FirstAndGoal
In the Starting Line-Up
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.You mentioned Matthews and Cushing. Think about English, Barwin, and Kruger, too. I agree that if Woods is the starter they've gone downhill, but I figure there's a plan that involves an OLB draft pick and an ILB free agent (Barton, Seward). Not time to panic yet, even though my finger is hovering over the red button. :scared:
Let me get this straight: You are basing a players career based on three plays he made in preseason as a rookie?If Crable ever makes the game day roster, the only game time sniff he'll get will be 3rd and longs. I base this on 3 plays I saw him in action in preseason.
If Woods is the starter, WE'RE SCREWED!! He's horrible, he looks clueless out there, he gets blown off the line of scrimmage. I can't see the fascination with Woods, what has he ever done (right that is)?
Thomas needs to be inside, he has shwon that he is much better in there. He and Mayo would be an outstanding pair of ILB. The problem now is that the Pats have ABSOLUTELY No One to play OLB!! The BB Patriots have always had a great collection of LBs. Today they have Mayo and Thomas and tha tha tha tha tha thats all folks!!!
At the very least I was expecting Vrabel to move to the inside this year and have Thomas and 1st round pick playing OLB. Then I got really excited when I thought that BB had traded Vrabel, Cassel, & #23 for #3, which would have meant Curry.
TODAY they need a starting ILB and a starting OLB. I have no idea what it would take to get Peppers from Carolina, I don't see anyone else in Free Agency that would fill that void. I guess you could throw yor conscience out the window and sign Ray Lewis.
Crable is an unknown, Alexander and Woods have been taking up roster spots for a few years and are the epitome of JAGs.
Of course the Pats could draft Cushing and Matthews, Jr. and they would be fine, but that is a big gamble that they will be around when the Pats pick.
Plus if he haven't noticed the Pats lack a starting Safety (both harrison and Sanders are gone). The holes they are a plenty, I can only hope that BB somehow reverses his putrid 2nd round drafting history and comes up with 3 gems.
He has also had 1 year of NFL nutrition and workouts, lets not throw him away until we at least see him on the field.
No way we go into the season with a rookie OLB. Mayo is special and ILB is a little different than OLB. OLB is a tougher position to learn, especially in this Patriot 3-4 system. And I doubt Bill trades one of his starting OLB because he's got his eye on someone in the draft. Too risky. I am sure he has someone in the roster already that he feels can step in and start. Based on this trade, we know that he is comfortable going into the season with the LBs we have and have 4 starters out of the group. I'm going to assume it's Mayo and Guyton as ILBs and Woods and Thomas as OLBs. With Bruschi as the main backup ILB and also AD as emergency backup. And Crable, Banta-Cain, and Redd as backups at OLB. I'm gonna assume we pick up a LB with on of our earlier picks, probably a ILB based on our depth chart that can contribute in sub packages.
I was hoping Mayo's rookie season would put to bed this myth that a player needs 4 years of indoctrination to capably play LB for BB. I think BB prefers vets, but rookies are more than capable. Hell, Gary Guyton an UDFA came in and played well enough. Not great, but not terrible either.
I think with the extra time to scout (don't think that the extra 4+ weeks of draft prep won't help immensely) BB will find another 1-2 rookie LBs that can be counted on to play in 2009.
Tom - no offense, but Mayo is the exception and not the rule. Its foolhardy to believe otherwise. Mayo and Guyton were kept on short leashes the entire season. Mayo, though he played nearly every down, didn't rush the passer. Guyton was brought in for pass coverage, ala Roman Phifer. Its not like Guyton was out there every play. And, lets not forget, that instead of going with Guyton full time, the Pats brought Seau back and started him over Guyton.
Why do they have to be rookies? The Pats have several very talented young OLBs in Redd, Crable, Robertson, and Craig. Any of whom could step up and surprise. There is also the potential that Guyton could be moved outside.
Another sensationalist garbage thread. Times like these are when I should avoid the forum. While other parts of the offseason may be boring, people around here tend to be more realistic.
You're making a career assessment on a player base on three plays in his rookie season ? Either You are Nostradamus or this is simply dumb.
You're making a career assessment on a player base on three plays in his rookie season ? Either You are Nostradamus or this is simply dumb.
…solid lower body strength…able to hold his own at the point of attack…