We need speed at linebacker!!

[MrBigglesWorth]

This team needs a young, fast, pass-rusher to go along with the quality veterans. A bit of speed and enthusiasm will add a great deal to this team.

A Ware/Merriman type would do wonders for the D. That being said, the team almost pulled it out. But, we need to reload.

I'm with you brother..... that is my wish... get an elite pass rusher

 

[hobbsownscoles]

We should get Gholston in the first, Hope Cason times poorly so he falls to round 2 so we draft him at 63, then draft Goff or Bell with our first 3rd than another db or OL with the last 3rd

 

[Rob0729]

If the Ravens stupidly don't franchise Terrell Suggs, I would love for the Pats to make a run at him. He had his best years as an OLB in the 3-4. Granted he may be too expensive.

 

[LloydBraun]

I'm with you brother..... that is my wish... get an elite pass rusher

A player like Gholston, Groves from Auburn if we trade down, or Calais Campbell would be nice in rd. 1. Then, draft a speed rusher/project type in rd. 4 or 5 to develop and play situationally in season 1.

 

[Metaphors]

ILB personal fav's as of now: J Leman, Illinois; Goff from Vandy, Bell from UNLV.

Bell is a tub of goo. He has "good size" in the same way that Charlie Weis does.

Leman is kind of an unknown for me. Solid 2007 but too small a sample size of productive play.

Goff is a favorite of mine too. Limited physical skills but smart and coachable.

The 2009 draft for ILB's is hella good...Laurinaitis, Maualuga, Sean Lee (OLB, but may play ILB this year at PSU), Cushing (USC OLB but a stud so I don't care), Beckwith (LSU), Spikes (UF). One of those should be available at #32 for the Pats...which would be an amazing value.

 

[ATippett56]

I'm with you brother..... that is my wish... get an elite pass rusher

You must mean like this:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

 

[hobbsownscoles]

You must mean like this:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

If we ended up with Cason and Ghoston I'd jizz all over my tv screen

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

You must mean like this:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

If he's the real deal then yes. Don't see Chris Long going first

 

[ATippett56]

If we ended up with Cason and Ghoston I'd jizz all over my tv screen

Those two would really shore up the Patriots defense next year .... with two third round draft picks as well.

 

[Patdown93]

Gholston is my dream pick. With him, Adalius, Vrabel, and Colvin our blitzes would be absolutely crazy.

The only thing I'd be worried about is the damn Jets pick at #6.

Our defense doesn't have a player that teams are afraid of. Or at least it doesn't seem like it. It's always the collective unit. San Diego has Merriman and Dallas has Ware. Gholston would be the perfect Patriot.

 

[Fencer]

Thomas was fine at OLB (funniest play of the night was his windmill whiff on Manning right before getting the strip sack with the second swipe).

But it will be easier to beef up OLB, move Thomas back inside, and add some new ILB talent than it will be to totally rebuild ILB with new talent as Seau and Bruschi age or retire.

 

[sebman2112]

Bell is a tub of goo. He has "good size" in the same way that Charlie Weis does.

Leman is kind of an unknown for me. Solid 2007 but too small a sample size of productive play.

Goff is a favorite of mine too. Limited physical skills but smart and coachable.

The 2009 draft for ILB's is hella good...Laurinaitis, Maualuga, Sean Lee (OLB, but may play ILB this year at PSU), Cushing (USC OLB but a stud so I don't care), Beckwith (LSU), Spikes (UF). One of those should be available at #32 for the Pats...which would be an amazing value.

Goff is big, and strong. How is that "limited physically"? I've posted my scouting report of him on here somewhere, and if you didn't get to watch him much in college I'd suggest checking out some of his highlights. While they won't tell you the full story (obviously) you might be able to see some of the things I like about him. You're right about his intellect. Goff is one of the more intelligent college football players you'll meet, and he's a very respectful young man as well.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Goff is big, and strong. How is that "limited physically"? I've posted my scouting report of him on here somewhere, and if you didn't get to watch him much in college I'd suggest checking out some of his highlights. While they won't tell you the full story (obviously) you might be able to see some of the things I like about him. You're right about his intellect. Goff is one of the more intelligent college football players you'll meet, and he's a very respectful young man as well.

Hopefully Your right about this like you were with meriweather, because i really want this guy on the team.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Hopefully Your right about this like you were with meriweather, because i really want this guy on the team.

merrieweather did come on strong... not much of a blitzer but his strong suit seems coverage and his hands should improve.

 

[Remix 6]

Goff is big, and strong. How is that "limited physically"? I've posted my scouting report of him on here somewhere, and if you didn't get to watch him much in college I'd suggest checking out some of his highlights. While they won't tell you the full story (obviously) you might be able to see some of the things I like about him. You're right about his intellect. Goff is one of the more intelligent college football players you'll meet, and he's a very respectful young man as well.

hes stiff and slow. thats his limitation. hes not very athletic..more of a 2 down player

 

[hobbsownscoles]

merrieweather did come on strong... not much of a blitzer but his strong suit seems coverage and his hands should improve.

Yeah Meriweather's badass

 

[BionicPatriot]

Glad we are on the same page. The offense was slow to adjust last night but the defense has been a problem since mid season.

Seau is not slow, but his change of direction (along with Bruschi) is awful. They are both not able to wrap up because offense players put little moves and those two cannot redirect. That's why they are always grabbing at legs instead of making form tackles. Teams attack the middle of the field against us all year long. Our inside linebackers are no help in pass coverage against WR's TE's or RB's. Look at how the Giants LB's pounded Welker. Our LB's cannot provide that kind of coverage (Thomas did, but shifted to OLB). Middle of the field open all day long.

3-4 inside linebackers are the hardest position to fill on this whole team. It is hard to find anyone in the NFL who is big enough, smart enough and with the instincts to play inside in a Belichick 3-4. There are no players in college who fit that description anymore.

You aint lieing. the reason this defense hasn't been the same is because we can't find two ILBs to play at the same level. In years past we had a coverage demon, a thumper, and Brusch. We had good consistant play. We've had a mixing of Vrabel/Beisel/Adalius over the last 3 seasons, none of which have been effective. I'll give Adalius a chance to learn I guess, but it just shows you what the lack of talent at the LB level does to a 3-4.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

If the Pats can't re-sign Samuel (which I don't expet them to), they should make a serious run at Terrell Suggs. The Ravens may be the dumbest franchise in the NFL if they don't tag Suggs. The Giants prove that a ferocious pass rush can make a average secondary look like their pro bowlers. Then the Pats should draft either a corner (Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib or Gholston). They also need help at inside LB.

 

[Metaphors]

hes stiff and slow. thats his limitation. hes not very athletic..more of a 2 down player

I wouldn't have put it quite that way, but that is what I was referring to. He isn't a sideline-to-sideline guy and wouldn't be the injection of speed many are looking for. That being said, he has been very productive. Doesn't seem to stand out in any one area, but is competent in all of them. I wouldn't say he is a 2-down player (meaning he is a liability in coverage). I see him as raw material with the smarts to maximize his potential in the right organization.

 

[bevster]

You do not need a big ILB to play every down. Pick up a 225-240 fast ILB to play the pass and blitz. Get a bigger ILB to play on obvious running downs.