bakes781
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.I don't get it. He's undersized (for DE), unathletic (for LB), and only has one year of production. The last one is probably the most problematic...the dude underachieved his entire career until his last season.
I'll take Antonio Appleby, who has three productive years as a 3-4 ILB, Josh Mauga, with two productive years in the 3-4, or Jasper Brinkley much later.
For ILB conversion projects, I'd take Matt Shaughnessy, Ian Campbell, or Robert Francois much later.
I'd even take Laurenaitis first, and I'm not a huge Laurenaitis fan.
I just don't see the First Day value for Ayers to the Pats...and given how many others here are high on him, it's not for a lack of trying.
Tennessee DE, 6'3", 270#, 4.75. Was originally recruited as an ILB out of high school, and has played some LB for Tennessee in addition to DL (both DE and DT). Didn't do too much his first 3 years but came on as a team leader and performer this past year. Was defensive MVP of the senior bowl. Good at taking on OLs and shedding blockers.
Does anyone see this guy as a potential SILB conversion? He played ILB coming out of high school, and has played some LB in college. Played with Mayo, who would probably have a good angle on him. Just a thought.
It's at SILB that I am personally intrigued by Ayers. He has experience at that position, is very strong taking on blockers, and has great inside quickness. He is heavier, stronger and more physical than Larry English or Clint Sintim (neither of whom are particularly fast either), and may have more physical upside. I am intrigued enough to give him a particularly hard look. If the Pats felt he could make the transition, I would be interested in him sometime in the 2nd round. But I'm not jumping on the hype machine to the point of labelling him a 1st round pick at this point.
See..I think that would be the best possible fit....but it's far from a sure thing. If he were there day two, I'd consider it, but I think, for example, Brinkley or Mauga have a much better chance at success, and it looks like they'll be available much later.
It's at SILB that I am personally intrigued by Ayers. He has experience at that position, is very strong taking on blockers, and has great inside quickness. He is heavier, stronger and more physical than Larry English or Clint Sintim (neither of whom are particularly fast either), and may have more physical upside. I am intrigued enough to give him a particularly hard look. If the Pats felt he could make the transition, I would be interested in him sometime in the 2nd round. But I'm not jumping on the hype machine to the point of labelling him a 1st round pick at this point.
I'd also never consider him earlier than round two. And yes, he seems to be better suited as an inside player, when you consider his real strengths. I can't imagine him being a round one consideration (for the Pats) with only one solid year of production. Ascending players are acceptable (see Mayo), but BB will most likely require consistent production for most prospects -- especially in round one.
I keep wondering if Barwin will last to 23 too or if his one year on defense will scare teams into waiting into the second.I don't think we need worry about whether we should pick Ayers at 23; he won't be available.
Watch youtube of Barwin and then Ayers. Barwin looks good gets good push and has one move the bull rush. Ayers on the other hand fights through and dominates doubles he has a spin, rip and inside delay for pass rush moves. Not to mention one guy plays in the SEC. Ayers is not an inside player. Maybe he was in HS but not now. I wonder if teams are seeing him as a tweener prospect.
---DL Robert Ayers
"I wanted to come out and show that I'm athletic enough to play in space and that I've got good hips and flexibility. From talking to the coaches, they feel like I did a good job. Every coach I talked to said they liked what they saw."
I have one major question about potential prospects at #23: How important is career production for a Patriots first round pick? I ask because some are seriously being considered as the Pats first pick, yet only have one productive season coupled with impressive workouts. Is that enough for Belichick & Co. -- or do the Pats require more proven production?
Vols Pro Day
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At 272, his flexibility is an important component to his position. Inside, outside -- wherever, the Pats could fill both spots this draft. Ayers is indeed one of the risers however, and even if the Pats aren't interested in him, his ascension will influence draft boards on day one.
I have one major question about potential prospects at #23: How important is career production for a Patriots first round pick? I ask because some are seriously being considered as the Pats first pick, yet only have one productive season coupled with impressive workouts. Is that enough for Belichick & Co. -- or do the Pats require more proven production?
Vols Pro Day
---
At 272, his flexibility is an important component to his position. Inside, outside -- wherever, the Pats could fill both spots this draft. Ayers is indeed one of the risers however, and even if the Pats aren't interested in him, his ascension will influence draft boards on day one.
I have one major question about potential prospects at #23: How important is career production for a Patriots first round pick? I ask because some are seriously being considered as the Pats first pick, yet only have one productive season coupled with impressive workouts. Is that enough for Belichick & Co. -- or do the Pats require more proven production?
Watch youtube of Barwin and then Ayers. Barwin looks good gets good push and has one move the bull rush. Ayers on the other hand fights through and dominates doubles he has a spin, rip and inside delay for pass rush moves. Not to mention one guy plays in the SEC. Ayers is not an inside player. Maybe he was in HS but not now. I wonder if teams are seeing him as a tweener prospect.
How much experience had Mayo had prior to his junior year? He was redshirted in 2004, played in 6 games (starting 1) in 2005, played at OLB in 2006 (83 tackles) and then got moved to ILB and exploded in 2007, with 140 tackles. He was billed as around 230#, but showed up at 242 at the combine and ran a 4.54. And we took him with the #10 pick.
Barwin and Ayers have similar records. Barwin has plenty of college experience and gamefilm, but only one year of experience on defense after moving from TE. Ayers played in 27 games in 2006-2007, though he didn't become a full-time starter until 2008.
I'm not sure I'd take either at 23 (at 34 I like both), but given what we did last year with Mayo I'm not sure we would require more "proven production" if the Pats thought either one was value at 23.