What is our plan for ILB?

[rkarp1]

 

[Wozzy]

Muma, Britt, 3 rookies behind the starters… still thin?

 

[mgteich]

Will be interesting to see how well Muma replaces Gibbens

Britt is the replacement for Gibbens.

 

[rkarp1]

Muma, Britt, 3 rookies behind the starters… still thin?

until Muma, Obiazor and now Jacobs show they can play at this level, yes, very thin

 

[rkarp1]

Pulpit comments on the LB's in todays Q & A

What additional veteran free agent signings do you see as possibilities and who might be corresponding veteran cut candidates? - wrw921
To me, that linebacker spot is the weakest spot on the Patriots roster after leaving the draft with just Obiazor in the sixth-round. That leaves the main depth behind Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss as Obiazor, K.J. Britt and Chad Mama. Perhaps they feel confident in that group, but if not they could explore some one-year stop gap veteran options like Matt Milano or Bobby Okereke.

 

[stinkypete]

Jacas was listed as a LB when drafted. That may be his role in the base defense, with him rotating to the edge on passing downs.

A base defense made up of our best 11 looks like this:
Landry - Barmore - Williams - Jones
Spillane - Jacas
Gonzalez - Woodson - Byard - Jones - Davis

I wonder if LB will be de-emphasized in the base defense, with Jacas used in a hybrid role much like Vrabel was.

 

[manxman2601]

Jacas was listed as a LB when drafted. That may be his role in the base defense, with him rotating to the edge on passing downs.

A base defense made up of our best 11 looks like this:
Landry - Barmore - Williams - Jones
Spillane - Jacas
Gonzalez - Woodson - Byard - Jones - Davis

I wonder if LB will be de-emphasized in the base defense, with Jacas used in a hybrid role much like Vrabel was.

I don't think so. Jacas will be a rotational piece for the EDGE. Christian Elliss, last years starter will most likely start again next to Spillane.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Jacas was listed as a LB when drafted. That may be his role in the base defense, with him rotating to the edge on passing downs.

A base defense made up of our best 11 looks like this:
Landry - Barmore - Williams - Jones
Spillane - Jacas
Gonzalez - Woodson - Byard - Jones - Davis

I wonder if LB will be de-emphasized in the base defense, with Jacas used in a hybrid role much like Vrabel was.

There's abolutely no way he's playing "LB". LB in today's game is basically an inside LB who goes sideline to sideline. He's an edge guy which is another term in today's game for "stand up DE" or "Elephant".

 

[n1997y]

I don't think so. Jacas will be a rotational piece for the EDGE. Christian Elliss, last years starter will most likely start again next to Spillane.

Can Jacas play off the line LB? The kid they just picked up, Khalil Jacobs, had a couple of highlight clips that showed him sacking the QB. I’m wondering if they might be looking for some versatility across both ILB and Edge?

 

[n1997y]

There's abolutely no way he's playing "LB". LB in today's game is basically an inside LB who goes sideline to sideline. He's an edge guy which is another term in today's game for "stand up DE" or "Elephant".

Jacas is fast, but his RAS does not have the agility scores. Is he not agile or did he just skip them? His straight line speed is good, so he might be able to go sideline to sideline if his change of direction is not a disadvantage.

 

[manxman2601]

Can Jacas play off the line LB? The kid they just picked up, Khalil Jacobs, had a couple of highlight clips that showed him sacking the QB. I’m wondering if they might be looking for some versatility across both ILB and Edge?

Jacas is an EDGE player only, either at OLB or DE. Jacobs played mostly as a spy at Missouri. Whether he can grow into a backup to Spillane is questionable. I think he's been brought in to add some speed to the LB room. We spent quite a bit of time with him pre-draft.