Vet ILBs - who is out there, will be cut, or avail for trade?

[mayoclinic]

No, I went bananas (twice) when BB passed on Maualuga not one, but TWICE, I was going bananas on draft day, I'm still pissed over it. Can you imagine Maualuga and Mayo playing next to each other, wtf was BB thinking ????

Riddle me this - why did BB pass on Rey Maualuga at 23, 26 and 34? Was it because BB is stupid, and didn't have the benefit of your wisdom and insight? Or could it possibly be that BB, with more experience and insight than all of us combined and a much better understanding of what would work best in his system, didn't think that Maualuga was actually a good fit?

You may end up being right. I desperately wanted Karlos Dansby at #32 in 2004, and nothing will ever convince me that we should have passed on him for Ben Watson. BB passed 3 times on my binky Barwin this year too, and I'm convinced he would have been an all pro for us at OLB. But either you have to assume that the man in charge - who has 5 SB rings and who may be the best coach and one of the best defensive minds of all time - knows what he's doing and you get over it, or you end up writing ridiculous Peter King-like columns about how the Pats were "drunk" with the power of moving around in the draft.

I wish Maualuga well. Hope he proves me and all the other doubters wrong. We'll move on.

 

[mayoclinic]

Woods is 250. Heavier than out present ILB squad. I think OLB is between Crable and Redd so Woods at ILB is not a bad idea. UDFA Applebee? Worrell Williams of Cal. is 250lbs. He received honorable mention All-Pac-10 notice but did not get a FA try out. He was rated as a mid-round draft pick. He is short at about 6' tall or less but then so is London Fletcher. 23 reps and 4.75 speed.

Wouldn't that be something if the misfortune of one creates the opportunity for the other (Applebee). He also has the most 3-4 experience.

As far as Vets. Bobby Carpenter from the 'Boys could be available. Excellent ST guy and back up for Teddy, Mayo and Guyton. Can cover fairly well and has speed. The Boys also have Ellis they could move. Dansby from the Cards can play inside but would cost us big time in CAP.

DW Toys

Weight has nothing to do with it. Heck, Ron Brace is probably heavier than both of our ILBs put together. Woods is tall and long and not an SILB, pure and simple. It's not a natural position for him.

Bobby Carpenter has not shown the ability to play 3-4 ILB in 3 years with the Cowboys. He has nice size but is not particularly physical or athletic. I wouldn't waste what it would take to trade for him.

My personal feeling is that Karlos Dansby would be the best option but would be unlikely and expensive, and that Napoleon Harris would be the next best option and considerably more affordable and likely. Harris has been a UFA so he wouldn't cost anything in picks, and there hasn't been a huge amount of interest in him so he probably wouldn't require an enormous contract. The opportunity to start at SILB would be a nice inducement. He had over 100 tackles for Kansas City in 2007 at MLB.

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

Junior Seau. Yeah. Really.

 

[spacecrime]

A day two draft pick is going on IR?

We're doomed!

Crap! And I had hopes for this season, too.

Oh, well, there's always 2010

 

[spacecrime]

Riddle me this - why did BB pass on Rey Maualuga at 23, 26 and 34? Was it because BB is stupid, and didn't have the benefit of your wisdom and insight? Or could it possibly be that BB, with more experience and insight than all of us combined and a much better understanding of what would work best in his system, didn't think that Maualuga was actually a good fit?

HEY!!

We watched NFL Live every day leading up to the draft. We bought the Sporting News Special draft magazine. We listened to Kiper, McShay, Mayock, Mark Shlereth and Trent Dilfer.

We KNOW who the better player was. BB dropped the ball. Any fool can see that.

If you can change lawyer to draft expert, this bit from the Addams Family movie applies:

http://wavs.unclebubby.com/wav/MOVIES/AdamsFam/iamfool_af.wav

 

[patsfan-1982]

With McKenzie out, Pats ILB depth is even thinner. They could hope that Appleby pans out as an UDFA, but as Mike Lombardi says, don't confuse hope with a plan. And as we all know BB, he must have a plan, and that will probably include grabbing a vet ILB.

So who is out on the market, will likely be cut and/or available for a cheap trade?

I can't really think of any names off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are a few guys worth a look ...

we will miss McKenzie all pro play at ILB lol i did not see him as ever being anything more then a ST guy as far as what they do if the injury bug hits will lets hope not cause that would mean seau or alexander playing ILB

 

[PATRIOT64]

Tank Williams will be finding his way onto the ILB position - He did it in TC last year at times instead of DB and it looks very likely it will be a bigger role for him if he can get on the field and healthy after preseason this year

 

[skri65]

My football/linebacker knowledge is apparently a bit limited. Why would Tank Williams, listed at 220-230 lb range, play ILB? Wouldn't someone that "light" be better suited for the OLB role, and even be a bit light for that? Is he just not a good pass rusher?

An honest question, just a bit confused here.

 

[PATRIOT64]

My football/linebacker knowledge is apparently a bit limited. Why would Tank Williams, listed at 220-230 lb range, play ILB? Wouldn't someone that "light" be better suited for the OLB role, and even be a bit light for that? Is he just not a good pass rusher?

An honest question, just a bit confused here.

Simply the fact that he played there at ILB before he got hurt - If BB thinks he can play inside at 230 Lbs then it shall be,Maybe Tank will add a few Lbs if he goes there as his primary position - Right now he is not that important at CB and if they wanted him at safety they are stacked there as well,OLB may not be for him.

 

[mgteich]

It is not unusual for a player to have reps at both strong safety and inside linebacker for the patriots. I think Davis was the last to have such a role. Tank Williams was brought to the team with that dual role in mind. This is a situational role, not a starting role.

If Tank is healthy by the time the season starts, somewhat unlikely, he very well could get the #4 ILB position. I would note that since ILB's are pulled more often than OLB's, there is little real need for a #4 ILB other than in the case of two injuries. As of now, the possibilities are Williams, Alexander, and Appleby. If we sign another OLB, one of the OLB's could potentially move inside in certain formations.

My football/linebacker knowledge is apparently a bit limited. Why would Tank Williams, listed at 220-230 lb range, play ILB? Wouldn't someone that "light" be better suited for the OLB role, and even be a bit light for that? Is he just not a good pass rusher?

An honest question, just a bit confused here.

 

[TheComeback]

My football/linebacker knowledge is apparently a bit limited. Why would Tank Williams, listed at 220-230 lb range, play ILB? Wouldn't someone that "light" be better suited for the OLB role, and even be a bit light for that? Is he just not a good pass rusher?

An honest question, just a bit confused here.

220-230 is very light for an ILB, but it's possible. I don't think he would move there permanently, but could reps there in passing situations to cover tight ends.

He is way too small to play OLB. They are usually least 245 lbs, and ideally around 260 like Vrabel. Some are even bigger than that; Adalius Thomas is 270 and so is Shawne Merriman.

 

[skri65]

220-230 is very light for an ILB, but it's possible. I don't think he would move there permanently, but could reps there in passing situations to cover tight ends.

He is way too small to play OLB. They are usually least 245 lbs, and ideally around 260 like Vrabel. Some are even bigger than that; Adalius Thomas is 270 and so is Shawne Merriman.

Oh, i think that's why I was so confused. I thought ILB generally weighed more than OLB's. That was my confusion. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

 

[The_Riddler]

I wish Maualuga well. Hope he proves me and all the other doubters wrong. We'll move on.

There is no doubt in my mind that Rey Maualuga should have been our pick. He's the next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu and I think he's going to end up being even better. Ya, I feel like BB really missed the boat on this one, I really do. And the future is going to prove that out. I would have taken him at 23 and to believe that we even could have had him twice after that, again I shake my head. He filled an absolute need, I can't bear to watch another season of Tedy B getting abused at that position, we needed a major upgrade there, BB had his opportunity and I feel like he dropped the ball on it. That is my opinion.

 

[JSn]

There is no doubt in my mind that Rey Maualuga should have been our pick. He's the next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu and I think he's going to end up being even better. Ya, I feel like BB really missed the boat on this one, I really do. And the future is going to prove that out. I would have taken him at 23 and to believe that we even could have had him twice after that, again I shake my head. He filled an absolute need, I can't bear to watch another season of Tedy B getting abused at that position, we needed a major upgrade there, BB had his opportunity and I feel like he dropped the ball on it. That is my opinion.

But how do you really feel?

 

[mayoclinic]

There is no doubt in my mind that Rey Maualuga should have been our pick. He's the next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu and I think he's going to end up being even better. Ya, I feel like BB really missed the boat on this one, I really do. And the future is going to prove that out. I would have taken him at 23 and to believe that we even could have had him twice after that, again I shake my head. He filled an absolute need, I can't bear to watch another season of Tedy B getting abused at that position, we needed a major upgrade there, BB had his opportunity and I feel like he dropped the ball on it. That is my opinion.

Great. You've said it about 100 times now. I think most people are aware of how you feel. The Globe may run a feature on it. Now give it up and move on. Maualuga's not going to be a Pat, so grow up and let it go.

 

[patchick]

There is no doubt in my mind that Rey Maualuga should have been our pick. He's the next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu and I think he's going to end up being even better. Ya, I feel like BB really missed the boat on this one, I really do. And the future is going to prove that out. I would have taken him at 23 and to believe that we even could have had him twice after that, again I shake my head. He filled an absolute need, I can't bear to watch another season of Tedy B getting abused at that position, we needed a major upgrade there, BB had his opportunity and I feel like he dropped the ball on it. That is my opinion.

Did you notice that everybody passed on Maualuga, so that the "sure-fire top 10 pick," "next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu" lasted well into round 2, despite a general dearth of top ILB talent? Perhaps the many reports of Maualuga's immaturity, rejection of coaching, low intelligence, alcohol problems, and need to be "babysat" scared teams off? Or perhaps everybody just overlooked him somehow.

No, sorry, not everybody...the Bengals saw that this was the kind of fellow their lockerroom needed.

 

[PatsChowder]

There is no doubt in my mind that Rey Maualuga should have been our pick. He's the next Junior Seau/Lofa Tatupu and I think he's going to end up being even better. Ya, I feel like BB really missed the boat on this one, I really do. And the future is going to prove that out. I would have taken him at 23 and to believe that we even could have had him twice after that, again I shake my head. He filled an absolute need, I can't bear to watch another season of Tedy B getting abused at that position, we needed a major upgrade there, BB had his opportunity and I feel like he dropped the ball on it. That is my opinion.

I am right with you on this one. I was very disappointed to see the Pats pass on Maualuga not once, not twice, but three times. Time will tell...

I'm surprised to see that no one has mentioned Willie McGinest. If you want to bring in a linebacker that knows the system and could be an immediate impact if used right, McGinest would be a great fit. He can still get after the QB.

 

[Jimke]

If all else fails, the Pats can probably trade a mid round draft pick

to Kansas City for Monte Beisel.

 

[JSn]

I'm surprised to see that no one has mentioned Willie McGinest. If you want to bring in a linebacker that knows the system and could be an immediate impact if used right, McGinest would be a great fit. He can still get after the QB.

But isn't he an OLB?

 

[Bostonian1962]

1) I'm not sure I understand the panic. Did anyone expect lots of reps and contributions from our 3C developmental LB draftee? and, yes, we do have the opportunity to sign another ILB if we wish.

I expected him to be a stud. He was a tackling machine in college, and though we will never know, I expected him to side with Mayo this year, and be really good.