Pats Pickup Freddie Roach ILB
 

per www.draftdaddy.com

He is ranked 4th best ILB in the draft. (per si)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...ayers/605.html

If the pickup is indeed true, it's a nice one. SI projected him going in late 4th round.


This pickup further adds to our LB youngster crop.

woo i like this kid..watched him a few times too .. hard hitter

I know this is completely meaningless but... that's a name I could root for easily.

Roach projects as a 2 down run-stuffing ILB.

he runs a 5.01? That's really slow for an ILB, right?

Hopfully he can develop into a TJ type. If Vrabel goes back outside, I wonder if anyone can play Phifer's ILB coverage role. Beisel ? Claridge ?

By the way, this *might* prove something that was on my mind earlier today. It is that when Bellichick stated there is good depth at LB this year, he could have meant that he could find good value in the undrafted pool.

http://nfldraft.rivals.com/cviewplay...scoutingreport

http://vmedia.rivals.com//IMAGES/Pla...UG05_ML150.JPGhttp://nfldraft.rivals.com/IMAGES/Pl...-ROACH2200.JPG

Freddie Roach

Linebacker

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 239 pounds
Class Year: Sr
Experience: 3V
High School: Brooks
Hometown: Killen, AL
40 time: 4.7 seconds

Frank Coyle: He has a good combination of size, toughness, instincts and initial quickness to make a roster as a run stuffer, but little else. Fifth- or sixth-round pick.

Scouting Report:

Pros: Aggressive, steady inside ‘backer who has been a productive part of the tough Tide defense over the past four seasons. He is best suited for the inside in either scheme where his tackling ability between the tackles may earn him some playing time. In run support, he is a big hitter who has forced many fumbles during his career. He is versatile, having played all three LB positions, though his marginal speed probably limits him to the inside. He has good size and toughness to play the middle and can fill the hole quickly and destroy blocking schemes.

Cons: He is a one-dimensional defender who probably is limited to being a two-down performer. He needs further development in pass coverage and matching up vs. running backs, tight ends and H-backs. He has had surgery on his right knee that is a minor concern and has certainly affected his overall speed. In pass coverage, he is limited to the shorter zones and is vulnerable in matchups with backs or TE. His marginal speed makes him questionable on kick coverage units, which could limit him as a special teams player.

Numbers: As a senior, he made 66 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and nine passes defended. At the Combine, he ran a 4.93 with a 34-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot, 3-inch broad jump. At the Alabama pro day, he ran 4.87 and did 18 reps.

Skinny: He has a good combination of size, toughness, instincts and initial quickness to make a roster as a run stuffer, but little else. Fifth- or sixth-round pick.

Plus, if somebody blocks him while he's turning around, we get to hear John Madden say "that was a Roach clip is what you'd call that haw haw haw haw."

There's some impressive video here.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/prospects?rank_type=2

Search for Freddie Roach and you'll find him and his video highlights.
He's a hard hitter. I"m nto saying he's a superstar, but he's someone who could make the team and make a difference. And then from there, who knows.