Spacecrime got both my brain cells together for a brief visit in BBF's 'need for speed' thread. If you weigh the trade-off between intelligence/instinct and speed, you suddenly find yourself contemplating the Belichick 3-4 with a different understanding.
After breaking down Stewart Bradley in the North's first broadcast practice, one thing stood out in the 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills, he consistently was where he needed to be...he filled quickly against the run, which meant superior blocking by Brian Leonard (another where he needs to be player) was required to re-open the hole. Bradley was also first to read and react to RB passing routes, disrupting them or holding them to short gains. He also got a chuck in on the TE before blanketing the RB in the one passing play where I saw him dealing with a TE going out on a route. It seems he will need to work on his strength and his stack and shed techniques, but in that one broadcast I was unable to criticize his "location."
The only other LB who came close to Bradley in that regard was David Harris from Michigan; he was great against the run and woeful against the pass. Posluzney left me scratching my head, maybe he'll improve as I get to other broadcasts, but even then he is three pounds below my minimum weight standard for Patriot LB measurables, so I want to see him really shine before waiving my minimu - and Pos fans, I'm talking about the endlessly repeated intent to "get players out of their comfort zone," Bradley looked like he rehearsed with Gruden, Kiffin, and Co., Pos looked uncomfortable.