Remembering Katzenmoyer

[PittPatriot]

While much of the boards is calling for McFadden with our high draft pick, I feel the non-QB cornerstone of our franchise for the foreseeable future will be the Linebackers.
The last time we drafted top notch LB with a 1st RD Pick was Andy Katzenmoyer. His tragic career which ended abruptly, began ironically with a draftpick we got from the Jets. I recall reports from his rookie training camp that he was finishing his endurance and speed runs with the RBs and WRs. He as strong, fast and hardworking. He would have learned under Ted Johnson and Ted Bruschi, possibly even prolonging their careers. He'd have been a great Mike in our system.

 

[Grizzafted]

I don't like the idea of drafting a linebacker with a high pick unless he's a real stud. You can find vets in free agency or players in the 2nd/3rd round. Plus with Woods and Lua waiting in the wings we're not in as bad of shape as it seems right now.

 

[patsox23]

One of the biggest myths re: the Pats over the last decade is that Katzenmoyer was a "bust." He was not. He was still somewhat raw, but had looked pretty good, then had to retire.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

I don't like the idea of drafting a linebacker with a high pick unless he's a real stud. You can find vets in free agency or players in the 2nd/3rd round. Plus with Woods and Lua waiting in the wings we're not in as bad of shape as it seems right now.

I agree. High first round linebackers are few and far between. There is too much talent in the lower rounds and on the FA market.

High first round picks, IMO, are for skill positions - WR, RB, QB, CB.

1st round DE/DL or LB or OL have to be AMAZING and EXCEPTIONAL! I am not sure there are any of those in this year's draft.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

One of the biggest myths re: the Pats over the last decade is that Katzenmoyer was a "bust." He was not. He was still somewhat raw, but had looked pretty good, then had to retire.

Agreed. I never thought of him as a bust.

More to the point, a guy whose career was cut short. I remember having big-time hopes and expectations for him because I watched him at Ohio State and thought he was a truly exceptional player.

In hindsight, Pete Carroll would not have been the guy to get him to the next level, but once Belichick came along, you might have been looking at another Vrabel or Bruschi type with Andy.

No one will ever know.

I still have a #59 Katzenmoyer jersey hanging next to my #47 Robert Edwards jersey.

Kind of a closet tribute to Pats players who were on the way to greatness and had injury mow them down.

 

[fumbrunner]

I don't like the idea of drafting a linebacker with a high pick unless he's a real stud. You can find vets in free agency or players in the 2nd/3rd round. Plus with Woods and Lua waiting in the wings we're not in as bad of shape as it seems right now.

A Patrick Willis-type would be just fine.

 

[Grizzafted]

1st round DE/DL or LB or OL have to be AMAZING and EXCEPTIONAL! I am not sure there are any of those in this year's draft.

Glenn Dorsey is going to be a beast. I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Patriots trade down a few spots and try to snatch him.

 

[Grizzafted]

A Patrick Willis-type would be just fine.

Well Willis is a stud. Laurinitis is a little high for #2 but he has a big upside as well if he comes out.

 

[italian pat patriot]

One of the biggest myths re: the Pats over the last decade is that Katzenmoyer was a "bust." He was not. He was still somewhat raw, but had looked pretty good, then had to retire.

true; i agree and i still remember Big Cat (am i still right that we called him in that way ?)

he could have been a very good player; i hope he is fine

 

[VJCPatriot]

Umm wasn't he a bust? Why wax poetic over a never was player?
There are better Pats linebackers to talk about. For example, Ted Johnson was a very good MLB in our system. He was limited, but the man could tackle anything and anyone that got in his grasp.

Glenn Dorsey is going to be a beast. I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Patriots trade down a few spots and try to snatch him.

Trade down? It is expected that the Fins will take Dorsey #1 overall... Although the Fins have made some boneheaded moves in the draft so you never know for sure.

 

[patsox23]

Glenn Dorsey is going to be a beast. I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Patriots trade down a few spots and try to snatch him.

The Dolphins will likely take him at #1.

 

[Grizzafted]

The Dolphins will likely take him at #1.

Seriously!? I would think they'd take Brohm or Ryan. They need a quarterback down there, badly. I guess he wouldn't last beyond the Jets or Rams.

If he's still on the Board at #2, you think Belichick takes him?

 

[b72s]

I believe we should trade pick for a veteran LB and other picks. I had asked if anyone had wish list for other team's LBs

 

[MetalBleachers]

I like Spencer Larsen from Arizona. Led the Pac-10 in tackles. Might be available in the late third round.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=61460

 

[PatsDparty]

I think the Pats trade down as well. However, if they were ever going to take a running back that high, McFadden is that type of player. Runs hard, catches the ball, played QB in high school. He's a very versatile back, and the pats love versatility.

 

[Ishdul]

Seriously!? I would think they'd take Brohm or Ryan. They need a quarterback down there, badly. I guess he wouldn't last beyond the Jets or Rams.

As delighted as I would be to see that happen, I oddly think that they're too smart for that. They obviously have no problem passing on the big name QBs and this year's QB draft is a little underwhelming anyways. Even if they're not too high on Beck, they've got monstrous holes everywhere, including DT. Might as well draft Dorsey, give Beck another year and look at Tebow next year or whoever else emerges.

If he's still on the Board at #2, you think Belichick takes him?

No.

 

[primetime]

Katzenmoyer should serve as a warning about taking Big 10 players. For every one that lives up to their potential, there's 20 more that underachieve. It's why you don't pick from one of the weakest, but overhyped, conferences in college football... linemen may be the only exception.

 

[PantsB]

Well Willis is a stud. Laurinitis is a little high for #2 but he has a big upside as well if he comes out.

But if you traded down to the middle of the first and tried to snag either him or Connor....

 

[Ochmed Jones]

You guys thought Katz was a good player? Are we talking about the same guy that briefly played LB for us?

The Katz I remember was physically gifted and mentally worthless. Maybe he could have matured into a decent player if he ever learned the playbook. But what little I saw of the guy was enough to convince me he was clueless an assignment blown on almost every play that was not a straight ahead run between the tackles.

 

[jczxohn1]

true; i agree and i still remember Big Cat (am i still right that we called him in that way ?)

he could have been a very good player; i hope he is fine

IIRC, he is back in his hometown coaching defense for his old high school team. IMO, it's very unfair to grade his pro career as anything but "Incomplete". BB can't get 8 yr vets to come into his LB corps and play at a high level in their first year, let alone rookie draftees.