What is our plan for ILB?

[mike_usagisan]

But this isn't Vrabel's style. No one who made the 53 was signed last year between the draft and the week of the cut to 53. He's made his decisions.

That's a great point. I suspect Vrabel and co. would rather force one of the backups into the role if something happened to Spillane or Ellis and see what they have.

 

[Real fan 02]

That's a great point. I suspect Vrabel and co. would rather force one of the backups into the role if something happened to Spillane or Ellis and see what they have.

Devin White | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Devin White signed a 1 year, $1,170,000 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders with an average annual salary of $1,170,000.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Wozzy]

I mentioned yesterday that it's pretty pathetic that the last great LB we drafted was Donta Hightower..14 years ago & Chandler Jones.. the last great edge same year.. we need for Obiazor to become a player for us.. he's the prototype of a 2026 NFL LB..

Just sticking to ILB’ers…

Jamie Collins a year later was the last great one.

Elandon Robert’s and Jawhaun Bentley were real good LB’ers for us.

 

[rkarp1]

Just sticking to ILB’ers…

Jamie Collins a year later was the last great one.

Elandon Robert’s and Jawhaun Bentley were real good LB’ers for us.

I mean, Roberts was here 4 years and played 33%, 56%, 41% and 20% of the defensive snaps. and he did not play ST much at all.
he was a nice rotational piece against the run, a liability otherwise.
given his draft pedigree, he was a good pick. but I would hardly say he was a "real good" LB here. he has played more defensive snaps since leaving NE.

I agree, Bentley was a good LB here.

 

[condon84]

Really not a fan of Ellis being a starter. He's always a step behind, doesn't diagnose and fill lanes as quickly as he should. Even when he does, he's weak at the point of attack and gets sealed. He does have speed in space but when offenses are running right at him he's a big liability.

Spillane is good. They let Tavai go who I thought was pretty stout against the run when asked to play ILB. They must have someone already in the roster they like otherwise it doesn't make sense with the moves we've made so far.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Devin White | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Devin White signed a 1 year, $1,170,000 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders with an average annual salary of $1,170,000.

www.spotrac.com

If we wanted him, I think we would have already signed him.

 

[Real fan 02]

If we wanted him, I think we would have already signed him.

Possibly. I'm more inclined to believe Vrabel wanted the draft to fully assess the roster. He's available so won't be surprised to hear him in on a visit.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Possibly. I'm more inclined to believe Vrabel wanted the draft to fully assess the roster. He's available so won't be surprised to hear him in on a visit.

Maybe. I'd certainly hope so. But they knew pickings were slim in the draft and wanted to come away with OT, EDGE and TE, so they probably should have been aware of the need for ILB. But I think maybe they like who they have as backup more than we do.

 

[Wozzy]

I mean, Roberts was here 4 years and played 33%, 56%, 41% and 20% of the defensive snaps. and he did not play ST much at all.
he was a nice rotational piece against the run, a liability otherwise.
given his draft pedigree, he was a good pick. but I would hardly say he was a "real good" LB here. he has played more defensive snaps since leaving NE.

Robert’s has two rings, he wasn’t a “liability.” During his time here the Patriots had among the best defenses in the league.

 

[Wozzy]

Really not a fan of Ellis being a starter. He's always a step behind, doesn't diagnose and fill lanes as quickly as he should. Even when he does, he's weak at the point of attack and gets sealed. He does have speed in space but when offenses are running right at him he's a big liability.

Spillane is good. They let Tavai go who I thought was pretty stout against the run when asked to play ILB. They must have someone already in the roster they like otherwise it doesn't make sense with the moves we've made so far.

Ellis doesn’t so why Spillane does as well, Spillane doesn’t do what Ellis does as well. There’s a tool for every job. I don’t use my hammer when a wrench is needed.

 

[rkarp1]

Robert’s has two rings, he wasn’t a “liability.” During his time here the Patriots had among the best defenses in the league.

he was a liability against the pass
as I said, a nice rotational piece with out question
a true value given his draft pedicgree
yet when it was time for a 2nd deal, he was quickly allowed to leave

 

[rkarp1]

If we wanted him, I think we would have already signed him.

agree. there is no interest in White, or maybe White has no interest in the Pats.

 

[condon84]

Ellis doesn’t so why Spillane does as well, Spillane doesn’t do what Ellis does as well. There’s a tool for every job. I don’t use my hammer when a wrench is needed.

Problem is there's a lot of traffic in the middle and ILBs will always have to engage blocks from OLs. It's not like he's playing as a hybrid S where he can just use his speed.

 

[Real fan 02]

Just sticking to ILB’ers…

Jamie Collins a year later was the last great one.

Elandon Robert’s and Jawhaun Bentley were real good LB’ers for us.

Collins was indeed good but gambled alot.. Hightower was undoubtedly our best since Bruschi... Robert's and Bentley were great downhill thumpers..

 

[Real fan 02]

Maybe. I'd certainly hope so. But they knew pickings were slim in the draft and wanted to come away with OT, EDGE and TE, so they probably should have been aware of the need for ILB. But I think maybe they like who they have as backup more than we do.

Agreed here. I know Vrabel's mentioned the depth plenty last season and so have the other coaches on defense.. I really like our 2 starting LBs Spillane & Ellis and Obiazor will likely be in the mix as well. Muma is likely a STs guy.

 

[Wozzy]

Problem is there's a lot of traffic in the middle and ILBs will always have to engage blocks from OLs. It's not like he's playing as a hybrid S where he can just use his speed.

Spillane plays near the front like Ted Johnson, Ellis plays behind him in coverage and open space like Bruschi. Things got difficult when Spillane got hurt, but I think the guys they brought in at the end of last season and this offseason have more ability to play middle LBer. We’ll see, but I’d guess sight unseen they’re better than Gibbens and Tavai.

 

[rkarp1]

I always assumed the defense the team wanted to play in "base" incorporated 3 S's.
Byard, Woodson and who?
I believe Obiazor is a converted S. do we see more Pettus?

 

[Water Boy]

I always assumed the defense the team wanted to play in "base" incorporated 3 S's.
Byard, Woodson and who?
I believe Obiazor is a converted S. do we see more Pettus?

I really thought that they would target a S/LB hybrid like Kyle Louis or Harold Perkins to replace Mapu.

 

[Real fan 02]

Problem is there's a lot of traffic in the middle and ILBs will always have to engage blocks from OLs. It's not like he's playing as a hybrid S where he can just use his speed.

That's where and why Obiazor was drafted..

 

[Real fan 02]

I always assumed the defense the team wanted to play in "base" incorporated 3 S's.
Byard, Woodson and who?
I believe Obiazor is a converted S. do we see more Pettus?

Really like Pettus and I believe he factors into things. But Obiazor your correct was a former safety and can play all-over the formation.. he's a better version of Mapu and has a bigger build and had a relentless motor.. he projects to be playing alot this season especially when we play pass heavy offenses.