The Linebacker Situation Is Likely A Bit Better Than Last Year

mgteich · Apr 1, 2016

We have our top 3 LB's coming back: Collins, Hightower and Freeny. Mayo was our #4.

Boston may contribute after a year in the system.

We've added McClellan, who is likely an upgrade over the 2015 version of Mayo.

Martin or Rufus Johnson might even step up.
=======

We can always use more competition. After all, we usually have 2 linebackers on the field at any given time.

Fencer · Apr 1, 2016

Bostic?

hornetfb85 · Apr 1, 2016

Collins, Hightower, and McClellin would be the roster locks at this point.
Then you have Freeny, Bostic, R. Johnson, and others vying for the last two spots, maybe only one spot (unlikely imo, which isn't worth much) if they would use Chung in a OLB look more often this year.

RxJock1120 · Apr 1, 2016

Yep, Collins Hightower McClellin is a great starting group. I would assume McClellin is the first one off the field in the nickle. Freeny is a good backup option, and based on last year I don't really want to see Bostic on the field besides special teams. Being that the league continue to gravitate towards a more pass oriented attack, I cannot see more than 6 LBs making the team with extra spots going to DB and DB/LB hybrids (ie Chung).

IllegalContact · Apr 1, 2016

Still gonna draft one in rounds 2 or 3

patsbrasilpatriotas · Apr 1, 2016

They need 4 LB, they use 2 99% of the time ...

So they have the best duo in the league + a former 1st round pick + rookie or freeny ( they can get jaylon smith with the 61st pick, so they keep freeny this year)

BlueThunder · Apr 1, 2016

Look to be in very good shape at LB this year, barring injuries......they changed conditioning coach so we'll see if/how that affects the injury list, if at all.......

ashley · Apr 1, 2016

Our starting group is as good as any in the league. Could potentially add a body for camp, but think this group is really good.

supafly · Apr 1, 2016

IllegalContact said:
Still gonna draft one in rounds 2 or 3

As well they should, not only for depth/competition, but also due to the contracts of HT and Collins.

BTTA · Apr 1, 2016

supafly said:
As well they should, not only for depth/competition, but also due to the contracts of HT and Collins.

Agree. This year's LB draftee, if there is one, is really about next year.

manxman2601 · Apr 1, 2016

supafly said:
As well they should, not only for depth/competition, but also due to the contracts of HT and Collins.

Supa, You follow Ohio State. Do you think Joshua Perry should be the guy? Looks to have good range in the run game but I'd be a little worried about him versus the pass. Does strike me as a bit of a BB prototype LB though.

supafly · Apr 1, 2016

manxman2601 said:
Supa, You follow Ohio State. Do you think Joshua Perry should be the guy? Looks to have good range in the run game but I'd be a little worried about him versus the pass. Does strike me as a bit of a BB prototype LB though.

Yeah, I'd find that to be a pretty spot on assessment, and as we all know, your knowledge of the draft likely trumps what I've learned watching him every Saturday.

With Lee as the obvious choice and McMillian waiting in the wings, Perry can be overlooked at times, but I'd still be pretty happy to have him here. I mean, I'd find it hard to believe that he'd possibly be worse than Mayo and Spikes vs. the pass, and they still had obvious value.

manxman2601 · Apr 1, 2016

supafly said:
Yeah, I'd find that to be a pretty spot on assessment, and as we all know, your knowledge of the draft likely trumps what I've learned watching him every Saturday.

With Lee as the obvious choice and McMillian waiting in the wings, Perry can be overlooked at times, but I'd still be pretty happy to have him here. I mean, I'd find it hard to believe that he'd possibly be worse than Mayo and Spikes vs. the pass, and they still had obvious value.

Would you value him in the second round?

NewFeep · Apr 2, 2016

High, Collins and McLellin is probably top 5 for certain, league-wise. I like!!

supafly · Apr 2, 2016

manxman2601 said:
Would you value him in the second round?

I don't know that I possess enough knowledge to properly comment in your circle, but for most teams--no. I would have him in the 3rd, myself.

For the NEP, yes, but that is because I think we can get away with taking a shot at a player a round "early." Of course, the experts may disagree.

manxman2601 · Apr 2, 2016

supafly said:
I don't know that I possess enough knowledge to properly comment in your circle, but for most teams--no. I would have him in the 3rd, myself.

For the NEP, yes, but that is because I think we can get away with taking a shot at a player a round "early." Of course, the experts may disagree.

Yes. I like the fit and could see us taking him in the 2nd, but I agree, the 3rd strikes me as more accurate value.

Luxusdk · Apr 2, 2016

supafly said:
I don't know that I possess enough knowledge to properly comment in your circle, but for most teams--no. I would have him in the 3rd, myself.

For the NEP, yes, but that is because I think we can get away with taking a shot at a player a round "early." Of course, the experts may disagree.

Problem with experts vs BB is the end you pick from. When Pats pick its basicly 1 round lower, where experts always count from the top. HUGE leap between top 1-5 in a round and low 1-5 as Pats picks in.

Sometimes I think BB looks at bottom 1 as a high 2 etc and one of reasons he trades down, better value match.

Gronk · Apr 2, 2016

I think we need to pump the brakes on McClellin a little bit. The single best thing he's done in the NFL is get signed by Bill Belichick.

Absolutely I'm hopeful and even semi-confident that BB usually doesn't miss on signings like this one often but McClellin was a massive bust in Chicago and he may have played several positions because he was versatile, or he may have played several positions because he wasn't very good at any of them. If he hadn't been a first round pick he'd have been cut in like 2013. On the field, this guy SUCKED. He was like the Chad Jackson of LBs. He's a BB reclamation project, not a reason the Pats LB corps is great.

DarrylS · Apr 2, 2016

What is interesting is that Hightower, Collins, McLellin, Freeney and Bostic are all about 26 years old.. which could be young enough to learn better NFL habits.. interesting challenge for BB/Patricia/Flores.. as much as Mayo was a binkie, on paper these group looks pretty good..

RobertWeathers · Apr 2, 2016

Gronk said:
I think we need to pump the brakes on McClellin a little bit. The single best thing he's done in the NFL is get signed by Bill Belichick.

Absolutely I'm hopeful and even semi-confident that BB usually doesn't miss on signings like this one often but McClellin was a massive bust in Chicago and he may have played several positions because he was versatile, or he may have played several positions because he wasn't very good at any of them. If he hadn't been a first round pick he'd have been cut in like 2013. On the field, this guy SUCKED. He was like the Chad Jackson of LBs. He's a BB reclamation project, not a reason the Pats LB corps is great.

Your analysis of McClellin is way too harsh.

Playing LB as the Mike/Will in CHI last year, McClellin was on a 100+ tackle pace last year if he hadn't gotten hurt. That is not Chad Jackson.

The knocks on him are that he doesn't tackle downhill and sucks in coverage. That is understood.

As of right now he is a highly competent backup and/or so-so starter which is what his contract value represents.

The Linebacker Situation Is Likely A Bit Better Than Last Year

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