Pierre Woods ILB? Eric who?

[RayClay]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/12/01/lbs_opportunity_knocks/

In this globe article, Pees all but annoints Woods as #1 backup.

Conspicuously absent: Eric Alexander.

Chad Brown mentioned as too new to avoid saying old and sucks, I'm guessing.

I'd rather see Thomas outside a lot more, but that might mean Vrable playing ILB some.

Thoughts?

The most-appealing option may be second-year outside linebacker Pierre Woods. The undrafted free agent out of Michigan showed marked improvement during the preseason, finishing with 17 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Woods has been credited with just two defensive tackles this season, but he is the Patriots' leader in special teams stops with 14.

"He's a guy that has been a legitimate backup and he's a guy that we are hoping that we can get in the mix," Pees said. "He's done a great job on special teams for Brad [Seely]. He's working hard and he's getting better all the time. We're hoping that he just keeps progressing like that and, if he does, then he's certainly going to give us some depth where we need it."

 

[reflexblue]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/12/01/lbs_opportunity_knocks/

In this globe article, Pees all but annoints Woods as #1 backup.

Conspicuously absent: Eric Alexander.

Chad Brown mentioned as too new to avoid saying old and sucks, I'm guessing.

I'd rather see Thomas outside a lot more, but that might mean Vrable playing ILB some.

Thoughts?

We know Brown can't play INB tht was proven a couple of years ago,and he's only gotten older. I think he has to play olb as a back up. Maybe Vrabel moves inside to give Bruschi,and Seau a breather and Brown,or Woods takes Vrabel's place
Or Vrabel ,and Thomas alternate giving the ILB breaks and Brown,or Woods fills in for who ever moves inside.

 

[unoriginal]

Where do you get that he's a ILB? Last year Belichick said emphatically that Woods (and Mincey) were OLBs. And I've never seen him take snaps inside in the preseason.

 

[unoriginal]

Again, requesting spelling filter to turn Vrable into Vrabel.

 

[Remix 6]

Woods = outside
Alexander = inside

reason Alexander played inside was cuz that idiot TBC couldnt cover or set the edge.

Both are hard hitters and i look forward to some young talent. Gives us the versatility to bounce Thomas inside and out knowing whatever we need him at more, we can use a guy like Woods as a pass rusher

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

we don't know how the question was phrased. Even if the reporter flat out asked, "will Woods be your number one backup now that Colvin is out?", you could cut and paste the exact same answer from Pees. What I see is the classic Foxboro two-step: yes, this player is progressing, we really like him, if he continues getting better he will play. There's nothing revelatory in Pees' remarks. Besides, BB would shoot Pees if he announced to the Ravens that Woods will be the 5th 'backer.

"The most-appealing option may be second-year outside linebacker Pierre Woods." That is the reporter talking, not Pees.

 

[reflexblue]

Again, requesting spelling filter to turn Vrable into Vrabel.

At least I can spell Belichick correctly many can't.

 

[RayClay]

We know Brown can't play INB tht was proven a couple of years ago,and he's only gotten older. I think he has to play olb as a back up. Maybe Vrabel moves inside to give Bruschi,and Seau a breather and Brown,or Woods takes Vrabel's place
Or Vrabel ,and Thomas alternate giving the ILB breaks and Brown,or Woods fills in for who ever moves inside.

Who can? If he wants the paycheck, he might need to give the leather helmet duo a breather once in a while. With Big Vince and our stud DL, I'm not really worried about the run.

The choice is AD, Vrable and Woods on the pass rush or broken down Chad Brown at fill in OLB because he hasn't proven he can play inside.

Newsflash: neither has anyone else except Vrable (and I include AD).

If it's my team, he'll play some inside if he wants to see the field.

 

[RayClay]

Where do you get that he's a ILB? Last year Belichick said emphatically that Woods (and Mincey) were OLBs. And I've never seen him take snaps inside in the preseason.

You see the question mark in the title? He's the only backup listed by our defensive coordinator and we need help at ILB from somebody.

I think AD should play a lot more outside withColvin out.

That's why I put a question mark instead of making it a statement.

 

[RayClay]

Again, requesting spelling filter to turn Vrable into Vrabel.

Actually, my spelling filter in firefox underline's both as errors. Apparently I've been spelling Vrabel wrong for seven years.

Sometimes if you just tell somebody they are misspelling something they will change it.

For what it's worth, I still misspell nickel sometimes and I've been using coins a lot longer than Vrabel's been playing linebacker.

 

[RayClay]

we don't know how the question was phrased. Even if the reporter flat out asked, "will Woods be your number one backup now that Colvin is out?", you could cut and paste the exact same answer from Pees. What I see is the classic Foxboro two-step: yes, this player is progressing, we really like him, if he continues getting better he will play. There's nothing revelatory in Pees' remarks. Besides, BB would shoot Pees if he announced to the Ravens that Woods will be the 5th 'backer.

"The most-appealing option may be second-year outside linebacker Pierre Woods." That is the reporter talking, not Pees.

There aren't quotes around that. There's nothing misleading about that being the reporter.

Pees conspicuously says lots of good things about Woods, gives Brown an excuse due to being new and says nothing about Alexander who backs up the position that's thinnest.

Unless you think he said a lot about Alexander and the reporter omitted it, I think that's as much indication as the Patriots are ever likely to give.

 

[Triple-T]

Oh please, oh please, oh please let Pierre excel at any LB position. One more gift from Lloyd Carr would just be icing on the cake!

 

[RayClay]

we don't know how the question was phrased. Even if the reporter flat out asked, "will Woods be your number one backup now that Colvin is out?", you could cut and paste the exact same answer from Pees. What I see is the classic Foxboro two-step: yes, this player is progressing, we really like him, if he continues getting better he will play. There's nothing revelatory in Pees' remarks. Besides, BB would shoot Pees if he announced to the Ravens that Woods will be the 5th 'backer.

"The most-appealing option may be second-year outside linebacker Pierre Woods." That is the reporter talking, not Pees.

The previous quote: "We're going to need to try to find somebody that we can rotate in there now," said Pees. "That's always good for the front seven to be able to rotate guys in, if you have them."

If you have them. He mentions one a lot, excuses one and ignores one.

On a team that gives no info, it seems one can read between the lines. Notice he just says rotate in, not mentioning position.

 

[PatsSteve1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/12/01/lbs_opportunity_knocks/

In this globe article, Pees all but annoints Woods as #1 backup.

Conspicuously absent: Eric Alexander.

That isn't true.

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=audionewsdetail&pid=29349&pcid=81&rss=1

Q: How about Pierre Woods, a second-year player who could potentially see more time with Rosevelt Colvin going out? Can you just talk about him a little bit in his progression from year one to year two?

DP: Well, again, he’s a guy that’s been a legitimate backup and he’s a guy that we are hoping that we can get in the mix. He’s done a great job on special teams for Brad [Seely]. You know, he would certainly… he’s working hard and he’s getting better all the time and we’re hoping that he just keeps progressing like that and, if he does, then he’s certainly going to give us some depth where we need it.

Q: Can you also talk about Eric Alexander a little bit in his progression?

DP: It’s kind of the same way. What’s set Eric back has been being hurt and being out for 4-5 weeks and not being involved in some things, but it’s kind of the same thing as Pierre. We just need him to keep progressing and getting better so hopefully we can use him in some kind of rotation to help balance it out a little bit, too. Again, he’s working real hard. He’s coming off that injury and both of those guys have been working real hard this week to try to get themselves in the mix.

 

[RayClay]

That isn't true.

http://www.patriots.com/mediacenter/index.cfm?ac=audionewsdetail&pid=29349&pcid=81&rss=1

Q: How about Pierre Woods, a second-year player who could potentially see more time with Rosevelt Colvin going out? Can you just talk about him a little bit in his progression from year one to year two?

DP: Well, again, he’s a guy that’s been a legitimate backup and he’s a guy that we are hoping that we can get in the mix. He’s done a great job on special teams for Brad [Seely]. You know, he would certainly… he’s working hard and he’s getting better all the time and we’re hoping that he just keeps progressing like that and, if he does, then he’s certainly going to give us some depth where we need it.

Q: Can you also talk about Eric Alexander a little bit in his progression?

DP: It’s kind of the same way. What’s set Eric back has been being hurt and being out for 4-5 weeks and not being involved in some things, but it’s kind of the same thing as Pierre. We just need him to keep progressing and getting better so hopefully we can use him in some kind of rotation to help balance it out a little bit, too. Again, he’s working real hard. He’s coming off that injury and both of those guys have been working real hard this week to try to get themselves in the mix.

Thanks, good work. Seems like a different interview. If it was recorded at the same time Gaspar certainly "framed" it and that's what I was responding to.

That Patriots.com interview has a lot more information and makes Gaspar's look like a Pierre woods puff piece in comparison.

With only 2 young backups I sure don't want to see one fall out of favor and that's the way the Gaspar article read.

 

[PatsSteve1]

Thanks, good work. Seems like a different interview. If it was recorded at the same time Gaspar certainly "framed" it and that's what I was responding to.

That Patriots.com interview has a lot more information and makes Gaspar's look like a Pierre woods puff piece in comparison.

With only 2 young backups I sure don't want to see one fall out of favor and that's the way the Gaspar article read.

That interview at Patriots.com was from 11/30 so it's likely the same one Gasper got it from. You know how reporters are - Just tell the part of the story they want.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Good work, Steve my man.

 

[RayClay]

That interview at Patriots.com was from 11/30 so it's likely the same one Gasper got it from. You know how reporters are - Just tell the part of the story they want.

Plus he made it seem like a damn interview. That was a "press availability" I believe, although the callit an interview too.

I actually feel much better. I'm a big Woods booster, but any young player with LB after his name is my favorite player right now, if you know what I mean.

 

[Fencer]

As long as AD is healthy, it doesn't matter which of Woods or Alexander earns reps. AD's versatility takes care of the rest.

 

[RayClay]

As long as AD is healthy, it doesn't matter which of Woods or Alexander earns reps. AD's versatility takes care of the rest.

I'm not worried about him. I just want to make sure Bruschi and Seau don't get worn down. Inside or outside, somebody will get a few snaps.

Vrabel is equally or more versatile in this system due to experience.