in.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

There have been several college LBs that Belichick would've drafted, but didn't. This is well-documented, so I hope we won't veer into the "BB doesn't draft LBs" lane.

Would've, could've, but DIDN'T!

That is what is extremely well documented.

I thought they'd load up on linebackers in the draft 2 years ago, but went off on a different tangent instead.

I agree with with mg's observation. Belichick does not and will not view this as a crisis. He'll deal with the problem through free agency or maybe a trade (!), but just because some people on this board view it with a sense of impending catastrophe does not mean it will come to pass. Witness successive drafts taking 2 tight ends, when everyone thought greater needs pressed elsewhere.

Linebacker, especially inside linebacker, is a very important and crucial position on this team's defense. The reason they don't play rookies is because rookies make mistakes. It appears Belichick and the Pats are more than willing to have someone else pick up the tab for a linebacker's education, and then have him step in and learn and play the defense properly. And yes, they are more than willing to pay for this type of thing.

That, I believe, is how they will approach this need again this coming off season.

 

[patsox23]

Would've, could've, but DIDN'T!

Happened not to. Sh!t happens, especially in the NFL draft, and especially when you have 5 or 6 veteran LBs capable of playing serious, productive minutes in this system. That likely changes, finally, after this season. Now what?

Are you joining the crowd that believes Nick Barnett, Bradie James, DJ Williams, Vilma, Beason, Carpenter and others were brought in as some sort of smoke-screen by Belichick???

 

[VJCPatriot]

I agree with with mg's observation. Belichick does not and will not view this as a crisis. He'll deal with the problem through free agency or maybe a trade (!), but just because some people on this board view it with a sense of impending catastrophe does not mean it will come to pass. Witness successive drafts taking 2 tight ends, when everyone thought greater needs pressed elsewhere.

Exactly the point. I think BB will target Dansby or another very good LB veteran in the FA market to take care of that need. I was also surprised when BB doubled up on Tight Ends in the first round a few years ago. But now I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him double up on Running Backs in the first round. He has done such things before when he felt the second candidate would IMPROVE the position.

It appears Belichick and the Pats are more than willing to have someone else pick up the tab for a linebacker's education, and then have him step in and learn and play the defense properly. And yes, they are more than willing to pay for this type of thing.

Exactly. BB wants a proven player when it comes to linebackers. Therefore a free agent like Dansby makes a LOT of sense. I expect Dansby will be sick of playing for loser teams (ie Cards) and might be willing to give a slight discount to come win a Superbowl with the Pats.

 

[DaBruinz]

He says things for effect. He's had plenty of opportunities to draft LBs and hasn't. A very minor trade up last year when we had a ton of low picks that ended up cut would have netted a guy he supposedly would have drafted.

He hasn't been shy about trading for draft spots either.

People who say this forget one very LARGE part of trades. The OTHER TEAM.

Also, most of the late picks that the Pats had were NOT TRADEABLE.

And, its pure BS speculation on your part that the Pats could have traded. if the other teams didn't want to make a trade, then they aren't going to. Regardless of what the Patriots offered.

 

[RayClay]

RayClay - so I take it you subscribe to the "BB will never draft a linebacker despite BRINGING THEM IN ON VISITS" camp? Bradie James? Nick Barnett? Jonathan Vilma? (So he was lying for Holley's book in the war room?) DJ Williams?

I sincerely hope he does. I see evidence that he has an aversion to doing so.

Also, He does "talk players up" for future FA picks.

I read the book years ago and don't remember the section you mentioned.

He drafts LBs on day one less than any position except P/K and backup QBs.

You mentioned a bunch of LBs drafted by other teams, which makes my point more than yours I'd say.

Interpret it any way you want. I am 100% in favor of a day one LB myself.

 

[DaBruinz]

This team is going to be in need of at least two quality ILB's next season to replace Bru and Jr. Will BB use the high pick to get an elite NCAA DE or mamoth LB (for college)? I dunno. I have watched with horror as quality LB's, DE's (and CB's for that matter. Dont even mention Cromartie) were bypassed in recent years in order to pick up high round offensive players. It is my belief that BB was redesigning the team to reflect the new pass favorable rules, and the change in style the offense needed. The completion came last off-season after they put in the field turf.

Methinks that perhaps this year, he goes after the D. And we may even see him redesign this D to reflect the changes we've seen. Maybe faster lighter players will start to replace the bigger guys at LB. We shall see.

Cromartie? Give me a break. The guy was coming off a major injury.

 

[DaBruinz]

Would've, could've, but DIDN'T!

Or couldn't because the payer they wanted was off the board OR they couldn't get a trade done.

That is what is extremely well documented.

I thought they'd load up on linebackers in the draft 2 years ago, but went off on a different tangent instead.

I agree with with mg's observation. Belichick does not and will not view this as a crisis. He'll deal with the problem through free agency or maybe a trade (!), but just because some people on this board view it with a sense of impending catastrophe does not mean it will come to pass. Witness successive drafts taking 2 tight ends, when everyone thought greater needs pressed elsewhere.

Linebacker, especially inside linebacker, is a very important and crucial position on this team's defense. The reason they don't play rookies is because rookies make mistakes. It appears Belichick and the Pats are more than willing to have someone else pick up the tab for a linebacker's education, and then have him step in and learn and play the defense properly. And yes, they are more than willing to pay for this type of thing.

That, I believe, is how they will approach this need again this coming off season.

I agree. BB will view it as an issue, but not a crisis. While I have thought that he'd bring in someone higher in the rounds and almost did this year, but the guy they wanted got taken by the Eagles.

People forget that its about VALUE for BB. If he doesn't feel a guy is worth something more than the 91st pick, he's not going to trade up for him.

 

[RayClay]

People who say this forget one very LARGE part of trades. The OTHER TEAM.

Also, most of the late picks that the Pats had were NOT TRADEABLE.

And, its pure BS speculation on your part that the Pats could have traded. if the other teams didn't want to make a trade, then they aren't going to. Regardless of what the Patriots offered.

It's BS speculation that they would have picked a LB after never picking one since BB started too.

 

[DaBruinz]

It's BS speculation that they would have picked a LB after never picking one since BB started too.

that's funny, because I could have sworn that BB has drafted several LBs previously. Guys like Jeremy Mincey, Ryan Claridge, TJ Turner and Casey Tisdale. So, how can you say that BB's never picked one?

Oh, also, how is it BS speculation when its reported that the Pats planned on taking Stewart Bradley in the 3rd round, but the Eagles grabbed him. And, it wasn't just speculation by some 3rd rate rag. I can remember Reiss commenting on it.

 

[RayClay]

that's funny, because I could have sworn that BB has drafted several LBs previously. Guys like Jeremy Mincey, Ryan Claridge, TJ Turner and Casey Tisdale. So, how can you say that BB's never picked one?

Oh, also, how is it BS speculation when its reported that the Pats planned on taking Stewart Bradley in the 3rd round, but the Eagles grabbed him. And, it wasn't just speculation by some 3rd rate rag. I can remember Reiss commenting on it.

Excuse me, I meant first day linebacker since he's been with the Pats. I've said it in my other 1,000 posts on the subject, but it looks like I omitted it this time.

Yes, the 3rd rounder would have been a first day, as opposed to the second day picks who were all flops.

Since it never happened, it's speculation. What would they have done? That's pretty much the definition of speculation right there

 

[DaBruinz]

Excuse me, I meant first day linebacker since he's been with the Pats. I've said it in my other 1,000 posts on the subject, but it looks like I omitted it this time.

Yes, the 3rd rounder would have been a first day, as opposed to the second day picks who were all flops.

Since it never happened, it's speculation. What would they have done? That's pretty much the definition of speculation right there

What you meant and what you said are different things. And, honestly, I've never seen you say it before, but that doesn't mean anything.

TBC wasn't a flop. And the jury is still out on Rogers and Lua. The Pats wanted to keep Rogers on the PS, but the Cowboys picked him up off waivers.

Actually, it would only be speculation if there was no confirmation that the Pats were going to take Stewart. And that confirmation came out after the draft.

 

[PatsSteve1]

Hasn't there always been a LB need with the Patriots? - I guess if Seau and Bruschi hang it up there's a need there, but I don't know that it'll be filled thru the draft. They have Alexander, Woods and Lua on the roster . Alexander may have disapointed in last year's AFCC game, but it was his 1st start and against a pretty good O. I would like to see at least 1 of the 3 end up a good starting LB, although I make no predictions. I have read some Patriots players say Alexander should be a good player. But it would be nice if they developed a good LB of their own for a change. Other than that there's always a FA. It seems rookie LB's and safeties have the toughtest time learning the Patriots defense as opposed to DL's and CB's. Just an impression.

 

[patsox23]

I was also surprised when BB doubled up on Tight Ends in the first round a few years ago.

The Patriots use a two-TE set OFTEN so I'm not sure how the selection of Ben Watson applies to "doubling up" on running backs, who play one at a time.

 

[patsox23]

Excuse me, I meant first day linebacker since he's been with the Pats. I've said it in my other 1,000 posts on the subject, but it looks like I omitted it this time.

Yes, the 3rd rounder would have been a first day, as opposed to the second day picks who were all flops.

Since it never happened, it's speculation. What would they have done? That's pretty much the definition of speculation right there

VILMA WAS HIGH ON THE PATRIOTS DRAFT BOARD. This is not "speculation," there was a verifiable source IN THE WAR ROOM - Holley. (Unless you think he was lying or that BB, cognizant of the media member in the room, thought he'd throw off the NFL and its fans by pretending to want Vilma by putting him way up on the board so that it would "get out" via Patriot Reign.)

 

[patsox23]

They have Alexander, Woods and Lua on the roster.

Alexander is a JAG who might have value going forward but is unlikely to make an impact as a starter. Woods could be, maybe, we'll see. Lua is a flyer. He could easily be junk that gets cut a year from now.

 

[PatsSteve1]

Alexander is a JAG who might have value going forward but is unlikely to make an impact as a starter. Woods could be, maybe, we'll see. Lua is a flyer. He could easily be junk that gets cut a year from now.

I don't think you can base how Alexander will turn out on 1 start in the AFCC game against the SB winner. He still lead the team in tackles - 10, and had a sack that game. A lot of LB's can't cover the Colts Clark and it's why BB put Rodney on him a couple of weeks ago despite most thinking they picked up Thomas for that role. I don't know how Alexander will turn out and don't pretend to. But I don't think there's eveidence he's just a JAG either.

 

[RayClay]

What you meant and what you said are different things. And, honestly, I've never seen you say it before, but that doesn't mean anything.

TBC wasn't a flop. And the jury is still out on Rogers and Lua. The Pats wanted to keep Rogers on the PS, but the Cowboys picked him up off waivers.

Actually, it would only be speculation if there was no confirmation that the Pats were going to take Stewart. And that confirmation came out after the draft.

We're getting kind of silly aren't we?

Our future Inside linebackers include two guys who aren't even on the team?

Come on, you can do better than that.

We have (I'm guessing) the oldest LB in football, our other ILB is just going through the motions and our third "ILB" (Thomas) looked like he was just let out of jail when we finally let him play his natural position which is outside.

We need two starting inside linebackers immediately, or in training IMO.

 

[RayClay]

VILMA WAS HIGH ON THE PATRIOTS DRAFT BOARD. This is not "speculation," there was a verifiable source IN THE WAR ROOM - Holley. (Unless you think he was lying or that BB, cognizant of the media member in the room, thought he'd throw off the NFL and its fans by pretending to want Vilma by putting him way up on the board so that it would "get out" via Patriot Reign.

Calm down Patsox. He's on the Jets, not here.

They've managed to trade up for Wilson, Light, Graham and Warren, among others.

Who said they haven't had LBs on their draft board? They just haven't drafted any.

He's on the Jets, no matter what else you say.