What LB do you want?

[carolinatony]

If we do grab a LB in the first; who do you want?
I like Willis but he should be gone so I would like to see us take OLB Lawrence Timmons from Florida State 6 foot 3 247LBS .

 

[PonyExpress]

I want Brandon Siler. He is big, fast, athletic, smart, and a leader. I'd take him at #28.

 

[spacecrime]

If we do grab a LB in the first; who do you want?
I like Willis but he should be gone so I would like to see us take OLB Lawrence Timmons from Florida State 6 foot 3 247LBS .

I see the need for an ILB, not an OLB. If Willis and SIler aren't available, I'd be happy with a safety or CB. Much bigger needs than OLB, unless it is an elephant OLB.

 

[patchick]

I see the need for an ILB, not an OLB. If Willis and SIler aren't available, I'd be happy with a safety or CB. Much bigger needs than OLB, unless it is an elephant OLB.

I can't agree on this--I think both are clear needs. Right now, the Patriots have nobody but Pierre Woods behind Vrabel & Colvin, both of whom will be over 30 next season.

Barring major FA additions, I'd like to see 2 LB prospects on day one. Choose one from each group:

OLB:
Anthony Spencer, Purdue
Jarvis Moss, Florida

ILB:
David Harris, Michigan
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
Patrick Willis, Mississippi

 

[Seneschal2]

Barring major FA additions, I'd like to see 2 LB prospects on day one. Choose one from each group:

OLB:
Anthony Spencer, Purdue
Jarvis Moss, Florida

ILB:
David Harris, Michigan
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
Patrick Willis, Mississippi

One will be easy to get (in the first)...leaving one of four hoping to make it to our round two or round three pick.

Seems unlikely we'd draft two in round one...although if the value is there -- it's possible.

Of those 5, which two would you say will be the highest valued (by the Pats)?

 

[jczxohn1]

Intigued by the possibility of Victor Abiamiri. DE, Notre Dame. 6'4" 268lb, 4.8 est. Most DEs convert to OLB, but Victor seems to have more traits of an ILB. PFW Pro Prospects had this to say about him.
"Big, strong, stout base end with a rocked-up physique. Plays with good balance and functional strength. Keeps his feet and can stunt and work inside or outside and shows the power and punch to control blockers. Jacked USC OT Winston Justice (Eagles 2006 2nd rd) off the ground with his forceful punch and rag-dolled him all game. Has long arms to extend and keep blockers off his body.Shows the close speed to flatten down the line and persue. Can anchor and hold his ground. Plays within the defense, takes care of his responsibilities and appears almost restricted by what he is asked to do in the defense and will only flash edge speed. Smart and competitive. Outstanding representative of the program. Tremendous work ethic. Has made strides each year and has more upside and athletic ability than Tuck."

Sounds like a Patriot type player who could contribute fairly soon.

 

[chunkypony]

I would like to see Posluzsny as an ILB and Spencer for an OLB. If we snagged either one of those guys, that would make my draft weekend. I am enamored with David Harris, so if we got Spencer and Harris at some point, then BB could use all his other picks on TE and I would still be happy.

On the DE from Notre Dame:

I especially like the part about being "restricted". This is the type of player that BB looks for I believe. Someone who is just going "to do their job" and not freelance. Good find.

 

[PonyExpress]

Intigued by the possibility of Victor Abiamiri. DE, Notre Dame. 6'4" 268lb, 4.8 est. Most DEs convert to OLB, but Victor seems to have more traits of an ILB. PFW Pro Prospects had this to say about him.
"Big, strong, stout base end with a rocked-up physique. Plays with good balance and functional strength. Keeps his feet and can stunt and work inside or outside and shows the power and punch to control blockers. Jacked USC OT Winston Justice (Eagles 2006 2nd rd) off the ground with his forceful punch and rag-dolled him all game. Has long arms to extend and keep blockers off his body.Shows the close speed to flatten down the line and persue. Can anchor and hold his ground. Plays within the defense, takes care of his responsibilities and appears almost restricted by what he is asked to do in the defense and will only flash edge speed. Smart and competitive. Outstanding representative of the program. Tremendous work ethic. Has made strides each year and has more upside and athletic ability than Tuck."

Sounds like a Patriot type player who could contribute fairly soon.

I have watched Abiamiri a good deal. He seems too big for an ILB at 6'5'' 271 lbs already, and ripped. He also would be a major project if moved there due to playing out of position. Maybe a 3 year project, if ever. As a DE, he is quick and strong, but seems just a bit heavy legged to play OLB. I thought at first he could do it, but after watching the senior bowl and practices, I think his natural position is clearly 4-3 DE.

 

[Water Boy]

If we do grab a LB in the first; who do you want?
I like Willis but he should be gone so I would like to see us take OLB Lawrence Timmons from Florida State 6 foot 3 247LBS .

I think our Defense is at its best when Vrabel and Colvin are on the outside. Having them backed up with Woods and TBC, I think makes for a very solid group. If there is an DE/OLB prospect who is head and shoulders better than TBC and Woods - so be it, but I don't see any rookie having an immediate impact for us at OLB.

Our glaring need is at ILB, and we should be serioulsy considering drafting
Willis, Siler and/or Harris.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I have watched Abiamiri a good deal. He seems too big for an ILB at 6'5'' 271 lbs already, and ripped. He also would be a major project if moved there due to playing out of position. Maybe a 3 year project, if ever. As a DE, he is quick and strong, but seems just a bit heavy legged to play OLB. I thought at first he could do it, but after watching the senior bowl and practices, I think his natural position is clearly 4-3 DE.

I need to wait for the Pro-day/Combine agility results, and whatever brief glimpses I can get of the testing when NFL Network cameras drift away from the panel discussion. He is one of several DEs I'd like to see participate in LB drills, but his 4.8 speed is a hang-up.

 

[DB15]

just a note guys: vrable is more than capable of playing both positions. so if it ment that we could get a quality young guy at olb rather than mlb and it would mean mike would be forced to move inside for the latter part of his years left than that would be more thatn acceptable with me.

thoughts?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

just a note guys: vrable is more than capable of playing both positions. so if it ment that we could get a quality young guy at olb rather than mlb and it would mean mike would be forced to move inside for the latter part of his years left than that would be more thatn acceptable with me.

thoughts?

It's an option.

 

[BelichickFan]

just a note guys: vrable is more than capable of playing both positions. so if it ment that we could get a quality young guy at olb rather than mlb and it would mean mike would be forced to move inside for the latter part of his years left than that would be more thatn acceptable with me.

I prefer Vrabel outside but he's getting older, and slower, as everyone does so it may not be long until he needs to move inside or he'll become part of the problem, not part of the solution, regarding our slowness at LB. Sad to say but it happens to everyone.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

I agree BB fan. Plus, Vrabel will be able to call plays at ILB once Bruschi retires.

 

[pats63]

Greatest need is for ILB for that I like to see Siler,Poz or Bradly....I still need more imfo...

 

[AzPatsFan]

I can't agree on this--I think both are clear needs. Right now, the Patriots have nobody but Pierre Woods behind Vrabel & Colvin, both of whom will be over 30 next season.

Barring major FA additions, I'd like to see 2 LB prospects on day one. Choose one from each group:

OLB:
Anthony Spencer, Purdue
Jarvis Moss, Florida

ILB:
David Harris, Michigan
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
Patrick Willis, Mississippi

I vehemently disigree. TBC is averaging a sack a game, and many pressures, every game that he starts. The great sackers in the league do no better. Merrimen, Taylor, Phillips or Schobel are all under a sack a game, and many have much less of a complete game than TBC.

And TBC plays ST and does it well.

Some of these guys have no passing presence or runing presence, and TBC stops the run; maybe not like Vrabel but it ain't bad. he also has 2 PDs, and I'll bet that the big four outside of Taylor have zip there.

Fortunately Bill pays for production; so TBC gets a big paycheck.

As for the much ballyhooed start of Alexander in the AFCCG, Kraft let the story out of the bag, when he said 15 guys were down with the flu. Belichcik makes no excuses good or bad, merely congratulates the opponent.

Bruschi looked peaked and TBC did too. Scott wasn't to be seen either. Thats three who were the other 12?

For a rebuilding year, losing 15 guys to IR, 15 more for the AFCCCG, and being 60 seconds from the SB, is simply amazing.:singing:

 

[PonyExpress]

I like TBC. But I think he is best as a rotational 3rd LBer. Against quality LTs he does not hold up against the run, and teams that have quality left tackles are the ones that make the playoffs. Vs. SD McNeil repeatedly pancaked him. It was bad enough for BB to shift Vrabel outside for the AFCCG. If you are saying flu was the reason for that move, or maybe the need to increase speed at ILB, I have my doubts. Vrabel himself said after the game that the reason he had been switched outside vs. the Colts was because the team needed to set the edge better vs. the run. That says it all IMO. After Seau was injured and TBC inserted into the lineup, the Pats went from giving up 75 yards rushing per game over the 1st 10 to about 130 per game over the last 9, one of the worst marks in the NFL. TBC trouble setting the edge and taking on tackles played a significant role in the collapse of the Pats run defense.

Spencer at OLB may have the potential as a rookie to be a more powerful player vs the run than Banta Cain, a 4 year vet. He appears to have freakish lower body strength for a man with LBer speed (under 4.7). (He also has remarkable upper body strength, benching over 500 lbs). I am very high on Spencer and believe he could have a Merriman like impact on the Pats. Unfortunately, other teams surely have seen what I have and I suspect Spencer will move ahead of more heralded prospects before all is said and done and possibly come off the board in the late teens.

 

[cstjohn17]

I like TBC. But I think he is best as a rotational 3rd LBer. Against quality LTs he does not hold up against the run, and teams that have quality left tackles are the ones that make the playoffs. Vs. SD McNeil repeatedly pancaked him. It was bad enough for BB to shift Vrabel outside for the AFCCG. If you are saying flu was the reason for that move, or maybe the need to increase speed at ILB, I have my doubts. Vrabel himself said after the game that the reason he had been switched outside vs. the Colts was because the team needed to set the edge better vs. the run. That says it all IMO. After Seau was injured and TBC inserted into the lineup, the Pats went from giving up 75 yards rushing per game over the 1st 10 to about 130 per game over the last 9, one of the worst marks in the NFL. TBC trouble setting the edge and taking on tackles played a significant role in the collapse of the Pats run defense.

Spencer at OLB has the potential as a rookie to be a more powerful player vs the run than Banta Cain, a 4 year vet.

I agree, if TBC comes back at decent money, I am ok with that. Maybe a late round DE/OLB project is brought in for the practice squad.

I think the know that TBC has hit the wall as far as his development and they draft a player with more upside to replace him. The names are the usual suspects (Spencer, Moses, Moss, Bradley, Burgess, Brad Smith (hip injury), Moore, etc., etc., etc.)

As far as veteran FAs, I am keeping my eye on Antwan Peek from Houston. He has experience in a 3-4 and may get a look.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I vehemently disigree. TBC is averaging a sack a game, and many pressures, every game that he starts. The great sackers in the league do no better. Merrimen, Taylor, Phillips or Schobel are all under a sack a game, and many have much less of a complete game than TBC.

And TBC plays ST and does it well.

Some of these guys have no passing presence or runing presence, and TBC stops the run; maybe not like Vrabel but it ain't bad. he also has 2 PDs, and I'll bet that the big four outside of Taylor have zip there.

Fortunately Bill pays for production; so TBC gets a big paycheck.

As for the much ballyhooed start of Alexander in the AFCCG, Kraft let the story out of the bag, when he said 15 guys were down with the flu. Belichcik makes no excuses good or bad, merely congratulates the opponent.

Bruschi looked peaked and TBC did too. Scott wasn't to be seen either. Thats three who were the other 12?

For a rebuilding year, losing 15 guys to IR, 15 more for the AFCCCG, and being 60 seconds from the SB, is simply amazing.:singing:

Don't want you to feel lonely with the folks dissatisfied with poor TBC, I listed him as the #1 priority for re-signing in earlier discussions. I expect him to be coming back for Jarvis Green money.

 

[PonyExpress]

I agree, TBC can provide a Jarvis green role for the OLB corps. A pass rush specialist at LB, a rotational player, who can play a starting role when called upon in emergency. Too much time could expose him vs. the run. Under those circumstances I would be happy to see him back.