A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION
Please assess the quality of linebacker player by the patriots over those same years. Has linebacker been a STRENGTH of the team, and of the system, or it has it been a weakness because we chose not to devote high draft choices to the position?
My point is that our FO has evaluated the various methods of securing players at various positions, and have concluded that 3-4 impacy OLB's are better developed from free agents and trades, or from DE's. 3-4 impact inside linebackers are especially difficult to develop, and they best come from veteran free agents, trades, and from converted OLB's.
A large percentage of posters here have each year have questioned this approach and cried and moaned for a 1st round, or at least a Round 2 linebacker. That has been true on this board at least since we all cheered when we traded up to draft Napolean Harris, only to find out that we had drafted a blocking TE.
Could this situation trun around this year? Sure! The FO could simply decide that they need a new strategy, that will even be more successful.
I really do understand that OCCASIONALLY there will be a high-profile linebacker who projects to work out so well that the patriots will try to draft him. Vilma was such a player. But this is rare, certainly not the dozen candidates in each draft that we posters put on our value lists.
My bottom line is that I'd rather have Alexander and Woods than any 2nd day draft choice, and I would rather have Hartwell and a corner rather than have Willis.
I am quite sure as the day approaches, we will all have our list of linebackers that we MUST have. We will have this year's Lawson, who we will project to be the defensive ROY, even when playing inside in the 3-4. And IMHO, we will again cry and moan when we pass Willis and don't draft a LB until the 6th round, if at all. Or just maybe there will be a special player that the FO goes after. Personally, I would shocked if that player is Willis (Carricker comes to mind).
mgteich, your point is well taken. The answer: no one in the last 10 years.
Again, the objective is to achieve a mix of contributing veterans and acquire a few rookies over the span of a few drafts to be groomed for contributing as veterans. The team has done it with Bruschi, Johnson, McGinest, and others. It must be done to hedge against injuries and the years when good LB FAs are either too expensive, too rare, or both. It's time to start now.