Le Kevin Smith has versatility, motor

[Seymour93]

Patriots.com, post- whoring off of PVN, in worth-reading article shocker!

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=19050&pcid=41

Smith lined up at three different positions along the defensive line for Nebraska. He played right defensive tackle as a sophomore, nose guard as a junior and weak-side tackle as a senior. Smith’s versatility is one of the things the Patriots like about him.

“He has a little position flexibility,†Bill Belichick said after the Patriots selected Smith with the 206th overall pick. “He has a little bit of height to him so he could possibly play some end. I think we’ll start him off a little more at nose tackle. Let’s see how it goes. I wouldn’t rule out end for him but he’s probably more of a nose.â€

[...]

“He played all over for us here at Nebraska,†[Nebraska defensive line coach John] Blake said. “He played over the nose most of the time but he also has the speed and quickness to move over to end. He’s a good athlete who is very smart. He really knows the game of football.â€

His decision to return for his senior season turned out to be a wise one. Smith recorded 43 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. He ended his career at Nebraska with 36 tackles behind the line of scrimmage – the second most in school history for a defensive tackle.

“He was very consistent as a senior,†Blake said. “That’s where he really improved, with his consistency from week-to-week. I thought he really turned the corner last year and now he wants to succeed. They won’t have any trouble motivating him. This kid has a tremendous heart and is very coachable. He’s always trying to learn more and pick up things that will make him a better football player.â€

Klecko, Wright, or Smith... someone's getting the axe.

 

[DefenseRules]

Patriots.com, post- whoring off of PVN, in worth-reading article shocker!

http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=19050&pcid=41



Klecko, Wright, or Smith... someone's getting the axe.

I think Klecko's days might be coming to an end, IMO. Wright was Wilforks backup and when he got hurt, instead of activating Klecko, they signed Santonio Thomas to the active roster. Klecko remained a healthy inactive the remainder of the season. Not a good sign, IMO.

 

[Seymour93]

I think Klecko's days might be coming to an end, IMO. Wright was Wilforks backup and when he got hurt, instead of activating Klecko, they signed Santonio Thomas to the active roster. Klecko remained a healthy inactive the remainder of the season. Not a good sign, IMO.

Yes, Klecko has had plenty of time to establish himself and he has yet to do so, but let's see if he can regain the form of his rookie season coming off of two years of injuries. Klecko goes all out and gives his all, another positive, he plays with a Harrison-esque fire to him. Both Klecko and Smith can play multiple positions, which is always a plus. While Wright is just a NT, he outweighs Klecko by 20 pounds according to their NFL.com bios. The question here is, is it more important to have a specialist backup (Wright) for Wilfork or could we use another versatile player (Klecko or Smith). Out of the three, I'd bet on Wright to be the odd man out.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yes, Klecko has had plenty of time to establish himself and he has yet to do so, but let's see if he can regain the form of his rookie season coming off of two years of injuries. Klecko goes all out and gives his all, another positive, he plays with a Harrison-esque fire to him. Both Klecko and Smith can play multiple positions, which is always a plus. While Wright is just a NT, he outweighs Klecko by 20 pounds according to their NFL.com bios. The question here is, is it more important to have a specialist backup (Wright) for Wilfork or could we use another versatile player (Klecko or Smith). Out of the three, I'd bet on Wright to be the odd man out.

I would agree with you except that you are forgetting a big issue. Klecko sat for the remainder of the season. Heck, I don't believe that he even dressed for the Miami game, did he?

Versatility only matters if you can provide VALUE. In other words, it doesn't matter if Klecko can play FB, NT, DE, and LB if he's the #3FB/#3-#4 NT/#6DE and #11 LB. There are other players who are going to be playing ahead of him. Period.

Klecko reminds me of Dan Rudiger from ND. The kid they made the movie RUDY about. However, Rudy only got his chance in the last few plays of the final game of his senior year when nothing was on the line. It was a feel good story. And, unfortunately, no matter how much heart and motor Klecko has, unless he can beat out one of Wright, Thomas, Mills, Pass, Smith, Izzo, Davis, Alexander, TBC, Beisel, Mincey or Claridge, I don't see him making the team.

And, believe me. I have been a big Klecko fan, but I can also face facts. There are other people who are just better players than he is and it doesn't do the Pats any good to have Klecko on the roster if he can't get onto the field at positions that are a NEED. Like at FB and at NT. A very good point was made. The Pats signed Santonio Thomas to back up Wilfork after Wright went down last year. That, to me, was the death knell for Klecko.

 

[dryheat44]

Klecko can't possibly stick this year. I think I said that last year too though, but it's come to the point where he's not a realistic fullback option anymore, he's lost his spot in the 3-4 DL rotation, and it even looks like Wright is the better "monster" ILB project.

If he can return punts, he stays.