Maualuga

[PonyExpress]

He's very big. He hits very hard. He seems reasonably agile in coverage. He looks like a man playing among boys. He has a wild personality, super aggressive, which I like in a LB. I remember BB talking about Lua after the draft, explaining that he had been displaced by the one of the great players in college football and there was no shame in that. BB at that time must have had a high opinion of Maualuga.

Rey's one of the players I'm most interested in watching this bowl season, along with Gholston, Harvey, C. Long, J. Long.

It looks like he's changed his mind and is leaning toward the draft, requesting his draft status from the advisory board. I look for USC to have a big win in the Rose Bowl, Maualuga to dominate and then enter the draft.

We'll have to wait on the combine numbers. But on the surface he looks like the prototype BB linebacker, the one BB's been waiting to draft for years. Big fast aggressive.

With Seau on the team, and Lua on board, the Pats probably have better insight into Rey than any other team. Also, if he comes here, he will have a perfect situation to excel and reach his potential. There's alot more to look at, but he is a very intriguing prospect.

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

I know nothing about him, that being said come draft time I'll try to learn as much as I can spending most of my efforts on Linebackers and defensive backs.
I want to see a top 10 list of linebackers that fit our defense if someone is nice enough to compile it.

 

[cstjohn17]

He is not as fast as Laurintis (spell check) but is a beast, great fit for the Seau/Ted Johnson role. A late round first rounder, ideal trade back candidate.

 

[sebman2112]

He's very big. He hits very hard. He seems reasonably agile in coverage. He looks like a man playing among boys. He has a wild personality, super aggressive, which I like in a LB. I remember BB talking about Lua after the draft, explaining that he had been displaced by the one of the great players in college football and there was no shame in that. BB at that time must have had a high opinion of Maualuga.

Rey's one of the players I'm most interested in watching this bowl season, along with Gholston, Harvey, C. Long, J. Long.

It looks like he's changed his mind and is leaning toward the draft, requesting his draft status from the advisory board. I look for USC to have a big win in the Rose Bowl, Maualuga to dominate and then enter the draft.

We'll have to wait on the combine numbers. But on the surface he looks like the prototype BB linebacker, the one BB's been waiting to draft for years. Big fast aggressive.

With Seau on the team, and Lua on board, the Pats probably have better insight into Rey than any other team. Also, if he comes here, he will have a perfect situation to excel and reach his potential. There's alot more to look at, but he is a very intriguing prospect.

Some of my old post on the subject:

http://patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=401209&postcount=13

http://patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=419905&postcount=7

Let's just say I'm among those hoping he's a 2008 NE Patriot...

 

[sebman2112]

He is not as fast as Laurintis (spell check) but is a beast, great fit for the Seau/Ted Johnson role. A late round first rounder, ideal trade back candidate.

He's not as fast as James, that's correct, but he's not close to being a "slow" LB either, and he's faster than Ted Johnson ever thought of being.

Maualuga would be an everydown LB in NE's system, not simply a 2 down run stuffer.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Aren't there character issues with him though? Does anyone know?

 

[Remix 6]

Rey is a big hitter and doesnt need to go full speed to kill someone. hes very strong, fast, big. Hes out of control at times (good way and bad) but guys like Seau and Harrison who are similar can help out

 

[sebman2112]

Aren't there character issues with him though? Does anyone know?

The "cheracter issues" with Maualuga stem from something that took place 2+ years ago, shortly after his father died.

He got into a heated altercation with someone at a party, and punches were thrown. After that incident he sought counseling to help deal with his fathers death, and the anger issues he was having in relation. I don't believe he's had another incident during the 2+ years since.

 

[PonyExpress]

The "cheracter issues" with Maualuga stem from something that took place 2+ years ago, shortly after his father died.

He got into a heated altercation with someone at a party, and punches were thrown. After that incident he sought counseling to help deal with his fathers death, and the anger issues he was having in relation. I don't believe he's had another incident during the 2+ years since.

Fighting is exactly the kind of "character issue" I like in my LB prospects.

 

[cstjohn17]

He's not as fast as James, that's correct, but he's not close to being a "slow" LB either, and he's faster than Ted Johnson ever thought of being.

Maualuga would be an everydown LB in NE's system, not simply a 2 down run stuffer.

Yes, I didn't mean to imply he couldn't play 3 downs. I wouldn't want to see Maualuga covering TEs down the field but in a zone with limited responsibilities he should be ok, but clearly the strength of his game is down hill and attack oriented.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Check this hit on UCLA QB. One of my favorite hits of all-time. Don't get a good angle on initial live shot. Or 1st replay. Wait til you see the 2nd replay from the sideline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTct4-vvhiQ

 

[JoePats]

Is he coming out early?

 

[patsfaninpa]

Is he coming out early?

Originally said he's staying. Then he submitted paperwork to see where he stands. These guys don't announce until after their Bowl game. I expect him to come out.

 

[PonyExpress]

He is not as fast as Laurintis (spell check) but is a beast, great fit for the Seau/Ted Johnson role. A late round first rounder, ideal trade back candidate.

If he puts up elite combine numbers I have no problem drafting him in the top 10.

 

[VJCPatriot]

If he puts up elite combine numbers I have no problem drafting him in the top 10.

I think he is too raw to be a top 10 pick. If we had pick #21 I wouldn't have a problem, but with pick #8 you need a polished stud. Laurinitis is probably a safer pick if you're going for a high pick at linebacker.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3427102

I am concerned that some people voiced the opinion that he lacks discipline to stay in and controls his gaps, that he's a freelancer. Rey Maualuga will probably be better served by gaining another year of experience in college.

I doubt the Pats draft a linebacker high in any case, but you never know with BB, so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[PonyExpress]

I think he is too raw to be a top 10 pick. If we had pick #21 I wouldn't have a problem, but with pick #8 you need a polished stud. Laurinitis is probably a safer pick if you're going for a high pick at linebacker.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3427102

I am concerned that some people voiced the opinion that he lacks discipline to stay in and controls his gaps, that he's a freelancer. Rey Maualuga will probably be better served by gaining another year of experience in college.

I doubt the Pats draft a linebacker high in any case, but you never know with BB, so we'll just have to wait and see.

If Maualuga has an elite performance at the combine, that will make him IMO a safe pick. Hopefully the USC guys will participate at the combine this year, which many have been reluctant to do in year past.

 

[rookBoston]

I think he is too raw to be a top 10 pick. If we had pick #21 I wouldn't have a problem, but with pick #8 you need a polished stud. Laurinitis is probably a safer pick if you're going for a high pick at linebacker.

"Polished stud" is not the appropriate term for Laurinaitis, who is an underclassman himself, and a one-year starter playing behind Hawk and Schlegel. At least Maualuga displaced the upperclassman who was at his position. He's got more playing time than JL does.

 

[rookBoston]

Yes, I didn't mean to imply he couldn't play 3 downs. I wouldn't want to see Maualuga covering TEs down the field but in a zone with limited responsibilities he should be ok, but clearly the strength of his game is down hill and attack oriented.

Well, by his own admission, Seau never thought that he'd be covering TEs down the field, but he does and does it well.

The Pats scheme does not require the same speed out of it's LBs than a Tampa Bay or Colts D. We compensate with help from the secondary, and relying on smarts in the scheme to recognize what the LB needs to be responsible for.

Bigger, slower LBs can be successful for us... not that speed isn't a good thing, but it's secondary to strength and smarts on the wish list. That said, I dont think Maualuga is especially slow for a LB.

 

[cstjohn17]

Well, by his own admission, Seau never thought that he'd be covering TEs down the field, but he does and does it well.

The Pats scheme does not require the same speed out of it's LBs than a Tampa Bay or Colts D. We compensate with help from the secondary, and relying on smarts in the scheme to recognize what the LB needs to be responsible for.

Bigger, slower LBs can be successful for us... not that speed isn't a good thing, but it's secondary to strength and smarts on the wish list. That said, I dont think Maualuga is especially slow for a LB.

Seau is a HOF player, sometimes he is asked to play in a short zone or trail a RB but not very often does he cover a TE.

I like Maualuga and if he gave us two downs as a rookie I would be thrilled.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Freelancers can not make it in the BB defense. He will not tolerate it in his defense. I question Rey's tackling ability and his intrelligence, but other than those 3 things, he seems like an ideal fit for the BB defense.

PS: If Goff can run as fast as Rey, then spending Oakland's third round pick on a monster from the SEC with tons of intelligence, seems a better pick.