Inside Linebacker

[jmt57]

Jeff Howe of NESN on the unit:

Jerod Mayo Leads Linebacking Corps That Must Generate Pass Rush - New England Patriots - NESN.com

Position Battle to Watch: There's a snowball effect here, but it starts at inside linebacker in the 3-4 base. Mayo obviously has one spot, but who gets the next one? If it's Gary Guyton, the Patriots will then likely have to use a heavy rotation of players at outside linebacker. But if Belichick moves Guyton to the outside, where his speed is most valuable, it will create a good position battle for the starting job next to Mayo.Tyrone McKenzie and Brandon Spikes, who have zero NFL snaps between them, have a ton of promise, and each might be ready to start from the word go.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots Rookie Free Agent Fletcher Has Always Been A Contact Hitter by Glen Farley for the Quincy Patriot Ledger:


“Surprisingly quick, yes,” Belichick answered last week when asked about the linebacker’s rate of progress with the Patrots. “It’s not like he’s running with the first team, so he doesn’t get a lot of snaps, but he’s a very quick learner and he’s an instinctive player.

“He’s got a long way to go, but he’s made a lot of improvement and he’s done well with his opportunities in the spring and now in training camp.”



Indeed, the 6-foot-2, 244-pounder does have a long way to go.

First and foremost, Fletcher is attempting to make the leap from the College Football Subdivision level (Div. 1-AA) at Montana State to the National Football League.

Second, he’s trying to make the transition from defensive end-outside linebacker in college to inside linebacker in the pros.

Last, and certainly not least, he’s competing at a position that has a 2008 first-round draft pick (Jerod Mayo) locked in as one starter with a second-round choice this year (Brandon Spikes), a 2009 third-round selection (Tyrone McKenzie) and a holdover starter (Gary Guyton) leading the list of competitors at the other.

How’s that for having the odds stacked against you?

 

[jmt57]

Mike Reiss of espnBoston had questions on nearly all positions in Tuesday's Mailbag; here were a couple on the ILB positions:


Q. Since the Patriots have what has to be considered one of the weakest groups of OLBs in recent memory for the team, and with the additions of powerful linebackers like Brandon Spikes and Tyrone McKenzie, should the Pats try to send more blitzes up the middle using their ILBs? Maybe guys like Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton can use their speed on delayed blitzes on a more consistent basis. -- Matt E. (Rhode Island)

A. Matt, I think we will see some more of this, specifically from Spikes. As a taller inside linebacker, he can disrupt the passing lanes and get in the quarterback's field of vision. The Patriots blitzed more than 40 percent of the time last season -- ranking them as the seventh-highest-blitzing team -- so it's not like they didn't dial it up at times. But I think where the pressure comes from could be more varied this year.



Q. Mike, I have a question in regards to the linebackers, specifically Spikes. I see he has received plenty of good coverage lately, but one thing I haven't seen (or may have missed) is how his unique skill set translates to a position in a 4-3 defense. While he appears to be "longer" than a classic 3-4 ILB, I'm curious where he would fit if/when the Pats show a 4-3 look. Does he have the abilities to play one of the OLB spots, or is his "lack of speed" (I use the term loosely, of course) a detriment to playing that position. Since the Pats like to mix in different looks I think it's worth looking at how various players would or wouldn't fit in the 3-4 or 4-3. -- Tom (Framingham, Mass.)
A. Tom, my sense is that Spikes would be a pure middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense. That would best suit his skill set, playing downhill.

 

[reflexblue]

Patriots Rookie Free Agent Fletcher Has Always Been A Contact Hitter by Glen Farley for the Quincy Patriot Ledger:


“Surprisingly quick, yes,” Belichick answered last week when asked about the linebacker’s rate of progress with the Patrots. “It’s not like he’s running with the first team, so he doesn’t get a lot of snaps, but he’s a very quick learner and he’s an instinctive player.

“He’s got a long way to go, but he’s made a lot of improvement and he’s done well with his opportunities in the spring and now in training camp.”



Indeed, the 6-foot-2, 244-pounder does have a long way to go.

First and foremost, Fletcher is attempting to make the leap from the College Football Subdivision level (Div. 1-AA) at Montana State to the National Football League.

Second, he’s trying to make the transition from defensive end-outside linebacker in college to inside linebacker in the pros.

Last, and certainly not least, he’s competing at a position that has a 2008 first-round draft pick (Jerod Mayo) locked in as one starter with a second-round choice this year (Brandon Spikes), a 2009 third-round selection (Tyrone McKenzie) and a holdover starter (Gary Guyton) leading the list of competitors at the other.

How’s that for having the odds stacked against you?

This just doesn't make any sense at least to me. The guy was a DE in college but with the Pats (who could be loaded at ILB) hes trying to convert to ILB instead of OLB.

 

[jmt57]

WEEI's Christopher Price profiles the rookie ILB in his roster rankings from a couple weeks ago:

It Is What It Is Rating the Roster, Training Camp Edition (Part 5)


33. Linebacker Brandon Spikes: Like we tied the two young tight ends together at Nos. 40 and 39, we’ll do the same thing here with the two young Florida linebackers. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Spikes was extremely impressive this spring, and with a strong camp this summer, he will almost certainly push Gary Guyton for the spot opposite Jerod Mayo inside (a battle that will include Tyrone McKenzie). (“Brandon Spikes is pretty much the middle of our defense like Tim Tebow was the center of our offense,” Spikes’ college teammate Jermaine Cunningham said of the linebacker. “He was the center of our defense. He goes out there, he’s quick and he holds the defense together.”) Guyton is still the presumptive starter for several reasons — not the least of which includes the fact that he and Mayo are closer than almost any other pair of teammates on the roster. But Spikes will make Guyton sweat.

 

[jmt57]

Jeff Howe of NESN takes a look at his 'ups' and 'downs' from Thursday night's game: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Marques Murrell Open Eyes in Patriots' Preseason Win Over Saints - New England Patriots - NESN.com

4. Inside linebacker Dane Fletcher has opened the eyes of many during training camp, and he was around the ball a lot Thursday, though he only registered two total tackles. It would be an absolute stunner if the undrafted free agent made the roster, but he'd look like a good catch for the practice squad. If he keeps improving over the next few weeks, though, another team might snag Fletcher off the waiver wire.

 

[jmt57]

Another pre-camp roster ranking and profile from WEEI's Christopher Price:


26. Inside linebacker Gary Guyton: As we said before, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Guyton and Brandon Spikes (as well as, perhaps, Tyrone McKenzie) should wage a terrific battle for the inside linebacker spot opposite Jerod Mayo this season. One of the fastest linebackers in the league, Guyton stepped into a bigger role this season, and took on added responsibility — when Mayo was out with a knee injury early in the year, Guyton had the green dot on the back of his helmet. Along the way, he did well enough to win the respect of Bill Belichick. “He’s smart,” Belichick said of Guyton last year. “He’s well-prepared. He has a real good understanding of football – the running game, the passing game. … He understands defensive adjustments, not just his role, but where other people have to be or if somebody else has to do something and how that affects him. That’s really what you want in a defensive signal caller, somebody that understands how it all works.” Guyton isn’t the most talented linebacker on the team, but his speed and his experience at least give him the early edge over the other two in the position battle.

 

[Kontradiction]

WEEI's Christopher Price profiles the rookie ILB in his roster rankings from a couple weeks ago:

It Is What It Is Rating the Roster, Training Camp Edition (Part 5)


33. Linebacker Brandon Spikes: Like we tied the two young tight ends together at Nos. 40 and 39, we’ll do the same thing here with the two young Florida linebackers. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Spikes was extremely impressive this spring, and with a strong camp this summer, he will almost certainly push Gary Guyton for the spot opposite Jerod Mayo inside (a battle that will include Tyrone McKenzie). (“Brandon Spikes is pretty much the middle of our defense like Tim Tebow was the center of our offense,” Spikes’ college teammate Jermaine Cunningham said of the linebacker. “He was the center of our defense. He goes out there, he’s quick and he holds the defense together.”) Guyton is still the presumptive starter for several reasons — not the least of which includes the fact that he and Mayo are closer than almost any other pair of teammates on the roster. But Spikes will make Guyton sweat.

I would be absolutely shocked if Guyton was the primary starter on first, second, and third down. I believe Spikes will take that spot with relative ease. The only time Guyton should see the field is on third down and other obvious passing downs. He's the best coverage ILB we have, but he's suspect against the run where Spikes is all over the field.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Italia44 said:

"I'm obsessed with 2 things this year:
1.Get Mayo back in position,at all cost
2.Get the RDE position stabilized.

It's not the OLB's or even the pass rush,it's the interior that needs to be fixed....the rest will fall into place."

He sumarizes what I have been saying all preseason while others moan about our OLB Pass Rush. To reiterate, the OLB position produced and met its "quota" of sacks in 2009. It's that no one else did it, was the problem. With TBC and Burgess back and the depth that is not a problem. Filling the hole that Seymour left is, and was the major problem.

Belichick agrees. Look where the emphasis was all off season. He drafted two more DL linemen and signed not one but two former #1 picks as vet FA ex-starters, to go with Vibce Wilfork, Mike Wright Mo Pryor, and hopefully Ron Brace.

Warren's loss to IR complicates things, but that too can be handled as BOTH Lewis and Warren look like they are still above average big DLs. Neither may star, but they should be more than competent, while the depth is there to keep them fresh. Aging vets lose endurance generally, not do much in ability.

Italia also makes a valid observation. Mayo and Guyton played as a pair; but it forced Mayo into a position he is really un-suited to play. Ideally Guyton is a sub for Mayo at the Will. Spikes and Mackenzie are more the the Mike /SILBs.

I'd like top add, that all great Defenses are "tough up the middle". The Pats are much improved. Wilfork, then Mayo & Spikes, and Chung & Meriwether, is potentially truly extraordinary.

Great Post I-44!! :rocker:

 

[Deus Irae]

Italia44 said:

"I'm obsessed with 2 things this year:
1.Get Mayo back in position,at all cost
2.Get the RDE position stabilized.

It's not the OLB's or even the pass rush,it's the interior that needs to be fixed....the rest will fall into place."

He sumarizes what I have been saying all preseason while others moan about our OLB Pass Rush. To reiterate, the OLB position produced and met its "quota" of sacks in 2009. It's that no one else did it, was the problem. With TBC and Burgess back and the depth that is not a problem. Filling the hole that Seymour left is, and was the major problem.

Belichick agrees. Look where the emphasis was all off season. He drafted two more DL linemen and signed not one but two former #1 picks as vet FA ex-starters, to go with Vibce Wilfork, Mike Wright Mo Pryor, and hopefully Ron Brace.

Warren's loss to IR complicates things, but that too can be handled as BOTH Lewis and Warren look like they are still above average big DLs. Neither may star, but they should be more than competent, while the depth is there to keep them fresh. Aging vets lose endurance generally, not do much in ability.

Italia also makes a valid observation. Mayo and Guyton played as a pair; but it forced Mayo into a position he is really un-suited to play. Ideally Guyton is a sub for Mayo at the Will. Spikes and Mackenzie are more the the Mike /SILBs.

Great Post I-44!! :rocker:

The team also drafted an OLB, signed Murrell and made inquiries into Schobel. While I agree that finding someone to at least blunt the loss of Seymour was a major issue, so is the outside linebacker position.

Unfortunately, the paucity of free agents limited the team's ability to address the problem.

 

[jmt57]

Training Camp Report From Sunday 8/15 Afternoon Practice by Christopher Price for WEEI:


• Defensively, it’s clear that there is no more competition at the inside linebacker spot opposite Jerod Mayo, as Florida rookie Brandon Spikes continues to impress — he made some nice plays in 11-on-11 drills. It’ll be interesting to see how playing time is parceled out when Guyton returns to the field, but with each passing day, Spikes is doing more and more to make the job his own.

 

[jmt57]

From Price's pre-TC (7/29) roster rankings:


5. Inside linebacker Jerod Mayo: The 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year took a step back in 2009 (we’re not sure how much of that was tied to the knee injury he suffered in the season opener against Buffalo — he has a legendarily high tolerance for pain), but he remains one of the most important parts of the New England defense. Even after only two years, you know what sort of on-field numbers (and havoc) he’s capable of producing. But what intrigues me are his leadership skills. Mayo, who is entering his third year in the league, is now the unquestioned leader of the linebacking corps. And now, with no more old-school linebackers (Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Junior Seau, etc.) in the mix, it will be interesting to see if he feels comfortable enough to flex some leadership muscles this season.

 

[jmt57]

An Inside Story by Greg Knopping for Pats Pulpit:

One position that is still unclear as ever is the inside linebacker position. This isn't a bad thing, it's simply a matter of quality of depth. Going into training camp, I think that everyone just expected the Patriots to take four linebackers to the regular season; Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Tyrone McKenzie, and Brandon Spikes. Jerod Mayo was going to start at one spot, and the big question was how playing time would be partitioned in the spot next to him between the other three.

So far, that question has yet to be answered. Gary Guyton went down with an injury early in training camp, and rookie Brandon Spikes has been running with the ones ever since. Spikes, to this point, has arguably been the most impressive rookie in camp. He has been stuffing the run, getting to the quarterback, and playing outstanding coverage. Pretty impressive for a player who was dropped to the 4th-6th round on some teams' draft boards coming out of Florida.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots Linebacker Recap: Should Tyrone McKenzie Be Worried? by Richard Hill for Pats Pulpit:

From a positive standpoint, it appears that Gary Guyton's starting spot next to Jerod Mayo is in jeopardy. Brandon Spikes played like a first rounder and silenced a lot of his critics. Is Spikes too slow to play ILB in the NFL? With a fantastic premier, Spikes showed speed, instincts and aggression and is now a step closer to being a Week 1 starter next to Mayo. Should Spikes have another couple great pre-season games, he could definitely cement his spot as a legitimate starter.

On the subject of Spikes, a lot of people expressed concern that Tyrone McKenzie, 2009's 3rd round pick, wasn't the first guy off the bench. UDFA Dane Fletcher came on and split time with Spikes, leaving McKenzie to sit on the bench until the 4th quarter. Should McKenzie be worried about his spot on the team, especially if an undrafted player has jumped him in the depth chart?

Nah. Remember, McKenzie hasn't played football since he was in the Senior Bowl. That's a year and a half ago. That's a long time to not play a down. In his first game back, McKenzie performed well (and he should) against the 3rd team Saints' offense. That's a great place for him to start. It's been clear to everyone that Spikes is the top player primed to start with Mayo down the road- McKenzie is playing for top back-up. My guess is that a combination of wanting to see Spikes against top competition and wanted to ease McKenzie back on the field is what led the coaches to play McKenzie little and play him late.

However, you should expect McKenzie to see the field earlier as the pre-season games wear on. Once McKenzie gains his field legs back, he should rack up play time. This game was just a preview of McKenzie. We'll start seeing the real deal over the next few weeks. Don't worry about his roster spot just yet- he has 3 more weeks to regain his form. The new questions that are being asked: Where does Dane Fletcher fit in? Where does Gary Guyton return to?

 

[jmt57]

Patriots Roster Prediction #28: LB Brandon Spikes by Richard Hill for Pats Pulpit:


Predicted Role: With Gary Guyton missing some preseason time, Spikes has been able to step up and play with Jerod Mayo on the first team defense, as well as be the leader of the second team defense. He's should continue his high level of play into the NFL and should earn the starting spot next to Mayo for the season. He brings a level of tenacity to the defense that the team has been lacking and backs up his fierceness with great skill. He'll be a top inside linebacker and should be a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Look for Spikes to play ILB and a little OLB when he's needed to cover tight ends and running backs. He's a versatile and strong player.

Summary: Spikes will continue to be an incredible player and should be a terror for opposing offenses. Spikes will flourish next to Mayo- and Mayo will do much better next to Spikes than next to Guyton. Look for Spikes to be on the highlight reel many times this season.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Dane Fletcher is not my son but watched him thru his college career. I know it's tough to make the team as a rookie free agent but this kid has all the tools. My point is -keep an eye on him. If you remember Steve Nelson, this kid is a clone. He is just an all around quality guy.

I have also been impressed with the little I saw in the Saints game. But there is simply no room at the ILB Inn. I suspect however that he will be offered a PS position, as he seems to be playing far above an UDFA.

The position shift from DE to ILB and the small school background has to be hurting him. OTOH, he has superior speed, size, and quickness for an ILB, and time to develop. Besides someone has to continue the tradition of at least one UDFA per year making the club, although the PS might not be considered such by some people.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Mike Reiss of espnBoston had questions on nearly all positions in Tuesday's Mailbag; here were a couple on the ILB positions:


Q. Since the Patriots have what has to be considered one of the weakest groups of OLBs in recent memory for the team, and with the additions of powerful linebackers like Brandon Spikes and Tyrone McKenzie, should the Pats try to send more blitzes up the middle using their ILBs? Maybe guys like Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton can use their speed on delayed blitzes on a more consistent basis. -- Matt E. (Rhode Island)

A. Matt, I think we will see some more of this, specifically from Spikes. As a taller inside linebacker, he can disrupt the passing lanes and get in the quarterback's field of vision. The Patriots blitzed more than 40 percent of the time last season -- ranking them as the seventh-highest-blitzing team -- so it's not like they didn't dial it up at times. But I think where the pressure comes from could be more varied this year.



Q. Mike, I have a question in regards to the linebackers, specifically Spikes. I see he has received plenty of good coverage lately, but one thing I haven't seen (or may have missed) is how his unique skill set translates to a position in a 4-3 defense. While he appears to be "longer" than a classic 3-4 ILB, I'm curious where he would fit if/when the Pats show a 4-3 look. Does he have the abilities to play one of the OLB spots, or is his "lack of speed" (I use the term loosely, of course) a detriment to playing that position. Since the Pats like to mix in different looks I think it's worth looking at how various players would or wouldn't fit in the 3-4 or 4-3. -- Tom (Framingham, Mass.)
A. Tom, my sense is that Spikes would be a pure middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense. That would best suit his skill set, playing downhill.

I would point out that Spikes has the same height, weight, [and speed !!] as a rather famous MLB who played for the Monsters of the Midway.

**** Butkus was his name, and he was a fair to midlin linebacker, I beleive...

 

[jmt57]

Russell Goldman comments on the play of Pat Chung in the Saints game in his Pats Confidential: What We Learned From Watching The Patriots Pre – Season Game Agianst The Saints. ats Confidential

4. Will the young secondary be able to handle the high power offense of the Saints? This unit overall did their job last night. The one huge stand out had to be Patrick Chung. He had 7 tackles and seemed to be all over the field. Also, I noticed he was trying hard to rip the ball out when a reciever made a catch. I think he is making serious strides.

As a unit, the defensive backs seemed to be in place and ready to hit the Saints when needed. There weren’t open receivers all over the field like the last time these teams played. This unit did their job. Again, I feel encouraged.

 

[jmt57]

Jeff Howe from NESN ranks each player with his current depth chart:

Inside Linebacker
1. Jerod Mayo: A no-doubter
2. Brandon Spikes: Could Wally Pipp Gary Guyton
3. Gary Guyton: A favorite of Belichick and Mayo, but Spikes has killed it
4. Tyrone McKenzie: Slid back a bit in the last week but still a promising player
5. Eric Alexander: He's made a late push to snag a roster spot
6. Thomas Williams: Kind of up and down, but versatile and definitely hardworking
7. Dane Fletcher: Ideal for the practice squad. Good instincts but will need some years to develop

 

[jmt57]

Chris Price of WEEI looks at some veterans in a battle to make the roster: Bubble Watch, Part 2

Eric Alexander: As much as it pains me to say this — he’s one of the nicest guys in the locker room — this could be the end of the line in New England because of a numbers game. (We will always have the 2006 AFC Championship Game…) With the continued emergence of the younger and faster inside linebackers (Brandon Spikes, Tyrone McKenzie, Gary Guyton, the versatile Thomas Williams) and the ability of several other linebackers who have roughly the same skill set in the special teams game (Pierre Woods, Rob Ninkovich), it could mean that Alexander is out of a job with the Patriots by the end of the preseason.