My Blueprint for the Defense

[sircole]

From the article you posted, Tripp's physical development( 6-foot, 180-pound safety/linebacker hybrid who packed on nearly 60lbs) sort of mirror that of Brian Urlacher when he was at New Mexico.

He would be a great addition if we miss out on drafting Ryan Shazier.

 

[mayoclinic]

From the article you posted, Tripp's physical development( 6-foot, 180-pound safety/linebacker hybrid who packed on nearly 60lbs) sort of mirror that of Brain Urlacher when he was at New Mexico.

He would be a great additon if we miss out on drafting Ryan Shazier.

Good comparison, that I hadn't really considered.

FWIW, Urlacher's Combine numbers from 2000: 6' 3 7/8" 258#; 4.59 40 + 1.62 10-split + 4.18 SS + 6.94 3C = 17.33; 34" VJ + 10'2" BJ + 27 BP = 71.

Tripp: 6' 2 3/4" 234#; 4.67 40 + 1.59 + 3.96 SS + 6.89 3C = 17.11; 37.5" VJ + 10' BJ + 22 BP = 69.

Urlacher was obviously much heavier, but Savage's comment about Tripp's frame is interesting.

 

[patfanken]

I really think either Jones or Tripp would add a ton of versatility, range and coverage capability to our middle level.

Is this the kid who promised he'd break the all time 3 cone drill time, even though he's a LB? For some reason the name Starr comes to mind. BTW - if it is Starr, what about him as a potential pick and where is likely to fall. And where is Tripp likely to go?

 

[mayoclinic]

Is this the kid who promised he'd break the all time 3 cone drill time, even though he's a LB? For some reason the name Starr comes to mind. BTW - if it is Starr, what about him as a potential pick and where is likely to fall. And where is Tripp likely to go?

No, that was Tyler Starr. And while he didn't break the 3-cone record, his 6.64 3-cone at 6' 4 1/4" 250# was darn impressive. But his 4.95 40 time hurt, and he hasn't played against top competition. He's probably still a late round pick as of right now. As for Tripp, he is more like a 4th round pick who could move into the 3rd. He's currently ranked 116 by NFL DraftScout, FWIW, but his stock has been on the rise. He had a strong season followed by an impressive Senior Bowl week, and backed it up with superb athleticism at the Combine. As one scout noted, if he had played for the SEC he would be a 1st round prospect.

 

[Merril Hoge's Tie Knot]

I'd rather the team signed Browner as a CB and draft a SS still. If Talib stays on, we'll have a CB rotation of Talib-Browner-Dennard (nickel)-Arrington/Ryan (dime). If Talib goes, we'll have a rotation of Browner-Dennard-Arrington/Ryan (nickel)-Arrington/Ryan (dime). Either way, it's a solid CB rotation. Throw in a Bucannon/Exum/McGill at SS next to McCourty and fill out DT and DE needs through FA and the rest of the draft and you're looking at a solid, possibly top five, defense.

I prefer him at SS because I think he fits a bigger hole on the depth chart, and as he ages he will likely lose athleticism. He's not young remember.

FA: Re-sign Talib + sign Browner (not very expensive) + sign Lamarr Houston

Draft: Trade up for Aaron Donald + Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp + Antone Exum

Top 4 defense (along with Seattle, San Francisco and Carolina), possibly top 2 (better secondary than SF or Carolina).

Now I'm getting excited.

Browner gets a 4 game suspension to start the 2014 season, but can participate in all off-season and training camp activities:

Browner is reinstated with four-game suspension | ProFootballTalk

This was foreseeable. Ideally he doesn't have to miss any time, but I think the Patriots can handle it.

 

[mayoclinic]

From Todd McShay on Twitter:

Minn DT Hageman has more "wow" moments than any DT in class. Pads rise way too often, motor runs hot-cold. But he's a rare talent.

When Hageman converts speed-to-power, it's a nightmare for OL. If he learns better leverage + stays focussed on/off field, he can be special/

I go back and forth between Hageman and Dominique Easley as my top DT options if Aaron Donald is out of reach. Either has the potential to be dominant. My concern with Hageman is that the "wow" moments would be offset by too much inconsistent play for BB's taste.

 

[manxman2601]

From the article you posted, Tripp's physical development( 6-foot, 180-pound safety/linebacker hybrid who packed on nearly 60lbs) sort of mirror that of Brian Urlacher when he was at New Mexico.

He would be a great addition if we miss out on drafting Ryan Shazier.

I think that's a really interesting comp. in the two games I saw, He flashed some ability without dominating but I certainly saw plenty of athletic ability and upside. I'm very happy to join Mayo's bandwagon on Tripp.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think that's a really interesting comp. in the two games I saw, He flashed some ability without dominating but I certainly saw plenty of athletic ability and upside. I'm very happy to join Mayo's bandwagon on Tripp.

For me the defensive draft picture is getting pretty simple, depending on what happens in FA:

1. Donald / Hageman / Easley at DT
2. Christian Jones or Tripp at LB
3. Antone Exum as a SS conversion
4. A late day 3 big DB (Dontae Johnson, Phillip Gaines, Aaron Colvin, Jonathan Dowling, etc.)

If we could sign a rotational DE, re-sign Talib (or an alternative) and sign Brandon Browner in FA plus fill those 4 in the draft, I'd be ecstatic.

 

[patfanken]

I've been reading up some on Brandon Browner and I have some questions about him.

According on one report, Browner is still an above average cover corner who thrived in the Seattle system who asked him to do little more than do physical press coverage on WR's. The report questioned on whether he'd be as good in other systems. It considered him as below average when forced to cover smaller, quicker WR's.

For that reason, I have begun to question just how good would he be if forced to be a SS. Would he be able to do much more than go man to man on TE's down the seam? Personally I'd welcome him (if the price was right) if all he had to do was play Man against the opposition's biggest WR. I think a rotation of Talib, Browner, and Dennard would give us the size and depth to have an excellent CB situation, with Ryan's solid rookie year making a solid 4 deep group. I'd welcome him even more if Talib isn't signed. All that being said, his lack of range and quickness makes me wonder about his move to the S position

 

[manxman2601]

I've been reading up some on Brandon Browner and I have some questions about him.

According on one report, Browner is still an above average cover corner who thrived in the Seattle system who asked him to do little more than do physical press coverage on WR's. The report questioned on whether he'd be as good in other systems. It considered him as below average when forced to cover smaller, quicker WR's.

For that reason, I have begun to question just how good would he be if forced to be a SS. Would he be able to do much more than go man to man on TE's down the seam? Personally I'd welcome him (if the price was right) if all he had to do was play Man against the opposition's biggest WR. I think a rotation of Talib, Browner, and Dennard would give us the size and depth to have an excellent CB situation, with Ryan's solid rookie year making a solid 4 deep group. I'd welcome him even more if Talib isn't signed. All that being said, his lack of range and quickness makes me wonder about his move to the S position

Have to think he's going to be cheap considering he's one failed test away from a long-term ban and is going to miss four games. I'd be happy just bringing him in as a Talib backup.

 

[Kontradiction]

From Todd McShay on Twitter:



I go back and forth between Hageman and Dominique Easley as my top DT options if Aaron Donald is out of reach. Either has the potential to be dominant. My concern with Hageman is that the "wow" moments would be offset by too much inconsistent play for BB's taste.

Hageman is beginning to remind me a lot of a young Haynesworth with regard to his attitude. I think he's overrated. I would take Easley over him any day.

 

[mayoclinic]

Have to think he's going to be cheap considering he's one failed test away from a long-term ban and is going to miss four games. I'd be happy just bringing him in as a Talib backup.

Kontra sees him as a better fit as an outside CB. I'm not sure, but as I said yesterday in this thread, I'd be more than happy to sign Talib and Browner, draft Exum and someone like Dontae Johnson, and then let them sort out who fits best where in training camp.

 

[manxman2601]

Kontra sees him as a better fit as an outside CB. I'm not sure, but as I said yesterday in this thread, I'd be more than happy to sign Talib and Browner, draft Exum and someone like Dontae Johnson, and then let them sort out who fits best where in training camp.

That's too much height for me. We saw what someone like Steve Smith can do to a big CB. I personally prefer a little more balance.

 

[mayoclinic]

That's too much height for me. We saw what someone like Steve Smith can do to a big CB. I personally prefer a little more balance.

I don't think you'd ever put Brandon Browner on Steve Smith. You have better match ups. Though Seattle held Carolina to 7 points in the 2013 season opener, with Richard Sherman and Browner as their starting CBs. Smith had 6 receptions for 51 yards in that game, so he didn't exactly run wild. IDK how much he was matched up against Browner, though.

Again, I personally prefer Browner at SS, but I'm happy to let things sort themselves out, and for BB to tailor the matchups accordingly.

 

[manxman2601]

I don't think you'd ever put Brandon Browner on Steve Smith. You have better match ups. Though Seattle held Carolina to 7 points in the 2013 season opener, with Richard Sherman and Browner as their starting CBs. Smith had 6 receptions for 51 yards in that game, so he didn't exactly run wild. IDK how much he was matched up against Browner, though.

Again, I personally prefer Browner at SS, but I'm happy to let things sort themselves out, and for BB to tailor the matchups accordingly.

Whilst we wouldn't do it, in an ideal world I'd add Fuller, Ward and Exum and if Talib wasn't re-signed, Breeland. That would be all the DBs I'd need.

 

[mayoclinic]

Whilst we wouldn't do it, in an ideal world I'd add Fuller, Ward and Exum and if Talib wasn't re-signed, Breeland. That would be all the DBs I'd need.

If we had 15 draft picks I'd do that in a second.

 

[sircole]

I'm really warming up to adding Tripp on defense.

From the article you posted, Tripp's physical development( 6-foot, 180-pound safety/linebacker hybrid who packed on nearly 60lbs) sort of mirror that of Brian Urlacher when he was at New Mexico.

Look at the picture to see Urlacher's draft profile at this link:

voicesDOTsuntimesDOTcom/sports/inside-the-bears/kiper-on-urlacheri-view-him-as/

Also Savage's comments sounds like those of **** Jauron when Urlacher was drafted:

sportsillustratedDOTcnnDOTcom/football/nfl/2000/nfldraft/news/2000/04/15/nfldraft_bears_ap/

And if Tripp able to make calls on the defense (alluded to by scouts in mayo's Fox article), I would give the edge to Tripp over Jones due to his understanding of everybody's role on defense. This is a trait that Belichick loves because it helps facilitate communication that allow quick changes on defense when the offense makes adjustments or go into a no-huddle mode.

 

[Off The Grid]

I'm really warming up to adding Tripp on defense.



Look at the picture to see Urlacher's draft profile at this link:

voicesDOTsuntimesDOTcom/sports/inside-the-bears/kiper-on-urlacheri-view-him-as/

Also Savage's comments sounds like those of **** Jauron when Urlacher was drafted:

sportsillustratedDOTcnnDOTcom/football/nfl/2000/nfldraft/news/2000/04/15/nfldraft_bears_ap/

And if Tripp able to make calls on the defense (alluded to by scouts in mayo's Fox article), I would give the edge to Tripp over Jones due to his understanding of everybody's role on defense. This is a trait that Belichick loves because it helps facilitate communication that allow quick changes on defense when the offense makes adjustments or go into a no-huddle mode.

Dude, I'm not sure, but I think you can post Links after your 10th Post.

Meanwhile, I'll add'm to those ones you just posted, here.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm really warming up to adding Tripp on defense.



Look at the picture to see Urlacher's draft profile at this link:

voicesDOTsuntimesDOTcom/sports/inside-the-bears/kiper-on-urlacheri-view-him-as/

Also Savage's comments sounds like those of **** Jauron when Urlacher was drafted:

sportsillustratedDOTcnnDOTcom/football/nfl/2000/nfldraft/news/2000/04/15/nfldraft_bears_ap/

And if Tripp able to make calls on the defense (alluded to by scouts in mayo's Fox article), I would give the edge to Tripp over Jones due to his understanding of everybody's role on defense. This is a trait that Belichick loves because it helps facilitate communication that allow quick changes on defense when the offense makes adjustments or go into a no-huddle mode.

I've been telling people for weeks to watch video on him. The dude seems like the prototypical Patriot. Works hard on his craft, is an excellent locker room guy, and is athletic as well. I would love to watch him in a Pats uniform.

 

[sircole]

Dude, I'm not sure, but I think you can post Links after your 10th Post.

Haha, thanks. Since I'm use to lurking rather than posting, I didn't want to press my luck but I thought you couldn't post links until 50 posts?