Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

I consider ILB a need, specifically SILB, and more specifically, on running downs. Short of moving Adalius inside in the base 3-4 (and starting a re-signed Pierre Woods, for instance), I think the position will be one we need to address in the offseason.

Guyton may be the answer long term as a nickel ILB whose speed can be used in coverage or in blitzing. It remains to be seen whether he can be an anchor against the run. I believe one of the reasons he dropped was lack of upper body strength, so if he could put on some muscle weight, he might get up to the ideal weight/size we'd like at SILB.

However, one guy whose measurables scream Patriots strongisde inside linebacker is Jasper Brinkley. 270 LBS, and can run a 4.7. He looked pretty good in the bowl game, so I searched his name here and saw a few forumers who were down on his play during the season. I know he's coming back from a knee injury.

So, after the bowl game, all things considered, what's the consensus on his play and whether he'd fit for the Pats? I don't see many other guys out there with that size and speed who could potentially have that impact Ted Johnson had, that we've been lacking ever since Bruschi been asked to man the SILB position.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

his biggest issue is the long term prospects for his injured knee.........if it was 100%, he'd be at least a mid 2nd rounder........if he works out well this spring, that's where he will go.........or he will be one of these guys who someone trades for to be the first pick of day 2

he's got the package to be brutal against the run, but with that knee, his COD ability for coverage might be a liability

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

He's now a year removed from the injury, so that does make a difference. Hopefully he's returned to form. I personally liked the looks of him in the bowl game and all the highlights I've seen of him, but I didn't watch him enough to trust my judgment here.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

the latest that I've read is that he's not 100% back to where he was before the injury........to be taken with the usual grain of salt......

if he is 100%, he will likely be gone by the time the pats draft in the 2nd round, and I think taking him in the first round would be too much of a reach

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

I've been mentioning him for a while now. Definitely has day one talent, but the injury and an apparent lack of production since has pushed him well into day two.

BOR, think it's BOR, has been pleading for an ILB that can split wigs on the opposing O-line one on one a la Ted Johnson, and I agree.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

It'd be ideal if we could get him in the mid rounds. I hate to root against a kid (who is battling injury) and hope he drops though.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

Nice. Specifically you'd think he'd be a good fit for the Pats then?

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

His twin brother "Casper" (and no, I'm not making that up) is on the Panthers practice squad and did not sniff any PT this year. So I don't know how much better one twin can be than the other (although Curtis Strange is a twin and his brother only made the tour for a few years, never winning).

I watched Jasper a couple of times, and he is good, but I don't think that he is "first round" talent.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

LOL at Casper. I noticed that when I was googling Jasper. Guess their parents didn't really feel like having to memorize two wildly different names.

He may not be first round talent, but his measurables certainly help out the cause. I can't get over how big and fast he is - its rare to see a college LB who could actually project to SILB for us in that regard.

Re: Thoughts on Jasper Brinkley?
 

For anybody who cares, Casper is the Dutch form of Jasper. So it's like naming your kids Peter and Pieter.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled draft talk!