Where Will Shea McClellin Fit in the Patriots Defense?

robertweathers said:

Hes not a pure DE. We all know this. Where are you seeing 250?

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He might be 255. 250 is about right. He came out at 245 originally.

I used to live in Chicago so I causally follow that disastrous team, I guess I still do, those poor bastards being led down a terrible path by the McCaskeys.

Shea McClellin returning to roots in new Bears 3-4 scheme

He's not a big player, dude. Trust me.

I think he'd be ok at 4-3 weakside LB, but I am not sure if he has the overall speed I'd like in space.

I think he'd be better buried in a 3-4 MLB spot. Just my .02

reamer said:

Hey, guys, can we drop the personal drama and just talk shop? Thanks.

McClellin is an interesting case. I didn't think he should have generated a first (or second) round buzz, but he does seem like a useful role player. Is that role an end of the line player? I'm not so sure. He could potentially thrive in the interior, but I'm not sold on his coverage. I think he's an ideal backup, but his contract size and length suggests otherwise. Hard to get a good read on him until we see how he's used in training camp.

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Agreed.

People get their panties in a bunch of someone disagrees. It's really too bad.

Rusty Griswold said:

He might be 255. 250 is about right. He came out at 245 originally.

I used to live in Chicago so I causally follow that disastrous team, I guess I still do, those poor bastards being led down a terrible path by the McCaskeys.

Shea McClellin returning to roots in new Bears 3-4 scheme

He's not a big player, dude. Trust me.

I think he'd be ok at 4-3 weakside LB, but I am not sure if he has the overall speed I'd like in space.

I think he'd be better buried in a 3-4 MLB spot. Just my .02

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Ok thats good intelligence.

The contract situations for Collins and Hightower depend completely upon how reasonable they are willing to be. If they are talking 50-60 for 5 it's completely doable, if they want Malik Jackson money they are hitting the market. I want all their to free agents back but I'm not going to blame the Patriots if they are asking for ridiculous money.

Rusty Griswold said:

Agreed.

People get their panties in a bunch of someone disagrees. It's really too bad.

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Rusty, people get their panties in a wad when somebody gets unpleasant.

You can learn to disagree without being nasty, or you can continue being nasty, and either way people will respond in kind.

It's your choice what kind of world you'll be living in. If that's one full of people with their panties in a wad, too bad. If you can't play nice folks will stop playing with you. You should've learned that in school, or were you home-schooled?

n6249c said:

Rusty, people get their panties in a wad when somebody gets unpleasant.

You can learn to disagree without being nasty, or you can continue being nasty, and either way people will respond in kind.

It's your choice what kind of world you'll be living in. If that's one full of people with their panties in a wad, too bad. If you can't play nice folks will stop playing with you. You should've learned that in school, or were you home-schooled?

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Nope. MA public schools.

I honestly don't know how me saying legal jargon is meaningless at this point, with what Ted Olson will be doing on Brady;s behalf, but I guess it caused a problem.

Too many sensitive big shots on these boards who take themselves way too seriously. This is a discussion board for crying out loud.

The only people being nasty are the ones suggesting I kill myself. It's just sick.

Ivan said:

The contract situations for Collins and Hightower depend completely upon how reasonable they are willing to be. If they are talking 50-60 for 5 it's completely doable, if they want Malik Jackson money they are hitting the market. I want all their to free agents back but I'm not going to blame the Patriots if they are asking for ridiculous money.

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You talk about them as if they are of equal value. I would think the Collins is worth $3M more a year, certainly $2M.

mgteich said:

You talk about them as if they are of equal value. I would think the Collins is worth $3M more a year, certainly $2M.

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I don't think that is true. High is more proven at rushing the passer and stopping the run.

That equates to more money.

robertweathers said:

I don't think that is true. High is more proven at rushing the passer and stopping the run.

That equates to more money.

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You think of Collins as a run stopper, and Hightower as pass rusher?

It smells like different D sets cooking for 2016.
Set the edges better, rush form inside, back?
McC (and KGH?) look like new ingredient/s ...
(and Valentine if he's ready before February)

n6249c said:

Rusty, people get their panties in a wad when somebody gets unpleasant.

You can learn to disagree without being nasty, or you can continue being nasty, and either way people will respond in kind.

It's your choice what kind of world you'll be living in. If that's one full of people with their panties in a wad, too bad. If you can't play nice folks will stop playing with you. You should've learned that in school, or were you home-schooled?

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I was homeschooled, and I'm homeschooling my son. I don't want to derail this topic too much, but you're undermining your own point with the senseless attempt at an ad hominem jab. Just food for thought.

Back to Mcclellin -- I've been thinking that the amassed beef on the D-line may signal an upcoming shift in defensive philosophy, and it may give us a clue regarding Mcclellin's role. We've moved away from the smaller penetrating type, and gone back to the massive run stoppers, or at least it appears that way to the casual observer. Perhaps it's simply coincidence, or just the result of over-analysis. Let's assume we're on to something, though. The question becomes, where does Mcclellin fit in this paradigm? He'd either be a stand up rusher, or an interior Jack of all trades, with more size and experience fighting off blocks then most MLBs. The latter makes the most sense if we do bring back the 34 defense with any regularity.

Is it time for training camp yet?? I need some real football again!

mgteich said:

You talk about them as if they are of equal value. I would think the Collins is worth $3M more a year, certainly $2M.

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Couldn't disagree more, Collins is a better athlete but Hightower is a better football player.

On the bench.

It depends on 3-4 v. 4-3

robertweathers said:

Hes not a pure DE. We all know this. Where are you seeing 250?

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I think you were initially right in the sense that he started around 260 as a sub package pass rusher, but the Bears have been using him as their Mike the past two seasons, and made him drop down to 245 lbs (at least according to the article).

And I agree that we all know he's not a pure DE.

Ivan said:

Couldn't disagree more, Collins is a better athlete but Hightower is a better football player.

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I know what you're saying and agree with you that HT may be the safer choice who can utilize his leadership and other traits that Belichick admires, but I think they are both good athletes and good football players.

A strong case can be made that Collins could be the more difficult player to replace, and they may be right in their assessment. I tend to agree with something closer to your line of thinking, however, although that's simply personal opinion.

Either way, I disagree with the thought that Collins would be worth 3m more dollars a year. If that's the case, we may as well say goodbye right now. Just look at Mayo's pact in today's terms to get a general idea of what HT is worth here. It's going to be a big second contract if it happens.

They paid the kid. I've read they REALLY liked him in the draft. He fits a need , which is having a capable of starting at a moment's notices, athletic LB, who can do a few things.

He's not going to take #54 or #91s job so long as their in the team. However he is a respectable replacement, in case of injury, something we lacked.

In the mean time , they have the luxury of testing him out in different areas. Once upon a time Rob Ninkovich was a no one......Mike Vrabel buried in the Steelers bench ..and BB was able to polish them up to be big time contributors on a super bowl winning teams.... let's see ......

mgteich said:

You think of Collins as a run stopper, and Hightower as pass rusher?

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No High is both. That is his value .

robertweathers said:

No High is both. That is his value .

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Exactly. High does both REALLY well as well as cover and call the D.

TheRazorsEdge said:

Exactly. High does both REALLY well as well as cover and call the D.

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High generated pressure on 22% of his rushes which led the team. They need to use him more in this area.

We know Collins is more athletic and has more range but that value doesn't translate to being worth $3m more a season.