OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

It would be nice to get some OLB depth, someone who can rush the passer preferably. But there are not many of those types available. Schobel is a possibility, can't count on it. With McKensie, Spikes and Mayo looking like a ILB rotation, Guyton could cetainly provide depth, possible pass-rushing ability. Dane Fletcher has really impressed so far in camp and is playing ILB. Was DE monster at division 1A Montana State. Kid has great speed and athleticism, something tells me Belichick really likes this kid and he could be another option to provide depth at OLB/passrush. He has a good chance to make this team if he can play ILB/OLB and special teams. 4.6 speed in 40.

Thoughts.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Since when does Guyton have pass rushing ability? You honestly think he has a chance against a guy like Jake Long anyways? He'd get mauled.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Both the guys are small . OLB in 4-3 plays off the line and can be send 1 or 2 plays as a blitzer in a 3-4 he has go against tackles.

would you send 245 LB guyton/smaller DE against vollmer [Our RT] every down ?. I am sure once or twice in a game is fine but if guyton runs into vollmer 15-20 times a game he will be in IR very fast.

you mention schobel who is close to 300 lb and then say guyton who is 50 lb less.there is a huge difference between a 300LB DE going against a 310-315LB tackle vs a 240LB against a tackle.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Guyton is easily the least physical player of any of our LBs, inside or out. The man should be playing free safety. Nice fill-in role player. Nice depth addition. Not a starter, not an OLB, and not a player capable of taking on a tackle and shedding. A backup. I only hope the players ahead of him on the depth chart can stay healthy.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Guyton cannot effectively play OLB in this system. (Or maybe any other.)

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

actually he will great in the colt system where OLB do not come near the LOS.
he will in coverage against RB and TE in open field where speed and his height will make a huge difference.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

I could be wrong, but I feel like OLB in the Colts' system are his size. But they favor quicker, smaller LBs in general.

I think he can play OLB for us in certain situations. The problem would be his pass rush from that angle wouldn't really be effective. You'd have to use it once in a while to keep the O honest, but in reality he'd be a coverage OLB if anything.

Edit: Satz beat me to just about everything here.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Right now there seems to be decent depth at ILB and a terrible lack of talent at OLB, so there have been many suggestions of moving ILB's to OLB.
Guyton, Mayo, McKenzie, Spikes, Fletcher - it seems they have all been referenced.

However, none of them are really suited for the role. In fact, we may see ILB's playing nose more than we see them playing outside. There are third-and-long packages with two DL where the Mike moves up and plays the middle of the line - that may well be more common than seeing any of these ILB's at OLB.

The roles really are different in our system. On occasion, we have seen OLB's move inside - Vrabel and Thomas for example. Not the other way around, due to the skills required and role.

Yes, Fletcher was a college DE. So was Bruschi. His size, apparently, dictates a move inside. Belichick has really avoided the 6-1 240 OLB's for our system, or has converted them into ILB's. Until the system changes, none of the faster, smaller DE/OLB types are going to be OLB's in the Patriots system.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

I believe that Murrell is the 5th OLB at the moment, and will likely be much more useful at OLB in 2010 than Guyton or Fletcher. And he has the potential to move up a bit in the depth chart.

Re: OLB Depth: Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher
 

Any update on his injury?