What is our plan for ILB?

[Real fan 02]

 

[Huckleberry1]

The only two rookies remaining are Lomu and Jacas.
Not sure the Pats are going to look at any other guards, though I'd be interested in the Pats kicking the tires on Bitonio or Glasgow depending on what's going on with Guard depth.

The biggest thing people need to remember is that how the Pats address the concerns likely won't be how we, the fans, think they should address the concerns.

I'm not sure who they will bring in, but I do think they will bring in depth at OG, off the ball LB, and possibly Safety.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'm not sure who they will bring in, but I do think they will bring in depth at OG, off the ball LB, and possibly Safety.

I think a Guard will depend on how Rizy performs. If he shows that the is capable as the #4G/#3C behind Brown, they may not bring in someone. If they do, Glasgow would fit the need of an OC/OG. As he'd been there with the Lions. Bitonio would be an option if AVT or Onwenu get injured in Camp. He started all last year and was still one of the best in the league.

Not sure they'll look at Safety.. With Woodson, Byard and Pettus, they're pretty solid. The have Saunders and Manuma vying with Mike Brown for the 4th Safety spot.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think a Guard will depend on how Rizy performs. If he shows that the is capable as the #4G/#3C behind Brown, they may not bring in someone. If they do, Glasgow would fit the need of an OC/OG. As he'd been there with the Lions. Bitonio would be an option if AVT or Onwenu get injured in Camp. He started all last year and was still one of the best in the league.

Not sure they'll look at Safety.. With Woodson, Byard and Pettus, they're pretty solid. The have Saunders and Manuma vying with Mike Brown for the 4th Safety spot.

Bitonio and Zeitler were the guards I was looking at, and Bobby Wagner could still be useful as a back up off the ball LB.

 

[captain stone]

Lomu still has to develop technique &his body and strength.. he's the right tackle in waiting.. I know we want to dismiss the solid play of W Campbell prior to the injury and annoint Lomu who's never played a Down in the NFL yet.. but the best case scenario is you have your OTs for the foreseeable future in place...

Lomu's not here to play Right Tackle.

 

[rochrist]

Looks like they are sticking with spillane and ellis as the main ilb’s again. The only additions we’ve made are depth pieces likely to replace gibbens and mapu while leo chenal was available for a very fair price. I was hoping to upgrade here but apparently Vrabel and company are ok with those 2 for this year

Because the season starts next week?

 

[Real fan 02]

Lomu's not here to play Right Tackle.

Patriots Insider Reveals Plan For Caleb Lomu In Rookie Season | NESN

New England selected Lomu in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

nesn.com

 

[Real fan 02]

Because the season starts next week?

@PATSYLICIOUS is correct.. let's be honest here.. Spillane & Ellis have no serious competition to threaten thier starting jobs anyway..

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Because the season starts next week?

Highly doubt we’re going to find a new starting lb at this point. Maybe depth upgrades if someone becomes available

 

[rkarp1]

Highly doubt we’re going to find a new starting lb at this point. Maybe depth upgrades if someone becomes available

not sure starter/depth is the way to look at it
situational football
players play in a base D most of the time. most likely this will be Spillane and Ellis. they will be mostly backed up by Britt, a downhill run defender.
other players come in on passing downs. this most likely would be Obiazor, perhaps Muma
all players would have a role, and get regular snaps, depending on the situation

 

[Real fan 02]

Highly doubt we’re going to find a new starting lb at this point. Maybe depth upgrades if someone becomes available

The entire Defense as a whole will be better simply having been a year in the system together..guys are more comfortable also adding a great player in the secondary like K. Byard is immense. Forcing everything in the middle in traffic is what you want to Ellis and Spillane can play fast and downhill.

 

[rkarp1]

The entire Defense as a whole will be better simply having been a year in the system together..guys are more comfortable also adding a great player in the secondary like K. Byard is immense. Forcing everything in the middle in traffic is what you want to Ellis and Spillane can play fast and downhill.

no doubt

but players get hurt. we saw Spillane go down and the team not miss a beat with Gibbons. we saw Landry get hurt and Jennings snap count increased, and the team did not miss a beat.
not sure we have that type of depth this season

 

[Real fan 02]

no doubt

but players get hurt. we saw Spillane go down and the team not miss a beat with Gibbons. we saw Landry get hurt and Jennings snap count increased, and the team did not miss a beat.
not sure we have that type of depth this season

Very true is why I believe Britt and Muma as well as Obiazor will be real factors.. the team likely saw Tavai and Jennings while solid players here weren't in the plans.. they still would have helped with the depth though.. the defensive line is the deepest part of the front..

 

[rkarp1]

Very true is why I believe Britt and Muma as well as Obiazor will be real factors.. the team likely saw Tavai and Jennings while solid players here weren't in the plans.. they still would have helped with the depth though.. the defensive line is the deepest part of the front..

I assume the team knows what they had with Britt, and have a role for him both on ST and at LB
Muma has been cut a few times from different teams, and could not get onto the field last year in a meaningful way on defense. he could break thru. but relying on him to do so is not plan a for me. I would hope Obiazor maybe by mid season is filling that role. but again, not plan a for me.
I prefer to see a vet in here

 

[Real fan 02]

I assume the team knows what they had with Britt, and have a role for him both on ST and at LB
Muma has been cut a few times from different teams, and could not get onto the field last year in a meaningful way on defense. he could break thru. but relying on him to do so is not plan a for me. I would hope Obiazor maybe by mid season is filling that role. but again, not plan a for me.
I prefer to see a vet in here

It's definitely been discussed on forum about us needing another veteran.. preferably Devin white who likely would come at cheap price.. speaking of special teams the coverage was meh last season... muma and britt project to be able to sure up that aspect certainly.. the key guys are Spillane and Ellis.. muma and britt will have every opportunity to carve out the 3rd LB role..

 

[Real fan 02]

not sure starter/depth is the way to look at it
situational football
players play in a base D most of the time. most likely this will be Spillane and Ellis. they will be mostly backed up by Britt, a downhill run defender.
other players come in on passing downs. this most likely would be Obiazor, perhaps Muma
all players would have a role, and get regular snaps, depending on the situation

Also.. the secondary will frustrate offenses and make QBs check down.. that will allow the LBs to play down hill.. remember those 03,04 defenses? Law and Poole would lock down the perimeter along with the fear of being punished by Rodney.. so Vrabel and Bruschi could play down hill to thier strengths.. punishing RBs and TEs.

 

[jdlboot14]

no doubt

but players get hurt. we saw Spillane go down and the team not miss a beat with Gibbons. we saw Landry get hurt and Jennings snap count increased, and the team did not miss a beat.
not sure we have that type of depth this season

I wouldn't say that. Gibbens flashes a lot because of his size and finish, but he was having to show up because of his late reads, out of position, and mostly - he didn't do near as well as green-dot-communicator. Which is why Elliss played so much worse when Spillane was out. So, I'd say we did miss a beat. Which is probably why they let him walk. However, I don't know if Muma or Britt will be any better. I'm hoping Obiazor really catches on quickly. Because we are very thin at good ILB depth.

 

[rkarp1]

I wouldn't say that. Gibbens flashes a lot because of his size and finish, but he was having to show up because of his late reads, out of position, and mostly - he didn't do near as well as green-dot-communicator. Which is why Elliss played so much worse when Spillane was out. So, I'd say we did miss a beat. Which is probably why they let him walk. However, I don't know if Muma or Britt will be any better. I'm hoping Obiazor really catches on quickly. Because we are very thin at good ILB depth.

"didn't miss a beat"-meaning the team continued winning

 

[DaBruinz]

Lomu's not here to play Right Tackle.

Yes. He is. But WTF do you know.

 

[DaBruinz]

Highly doubt we’re going to find a new starting lb at this point. Maybe depth upgrades if someone becomes available

There are still several older vets who are Free Agents who could come in and start for this team. Okereke, Wagner and White are probably the 3 biggest names. Whether or not they Pats are interested and whether or not the guys are looking for longer term deals vs. a 1yr is a whole other can of beans.