What is our plan for ILB?

[captain stone]

I think they could carry a lot of tackles on the roster, simply because Campbell and Lomu are uber athletic and both could play guard easily.

The only interior lineman they have to carry besides the starters is Ben Brown because he can play center.

Didn't see this earlier... Quite possible, though as I just posted I believe for now that they'll carry a 2nd back-up C/G and that it might be Vrabel's former pet in Nashville Andrew Rupcich...

 

[Zuma]

I didn't realize Chad Muma played in more games (12) then Jack Gibbens....yet his numbers are not good. Is hope a plan?

 

[Wozzy]

I didn't realize Chad Muma played in more games (12) then Jack Gibbens....yet his numbers are not good. Is hope a plan?

"Played" is relative.

Gibbens started 28 games on a not great Titan's defense and some in NE, Muma sat behind two stud ILB's in Jacksonville and only started 7 games for three years. He predominately played special teams.

Not playing is not the same as can't.

 

[Wozzy]

Didn't see this earlier... Quite possible, though as I just posted I believe for now that they'll carry a 2nd back-up C/G and that it might be Vrabel's former pet in Nashville Andrew Rupcich...

Andrew Rupcich is a stiff.

I have more faith in UDFA Jacob Rizy and even he will likely be slid onto the practice squad to clear the 53 man cutdown hurdle.

 

[rkarp1]

I didn't realize Chad Muma played in more games (12) then Jack Gibbens....yet his numbers are not good. Is hope a plan?

I believe games played is not the stat you want to compare players with
look at snap counts

Muma defensive snaps played
2022-26%
2023-13%
2024-22%
2025-Indy-9%
2025-NE-14%

Gibbens defensive snaps played
2022-63%
2023-66%
2024-48%
2025-48%

 

[Zuma]

I believe games played is not the stat you want to compare players with
look at snap counts

Muma defensive snaps played
2022-26%
2023-13%
2024-22%
2025-Indy-9%
2025-NE-14%

Gibbens defensive snaps played
2022-63%
2023-66%
2024-48%
2025-48%

Yep…which was a point that I was also making without actually saying it. Thanks

 

[rkarp1]

Yep…which was a point that I was also making without actually saying it. Thanks

your end of comments also are spot on. "Is hope a plan?"
Matt Milano, please?

 

[mgteich]

I believe games played is not the stat you want to compare players with
look at snap counts

Muma defensive snaps played
2022-26%
2023-13%
2024-22%
2025-Indy-9%
2025-NE-14%

Gibbens defensive snaps played
2022-63%
2023-66%
2024-48%
2025-48%

Britt hasn't played a similar percentage to Muma. He has been playing primarilty ST's.
================
FROM GOOGLE AI
K.J. Britt played one season with the Miami Dolphins and four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
A year-by-year breakdown of the defensive snap percentages throughout his career is as follows:

• 2025 (MIA): 14% of defensive snaps (played 149 snaps)
• 2024 (TB): 65% of defensive snaps
• 2023 (TB): ~15% to 20% of defensive snaps
• 2022 (TB): ~5% to 10% of defensive snaps
• 2021 (TB): <5% of defensive snaps (he primarily played special teams) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Throughout his career, Britt has primarily been a core special teams contributor. Last season with the Dolphins, he logged an impressive 77% of special teams snaps. He was signed by New England as a free agent in 2026 to fill a similar role and compete for linebacker depth

 

[rkarp1]

Britt hasn't played a similar percentage to Muma. He has been playing primarilty ST's.
================
FROM GOOGLE AI
K.J. Britt played one season with the Miami Dolphins and four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
A year-by-year breakdown of the defensive snap percentages throughout his career is as follows:

• 2025 (MIA): 14% of defensive snaps (played 149 snaps)
• 2024 (TB): 65% of defensive snaps
• 2023 (TB): ~15% to 20% of defensive snaps
• 2022 (TB): ~5% to 10% of defensive snaps
• 2021 (TB): <5% of defensive snaps (he primarily played special teams) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Throughout his career, Britt has primarily been a core special teams contributor. Last season with the Dolphins, he logged an impressive 77% of special teams snaps. He was signed by New England as a free agent in 2026 to fill a similar role and compete for linebacker depth

I have been saying "thin"
Also "is hope a plan" sounds appropos

 

[Wozzy]

I have been saying "thin"
Also "is hope a plan" sounds appropos

They field two ILB’s and have two good ones in Spillane and Ellis.

They don’t need “hope,” they need health and development in search of backups and depth.

All 32 teams need health, the Patriots are not unique in that regard.

 

[rkarp1]

They field two ILB’s and have two good ones in Spillane and Ellis.

They don’t need “hope,” they need health and development in search of backups and depth.

All 32 teams need health, the Patriots are not unique in that regard.

Spillane is on the wrong side of 30, and missed significant time last season. Elliss missed time with a concussion.
more competition for the back up spots are needed

 

[Wozzy]

Spillane is on the wrong side of 30, and missed significant time last season. Elliss missed time with a concussion.
more competition for the back up spots are needed

Four rookies and Muma… plus two starters.

You must think every team has pro bowlers sitting on the bench waiting for a shot.

 

[rkarp1]

Four rookies and Muma… plus two starters.

You must think every team has pro bowlers sitting on the bench waiting for a shot.

Muma has shown he can't play defensive snaps
4 rookies is thin
need a vet

 

[TommyD4207]

Four rookies and Muma… plus two starters.

You must think every team has pro bowlers sitting on the bench waiting for a shot.

Normally this is a totally fair take, one I use quite a bit actually - the only issue is, it's all concentrated on one position group, the lack of skill and talent. I hope you're right about these rookies and FAs they brought in. but I'd feel a lot better if a Bobby Wagner or someone was at least getting 20 snaps a game as a rotational guy.

Spillane is fine as a ILB. Elliss is inconsistent at best. IMO they just need more at the position. I hope they found it, like you say,

 

[Wozzy]

Muma has shown he can't play defensive snaps

You have zero clue this is true. Was it true of Mike
Vrabel or Rob Nincovich entering year 5? You have no clue.

4 rookies is thin
need a vet

Baloney. If you bring in four rookies odds say a smart team could find at least one good player, potentially two.

The Patriots got a good look at Muma last year, they liked what they saw… that’s why Gibbens and Tavai are gone.

 

[Wozzy]

Normally this is a totally fair take, one I use quite a bit actually - the only issue is, it's all concentrated on one position group, the lack of skill and talent. I hope you're right about these rookies and FAs they brought in. but I'd feel a lot better if a Bobby Wagner or someone was at least getting 20 snaps a game as a rotational guy.

Spillane is fine as a ILB. Elliss is inconsistent at best. IMO they just need more at the position. I hope they found it, like you say,

If by the middle to end of camp they are convinced they are “thin” a couple of these vets will still be sitting there. There is nothing to panic about at all.

 

[DaBruinz]

Four rookies and Muma… plus two starters.

You must think every team has pro bowlers sitting on the bench waiting for a shot.

Who is the 4th? You have Obiazor, Jacobs, Hutchins and WHO??

 

[DaBruinz]

When you suggest they sign a starting caliber vet you are suggesting someone else sits. And neither of those old guys are playing on the backend in coverage over Ellis or anyone else.

Okereke and White are BOTH better than F'in Elliss in ccoverage. You'd know this if you bothered to actually look them up.

Elliss was garbage last year in coverage. Elliss was garbage against the run. The only time Elliss was good was when he rushed the Passer.

 

[DaBruinz]

Because you’re asking me to guess, and frankly it doesn’t matter.

How am I asking you to guess? FFS. YOU made the statement that there were 4 rookies along with MUMA vying for the Back-up LB spots. Yes. It does f'in matter when you keep spewing BS that there are 4 rookie LBs when there aren't. There are 3 and that is only if Hutchins is moved to ILB from Edge.

They held onto Muma, they let Gibbens and Tavai walk. They also brought in 4 talented rookies. They did they because it improved the roster, not made it worse.

I know what they've done so far. You're the one who is having issues counting. Not me.

So is Jesse Luketa… but we’re discussing inside LBer’s here.

Then why do you keep saying they've brought in 4 talented rookies for ILB?

The Pats have brought in the following for Edge and ILB.
Edge Gabe Jacas
Edge Xavier Holmes
LB Namdi Obiazor
LB Khalil Jacobs
LB Quintayvious Hutchins.

3 for ILB and 2 for Edge.

No matter how you slice it, you don't get 4 talented LBs to vie for ILB spots.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

The Patriots got a good look at Muma last year, they liked what they saw… that’s why Gibbens and Tavai are gone.

Gibbens is gone because the Cardinals overpaid him. Much like when the Pats cut Cardona. Both are good players who the Pats thought were overpriced. Tavai is simply too slow - I think he is done.

Muma is athletic and cheap. Historically Muma has been a disappointment. Can the Pats find a spot that Muma can grasp and play freely and use his athleticism? I doubt it but he is cheap so the Pats will try.

I assume Obiazor will make the roster much like Prunty will and Bryant did last year. The Pats signed two new rookie OTs so it is likely Bryant is gone this year. Hopefully Obiazor and Prunty stick long term. Both seem to have plus athleticism and football smarts which I think is a smart way to draft.