The Pats can buy a LB corp

[RxJock1120]

If you think that BB or Pioli aren't going to splurge on a part of that 30 million cap number on one or maybe two premier LB, your crazy. There will be significant LB talent to hitting free agency, the one position that cost us the AFC title game. And maybe 2 regular season game wins, this is the time to spend the money and buy ourselves some talent. The staple of BB defense, which we can mold however he wants. On top of that we have 2 first rounders and can add some exellent prospects, there are many different ways to approach the draft, the best way to be. Take a look at this list and tell me what you think: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0702/gallery.nfl.freeagents/content.1.html
My preference: Briggs and Adalius Thomas, pair that with Colvin and Vrable and Bruschi as the top backup. Just think how much the defense improves, even if we lose Samuels. What is a cornerback on the Patriots, we can basically insert a variety of players and still live. Just a thought.

 

[pats1]

If you think that BB or Pioli aren't going to splurge on a part of that 30 million cap number on one or maybe two premier LB, your crazy. There will be significant LB talent to hitting free agency, the one position that cost us the AFC title game. And maybe 2 regular season game wins, this is the time to spend the money and buy ourselves some talent. The staple of BB defense, which we can mold however he wants. On top of that we have 2 first rounders and can add some exellent prospects, there are many different ways to approach the draft, the best way to be. Take a look at this list and tell me what you think: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0702/gallery.nfl.freeagents/content.1.html
My preference: Briggs and Adalius Thomas. Just think how much the defense improves, even if we lose Samuels. What is a cornerback on the Patriots, we can basically insert a variety of players and still live. Just a thought.

Briggs already has said he has no interest in playing in a 3-4.

I think it's time to drop him from any future conversations.

 

[primetime]

I'd take Adalius Thomas and London Fletcher/Donnie Edwards (I prefer Fletcher), despite their age.

 

[cstjohn17]

Who knows what they will do, it is all so confusing. If Samuel leaves then they could take the money and sign Thomas and Edwards. This would make the front seven pretty damn good and take some pressure of the corners.

Thomas - 4 years - 23 M, 7 upfront - average 5.5 per year
Edwards - 3 years - 12M, 4 upfront - average 4 per year


This would create a rotation system at LB, Thomas and Vrabel can bounce around inside or out with Vrabel being on the edge most of the time. Edwards would play mostly 3rd downs but could spell Bruschi or Thomas. Immediately the LBs would be much faster and more athletic.

2 LBs drafted - One each day, to add some youth to the mix

ROLB - Colvin, Woods
RILB - Bruschi, Edwards, Mays, [Draft pick]
LILB - Thomas (also takes snaps ay OLB), Alexander
LOLB - Vrabel (takes limited snaps at ILB), [draft pick]

This would be a very flexible defense, especially with Vrabel and Thomas moving around a lot.

Day 1 LBs -Willis, Siler, Bradley, Harris, Spencer, Moss, Moses
Day 2 LB - Burgess, DeOssie, Warren, Waters, Hickman, Brad Smith, Noland Burchette, Applewhite


Crazier things have happened...

 

[BradyManny]

Who knows what they will do, it is all so confusing. If Samuel leaves then they could take the money and sign Thomas and Edwards. This would make the front seven pretty damn good and some pressure of the corners.

I agree that LB should be a priority over CB, but I don't know about Thomas. I feel like Colvin-Vrabel on the outside is tough to top, and the only way I'd augment it is if we can re-sign TBC for a decent deal.

 

[papahalas]

My preference: Briggs

WHEN WILL YOU NEW ENGLANDERS GET IT... BRIGGS IS GOING NOWHERE. HE WILL BE TAGGED. LANCE BRIGGS WILL BE ON THE BEARS ..why are there so many of you talking about that he is viable option for your LB corp? It's like me posting Samuel will be a great fit for the Bears...do you really think he is going anywhere?

 

[unoriginal]

We all have our idiots rookie. The difference is our idiots don't start for us at quarterback.

 

[patsfan55]

I agree that LB should be a priority over CB, but I don't know about Thomas. I feel like Colvin-Vrabel on the outside is tough to top, and the only way I'd augment it is if we can re-sign TBC for a decent deal.

im not so sure i agree with ur assesment of colvin and vrabel being tough to top

colvin gets sucked in every rush off the edge and never keeps contain
vrabel has a hard time fighting off blocks more and more as the yrs go on

vrabel is solid
and colvin does make the occasional big play

dont get me wrong they are good
but they are not as good as most ppl here think

 

[BradyManny]

We all have our idiots rookie. The difference is our idiots don't start for us at quarterback.

LOL! (10 char)

 

[jman924]

WHEN WILL YOU NEW ENGLANDERS GET IT... BRIGGS IS GOING NOWHERE. HE WILL BE TAGGED. LANCE BRIGGS WILL BE ON THE BEARS ..why are there so many of you talking about that he is viable option for your LB corp? It's like me posting Samuel will be a great fit for the Bears...do you really think he is going anywhere?

Welcome to the board. Try not to stoop much lower than condescending troll with your first couple of posts please.:bricks:

 

[RxJock1120]

WHEN WILL YOU NEW ENGLANDERS GET IT... BRIGGS IS GOING NOWHERE. HE WILL BE TAGGED. LANCE BRIGGS WILL BE ON THE BEARS ..why are there so many of you talking about that he is viable option for your LB corp? It's like me posting Samuel will be a great fit for the Bears...do you really think he is going anywhere?

You never known. The top 5 salaries for LB will average out to a lot, ask Miguel for the exact number. They may not be able to due to cap space, or want to pay a high number and then lose him the year after due to bad feelings between player and team, a la Branch. They may give him the rights to test free agency in hopes of retaining him, but will lose out because they can't match the offer.

 

[Jimke]

The Pats will have the money to buy a linebacking corps but

may not have the will to do so. This is a weak market and teams

are going to have to over pay the good players. This is something

the Pats have refused to do in the past even with their own players.

 

[papahalas]

Welcome to the board. Try not to stoop much lower than condescending troll with your first couple of posts please

Sorry couldn't help myself. Seeing so much Briggs talk in the last couple weeks had to correct it.

The only other thing I laugh at is some of you think you will be playing on Sept 6----IF ANY OTHER TEAM DID THAT THAT WOULD BE NE LOCKEROOM FODDER( and you know it!) ..... awfully smug to think that will happen-- about as smug as SD planning an AFC Championship parade. Truth be told, even though according to Neilsen Media that the PAts/Colts AFC champ game was the highest rated television show of the year ( including all non sports shows but not counting the SB) the chances of NE going to Indy on Sept 6 isnt that great. CBS does not want to give up that massive advertising power to NBC( who has the Thurs game) My guess is you will saunder into Indy mid season ( when you are undefeated?) Plus there are grumblings that would put NE in three of the last 6 Thurs kickoff openers... time for a change as nobody has coronated the Pats as the official Kickoff opponent whether they win the SB or not. I think we will see Reggie Bush in Indy Sept 6th.

 

[zoostation]

WHEN WILL YOU NEW ENGLANDERS GET IT... BRIGGS IS GOING NOWHERE. HE WILL BE TAGGED. LANCE BRIGGS WILL BE ON THE BEARS ..why are there so many of you talking about that he is viable option for your LB corp? It's like me posting Samuel will be a great fit for the Bears...do you really think he is going anywhere?

Why would he stay with the 6th best team in the NFL. Oops sorry...the 2nd best. Hahahahahah. He's ready for prime time. The AFC is the big leagues.

 

[zoostation]

Plus there are grumblings that would put NE in three of the last 6 Thurs kickoff openers... time for a change as nobody has coronated the Pats as the official Kickoff opponent whether they win the SB or not. I think we will see Reggie Bush in Indy Sept 6th.

Lot's of history between the Saints and the Colts. My guess is 2 power house AFC teams. Patriot - Colts...bank on it!

 

[captain stone]

im not so sure i agree with ur assesment of colvin and vrabel being tough to top

colvin gets sucked in every rush off the edge and never keeps contain
vrabel has a hard time fighting off blocks more and more as the yrs go on

vrabel is solid
and colvin does make the occasional big play

dont get me wrong they are good
but they are not as good as most ppl here think

Spot-on, PF55.

Vrabel and Colvin are good, but:
their best days are behind them;
they need reinforcements, to stay fresh;
and they're not as explosive as they used to be.

This LB corpse needs an almost complete overhaul. Vrabel and Colvin, and Bruschi (as a family heirloom piece) are all that remain from what was once the backbone of the defense.

 

[cringelyindy]

Patriot - Colts...bank on it!

(Indy Troll here.)

'Fraid the Chicago dude might be on to something.

I can't wait until the Pats come back to town and would love to have it on Thurs.

The word round here is it aint gonna happen.

Exactly what he/she cited...CBS doesn't want to give NBC money out of their AFC cash cow wallet. It is rightfully CBS' game. There was also talk about possibly having it on a Monday night... same result between CBS and DisnESPNy. At least thats the buzz here. Been wrong before but where there is smoke there is fire. On the sports radio out here they have even floated KC or Denver for the Thurs slot which sounds preposterous.

Besides,a hell of a lot more of you travel to a Sunday game then Thursday or Monday..

Lots of buzz about the NE/Dallas matchup being week one Sunday night game.

 

[jman924]

Sorry couldn't help myself. Seeing so much Briggs talk in the last couple weeks had to correct it.

The only other thing I laugh at is some of you think you will be playing on Sept 6----IF ANY OTHER TEAM DID THAT THAT WOULD BE NE LOCKEROOM FODDER( and you know it!) ..... awfully smug to think that will happen-- about as smug as SD planning an AFC Championship parade. Truth be told, even though according to Neilsen Media that the PAts/Colts AFC champ game was the highest rated television show of the year ( including all non sports shows but not counting the SB) the chances of NE going to Indy on Sept 6 isnt that great. CBS does not want to give up that massive advertising power to NBC( who has the Thurs game) My guess is you will saunder into Indy mid season ( when you are undefeated?) Plus there are grumblings that would put NE in three of the last 6 Thurs kickoff openers... time for a change as nobody has coronated the Pats as the official Kickoff opponent whether they win the SB or not. I think we will see Reggie Bush in Indy Sept 6th.

Most NEer's think that that'll be the opener so that the Colts could raise there banner with us in their house. Polian just seems like that sort of "in your face" guy.

 

[RxJock1120]

I really think that a 270 pound speed freak at LB, named Adalius Thomas. Pair him with Mike Vrable, whose best days at OLB are behind him, mainly because he is not a fast or nimble as he used to be. But at MLB he can still fight in the treanches, he doesn't have to be the play maker at MLB, just needs to hold his own. Colvin and Briggs could bring presssure on every down. This would give us probably the most complete LB corpse in the NFL. Just wait and see, I am on record for predicting my offseason wish-list. Lets see how the actual guys in charge approach it.

 

[WhiZa]

Briggs already has said he has no interest in playing in a 3-4.

I think it's time to drop him from any future conversations.

You could also see it as a negotiation tactic. Where a player says he doesn't want something just so the team will attempt to fork up more cash to get him. Maybe I'm looking into it too much.