Why Keith Rivers?

[SamBamsFan]

Why Keith Rivers? For me this is a legitimate question. Unlike many of the prospects we rate/ vent at, Keith Rivers has been on our TV practically every Saturday during his tenure at USC. I would guess that I have caught 18- 20 USC games in the last 4 years.

Great measurables-
6' 2 1/4" 241 lbs. 24 benches at the combine. Blew up his Pro Day with a 4.54 40 yd., 42 1/2" vertical, 10' 9" broad jump, 4.38 shuttle.

USC career-
Started 35 of 49 games, most at the Will (would likely project to an ILB in the Pat's scheme). Stats- 6 fumbles recovered, 4 forced fumbles, 2 Ints, 10 sacks, 235 total tackles, 18.5 TFLs.

I don't know. Good stats, sure. But nothing that leaps out at me. I guess my biggest problem is that when I have watched USC play Rivers has always been the third, or fourth best player on the field at any given time. Even with his speed, he doesn't seem to play that fast to me. He is a solid player. Absolutely. I just don't see him as the 7th pick in the draft. Despite all the rhetoric this past few weeks, I don't see him as a "playmaker" which is what I would expect when drafting #7.

I'd love to see your arguments on Rivers. As the draft approaches he is rumored heading our way by numerous talking heads. I guess I have to take him more seriously then the #20 overall that I rated him after the combine.

 

[BradyToMoss]

If the Pats are strictly focusing on LB, I would take Mayo over Rivers in a minute. I will be seriously bummed out if I hear Keith Rivers name called at #7 for the Pats.

 

[rsd]

I think you bring up a fair question. I'm not convinced he is a stud (say like Patrick Willis) right off the bat. That's why I think they handle LB maybe in rounds 2-3.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I totally agree. Keith Rivers seems more like a guy you take in the #20 range to me. He does not look to have the rare qualities of an Urlacher or Patrick Willis. When you draft a player at #7, he better be a special player that jumps out at you in some way.

BTW for those of you who consider the Wonderlic important (I don't). Keith Rivers scored a 16. If you're going to give Clady flack for scoring a 13, I don't see why Keith Rivers would be exempt from criticism.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...0322-nfl-draft-wonderlic-test,1,4563566.story

 

[Kontradiction]

Wasn't he called a younger Derrick Brooks? That's enough for me.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Wasn't he called a younger Derrick Brooks? That's enough for me.

I could call any linebacker in the draft a younger Derrick Brooks and suddenly that makes him good enough to be drafted at #7? That doesn't make any sense and you didn't even give a citation or source for who said that, so try again with a credible source next time.

 

[RussFrancis]

Rivers looks to be a leader, first and foremost. Everyone knows how much talent USC has on both sides of the ball. So, its tough for any one player to stand out as the ball hawking playmaker above all others. Rivers had 2 1st round players standing in front of him on that Dline in Sedric Ellis and Laurence Jackson. So those guys were making plays, too. And Im not trying to make a case that Rivers' life was made easy because of his Dline. But the fact of the matter is that's the luxury he'd enjoy with NE as well. He'd have a line full of studs standing in front of him keeping alot of the weight off of him. I love the stuff I hear directly from him about getting better every single day and playing the game for respect.

Here's a solid tidbit on Rivers. When asked what his favorite thing to do in football was, Rivers answered, "Take on an 'iso' block". Not pick off a pass. Not return a fumble for a TD. Not blow a RB up. "TAKE ON AN 'ISO' BLOCK". LB fundamentals 101. Sign me up!

 

[WhiZa]

Besides being on the smaller side of LBs he bombed his Wonderlic test (scored a 16 i think). He makes up for intelligence with pure athletic ability. Probably not worth #7 for the Pats, but if we trade down it's a possibility.

 

[SamBamsFan]

Wasn't he called a younger Derrick Brooks? That's enough for me.

Okay, as a comparison. Derrick Brooks was drafted 25th in 1995.

 

[JoePats]

Okay, as a comparison. Derrick Brooks was drafted 25th in 1995.

I'm not disputing the on-the-field stuff, but who cares where a HOFr was drafted? If someone was described as the next Brady, would you not draft him in the 3rd round?

 

[Kontradiction]

I could call any linebacker in the draft a younger Derrick Brooks and suddenly that makes him good enough to be drafted at #7? That doesn't make any sense and you didn't even give a citation or source for who said that, so try again with a credible source next time.

I didn't say that he should be drafted number 7. I honestly don't know much about Rivers and I won't pretend to. But if someone said he played like a young Derrick Brooks, then that should make me at least grin if we drafted him.

And for the thread police...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=865383&postcount=4

So yeah. You now have the floor.

 

[SamBamsFan]

I'm not disputing the on-the-field stuff, but who cares where a HOFr was drafted? If someone was described as the next Brady, would you not draft him in the 3rd round?

Brooks is in the HoF?

 

[drew4008]

Brooks is in the HoF?

He's a lock... so basically the answer to that is yes.

 

[iapatsfan]

We need LBs that can make sideline to sideline plays. Our speed at LB is probably the worst in the NFL.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Here's a few reasons from ProFW draft guide.

Can play all LB positions, hardworking, solid character, passion for the game,elusive blitzer,great intangibles, can sift though traffic and flies to the ball.

 

[SamBamsFan]

He's a lock... so basically the answer to that is yes.

Lock?? He had 4 great years between 1996-2000, in a defense that was built around him.

 

[SamBamsFan]

We need LBs that can make sideline to sideline plays. Our speed at LB is probably the worst in the NFL.

Just tell me when you find one. Did you see Rivers making those plays?

 

[JoePats]

Lock?? He had 4 great years between 1996-2000, in a defense that was built around him.

L O C K...no question. He also had a 5 INT season in 2002 by the way and won a Super Bowl. How is it a negative if the defense was built around him?

 

[Zeke_Mowatt]

L O C K...no question. He also had a 5 INT season in 2002 by the way and won a Super Bowl. How is it a negative if the defense was built around him?

I'm not 100% sure I agree with you - yes he probably should be a lock, but Tampa is a bit of a small market team, 1 super bowl in a slightly odd situation that they couldn't repeat (and the argument could be made that he wasn't the same after his DL degraded - not his fault but again, something the voters can look to)...he may be one of those guys who gets overlooked. Not at all to say that he doesn't deserve it, only that he might not get it.

 

[RussFrancis]

Derrick Brooks is about as NO BRAINER as they come. Pro Bowler 10times, All Pro 9 times, and a Defensive MVP and SB trophy. 14 seasons all with the same team. First team All American and National Championship in college, also. The definition of 1st ballot lock HOFer.