For those wanting LBs: Desmond Bishop?

[Deus Irae]

He'll be springing loose because he wouldn't take a pay cut while coming off the hamstring injury....

So much fun, so many memories & friendships forged in Green Bay. Ups & downs, wins & losses! Even a XLV championship. Forever grateful

https://twitter.com/Desbishop55/status/346704285582630912

 

[Joey007]

Interesting, but he'll probably cost too much. We don't need to be spending a bunch of money on a guy who isn't much of a pass rusher, which is my primary concern with this defense. Our linebackers are fine.

 

[Kontradiction]

Interesting, but he'll probably cost too much. We don't need to be spending a bunch of money on a guy who isn't much of a pass rusher, which is my primary concern with this defense. Our linebackers are fine.

To date, our LB's are liabilities in coverage. The group was also one of the main reasons that the Ravens were able to get into an offensive flow in the AFCCG. I wouldn't necessarily call that "fine". Bishop may cost more than what some here are willing to spend, but the Pats have the money and there is still a need in the area.

 

[randomk1]

To date, our LB's are liabilities in coverage. The group was also one of the main reasons that the Ravens were able to get into an offensive flow in the AFCCG. I wouldn't necessarily call that "fine". Bishop may cost more than what some here are willing to spend, but the Pats have the money and there is still a need in the area.

Can Tebow cover TEs or RBs?



Personally i feel like LB is our strongest group on D as of last season.

The secondary has been what it is for quite some time now and the D-line is kind of a question mark.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Can Tebow cover TEs or RBs?



Personally i feel like LB is our strongest group on D as of last season.

The secondary has been what it is for quite some time now and the D-line is kind of a question mark.

The linebackers are very big, fantastic against the run but over-sized and a liability against the pass.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Bishop is a good player, but he doesn't offer much our existing guys don't, particularly since he's been slower since he got his knee operated on. He's a run stopper.

 

[Kontradiction]

Can Tebow cover TEs or RBs?



Personally i feel like LB is our strongest group on D as of last season.

The secondary has been what it is for quite some time now and the D-line is kind of a question mark.

The LB's were our strongest group against the run. Against the pass, they ranged from being inconsistent (Mayo) to god awful (Spikes).

 

[randomk1]

The LB's were our strongest group against the run. Against the pass, they ranged from being inconsistent (Mayo) to god awful (Spikes).

As opposed to what? The D-line that can't get any pressure and a secondary that can't cover?


At least the LBers are pretty effective when blitzing and taking on the run.

 

[supafly]

Hopefully we see one of Collins/Fletcher helping vs the liability against the pass this year, because it was indeed a major weakness.

Maybe we really luck out and see either one of Mayo/Spikes come in and play better in that aspect too.

 

[supafly]

At least the LBers are pretty effective when blitzing and taking on the run.

I don't think anyone will disagree with you about that, but the concern is mainly vs the pass--where they really can pose a liability.

Just look at our numbers vs opposing WR3, TE and RB (not all to be blamed on the LB's of course).

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Lets see...

Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Don'ta Hightower, Rob Ninkovich, Jamie Collins and Dane Fletcher

Offer a lot of playmaking ability, versatility and talent between them especially if Don'ta takes off his second year, Spike's off season personal training pays off (already beast vs the run), Dane Fletcher comes back with a vengeance from being injured and motivated and Jamie Collins develops quickly then it can be among the best group in the NFL.

 

[Kontradiction]

As opposed to what? The D-line that can't get any pressure

Armstead and Kelly added as interior pass rushers (should be improvements over Deaderick and Love in that department), Collins as a potential pass rusher (raw), and Jones in year two.

and a secondary that can't cover?

Improved by leaps and bounds at the end of last season with the addition of Talib, move to starting CB of Dennard, and move to S by McCourty.

At least the LBers are pretty effective when blitzing and taking on the run.

That's all well and good. Ideally, you want a corps of LB's who can be effective in doing both of those as well as covering RB's and TE's.

 

[DocHoliday]

Dane Fletcher comes back with a vengeance from being injured and motivated

You're not being very objective lol

 

[BradyFTW!]

Right now our coverage LBers are a guy who is unproven and hurt every year (Fletcher) and a rookie (Collins). I'd definitely like to see some improvement there.

 

[Joker]

I want to see training camp begin...please!!!! God!!!!

 

[Rob0729]

To date, our LB's are liabilities in coverage. The group was also one of the main reasons that the Ravens were able to get into an offensive flow in the AFCCG. I wouldn't necessarily call that "fine". Bishop may cost more than what some here are willing to spend, but the Pats have the money and there is still a need in the area.

Probably the reason Collins was drafted. A former safety with decent size and great speed.

I think Hightower has a chance to be good in coverage. If he slimmed down a bit, I think he would be exponentially better. Haven't heard anything about about his build in minicamp though.

 

[Kontradiction]

Probably the reason Collins was drafted. A former safety with decent size and great speed.

Agreed. A lot of people here think that he's primarily going to be an edge rusher this year but his athleticism and background screams coverage specialist, at least initially, to me.

I think Hightower has a chance to be good in coverage. If he slimmed down a bit, I think he would be exponentially better. Haven't heard anything about about his build in minicamp though.

Slimming down would be a priority. And he'd have to improve quite a bit on the coverage abilities he displayed at Alabama and in his first season here.

 

[Aßßynormal]

I see Adrian Wilson as a small LB, playing LB not S. In this scenario, we keep Gregory who now has a full season in the system. A. Wilson and Fletcher should be enough (plus a year's experience for Hightower) for TE and RB coverage. Don't forget Ninkovich can play LB and maybe Collins will play LB more than DE, we don't need Bishop. Spend the remaining money on a DT, maybe a DE, or carry it to next year.

 

[Joker]

yes....yes,I believe you've got something there...

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Right now our coverage LBers are a guy who is unproven and hurt every year (Fletcher) and a rookie (Collins). I'd definitely like to see some improvement there.

Spikes has great quarterback reading ability and good at finding the ball over the middle of the field during passing downs, the only problem is the fact that he lacks speed and quickness but he has been working on that this off season.

Jamie Collins has exceptional speed and quickness and played safety in college and has experience covering tightends, backs out of the backfield, and receivers. Gifted and smart athlete that I believe will make an excellent cover linebacker. That's why as mentioned, Bill Belichick signed him.

And I also don't believe that Jerod Mayo is bad in coverage, Dont'a is learning we'll have to wait and see and Rob Ninkovich is underrated in coverage, he is a very good cover guy when asked to.

Not to mention with the addition of Adrian Wilson, that has soo much of an impact up front and back in the passing game that it really doesn't matter anyways.