3-4 OLB's that fit the Pats Defense

[ctpatsfan77]

Watching some of the other games, it is easy to see why BB prefers the 3-4. Having more LBs on the field gives much more flexibility.

I hope thye don't do it throught the draftand go after a premium free agent (Peppers, Merrimen, etc.).

The thought of Merriman in a Pats uniform makes me nauseous.

 

[cstjohn17]

The thought of Merriman in a Pats uniform makes me nauseous.

The thought of TBC, Burgess and Ninkovich makes me sick...

 

[dryheat44]

The thought of Merriman in a Pats uniform makes me nauseous.

The decline of Merriman has already begun. Belichick isn't big on picking up high-priced guys with declining skills and a lengthning list of off-field problems. I think you'll be OK.

 

[captain stone]

Add some more, too:

Ed Reed instead of Daniel Graham and Larry Foote over Rohan Davey in 2002.
Anquan Boldin instead of Bethel Johnson and Usi Umenyura over Eugene Wilson in 2003.
Chris Cooley instead of Marquise Hill and Jerricho Cotchery over Guss Scott in 2004.
Marion Barber instead of Nick Kaczur and Jay Ratliff over Ryan Claridge in 2005.
DeAngelo Williams instead of Laurence Maroney and Leon Washington over Garrett Mills in 2006.
Brent Celek instead of Kareem Brown and CJ Wilson over Oscar Lua in 2007.

My God does Belichick suck at drafting. Anybody with access to box scores and draft history could tell you that.

Glad to see ya come around to my way of thinking, though at the time I was looking at diff. guys in a couple of your examples; some better, some worse. But hey, I've been wrong before too, for ex.: I was on board with Bill's choices of LaMa & CJack in '06.

 

[NePatriots]

OLB- I can see room for another young player here. You guys have already listed a lot of them, here is another - AJ Edds -Iowa
A.J. Edds, , NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

As a Hawkeye, I love Edds, but he seems a bit stiff to play in coverage. Round 3 or 4, I would be happy though. AJ is fast like Greenway was, but just doesn't stick on recievers like Chad used to.

 

[dryheat44]

Glad to see ya come around to my way of thinking, though at the time I was looking at diff. guys in a couple of your examples; some better, some worse. But hey, I've been wrong before too, for ex.: I was on board with Bill's choices of LaMa & CJack in '06.

If your way of thinking is looking through past drafts September 29, 2009 and finding the best players who were drafted after the Patriots picks and saying Belichick should've drafted them, then yes, I've come around to your way of thinking.

Long Live Hindsight!

 

[mayoclinic]

If your way of thinking is looking through past drafts September 29, 2009 and finding the best players who were drafted after the Patriots picks and saying Belichick should've drafted them, then yes, I've come around to your way of thinking.

Long Live Hindsight!

We should only pick those players who will subsequently be proven to be successful in the NFL.

 

[captain stone]

If your way of thinking is looking through past drafts September 29, 2009 and finding the best players who were drafted after the Patriots picks and saying Belichick should've drafted them, then yes, I've come around to your way of thinking.

Long Live Hindsight!

No hindsight here; here's more examples - I wanted Bill to draft Michigan WR Marquise Walker or Utah WR Cliff Russell instead of Meion Branch, SMU CB Kevin Garrett instead of A$ante $amuel, and LT Khalif Barnes or G/C David Bass instead of Logan Mankins.

Of the 3 names I mentioned earlier, 2 were low-round (5 & 6), low-risk value picks at a clear (& present) position of need; and the other - is there any doubt that Cliff Avril was the better choice then, and is obviously the better choice now?

 

[MrNathanDrake]

The thought of TBC, Burgess and Ninkovich makes me sick...

LMAO

TBC is decent but should not be the #1 pass threat on any playoff team


and just to add to this Past Draft bashing... I wanted Ryan Clady instead of Mayo, and then trade up in the 2nd to take Curtis Lofton. It would've worked.

Also wanted DeAngelo Williams over Maroney..... Maroney was the exact same way in College.. Inconsistent, fragile, indecisive, etc... He hasnt changed one bit

 

[mayoclinic]

The thought of Merriman in a Pats uniform makes me nauseous.

When you posted this I agreed with you. Now I'm not so sure. Here's what's changed for me:

1. The odds are against us being a "Final 4" team this year, i.e., against us making it to the AFCCG. If we don't make it, then even if we are a "Second 4" team we have some flexibility under the CBA rules for an uncapped year to sign external FAs without having to lose FAs of our own.

2. There is some clear benefit to adding a veteran DE/OLB pass rusher. Other than Julius Peppers, Merriman is probably the best one out there.

3. Merriman has improved over the course of the season, and seems to be coming back somewhat from his knee injury. He gives a lot of effort, and has gotten a lot more QB pressure than his sack total (4) would suggest. He has a great motor. His low sack total and knee injury should keep his cost down.

I wouldn't be averse to taking a flyer on Merriman if the price was reasonable. He's got an attitude, to be sure, but BB can usually manage that. Right now I'd take his attitude (and pass rush) over that of Adalius Thomas.

Signing a FA pass rusher would take pressure over having to hit early in the draft, and take pressure off a rookie, who could come in and develop more slowly (and also have a role model to learn from). If we got someone like Merriman we could draft one rookie pass rusher in the 2nd round - someone with a high upside like Greg Hardy (if he slips), Jason Pierre-Paul, Greg Romeus, Everson Griffen, Jeremy Beal or even Austen Lane. They could be brought along more slowly. We could then use our first draft pick to take BVA, possibly trading up for an impact player like Rolando McClain, Joe Haden or Cameron Heyward. If we end up in the 20-21 range (as opposed to 28-32) then trading up for one of those guys is much more reasonable.

I know, the thought of Merriman is a bit hard to take. But I think it actually makes sense right now. The only FA alternatives are Julius Peppers (30 and will cost a fortune, with no OLB experience) and Ray Edwards (whose sack numbers benefit from Jared Allen getting double teamed).

 

[dryheat44]

There is just no way that Belichick takes a one-dimensional pass rusher if he's going to keep playing the 3-4. Merriman has next to zero skills in the run game, and he's useless in coverage (not that you'd ever want him there). He's a one-trick pony who's body is starting to break down rapidly, and has a growing list of off-field problems.

He'll probably be much too expensive for a third down rush specialist, which is what he'd be here. Better than Burgess? Sure. But he's not coming in on Burgess money.

 

[mayoclinic]

There is just no way that Belichick takes a one-dimensional pass rusher if he's going to keep playing the 3-4. Merriman has next to zero skills in the run game, and he's useless in coverage (not that you'd ever want him there). He's a one-trick pony who's body is starting to break down rapidly, and has a growing list of off-field problems.

He'll probably be much too expensive for a third down rush specialist, which is what he'd be here. Better than Burgess? Sure. But he's not coming in on Burgess money.

I'm not saying you're not right. But I think it's possible.

First, I think Merriman is more than a "one trick pony". I think he can play the run and set the edge just fine. He's a 3 down player for San Diego, not a 3rd down rush specialist.

Second, the off-field and health problems are what would make him affordable. The Saints took a gamble on Drew Brees in 2006 in part because of health concerns. He would cost more than Derrick Burgess, but he wouldn't break the bank, and at 25 he would be potentially a long-term solution. If he flopped, it wouldn't cost as much as we've spent on Adalius Thomas. There are no sure things.

 

[reflexblue]

It's more likely they're watching Cody, considering Hampton is in his 30s, though I could see why they're interested in McClain, who is my absolute #1 choice for the draft next year. In fact, I keep trying to work through scenarios in which we position ourselves in the middle of the first round, though I fully expect us to pick at #32.

***WARNING: ILLOGICAL AND HIGHLY UNLIKELY DRAFT FANTASIES TO FOLLOW***

More like ILLOGICAL AND HIGHLY UNLIKELY DRAFT POSITION FANTASIES.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

There is just no way that Belichick takes a one-dimensional pass rusher if he's going to keep playing the 3-4.

I think BB can take a one dimensional pass rusher, if the pass rusher can rush the passer on 3rd and long or end of game/half scenarios where the opposing team has to throw.

That is provided the one trick pony also excels on ST.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

brandon graham...

 

[VJCPatriot]

What's up with Hardy's injury woes though? Is that a pattern here?

"11/12/09 - Mississippi defensive end Greg Hardy is out for the season with a broken left wrist. School spokesman Daniel Snowden says Hardy will have surgery Thursday in Jackson and is expected to miss the rest of the season. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Millington, Tenn., native hurt his arm earlier this season, then aggravated the injury last weekend against Northern Arizona. He’ll have a screw placed in the wrist during surgery. Once considered one of the most dangerous defensive players in the nation, Hardy has been limited by injuries in his final two seasons. A broken foot cost him four games last season and parts of several others. He appeared ready for his senior year but sprained his ankle in the opener and hasn’t been much of a factor. - AP Sports"

Greg Hardy | Mississippi, DE : 2010 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Not a fan of Hardy at all.... Undermotivated, weak motor, injury prone, character issues....All the things I would stay away from

 

[BritPat]

Not a fan of Hardy at all.... Undermotivated, weak motor, injury prone, character issues....All the things I would stay away from

Under-motivated and a weak motor? You might be describing someone, but it's not Hardy. I think those are the last two things that could be thrown at him.

And the character concerns thing is massively overblown, he was suspended in 2007 for violating team rules - it's hardly stomping on someone's head or being caught DUI is it?

 

[dryheat44]

I think BB can take a one dimensional pass rusher, if the pass rusher can rush the passer on 3rd and long or end of game/half scenarios where the opposing team has to throw.

That is provided the one trick pony also excels on ST.

I agree. I just don't think he's going to throw a lot of money on a premium free agent for the job.

 

[eagle eye]

Don't forget that as far as LBs are concerned we will hopefully have a fully recovered McKenzie next year and either him or Guyton will play on the outside.

As far as our D is concerned its DEs that we need urgently. I have this feeling that Jason Taylor will be here next year, the way BB was all over him in that mic'd up thing, well I just think that there is a two way respect there and it will happen. Peppers will cost a fortune but I really would love to see him here.

I think we should concentrate on the offensive line in the draft. I'd use on first pick on a tackle, Guys like Ciron Black from LSU who I really like, and the giant Sam Young from Notre Dame both seem underrated imo, I just looked at a couple of mocks and they are not appearing , I'll have one of them and then a guard is a top priority also. Don't know too many good guards but I'm sure they are out there.