Linebackers, who else besides Donta ?

[Joey007]

FWIW

He's slower than an ox missing a front leg. No thanks.

 

[TheRazorsEdge]

He's slower than an ox missing a front leg. No thanks.

Would rather roll with Eladon .

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Fans are always worried about the last war. BB traded Collins with "little replacement" according to the fans. But the Defense improved even with him gone. It is not like there is Donte and nobody. There is Donta and unfamiliarity, that's all.

The Pat have two First Round LBs and a Second Rounder, plus a heady rookie and an old pro stalwart left at LB. An an UDFA in Freeny that isi a ST type who can take a few regular snaps.

McClellen was a First Round pick and Kyle Van Noy is a Second who only now are beginning to play to their draft scouting. Most LBs take a few years of seasoning to contribute and they both seem to be fitting in, as BB wanted and thought they would.

I really don't think LB is a crying need at all.

We have quality players, but we do need some work on coverage. How many times did we get killed by TEs or RBs releasing out of the backfield? If you look at the draft-eligible players Belichick is spending time working out, or that Patriots scouts have met with, there's an overwhelming trend emerging: quick linebackers who have experience and skill in coverage. I don't think it's presumptuous to think that Belichick wants to upgrade the position.

 

[Uptown]

I want Levy!

DeAndre Levy would be a great fit with the Patriots if healthy

 

[maineman209]

What about Van Noy? I thought he did some things pretty well last year. Seems like many are dismissing him.

Not necessarily dismissing him. Just aware of the fact that 2017 is the final year of his rookie contract and he's making only $1.1M. Since there seem to be a lot of good LBs available in this draft, it would be good to snag one in case Van Noy walks in FA this time next year.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Roberts played well all year. The kid is a tackling machine. I have a feeling that BB sees a lot in him and you will see him get better every year. On a side note if he had not made that tackle on Freeman in the fourth quarter he might have gone all the way. True hustle on Roberts part.

Well it was his mistake in coverage that created the play so I'm glad he did hustle to make the tackle.

 

[maineman209]

Fans are always worried about the last war. BB traded Collins with "little replacement" according to the fans. But the Defense improved even with him gone. It is not like there is Donte and nobody. There is Donta and unfamiliarity, that's all.

The Pat have two First Round LBs and a Second Rounder, plus a heady rookie and an old pro stalwart left at LB. An an UDFA in Freeny that isi a ST type who can take a few regular snaps.

McClellen was a First Round pick and Kyle Van Noy is a Second who only now are beginning to play to their draft scouting. Most LBs take a few years of seasoning to contribute and they both seem to be fitting in, as BB wanted and thought they would.

I really don't think LB is a crying need at all.

Freeny and McClellin have both been solid rotational players and ST contributors who the Pats signed to team-friendly contracts (through 2018) at exactly the right point in their careers. McClellin was actually a binky of mine in the 2012 draft (as potentially another Nink-type player), and I thought that the Bears gave his career a poor start be using him sub-optimally. So I'm glad that the Pats were able to finally snag him. He and Freeny both may (or may not) be even better in 2017.

Van Noy (who the Pats picked up to fill Freeny's roster spot when he went to IR) is in the last year of his rookie deal, and playing for only $1.1M. So, the Pats need to be prepared for the possibility that he walks for more money in 2018.

As a rookie in 2016, Roberts was great at some things, but not so good at some other things. The Pats need to be prepared for the possibility that he doesn't improve.

Having these four guys was perhaps what allowed the Pats to use HT at OLB/DE a bit more last season. Having that option might be even more important for 2017 and going forward since, at 4-3 DE, the Pats have only ...

Flowers - signed through 2018
Ealy - who, like Van Noy, is also working cheap on the last year of his rookie deal
Nink - who's 33 and is in his contract year
Grissom - who's purely a special teamer now

So, no, LB isn't a "crying need" at the moment. However, after this season, it may be.

There appears to be a lot of talent depth at LB in this draft class. Next year's draft class, who knows? Taking a prospect this year who can work into the rotation as a rookie and possibly blossom into a full time starter in 2018 seems like a smart move to me.

 

[RIpats88]

We do have roberts, freeny and van noy under contract still right? Not star type guys. But they fit right in this past season

 

[DarrylS]

Several years ago Ray Maualuga was a draft binkie on this board.. geez now he is 30 years old, who knows where the time goes.

 

[Tuck]

Can it be…could it be…Adam Seward?

Man that guy was one helluva player. I could go on and on about him.

 

[Love The Drake]

if Adam has any family who are even playing minor league ball we need to bring them in.

 

[DW Toys]

Freeny and McClellin have both been solid rotational players and ST contributors who the Pats signed to team-friendly contracts (through 2018) at exactly the right point in their careers. McClellin was actually a binky of mine in the 2012 draft (as potentially another Nink-type player), and I thought that the Bears gave his career a poor start be using him sub-optimally. So I'm glad that the Pats were able to finally snag him. He and Freeny both may (or may not) be even better in 2017.

Van Noy (who the Pats picked up to fill Freeny's roster spot when he went to IR) is in the last year of his rookie deal, and playing for only $1.1M. So, the Pats need to be prepared for the possibility that he walks for more money in 2018.

As a rookie in 2016, Roberts was great at some things, but not so good at some other things. The Pats need to be prepared for the possibility that he doesn't improve.

Having these four guys was perhaps what allowed the Pats to use HT at OLB/DE a bit more last season. Having that option might be even more important for 2017 and going forward since, at 4-3 DE, the Pats have only ...

Flowers - signed through 2018
Ealy - who, like Van Noy, is also working cheap on the last year of his rookie deal
Nink - who's 33 and is in his contract year
Grissom - who's purely a special teamer now

So, no, LB isn't a "crying need" at the moment. However, after this season, it may be.

There appears to be a lot of talent depth at LB in this draft class. Next year's draft class, who knows? Taking a prospect this year who can work into the rotation as a rookie and possibly blossom into a full time starter in 2018 seems like a smart move to me.

Cousins, I have mentioned this name a few times. In fact I have seen it on this thread.

Crying need? We definitely need speed at LB and some coverage.

Mychal Kendricks might be the best OLB value even over those OLBs in the Draft. Maybe a fifth rounder does the trick as has been widely published. How often do they work out as planned. We have 2.

NFL experience is an undervalued concept. I think BB picks up on that. Kendricks can cover.......He was the 46 player taken in the 2012 Draft and only 26 Years old. He is a little over 5'11+++" and 239lbs. but he runs a 4.47 40 and a 6.68 cone with a 39" vertical (solves height issue). He might be our fastest "Safety" even, if we used him there.

Without doubt the LB speed we are lacking and he can cover. Was a bad fit for the Eagles in 2016 for their "D". Best years were 2013-2014 (106 Tackles, 4 sacks and 3 INTs. plus 5 PDF. He will fit better here with our Hybrid 3/4-4/3.



We won't have to consider LB help in the Draft perhaps.

Zach Brown is another speed piece and good insurance for the couple games we know Hightower is sure to miss. One or the other would help 2017.

Another glaring second tier FA BB should investigate. The 25 Year old DE Devin Taylor. He is 6'7" and 275 with speed . 7 sacks in 2015 playing behind Ziggy on the Lions. Only 4 in 2016.
We have 3 DE's and one is the declining Nink (love him .....but). We lost two DE's and only replaced one.



Another position we close with a young experienced DE with sack potential ready to play.

DW Toys

 

[captain stone]

Ran a 4.60 today at his pro day. Patriots scouts have met with him a couple times. Belichick reportedly gave him a 1st round grade last year before his position change, based on Combine reports. No idea what to make of his tape -- he's so raw and switched between RB, DE, and LB -- but his athleticism stands out regardless. Very quick, fluid athlete. Apparently we like him a lot.

Who knows if we'll draft him or not, but there's an awful lot of smoke for no fire.

And that's exactly what I'm afraid of.

Langi is a UDFA talent. I wouldn't waste even a 7th-rounder on GeeNo Grossem part Doo.

 

[Uptown]

Lions release LB Deandre Levy

Lions Notes: Levy, Boldin, Quinn, Becton

 

[captain stone]

Sign the (older, banged-up) Beast.

 

[captain stone]

Cousins, I have mentioned this name a few times. In fact I have seen it on this thread.

Crying need? We definitely need speed at LB and some coverage.

Mychal Kendricks might be the best OLB value even over those OLBs in the Draft. Maybe a fifth rounder does the trick as has been widely published. How often do they work out as planned. We have 2.

NFL experience is an undervalued concept. I think BB picks up on that. Kendricks can cover.......He was the 46 player taken in the 2012 Draft and only 26 Years old. He is a little over 5'11+++" and 239lbs. but he runs a 4.47 40 and a 6.68 cone with a 39" vertical (solves height issue). He might be our fastest "Safety" even, if we used him there.

Without doubt the LB speed we are lacking and he can cover. Was a bad fit for the Eagles in 2016 for their "D". Best years were 2013-2014 (106 Tackles, 4 sacks and 3 INTs. plus 5 PDF. He will fit better here with our Hybrid 3/4-4/3.



We won't have to consider LB help in the Draft perhaps.

Zach Brown is another speed piece and good insurance for the couple games we know Hightower is sure to miss. One or the other would help 2017.

Another glaring second tier FA BB should investigate. The 25 Year old DE Devin Taylor. He is 6'7" and 275 with speed . 7 sacks in 2015 playing behind Ziggy on the Lions. Only 4 in 2016.
We have 3 DE's and one is the declining Nink (love him .....but). We lost two DE's and only replaced one.



Another position we close with a young experienced DE with sack potential ready to play.

DW Toys

I love the idea of signing Devin Taylor. If he hasn't signed somewhere by now, then
he should come fairly cheaply. I would also take a chance on his former teammate DeAndre Levy, whose signing would not change our compensatory status.

Not as big a fan of trading for Mychal kendricks, however. We simply don't have enough draft picks as it is, especially after Bill threw away our 1st-rounder on Terry Glenn part 2. Now if Bill had just done the smart thing and drafted Tyler Lockett instead of the absolutely useless Jordan Richards, then we would still have #32 with the ability to add more picks by trading down.

 

[Love The Drake]

I agree about Lockett drafting over Richards but Cooks is much more complete player than Lockett.
Lockett is a rich mans Brandon Tate

 

[ivanvamp]

Zach Brown is a very interesting player at this point.

2nd round pick (#52 overall) in 2012. UFA. Played all 16 games last year. 4 sacks, 97 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 int, 4 passes defended. Put up an AV of 11 according to pro-football-reference.com. That was tied for 12th in the NFL among linebackers, so the guy is pretty good. I don't know if his style fits what the Pats like to do, but to my knowledge he's not hurt and he's a good player and he's not old (just 27), and he's had a very successful career so far. He ran a 4.50 40-yd dash at the combine a few years ago. Guy can run for someone his size (244 lbs).

Would seem, on the surface, to be a nice fit for the Patriots. Not sure what he's asking for in terms of $$.

 

[Kontradiction]

I love the idea of signing Devin Taylor. If he hasn't signed somewhere by now, then
he should come fairly cheaply. I would also take a chance on his former teammate DeAndre Levy, whose signing would not change our compensatory status.

Not as big a fan of trading for Mychal kendricks, however. We simply don't have enough draft picks as it is, especially after Bill threw away our 1st-rounder on Terry Glenn part 2. Now if Bill had just done the smart thing and drafted Tyler Lockett instead of the absolutely useless Jordan Richards, then we would still have #32 with the ability to add more picks by trading down.

LMAO.

 

[FourierSeries]

I love the idea of signing Devin Taylor. If he hasn't signed somewhere by now, then
he should come fairly cheaply. I would also take a chance on his former teammate DeAndre Levy, whose signing would not change our compensatory status.

Not as big a fan of trading for Mychal kendricks, however. We simply don't have enough draft picks as it is, especially after Bill threw away our 1st-rounder on Terry Glenn part 2. Now if Bill had just done the smart thing and drafted Tyler Lockett instead of the absolutely useless Jordan Richards, then we would still have #32 with the ability to add more picks by trading down.

This Bill Belichick guy has no clue what he's doing. I wonder if we'll ever see the Patriots hoist a Lombardi trophy under his reign of terror.