Vrabel cant play inside LB

[2_LAW_4]

The pats should consider returning to a 4-3 front.

It keeps Vrabel and Colvin at OLB, Bruschi at MLB, and TBC off the field.

We can have Green and Seymour on the edges with Wilfork and Warren inside. At this point, we're more thin at LB than DL. Why not put the best seven out there?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Not taking a shot at you BOXMAN.....
I just believe that TBC is a backup,at best......I think BB thinks the same.
I watch the players,as much,if not more then most fans.I think he's mediocre and not the answer.

The aging LB's are:

1.Bruschi
2.Vrabel
3.Seau
4.Izzo
5.Davis

Does this denigrate their contribution?

Off course not......but they are aging.

Heh, no points off for a disagreement between friends, don't pet the sweaty stuff amigo.

We'll agree to read BB's mind differently, but the question I'd ask - how many situational reps did Matt Chatham take at OLB in 2003 while Colvin was on IR? TBC is taking reps, the same way Rosey took reps in 2004 and the same way he tooks reps before Vrabes was moved inside in 2005. If you are going to sit Willie or Vrabes for Rosey, aren't you planning to use him in situations better suited to his best skill set? TBC is being used exactly the same way Rosie was used in 2004 and early 2005 - I base my read on BB's "thinking" from that and my own look at him on tape.

1.Bruschi - over 30, but barring a freak incident, would you say his mileage was the same as a Ted Johnson or Brian Urlacher? He was in his prime mentally and not that far past it physically. I've read comments here saying he is playing below his previous level, but that assumes he didn't bulk up expecting to be the TJ-role ILB alongside Beisel. I certainly wouldn't want him to be dropping a bunch of weight once the season started. Seau was a surprise signing for everybody and Tedy has looked pretty darned good to me.

2.Vrabel - over 30, but I'd say he's in his prime yet.

3.Seau - granted, but he was holding up pretty well in this defense.

4.Izzo - as a Special Team's player, maybe. I still think he wouldn't be too bad playing in Indy or anywhere else they like small, fast LBs.

5.Davis - granted, but he is still taking practice reps at SS when needed for insurance, doing well on STs, and is #4 in the ILB rotation - lest we forget, TBC is #3 in the OLB rotation.

But that begs the point, you've listed 4 ILBs, TBC is playing OLB, why would you expect him to beat out more experienced and reputedly decent OLBs like Vrabel and Colvin?

 

[lobster]

The pats should consider returning to a 4-3 front.

Belichick seems to prefer the 3-4 because it allows an extra LB who can help in pass coverage. However if he hasn't got the LB's who can cover and stop the run he probably would move to the 4-3. It would be Wilfork and Seymour on the inside with Warren and Green on the outside.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The pats should consider returning to a 4-3 front.

It keeps Vrabel and Colvin at OLB, Bruschi at MLB, and TBC off the field.

We can have Green and Seymour on the edges with Wilfork and Warren inside. At this point, we're more thin at LB than DL. Why not put the best seven out there?

Welcome aboard!

Why would you use Sey at 4-3 DE when Warren has been the one they used there in past 4-3 sets? Not to mention Warren's play this year makes him better suited to the edge and Sey eats G's for breakfast.

But that begs the next question - why is a keeping TBC off the field an improvement? Detailing flaws in his game, with specific examples, would be really useful to your argument.

The nice thing about the 4-3, the Pats currently have the DL depth to use it more with Mike Wright playing so well. But if you want the best 7, then a 3-4 with Vrabes inside and TBC outside is it.

 

[italia44]

Heh, no points off for a disagreement between friends, don't pet the sweaty stuff amigo.

We'll agree to read BB's mind differently, but the question I'd ask - how many situational reps did Matt Chatham take at OLB in 2003 while Colvin was on IR? TBC is taking reps, the same way Rosey took reps in 2004 and the same way he tooks reps before Vrabes was moved inside in 2005. If you are going to sit Willie or Vrabes for Rosey, aren't you planning to use him in situations better suited to his best skill set? TBC is being used exactly the same way Rosie was used in 2004 and early 2005 - I base my read on BB's "thinking" from that and my own look at him on tape.

1.Bruschi - over 30, but barring a freak incident, would you say his mileage was the same as a Ted Johnson or Brian Urlacher? He was in his prime mentally and not that far past it physically. I've read comments here saying he is playing below his previous level, but that assumes he didn't bulk up expecting to be the TJ-role ILB alongside Beisel. I certainly wouldn't want him to be dropping a bunch of weight once the season started. Seau was a surprise signing for everybody and Tedy has looked pretty darned good to me.

2.Vrabel - over 30, but I'd say he's in his prime yet.

3.Seau - granted, but he was holding up pretty well in this defense.

4.Izzo - as a Special Team's player, maybe. I still think he wouldn't be too bad playing in Indy or anywhere else they like small, fast LBs.

5.Davis - granted, but he is still taking practice reps at SS when needed for insurance, doing well on STs, and is #4 in the ILB rotation - lest we forget, TBC is #3 in the OLB rotation.

But that begs the point, you've listed 4 ILBs, TBC is playing OLB, why would you expect him to beat out more experienced and reputedly decent OLBs like Vrabel and Colvin?

We're pretty much on the same page,Box.

I thought you were asking me who I thought were the "aging LB's",OLB or ILB.That's why included Davis and Izzo.
They're both,roster-wise,LB's.

I think Vrabel and Bruschi are terrific,
however,I believe they're past their prime......Teddy,especially,has lost a step or two and is a liability in coverage.

For these reason's,I think we need more speed and mobility at LB....not TBC,who doesn't have these qualities.

Despite the conclusions by some on this board......We will not go 4-3,we'll play it sometimes,as a changeup,but BB
is a 3-4 guy.This is our base defense and it's not going to change this year.

Also,predominately,we're not a Cover 2
team....that requires speed at LB to cover the center of the field.We don't have the LB's to play this defense all the time.

We need to see TBC in coverage and tackling in space......I don't think he can do it....but,regardless,it's 3-4 or bust......BB is not going to change that as our base.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

We're pretty much on the same page,Box.

I thought you were asking me who I thought were the "aging LB's",OLB or ILB.That's why included Davis and Izzo.
They're both,roster-wise,LB's.

I think Vrabel and Bruschi are terrific,
however,I believe they're past their prime......Teddy,especially,has lost a step or two and is a liability in coverage.

For these reason's,I think we need more speed and mobility at LB....not TBC,who doesn't have these qualities.

Despite the conclusions by some on this board......We will not go 4-3,we'll play it sometimes,as a changeup,but BB
is a 3-4 guy.This is our base defense and it's not going to change this year.

Also,predominately,we're not a Cover 2
team....that requires speed at LB to cover the center of the field.We don't have the LB's to play this defense all the time.

We need to see TBC in coverage and tackling in space......I don't think he can do it....but,regardless,it's 3-4 or bust......BB is not going to change that as our base.

Yep, we're in "almost" complete agreement about TBC.

Tedy looks to be playing heavier than he has in the past - of course he was supposed to be the in the TJ role with Beisel expected to play his old weakside role. The Beisel/Seau changeover kind of upset that and I wouldn't want him dropping weight to get faster at the start of the season.

Vrabes is plenty fast enough in mid-field coverage, and it may be a stretch to call Tedy a liability.