Prediction: Brian Cushing

Maualuga.... Bank on it

Ice Cold Bruschi said:

Maualuga.... Bank on it

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I don't like his off field antics.
Not sure about the specifics but that sticks out.
Also missing tackles, that's a big no no.

Somebody on the forum has a signature that quotes BB saying something like, what am I gonna do with a defender that can't tackle?

Especially in the 3-4, if you miss a tackle at the ILB position, the RB is off to the races.

Also, intelligence issues?
I doubt he's even on the board.

A few certainties can be made about our first round picks:
Smart players
Good character guys
Football is important to them

TheBaronPatriot said:

I don't like his off field antics.
Not sure about the specifics but that sticks out.
Also missing tackles, that's a big no no.

Somebody on the forum has a signature that quotes BB saying something like, what am I gonna do with a defender that can't tackle?

Especially in the 3-4, if you miss a tackle at the ILB position, the RB is off to the races.

Also, intelligence issues?
I doubt he's even on the board.

A few certainties can be made about our first round picks:
Smart players
Good character guys
Football is important to them

Click to expand...

Well Merriweather wasnt any of those things as we still picked him in the first. And about Mauluga, He might have some character issues but that doesnt mean he cant mature. Sometimes ppl forget these are just college kids. For me though, If Mauluga was there at 23, I take like 20 seconds off the clock to write his name on the paper and run to the podium to deliver it.

If u remember last year Mauluga was a top 10 player, some draft experts even had us taking him at 7th overall. So if u can get him 1 year later at 23. I'd say that's a STEAL. His play didnt drop off that much from his junior year to his senior year as well.

Of course we all would like the Pats to pick solid character football players. But sometimes it's okay to take a chance. Some work out, some don't. Mauluga is worth the risk in my eyes.

Ricey said:

Well Merriweather wasnt any of those things as we still picked him in the first. And about Mauluga, He might have some character issues but that doesnt mean he cant mature. Sometimes ppl forget these are just college kids. For me though, If Mauluga was there at 23, I take like 20 seconds off the clock to write his name on the paper and run to the podium to deliver it.

If u remember last year Mauluga was a top 10 player, some draft experts even had us taking him at 7th overall. So if u can get him 1 year later at 23. I'd say that's a STEAL. His play didnt drop off that much from his junior year to his senior year as well.

Of course we all would like the Pats to pick solid character football players. But sometimes it's okay to take a chance. Some work out, some don't. Mauluga is worth the risk in my eyes.

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I agree with the character second chances.
But when combined with the lack of smarts and poor tackling I don't see it.

mayoclinic said:

23 - Connor Barwin, OLB
34 - Connor Barwin, TE
47 - Connor Barwin, DE
58 - Connor Barwin, LS

Heck of a 1st day.

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Why do I have the feeling the rule here says Barwin should be the pick?
DW Toys

Ice Cold Bruschi said:

Maualuga.... Bank on it

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More inclined to your thought process. Plug him in now, not next year.
DW Toys

mayoclinic said:

Now the sound you hear is me singing. :singing:

I think there's a decent chance that 23 + 58 could get us to Aaron Curry. I'm not holding my breath for it, but if that did happen I would hope we would pull the trigger. If we resign Wilfork we should have the best interior defense in the NFL for the next decade.

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according to the draft calc I used 23 + 58 = 8.

Curry will be gone by then. While he is a slam dunk at ILB, that's pretty high. 23 + 58 + 89 = 3/4, and that could get you Curry. Big bucks to sign him.

If you want to stay at #23, Butler is about as much as a slam dunk at CB as Curry is at LB. Might be wise to go for the best slam dunk player at that point.

I personally like the idea of trading 23 down - say #23, #124, #199, #234 to St L for #31, #95, #131.

Gives you: 31, 34, 47, 58, 89, 95, 97, 131 - a 1st, 3 2nd's 3 3rd's 1 4th.... umm ummm...

DL, OLB, DL, OT, S, G/C, RB/TE/WR - yeah, like it

Ice Cold Bruschi said:

Maualuga.... Bank on it

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BB takes chances on 2nd round picks, not first rounders.... he'll take the best player that is sitting at #23 if he doesn't trade it. It could be Pettigrew or Butler or Beatty or lots of guys. But I don't see Rey or any USC LB's at #23.

Most of the OLB's are either small or have to recast from 4-3 - that spells risk.

This is a weak year for ILB's. You have:

Curry, Matthews and Sintim who could all end up playing OLB or ILB. You also have Rey and JL at ILB

If he stays healthy Brinkley might be the most Pat like ILB of them all, along with Curry (out of reach) or Sintim (#36-42 range IMO). Sintim is the most pro ready IMO that the Pats can afford. JL is not a Pats type player, nor is McKillop.

I see Sintim (bonus as he looks good for either job) or Brinkley (#75-#95 range) getting tabbed for the job, and higher picks used for more difficult positions to fill such as DL, OT, TE.

Cushing will not be drafted by the Pats. You can write that one down. I've watched Cushing all year at USC and there was nothing he did to convince me he would be a good fit in a 3-4 defense. If you going to take a USC LB, you take Maualuga and put him next to Mayo.

Bill Belichick will not draft a USC LB or defensive player

Why draft any LB when you have Guyton on the roster who played well last season given the opportunities and also has a year of experience in the defense. It's clear Belichick values that more then hype and athleticism. Can you say James Sanders?

I personally wish they would send Sanders packing. The guy makes ZERO plays and is a great example of an average player if I've ever seen one. He'd make an ideal backup though.

MrTibbs said:

Why draft any LB when you have Guyton on the roster who played well last season given the opportunities and also has a year of experience in the defense. It's clear Belichick values that more then hype and athleticism. Can you say James Sanders?

I personally wish they would send Sanders packing. The guy makes ZERO plays and is a great example of an average player if I've ever seen one. He'd make an ideal backup though.

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Guyton is actually ridiculously athletic though. He's more athletic than any of Cushing, Malaluga, and Mathews, certainly. The guy ran a 4.4 forty and had other awesome numbers at the combine, and is obviously working hard to become a good player.