3 Free Agent Linebackers brought in for tryout

James Anderson (102 tackles and four sacks for the Bears last season), Marvin Mitchell (42 tackles for Vikings last season) and Stevenson Sylvester (12 tackles for Steelers last season)

Source: Patriots try out linebackers James Anderson, Marvin Mitchell, Stevenson Sylvester | National Football Post

We have 8 so far competing for the backup LB positions. It is time to bring a couple of veterans into the competition.

I'm not sure what BB would see in any of these players.

Ochmed Jones said:

I'm not sure what BB would see in any of these players.

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Probably the same thing he saw when rating the 3rd to 7th round LB's and UDFA's in this draft, guys who would not crack the starting lineup in New England but who have skill sets they can use as back-ups. I would still like another LB who is good enough to start even if they are just part of a rotation but like the DL in the middle of last season that is going to have to come from cuts by other teams as it doesn't appear to be there right now and he wanted to use his picks to address other needs than LB depth.



Edit-Looking at Anderson he has some wear on the tires but he has been a productive player for Carolina and Chicago and he could start if needed.

I would like to really see what June 1 cuts there are going to be on other teams and I want a Coverage linebacker (really liked Shazier in Draft but, oh well) I think they will be more important as the outside defense should be vastly improved with Revis/Browner and that will leave those backs and tight ends open. We need to keep adding speed in that second level.

I like Marvin Mitchell if they are looking at him as a backup inside ... switching from the outside.

could be an upgrade over Ja'Gared.

Ochmed Jones said:

I'm not sure what BB would see in any of these players.

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I suspect that he sees three players with a long-shot possibility of one of these players being one our backup linebackers.

MadMartigan said:

I would like to really see what June 1 cuts there are going to be on other teams and I want a Coverage linebacker (really liked Shazier in Draft but, oh well) I think they will be more important as the outside defense should be vastly improved with Revis/Browner and that will leave those backs and tight ends open. We need to keep adding speed in that second level.

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Chung and/or Wilson may not be good as Safeties are measured in coverage, but both are probably head and shoulders better than most LB at it.

Playing 4-2-5 as base, it could occasionally be Chung or Wilson as one of the 2 nominal linebackers. IOW a dime, 4-1-1-5 coverage.

I don't think the LB depth is as dire as you might paint it. But I agree, BB is turning over every rock in search of BACKUP LBs.

Ochmed Jones said:

I'm not sure what BB would see in any of these players.

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Something?

MadMartigan said:

I would like to really see what June 1 cuts there are going to be on other teams and I want a Coverage linebacker (really liked Shazier in Draft but, oh well) I think they will be more important as the outside defense should be vastly improved with Revis/Browner and that will leave those backs and tight ends open. We need to keep adding speed in that second level.

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Over the past few/several seasons, our coverage and completion rate (defensively) has been pretty good against the opposition's WR1 and WR2 options. It's been the WR3, the TE, and the RB that have plagued us, as you mention. Belichick has been attempting to address this, and he may be getting closer this year.

The addition of Collins into the mix fulltime, along with the move to allow Hightower to a more natural position + Mayo coming back, will benefit the LBs right off the bat. We could use an additional LB if Steve B. is not fully ready. If he is, the position of coverage LB is much improved already (although I am looking through a bit of an optimistic lens--admittedly). Moving Hightower to a better position, and removing Spikes could go a long way for the coverage aspect--even if we see a slight decrease in run stopping capacity.

What we'll need improvement on is the hybrid role and the coverage aspect on the TE, but that will be improved as well with McCourty, Harmon, and (hopefully) the reported move of Logan Ryan to safety. While we're giving up size a bit in the safety area, we're also adding speed. Having Revis, Browner, and Dennard as our CBs will allow some improvement in other areas. Arrington also has the capacity to play some wildcard role as well, should Belichick see fit. His coverage is obviously much better within a 5-10 yd range, and his ability greatly decreases as the yardage does. Let's remember that this was a guy who successfully held Victor Cruz to 4 catches for 24 yds in the SB. If played in the right role, he can look much better. As long as injuries don't screw things up, long gone are the days of having to see Arrington play outside. This definitely is a huge benefit as well.

supafly said:

Over the past few/several seasons, our coverage and completion rate (defensively) has been pretty good against the opposition's WR1 and WR2 options. It's been the WR3, the TE, and the RB that have plagued us, as you mention. Belichick has been attempting to address this, and he may be getting closer this year.

The addition of Collins into the mix fulltime, along with the move to allow Hightower to a more natural position + Mayo coming back, will benefit the LBs right off the bat. We could use an additional LB if Steve B. is not fully ready. If he is, the position of coverage LB is much improved already (although I am looking through a bit of an optimistic lens--admittedly). Moving Hightower to a better position, and removing Spikes could go a long way for the coverage aspect--even if we see a slight decrease in run stopping capacity.

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Agree on the coverage problems Sup but I am curious as to where you think hightower will line up, because i started out thinking he would be in the middle but the more i think about it the more i think he will be the SAM with Mayo the MIKE and Collins the WILL. I don't think Hightower can cover well enough to play the middle, and i think he would be better suited coming off the edge.

Ivan said:

Agree on the coverage problems Sup but I am curious as to where you think hightower will line up, because i started out thinking he would be in the middle but the more i think about it the more i think he will be the SAM with Mayo the MIKE and Collins the WILL. I don't think Hightower can cover well enough to play the middle, and i think he would be better suited coming off the edge.

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Collins will be a perfect fit at Will and Mayo is 100% going to be mlb. Hightower will lockdown the RBs.

It's funny because going into the Draft and shortly after it there is this feeling that this is it, your last chance to really address the needs you have as a team, and since no team can address all their needs in the draft every fan base bemoans their weaknesses as time runs out, and that is pretty much what we are seeing now, however there are still almost four months until the season begins, and two and a half to three where they can make significant moves to upgrade the team. At this point I honestly think that other than camp competition the only two units on the team that are in need of real roster help are TE and LB, and if that really is the case then Belichik will be able to address both pretty well before the season begins. This is going to be a really really good team when all is said and done.

Ivan said:

Agree on the coverage problems Sup but I am curious as to where you think hightower will line up, because i started out thinking he would be in the middle but the more i think about it the more i think he will be the SAM with Mayo the MIKE and Collins the WILL. I don't think Hightower can cover well enough to play the middle, and i think he would be better suited coming off the edge.

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You're probably right about the way the LBs will line up. That leaves Hightower to cover the flat/zone area on the strong side.

I'm guessing that we'll be seeing some mix/match a bit under certain situations though.

Sticky Caulk said:

...Hightower will lock down the RBs.

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With what, a ball & chain? Because that's the only way that Hightower will lock down any RB, or TE,
or even FB.

captain stone said:

With what, a ball & chain? Because that's the only way that Hightower will lock down any RB, or TE,
or even FB.

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I am struggling to find words to respond to such a ridiculous post. You really don't think Hightower will be able to stop 'any' RB in the league?



That's a video showing what Hightower does versus the run. He's very quick, smart and strong. He isn't some crappy bust. He hasn't reached his full potential yet and is already worthy of a starting spot. No way he'll struggle with 'any RB..or even FB'.

Sticky Caulk said:

I am struggling to find words to respond to such a ridiculous post. You really don't think Hightower will be able to stop 'any' RB in the league?



That's a video showing what Hightower does versus the run. He's very quick, smart and strong. He isn't some crappy bust. He hasn't reached his full potential yet and is already worthy of a starting spot. No way he'll struggle with 'any RB..or even FB'.

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I think he meant in coverage, and I half agree with him. I think Hightower can keep up with some running backs in coverage, though you wouldn't want him against a Sproles, Vereen, Woodhead type for sure.

well we have to get depth somewhere, we cannot have the starters out there for every snap every game and right now the drop off after the starters is a cliff sized one.

Sicilian said:

I think he meant in coverage, and I half agree with him. I think Hightower can keep up with some running backs in coverage, though you wouldn't want him against a Sproles, Vereen, Woodhead type for sure.

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You hate putting most LBers versus those guys. That's why they are consistently productive. They are hard to deal with. It's not like Hightower is the only LBer in the NFL that will get blown away in coverage if he has to cover an explosive back for a long stretch.