2011 Offseason Outlook - Linebacker

[jmt57]

Future Focus: Inside linebackers - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

Mayo, whose production declined in 2009 after he hurt his knee early, looked like a different player this year in his third season. He is a three-down player to build around.

Storyline not to be overlooked: Spikes’ development. The 2010 second-round pick had been coming on before his NFL-issued four-game suspension. The late-season suspension set him back as he was relegated to backup duties in the playoff loss to the Jets.

Future: Mayo is signed through 2012. Guyton, who played 57 percent of the snaps, is signed through 2011. Spikes (2013) and Fletcher (2012) both have multiple years left.

Final thought: Like tight end on the offensive side, this position should return intact for 2011 and looks well stocked. Mayo and Spikes start in the 3-4 alignment, with Guyton and Fletcher contributing most in sub packages, as the Patriots go four-deep here. It would be a surprise to see an addition at this spot.

 

[Shelterdog]

Funny how the New England Patriots filled the inside linebacker position via the draft and undrafted free agents: Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, Fletcher whose collective salary cap charge will probably be less than what David Harris will command in 2011.

If offensive guard is so easy to replace than why do the New England Patriots have backup interior lineman stiffs like Connolly, Wendell, Ohrnberger, Ojinnaka?

It's going to take a ton of money to resign Mayo when we get there.

You can't really brag about filling two starting spots with a top ten pick and a second round pick. Guyton and Fletcher were nice pickups but the Pats spent real resources on them.

DO you really think Connolly/Wendell/Ohrnberger are _that_ bad? We got Connolly for nothing and while he was the weak link he played almost the entire reason on a pretty good line.

 

[ATippett56]

Use the money most have set for Mankins and go get Woodley!! He is a established OLB, more than anyone in the draft can possibly upgrade a position he can. Write the check if you can...

If LaMarr Woodley is franchised, why don't the New England Patriots go after Kamerion Wimbley?

2011 NFL Free Agents: LB

Kamerion Wimbley, OLB for the Oakland Raiders at NFL.com

 

[mcsully]

From a person who watches a lot of jet games, Harris is a liability in pass coverage. While right now spikes isn't at the level of Harris, they are the same player. It would not be wise to allocate 9 mill a year to a position of strength.

As most of us can agree on OLB is a position we need to address and even take a calculated risk with.
If people are worried about past failures about addressing the pass rush, i'll pass along Pat Kirwan's belief. Many times on the afternoon drive ( Sirius show), he's said teams should not carry over their past failures addressing a position. Scaring yourself from a potential player because what happened in the past isn't going to help. Only way to correct the problem is move on from he past failure and attempt to address it again.

 

[jmt57]

A quick note:

Much of the discussion had moved from whether LB or OL was a bigger need, to strictly about the offensive line. I moved 36 posts that were primarily or exclusively to the OL thread, which can be found in the link below; please carry on discussion about the offensive line in that thread:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...66-2011-offseason-outlook-offensive-line.html




Apologies in advance for any confusion,
jmt

 

[jmt57]

Position Snapshot: Linebacker | Patriots.com | 2/2/11 | Erik Scalavino

Any way you approach it, linebacker was one of, if not the, thinnest position on the Patriots in 2010.

Whether it was injuries, surprise cuts, suspensions, or just sheer lack of numbers on the roster, there weren’t a lot of bodies able to fill the spots in this area the past season. There weren’t even any practice squad linebackers to help out during the week.

There were some bright spots, however. The ascension of Jerod Mayo, for instance, and the flashes of productivity from rookies Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham, for another. Veteran Gary Guyton also proved to be a dependable playmaker when called upon.

Nevertheless, this is most certainly a position the Patriots will target in the NFL Draft in April and/or via free agency.

95 – Tully Banta-Cain – OLB
His sack total was cut exactly in half from the previous season (from 10 down to five) as Banta-Cain took on more of a reserve role in New England’s defense. He’s on the payroll throughout the 2012 season, however, and will likely be back, even if it’s still as a backup/situational player.

96 – Jermaine Cunningham – OLB
Injuries limited this rookie’s availability early, but once he got on the field, he proved he belonged, starting 11 of 15 games. His biggest play may have been his pressure of Peyton Manning that led to the game-sealing interception by James Sanders against Indy in November. It’ll be interesting to see how much Cunningham can benefit from the so-called “year-two jump” in ’11.

Read more at: Position Snapshot: Linebacker

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Run defense while in subpackages was iffy all season. Adding a guy like Matthews or Von Miller is just going to make that worse. What that report tells me is that the team needs more of a McGinest guy, who is at his best when rushing or playing the run, and not as much of an asset in coverage.

What's weird is you just described bowers from clemson

Who most people in the draft forum and i think yourself as well consider him a 4-3 DE. But to be honest when ever someone describes Mcginest's role in the pats 3-4 during the good ole' days i think of him and robert quinn to a lesser degree. Like you said:

Stout against the run: check
Rushing the passer(especially 1:1): check
Most suited for 2 gap responsibilities right outta the box: check
Arm length: check
Good in pursuit: Check( this is his most mcginest like quality imho I loved watching willie mac run dude was a gazelle at his size)
NOT an asset in coverage: double check

Edit: Wilfork#75 is on the bowers bandwagon so props to him if i make any sense.

 

[Sciz]

What's weird is you just described bowers from clemson

Who most people in the draft forum and i think yourself as well consider him a 4-3 DE. But to be honest when ever someone describes Mcginest's role in the pats 3-4 during the good ole' days i think of him and robert quinn to a lesser degree. Like you said:

Stout against the run: check
Rushing the passer(especially 1:1): check
Most suited for 2 gap responsibilities right outta the box: check
Arm length: check
Good in pursuit: Check( this is his most mcginest like quality imho I loved watching willie mac run dude was a gazelle at his size)
NOT an asset in coverage: double check

Edit: Wilfork#75 is on the bowers bandwagon so props to him if i make any sense.

Yep, I really like Bowers. Now we just need a version that will be around at #17

 

[jmt57]

Free-Agent Fit: Outside linebacker - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Rodak

RATING THE NEED: High

CURRENT PERSONNEL: Jermaine Cunningham, Rob Ninkovich, Tully Banta-Cain, Eric Moore, Marques Murrell

KEY CONSIDERATION: Banta-Cain is coming off a five-sack season and was replaced as a starter by Cunningham early in the season. With Banta-Cain due to have a cap figure of about $4.5 million in 2011, the team could consider cutting ties. The Patriots will likely look elsewhere for the pass-rushing presence that has eluded them.

NOTABLE TARGETS ON THE MARKET: OLB LaMarr Woodley (Steelers), OLB Tamba Hali (Chiefs), DE Jason Babin (Titans), DE Ray Edwards (Vikings), OLB Kamerion Wimbley (Raiders), DE Cliff Avril (Lions; restricted), DE Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants), OLB Manny Lawson (49ers), DE Charles Johnson (Panthers), OLB Matt Roth (Browns), OLB Mike Vrabel (Chiefs)

MOST LIKELY TARGETS FOR PATS: Woodley, Hali

SLEEPER POSSIBILITY FOR PATS: Kiwanuka

OUTLANDISH THOUGHT FOR PATS: Woodley

WRAP IT UP: This is the one area where the Patriots could look to spend big money on the free agent market. Adding a piece like Woodley would shore up a position which has been under-stocked in recent years, and add a steady pass rusher to a defense sorely in need of one. Woodley, however, is a top franchise tag target for the Steelers.

 

[jmt57]

Two local media members consider LaMarr Woodley for the Pats.

LaMarr Woodley Comparable to Adalius Thomas, Unlikely to Land in Foxboro and 18 Other Patriots Thoughts - Patriots Two-Minute Drill - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

1. There's been a lot of reader feedback about Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, basically because Patriots fans are intrigued over the possibility of the free agent linking up with New England. That seems highly unlikely for two reasons: One, the Steelers want him back, and two, Woodley wants to remain in Pittsburgh, so much so that he even told reporters he wouldn't mind being franchised. (That frantic gasp you just heard came from the NFLPA.)

2. Woodley has obviously been a serious player during his four seasons with the Steelers, amassing 39 career sacks -- including 35 in the last three seasons -- and he has teamed up with James Harrison to form the best pass-rushing combo in the NFL. Woodley helps typify the ferocity that the Steelers have always displayed on that side of the ball.

3. Here's something to think about, though. Harrison is always an offense's first priority when it comes to blocking, and the Steelers also pose the threat of sending inside linebackers James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons, and safety Troy Polamalu, along with a talented group of defensive linemen.

4. Blitz reads could change on almost every play, and with Harrison and Woodley lined up on opposite sides, it's essentially impossible to double-team both of them, which means Woodley typically only has to win a one-on-one matchup to get to the quarterback. That's not by rule, but Woodley is usually going to benefit from having Harrison out there with him.

5. So, if you haven't figured out where I'm going with this already, here's what I'm getting at. Woodley wouldn't have the luxury of being the second, third, fourth or fifth priority if he was with the Patriots. He'd instantly be their best pass rusher, and opposing offenses would design their blocking schemes around him. Does this scenario remind you of anyone?

6. Say, Adalius Thomas?

Read the rest of Jeff Howe's NESN.com article here




It Is What It Is -- Potential Patriots: LaMarr Woodley -- Christopher Price

LaMarr Woodley
Position: Outside linebacker
Team: Pittsburgh
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 265 pounds
Age: 26

Why the Patriots would be interested: New England has struggled to put together a consistent pass rush since the start of the 2009 season, and the arrival of someone like Woodley would bring an instant jolt of respectability to the outside linebacker spot. When it comes to pass rushers, Woodley figures to be one of the best available options on the free agent market — he has 39 sacks the last three years, including 13.5 in 2009 and 10 this past season. (He also had a sack in the Super Bowl XLV, which extended his NFL record of seven straight postseason games with a sack.)

Chances he lands in New England: Not great. While there’s some question right now about the status of the franchise tag, the odds are pretty good that if its’ around, Pittsburgh would use it on Woodley. He sounds cool with that, having told reporters during Super Bowl week, “I wouldn’t be against it at all. Whatever happens, happens. Would you like to have a long-term contract? Yeah. But a franchise tag, it doesn’t matter to me.” And even if he does become available, he would command a deal somewhere in the neighborhood of Rosevelt Colvin and Adalius Thomas.

Some alternatives: Kamerion Wimbley (Raiders), Tamba Hali (Chiefs), Mike Vrabel (Chiefs), Mathias Kiwanuka (Giants).

Read the rest of Christopher Price's WEEI.com article here

 

[DW Toys]

At some point in time we all need to come to an agreement on the definition of JAG. People throw that word around all the time without any reference to how they are defining it.

JAG=Just Another Guy, i.e.;
-An NFL player of inconsequence,

-roster filler,

-last resort starter,

-obviously and painfully below average with a slight hint of average on some occasion,

-a blown roster add of a failed Draft choice that the F.O. won't admit to..... or a wiffed FA pickup,

-a player of overestimated ability by said Team or that player himself who has been misdrafted, mismanaged or misdirected,

-a player and has been put in a position within said roster regardless of minimum capabilities and thus has been deemed by all concerned to not be of playmaking ability either internally, league peer wise or publicly by those in knowledgeable accord,

-said clever JAG might be a relative of a Team Ownership, Upper Management, Roger or Club Shareholder..... or at least a player with enough moxie to have something of concern (perhaps an unfortunate liaison with 8x10s) that can leverage said targeted hierarchy for NFL yearly contracted continuity (see Matthew Slater as probable sample in this case)

In Summary:
A JAG is effortlessly replaceable by at the least another JAG.

DW Toys

 

[jmt57]

Free-Agent Fit: Inside Linebacker - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Rodak

RATING THE NEED: Low

Any added personnel will be for special teams purposes.

NOTABLE TARGETS ON MARKET: Paul Posluszny (Bills), D’Qwell Jackson (Browns), Stephen Cooper (Chargers), Takeo Spikes (49ers), (Chargers), Jameel McClain (Ravens), Kirk Morrison (Jaguars), Stephen Tulloch (Titans), Barrett Ruud (Buccaneers), Chad Greenway (Vikings)

MOST LIKELY TARGET FOR PATS: Tracy White (Patriots)

SLEEPER POSSIBILITY FOR PATS: Niko Koutouvides (Buccaneers), Keyaron Fox (Steelers)

WRAP IT UP: Second in special teams tackles this season, White is likely to return as a core special teams player. If he doesn’t, look for the Patriots to find a similar player on the market, one who isn’t looking for a starting job.

Read more at: Free-Agent Fit: Inside Linebacker

 

[jmt57]

Patriots Could Look to Takeo Spikes for Veteran Leadership in Linebacking Corps - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

Jeff Howe takes a look at nine free agent linebackers.

The Patriots restocked their linebacking corps over the last few seasons, and the emergence of veteran Rob Ninkovich and three rookies -- Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham and Dane Fletcher -- gave the team another boost in 2010.

The Pats are still in position to improve the group through free agency and, more likely, the draft. With that, let's take a look at the 2011 class of free-agent linebackers.

Stephen Tulloch had 159 total tackles in 2010, second in the NFL only to Jerod Mayo, and the 26-year-old has emerged as a premier 4-3 middle linebacker. Things have gotten weird in Tennessee, though, so it will be interesting to see how the Titans approach the offseason with Tulloch.

Chad Greenway has become a really good 4-3 outside linebacker and finished fourth in the NFL with 144 tackles last season, which is a fairly alarming number for a player in that position. The 28-year-old is a good run stopper and has shown an improvement in his pass drops.

Fit for New England
San Francisco's defensive leader, linebacker Patrick Willis, has publicly pleaded for the organization to retain free agent Takeo Spikes, so it seems like a good bet that he remains by the Bay. Spikes, who can play inside in the 3-4, would be a really good addition to the Patriots because of his solid locker-room reputation and his strong play on the field. More than that, though, he's the older cousin of New England's Brandon Spikes, who could use his cousin as a mentor after making a couple of youthful mistakes during his rookie season. The Patriots have a pretty good group of inside linebackers, so it would be tough to find a spot for Takeo Spikes, but he'd be a tremendous asset in the development of Brandon.

Read more at: Patriots Could Look to Takeo Spikes for Veteran Leadership in Linebacking Corps

 

[jmt57]

Getting a feel for draft with McShay - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

Teams looking for DE/OLB should be happy. McShay projects 8-9 defensive end/outside linebackers potentially coming off the board in the first round. "I don't think there is a position with more quality depth. Different teams will rank the defensive ends slightly different depending on if they're looking for a traditional right end in a 4-3, a pass rusher, or a power end who can play that left defensive end position, or a defensive end/outside linebacker tweener type to play a 3-4 outside linebacker spot."

Doubts on Ryan Kerrigan as 3-4 OLB. Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan has been a prospect tied to the Patriots, as someone who could boost their pass rush, but McShay thinks his best fit is as a 4-3 defensive end who gets up the field and doesn't have to drop into pass coverage. He drew a comparison between Kerrigan and St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long in terms of their approach to the game.

Aldon Smith as a Taylor-type pass rusher. Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith is projected as one of the draft's better pass rushers, and when McShay was asked to compare him to a current NFL player, he drew some similarities to Jason Taylor in terms of the potential he has to rush the quarterback. Still, McShay sees his best fit as a right defensive end in the 4-3 alignment, and called him a risky pick. "He's a very difficult player to evaluate," he said.

Read more at: Getting a feel for draft with McShay

 

[jmt57]

Derek Havens has a great column well worth reading, profiling six potential OLB prospects for the Patriots from the upcoming draft:

College Prospect Evaluation: Outside Linebacker | Derek's Patriots Blog

Robert Quinn (UNC) - Ideal size 6′4, 260 lbs for the Patriots system. Quinn, who was suspended for the entire 2010 college season, is a natural pass rushing monster. He has an unreal motor along with all the intangibles for the position. He can over power blockers but does play a little high at times. He could rocket up draft boards during the pre – draft process.

Quinn is my favorite prospect because he is a pass rushing beast with the size Belichick loves to have at the OLB position. This Patriots team needs a dynamic edge rusher who can get after the opposing quarterback and I believe Robert Quinn could be that guy.

Read more at: College Prospect Evaluation: Outside Linebacker | Derek's Patriots Blog

 

[jmt57]

Mayock: Ayers 'logical' for Pats at 17 - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston - Mike Reiss

NFL Network and NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock is holding a media conference call today and he was asked the following question: If you're the Patriots at No. 17, and you're locked in at outside linebacker, which prospects look like the best fit?

"Akeem Ayers, from UCLA, is the most logical guy at 17, because Von Miller is going to be gone," Mayock responded. "I'm not sure Justin Houston, from Georgia, makes sense there. I think he's more of a second-round guy. So if you're trying to lock in on a guy, and obviously they need somebody who can get to the quarterback without a lot of help, I think Akeem Ayers is the guy who makes the most sense."

Read more at: Mayock: Ayers 'logical' for Pats at 17