Patriots to host University of South Florida linebacker Tyrone McKenzie

[slash83]

Patriots blog - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

The team conducted a private workout with McKenzie, who would project as an inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 defense, in March.

The 6-2, 243-pound McKenzie is a tackling machine and has one of the draft's more interesting background stories.

 

[BTTA]

So at 243 coming out of college, he doesn't have the bulk to play inside linebacker? Bruschi, Guyton, and Mayo are all within 4 pounds of that.

I like that he's been able to be productive in so many different teams and with so many different coordinators/coaches.

 

[Urgent]

I like this.

I think he's a top 4 ILB in the 3-4, after Maualuga, Laurinaitis, and Freeman.

At 6-2, 244, he's the perfect size. With only one sack last season, he will be less attractive to 4-3 teams as an OLB - strictly a strong-side guy. But he's a very good tackler, putting up 116 last year. He's decent in coverage, with 8 PBU's, high for a linebacker (tied for most among draft-eligible linebackers with, you guessed it, Connor Barwin and also Cody Brown).

At worst, he could be a good two-down ILB, rotating out with Guyton on passing downs.

Definitely an option in the third round.

 

[PatsChamp88]

I like this guy hes been through a lot and never gave up gotta give him props hope he finds a home in the NFL if its not in NE!