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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.In the good old days we looked at players 6'1 - 6'3 and 240-255 for ILB and players 6'2 - 6'5 and 245-265 for OLB. In the brave new world do we start the look at more traditional MLBs and OLBs?
- Signed,
Confused
Probably not, I'm guessing our D will stay fluid, and will interchange between the 4-3 and the 3-4 when needed - the last thing you want is a roster half full with players who can't play on every down or who need to come out when you play certain looks.
From what I've seen so far of this year's class, I still think Connor Barwin was the best Pats OLB prospect to come out since DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs.
Agreed. We stick to the same kind of player, perhaps with a little more emphasis on players that can handle a change of schemes. We're not going to a Colts/TB kind of 4-3 scheme with smaller, speedy players. Philly runs a 4-3 and has competed with us for a lot of DE/LB types.
Sergio Kindle, Greg Romeus, Ricky Sapp, Brandon Lang and Jerry Hughes are all worth considering at OLB. Brandon Spikes, Rolando McClain, Micah Johnson and Eric Norwood are all worth considering at SILB.
From what I've seen so far of this year's class, I still think Connor Barwin was the best Pats OLB prospect to come out since DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs.
We did the Florida Troy game yesterday and Lang was absolutely swallowed whole by the Gator Oline. The only time we heard from Lang was when he got the personal foul near the end zone that cost his team. (Very similair to what happened to McClain against Va. Tech.)
The guy to watch at OLB/DE is Carlos Dunlap a Jr. DE at Florida. 6'6" and 270 lbs. He runs well, he is a superior pass rusher and he shows some interest in playing the run. He could excel at either OLB or DE in our system.
The guy to watch at ILB is McCalin. This kid is awesome in coverage and yet shows excellent instincts and mashes really well in the running game. He could excel at either ILB or OLB in our system.
I have taken Norwood (too short) and Spikes(too one dimensinal) off my potential Pats draft list.
Not sure why Norwood is too short to play ILB for us. He's definitely too short for OLB, which is why I didn't list him there.
I have questions about Lang and Ricky Sapp being stout enough to hold the edge and play the run for us, but I haven't seen enough to rule them out.
Do you really believe that Carlos Dunlap could play 3-4 OLB? From what I've heard and seen he's more like 280-290 than 270#. I'm not sure if he's more in the Julius Peppers mold or the Mario Williams mold.
Anyone seen the UConn games? Apparently their DE Witten is absolutely tearing it up, with seven sacks through the first two games. He seems to have good size, but I can't find video online, and I'm completely unfamiliar with his style of play. Still, that's pretty impressive pass-rushing.
After the Mayo injury, I'm desperate to bring in another stud inside 'backer. As much as I love Guyton, I just don't think he's a full-time starter. He needs to remain a match-up only, down-and-distance sort of guy, where I think he excels. Spikes and McClain are probably out of our range, but Micah Johnson or Eric Norwood could potentially make good SILB if we play more 34, and I'm sure cerebral speed-demon, hit and run MLB are out there if we continue to favor the 43 in the following years. Thoughts?
I haven't seen the UConn kid. Would he project to OLB or ILB?
I know this probably sounds like a broken record, but I think this is the offseason BB actually goes after fully fixing the LB position. Mayo/Guyton/Crable was a big step forward in 2008, but there's obviously still a lot of work to be done to fill out the position. A lot of people on this board wanted him to do it last year at both OLB and ILB. McKenzie will presumably add to the ILB rotation, but there's still plenty of room, and we have 4 day 1 picks.
BB obviously decided that the secondary took priority over the LB corps last offseason. He cleaned house, getting rid of Hobbs and bringing in Bodden, Springs, McGowan, Butler and Chung. So far, his moves look like they will result in a much better secondary. But the LB corps has become the achilles heel of the defense.
I don't think it's unreasonable for BB to use 2 out of our top 4 picks on LBs in the upcoming draft. There are a lot of potential prospects:
- OLB: Kindle, Hardy, Hughes, Lang, Sapp, Romeus, Selvie, etc.
- ILB: Spikes, McCain, Norwood, Johnson, etc.
My LB list is much more Patriot specific.
OLB Dumlap of Florida; Romeus of Pitt
ILB McClain of Alabama; Pawalek of Baylor
I saw Lang and Spikes up close on Saturday and both made me yawn.
quote "I don't think it's unreasonable for BB to use 2 out of our top 4 picks on LBs in the upcoming draft. There are a lot of potential prospects:"
Would you rather we trade up and take a can't miss LB (If there is one BB sees as such) or stay put and take two. We have the picks to move up.
It would be nice to get that Ray Lewis type for 10 years.
quote "I don't think it's unreasonable for BB to use 2 out of our top 4 picks on LBs in the upcoming draft. There are a lot of potential prospects:"
Would you rather we trade up and take a can't miss LB (If there is one BB sees as such) or stay put and take two. We have the picks to move up.
It would be nice to get that Ray Lewis type for 10 years.
Remember they will probably replace Seymour with a high pick, and one of Mankins or Neal will probably need a replacement.
Mayo and Guyton were 242 and 245 respectively when drafted/signed as rookies. I don't expect NE to look for players much lighter, Mayo reported he started camp at 250. The height isn't really changing much, though OLB may go a bit taller.In the good old days we looked at players 6'1 - 6'3 and 240-255 for ILB and players 6'2 - 6'5 and 245-265 for OLB. In the brave new world do we start the look at more traditional MLBs and OLBs?
- Signed,
Confused
We already have him in J. Mayo - I wouldn't waste the money or the picks to move up like that.
Remember they will probably replace Seymour with a high pick, and one of Mankins or Neal will probably need a replacement.
I really liked what they did this past draft with the 4 seconds. All four of those kids look like they are going to be players.
As for Linebackers, if they were to take two, I think it will be more like an OLB early and another MLB in the middle rounds.
I do have on name I will throw out that I think needs to be on the list.
AJ Edds - Iowa