Gasper on Tank Williams at ILB

[Metaphors]

Green Dot Alert!

Let's not forget the helmet communication systems for the defense - Rodney and Tank as SS/LB hybrids are more likely to be in on a larger number of plays then Tedy. I'd pick one of them for the helmet before I'd pick Bru.

Good observation. I've been struggling with the green dot guys since I would think they need to be in the middle of the field...but the ILBs are likely to be heavily rotated. If one of Rodney/Tank is likely to be on the field most of the time at ILB or safety (close to the LOS) then you make a lot of sense.

 

[bradmahn]

For my money, I think Adalius will wear the green dot. He'll be playing nearly every down (questionable, to some degree, with regards to Rodney) and has experience at several positions.

 

[psychoPat]

Don't Expect Junior to Parachute In

I don't think it has anything to do with Seau actually.

Neither do i.
I don't think anything has much to do with Junior now.

Piolichick brought in LBs like we've never seen before in one offseason.
"We're going in a different direction."

Tank's versatility is part of that.

 

[BradyManny]

I hope we start seeing Hobson or Mayo in there soon. A 225 ILB isn't going to cut it for long. The majority of the teams the Patriots play are run first. Honestly I hope Seau does return.

I still have Seau penciled in on my Pats roster. I think the luxury of having Seau potential return and be a reliable ILB is one reason they can experiment with Tank at ILB.

 

[BradyManny]

Green Dot Alert!

Let's not forget the helmet communication systems for the defense - Rodney and Tank as SS/LB hybrids are more likely to be in on a larger number of plays then Tedy. I'd pick one of them for the helmet before I'd pick Bru.

While the defense is finishing up the final stage of installation before the practices are closed to the public, this is a good time to give Tank maximum LB reps alongside the resident Field General - Hobson and Mayo working together would just seem to be the current depth chart as opposed to any indicator for the future.

Good points.

I'd think another Green Dot candidate has to be AD. Given his versatility and the fact that he played ILB and OLB pretty well for us last season, he'll be on the field a lot, perhaps as much as anyone.

 

[PatsFan37]

It's fun trying to guess what the intention here is, because the BB emphasis on versatility makes any argument valid to some degree.

My take, BB has confidence in his other three safeties, Meriweather, Harrison, and Sanders, and believes they will be getting the majority of the snaps at safety. He also thinks Tank is a smart player with talent that he wants to make sure gets in there.

If the other three stay healthy, that doesn't leave a lot of playing time for Tank, so by expanding his role BB can get him on the field during the good times, and use him as insurance in case one of the safeties gets hurt.

As for Hobson getting cut... I hope not, I really have some high hopes for the guy, at least being a rotational guy. Seems like if they cut him they'd be in the same place as last year... hoping that Bruschi and Seau (assuming he's back) hold up. Otherwise you have Mayo and Thomas/Vrabel at ILB. Has anyone heard anything positive or negative about Hobson?

DookFish has some observations:

Guyton is this year's clear winner of UDFA of the year award (aka the Alexander/ Gay/Wright/ Woods/Guitierrez trophy). Good size, quickness, positional flexibility and a special team starter on kick and punt coverage teams. He played inside and out and displayed quickness at both, set the edge on two sweeps, will likely start on kick and punt coverage. Ruud and Redd both MIA. Adalius is playing all snaps and is my candidate (not Bruschi) for the green dot helmet. I would guess tthat Vrabel will back-up the Green Dot. Hobson has no coverage ability or quickness. He will lose his spot to Guyton.

I couldn't tell you how true the comment about Hobson is, I've seen little in the media. Guyton has drawn a lot of press, though it's hard to imagine a rookie UDFA seeing serious time at what is supposed to be the most mentally challenging position in the Patriots defense. Stranger things have happened. Be good for Guyton just to make STs and have a shot at starting next year.

I was excited about Hobson when they brought him in, he made some good plays against the Patriots. I expected to see him alongside Bruschi with the 1s, but it's 2 weeks, now. TC weeks are like dog years, that's a long time. I no longer believe Tank at ILB is a mere experiment or depth training. The Greatest Linebacker Coach Ever must see something he likes.

 

[bradmahn]

I was excited about Hobson when they brought him in, he made some good plays against the Patriots. I expected to see him alongside Bruschi with the 1s, but it's 2 weeks, now. TC weeks are like dog years, that's a long time. I no longer believe Tank at ILB is a mere experiment or depth training. The Greatest Linebacker Coach Ever must see something he likes.

It's only been one week.

 

[PatsFan37]

It's only been one week.

Really? Wow, time flies when you're finally talking football.

 

[Seven Nation Army]

I think the Patriots are trying to develop Williams into a full-time LB/DB hybrid to be deployed against fast, versatile tight ends. Belichick and Pioli probably signed Tank explicitly for this purpose. This isn't positional cross-training, it's a specialized job he is being trained to do.

Who knows what other nasty stuff Belichick has in store for Dallas Clark.