I'd like to see the Pats sign a LB this week

[NE39]

There are still some guys out there: Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans.

Even some scrubs like Nick Greisen, Mario Haggans, Darryl Blackstock, Brandon Chillar or Rob Morris. How about a ST-ace like Brandon Ayanbadejo? How about taking a risk on Dan Morgan, depending on his medicals?

LB seems to be a position with some value still available. Given the current depth chart at LB, I'd feel a little better if they had some more bodies there.

Granted, I'd prefer they pick up help at CB, but I just don't see as much out there. CB will have to b addressed via trade or the draft (or both).

 

[KevinFaulk-33]

I've read that Aybandejo wanna be the highest paid SpecialTeamer, so i think that he isn't a objective.

 

[LloydBraun]

There are still some guys out there: Victor Hobson, Clark Haggans.

Even some scrubs like Nick Greisen, Mario Haggans, Darryl Blackstock, Brandon Chillar or Rob Morris. How about a ST-ace like Brandon Ayanbadejo? How about taking a risk on Dan Morgan, depending on his medicals?

LB seems to be a position with some value still available. Given the current depth chart at LB, I'd feel a little better if they had some more bodies there.

Granted, I'd prefer they pick up help at CB, but I just don't see as much out there. CB will have to b addressed via trade or the draft (or both).

Patience, Dude, patience.

BB and Pioli, you know, are always looking to improve the roster. If the money is right, I think it is safe to assume that Haggans or Hobson will be here. BB likes his veteran LB's, so my guess is Haggans.

One question, can Haggans play i nside at all?

 

[ivanvamp]

Patience, Dude, patience.

BB and Pioli, you know, are always looking to improve the roster. If the money is right, I think it is safe to assume that Haggans or Hobson will be here. BB likes his veteran LB's, so my guess is Haggans.

One question, can Haggans play i nside at all?

If he can't either Vrabel or Thomas can.

 

[Patjew]

Patience, grasshopper. Sometimes the best move is ... no move.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I want LB'ers as much as anyone, but as strange as it sounds, I believe that when TC opens up this summer we'll have some young and veteran guys rounding out the competition for those slots. It may seem like BB is dropping the ball, but as well as he and Pioli calculate and plan, I'm sure they didn't wake up this morning going, "Oh sh!t! We need linebackers!" At this point more than ever I trust that BB has a plan A,a plan B, a plan C, and so forth to deal with this situation. Call it homerism, blind faith, or believing in a proven track record, I wouldn't be surprised at all, if the Pats defense turns out better this year than last.

 

[miamipat]

Call me crazy but I believe BB plans on using E. Alexander and P. Woods as regulars this year. If thats the case they can both hold their own there really is no need for LB's

 

[stinkypete]

If he comes for an affordable price I think Haggans would be a nice fit in the rotaton. I don't particularly think any of the other available FA LBs represent an improvement over Woods.

 

[Afterlifemobile-86]

Call me crazy but I believe BB plans on using E. Alexander and P. Woods as regulars this year. If thats the case they can both hold their own there really is no need for LB's

Ughhh...I hope not, I think Woods has some potential but i've never been a fan of EA. He gets destroyed in coverage all the time...See the AFC Championship two seasons ago...I'm convinced he's nothing more than a special teamer.

 

[chrisfx811]

Considering the money that's been thrown around so far, I'm glad BB & Pioli haven't made any major moves yet.

 

[stinkypete]

Considering the money that's been thrown around so far, I'm glad BB & Pioli haven't made any major moves yet.

Exactly, last year the front office took advantage of some rare opportunities, a 3-4 team neglecting to franchise its most versatile player, the Raiders shipping a disgruntled Moss for a nickel to the dollar. Such opportunities do not exist this offseason, so we return to the 04-05 model for free agency. Wait, wait, wait, bring in a low key vet, lock up some young players, rely on the draft.

 

[Jimke]

I expect the next signing will be Aiken's teamate, Jason Webster.

For a few years, Jason was a serviceable cornerback but has been

injured in recent years. Jason will come cheap so the Pats will

have very little risk. Randall Gay finally stayed healthy for one year.

 

[sebman2112]

I'd like to think Haggans is an option, but he's an OLB, and there are going to be a lot of good 3-4 OLB's in the first three rounds this year, so they really don't need to sign a free agent at the position, as they already have Vrabel, AD, and Woods. Haggans could be a decent rotational player if they were to sign him though.

At this point, the LB I'd rather see them go after is Hobson. I believe he could be an effective ILB for NE, and he's shown interest in playing for the Pats.

NE could then enter the draft with:
Vrabel
AD
Hobson
Bruschi
Woods
Alexander
Slaughter
Izzo

Options at OLB in the draft:

Chris Long (6'3" 272lbs): Really like him, and thought he looked more fluid during the combine than I had expected. he'll be gone in the top 1-4 though.

Gholston (6'3" 266lbs): With the Jets signing Calvin Pace, Vernon should be available at 7th overall. Somewhat raw, needing work on his tech. But, he's an athletic freak, and the tech should come with good coaching and experience. Vrabel has already been working with him, too.

Groves (6'3" 259lbs): Getting projected in the first round by many scouts. He's an animal when it comes to pressuring and sacking the QB, and actually has a dislike for quarterbacks...outstanding burst.

Cliff Avril (6'2" 253lbs): 2nd or 3rd round. Flashes strong potential, but can also be inconsistent. He's also not stout at the point of attack, so he has some things to work on to be a 3-4 OLB. I do like his athletic ability, and burst. With some work & development he could potentially become a starter.

Shawn Crable (6'4" 245lbs): great athleticism and agility. Quick and powerful as a pass rusher, and got a lot of upfield penetration in 2007 (28.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks). Decent in coverage (not great), lacks ball skills, and he's not a high motor guy. Needs strong coaching.

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

I like the idea of Victor Hobson. I think alot of Pats fans are sleeping on a potential gem that almost unseeded Andra Davis at ILB in Cleveland before an injury. That's Chaun Thompson. He's young at 27 and has experience in our 3-4 defensive scheme at OLB and ILB. He's going to be a fair price and has great size at 6'2" 255. Just a thought.

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

I like the idea of Victor Hobson. I think alot of Pats fans are sleeping on a potential gem that almost unseeded Andra Davis at ILB in Cleveland before an injury. That's Chaun Thompson. He's young at 27 and has experience in our 3-4 defensive scheme at OLB and ILB. He's going to be a fair price and has great size at 6'2" 255. Just a thought.

You never know, but, they are 2 options that might work out.

 

[Pats726]

why at the end of a week??? Is something happening that we all don't know about? They will have options before the draft..all will be OK.

 

[Boston Boxer]

If he can't either Vrabel or Thomas can.

yes, they both can...but they are way more valuable on the outside IMO

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

One question, can Haggans play inside at all?

I'm sure he could as a last resort, but whether he'd be as good on the inside is another question entirely. From what I've seen, his game reminds me a lot of Chad Brown as an OLB. Haggans is better getting off blocks, working through the trash and pursuing from the backside of a play, but he's not as good as Chad was in his prime in getting after the QB with an array of moves. And I also do not think coverage is Haggans' strength though he's also not terrible at it. He's got some speed and he relies on this attribute to beat OLmen and TE when putting pressure on the QB, but he, unlike AD, Vrabel and Colvin, also lacks the power and strength to be effective when using the bull rush. How his skill set and weaknesses would translate into a potential move inside is a guess to me and as such, I think if he were brought in, it's better to leave him outside while shifting AD inside.

Also, I recall reading that Capers wasn't too thrilled with Haggans, but that was years ago so I don't know if he still feels this way.

Said all this, I just feel that rather than signing Haggans to play OLB, it'd be cheaper to just draft an OLB prospect in day 1 of the draft given that there are a few guys who can play there.

 

[tombonneau]

I like the idea of Victor Hobson. I think alot of Pats fans are sleeping on a potential gem that almost unseeded Andra Davis at ILB in Cleveland before an injury. That's Chaun Thompson. He's young at 27 and has experience in our 3-4 defensive scheme at OLB and ILB. He's going to be a fair price and has great size at 6'2" 255. Just a thought.

Interesting. Never heard of the guy. If he really is such a good fit for the 3-4, why haven't Browns locked him down yet? Is he really expected to get that much on the open market? Would be interested in hearing more about this guy ...

 

[PatsandTrojans55]

Interesting. Never heard of the guy. If he really is such a good fit for the 3-4, why haven't Browns locked him down yet? Is he really expected to get that much on the open market? Would be interested in hearing more about this guy ...

The Browns were high on him a few years ago and since an injury 2 years back hasn't been consistent enough. His flaws in shedding blockers also would be magnified with no really good D-Lineman to take the pressure off and allow him to run. He is what I would call a Low Risk- High Reward signing that wouldn't cost the team much.

Here's the scouting report from scouts inc.

Full Name: Chaun Thompson
Born: May 22, 1980
Mount Pleasant, TX
Height: 6-2
Weight: 255 lbs. Age: 27
Pos: LB
Experience: 5 years
College: West Texas A&M
Drafted: Year:2003 Round:2 Pick:20, Browns FANTASY
Percent Owned: (Week +/-):
NFL: 0.0% (0.0%)
Avg. Draft Position:
NFL: Undrafted

TACK 21.0 | FF 0 | INT 0
Profile Stats Splits Game Log News Scouting


2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 57 | Key
Alert: TM

Comment: Thompson has good size, speed and in-line explosiveness. He is somewhat versatile. He has played outside linebacker and now aligns inside. He is a playmaker who has untapped ability. He is a high-effort defender who can pursue and chase down plays from the back side in the run game. He can make quick reads and disrupt plays before they gain any momentum. He has enough functional strength to set the edge on the outside. He can bend the edge and close with a burst to the quarterback. He is a valuable kickoff cover guy who can blow up a ball carrier. But Thompson has a lot of holes in his game. He isn't a very good take-on player. He prefers to slip blocks and isn't very explosive or technically sound in stack-and-shed mode. He lacks fluidity and struggles to flip his hips in space. He makes occasional jaw-dropping plays, but not consistently. He doesn't pick things up quickly.