The Pats to meet with Wesley Woodyard

Despite interest from DAL, source close to Wesley Woodyard told me his 1st trip is to NE, with another team visit planned after

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https://twitter.com/BKDenverSports/status/443390603401773056

If he can return to 2012 form, he is a stud. If he is what he was in 2013, he can still be an excellent coverage specialist.

Looks like the Pats are trying to continue the "super athletic LB" theme. He's a nice signing if he can be what he once was.

Collins & Woodyard is a pretty nice coverage tandem at LB! It would certainly free up Mayo to make more plays in the backfield that's for sure.

Considering one of the three teams interested is Dallas in cap hell, it shouldn't be too hard to sign him.

Big-T said:

Collins & Woodyard is a pretty nice coverage tandem at LB! It would certainly free up Mayo to make more plays in the backfield that's for sure.

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Isn't the plan to free up Collins to attack the QB? That would be my plan

Revenge *****es. Going to be weird if he's lining up covering Welker next season.

borg said:

Isn't the plan to free up Collins to attack the QB? That would be my plan

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A bit of variety & mystery is good for a defense, some plays send Collins others send Mayo - keep it mixed up and the QB has to figure that extra thing out before the snap.

Sign him to a 1-2 year prove it deal for 2 million

Nice take from denver add to us.

LB depth is certainly a need and as depth he is more than welcome but as a starter in place of Hightower or Collins not sure I like. I guess that can be sorted out in TC, IMO my opinion they need two guys someone to replace Spikes (though he doesnt have to be a thumper as I feel hightower can fill in there) and someone to add to the depth. I would also like Fletcher back too and if he walks a third might be welcome. The draft could fill any and all spots though as we have 3 guys I feel good about in Mayo, Collins, Hightower.

Didn't we have him on the team before?

Glad to see Pats intensions of moving away from those slow slug LB's who are just liabilities on Defense.

BadMoFo said:

Didn't we have him on the team before?

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No. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos in 2008.

BTW, many people believe Woodyard's drop in production last year was his move from OLB to MLB. The Pats are all set at MLB with Mayo. So I assume Woodyard would mostly rotate with Collins and Hightower. Unless the Pats move back to a 3-4 more.

Big-T said:

A bit of variety & mystery is good for a defense, some plays send Collins others send Mayo - keep it mixed up and the QB has to figure that extra thing out before the snap.

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Not trying to be funny here...but has Mayo ever actually made it to the QB?

If he costs under $2mil/year then sign the beast. He's an obvious upgrade on Dane Fletcher. Would be nice to have another Roman Phifer type in the LB core and allow Hightower/Collins/Mayo some breathing room without causing a massive drop in quality of play.

Dunno if I'd wanna pay more than two million a year though, we have other holes we need to fill.

Rob0729 said:

https://twitter.com/BKDenverSports/status/443390603401773056

If he can return to 2012 form, he is a stud. If he is what he was in 2013, he can still be an excellent coverage specialist.

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I approve of this message. Woodyard flies all over the field. Unless his injury last year (stinger) did some real damage, i see no reason why a 27-year-old LB can't come back to form.

drpatriot said:

If he costs under $2mil/year then sign the beast. He's an obvious upgrade on Dane Fletcher. Would be nice to have another Roman Phifer type in the LB core and allow Hightower/Collins/Mayo some breathing room without causing a massive drop in quality of play.

Dunno if I'd wanna pay more than two million a year though, we have other holes we need to fill.

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Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Fletcher would be a darn good LB group.

Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp would be an amazing LB group. Tremendous speed, athleticism, versatility and coverage ability.

mayoclinic said:

Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Fletcher would be a darn good LB group.

Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp would be an amazing LB group. Tremendous speed, athleticism, versatility and coverage ability.

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Would you still target Jones/Tripp if Woodyard signs?

mayoclinic said:

Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Fletcher would be a darn good LB group.

Mayo/Collins/Hightower/Woodyard + Christian Jones/Jordan Tripp would be an amazing LB group. Tremendous speed, athleticism, versatility and coverage ability.

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Agreed - if we can sign Woodyard AND Fletcher as well, more power to us, but it seems like a draft pick might fit more nicely. They could also stand pat and look for Ja'Gared Davis or Beauharnais to step up in that 5th LB spot, who knows...

Regardless, it appears that we're trying to load up against the athletic TE trend that we ourselves started. Belichick is ahead of the game as usual. :rocker:

KontradictioN said:

Would you still target Jones/Tripp if Woodyard signs?

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drpatriot said:

Agreed - if we can sign Woodyard AND Fletcher as well, more power to us, but it seems like a draft pick might fit more nicely. They could also stand pat and look for Ja'Gared Davis or Beauharnais to step up in that 5th LB spot, who knows...

Regardless, it appears that we're trying to load up against the athletic TE trend that we ourselves started. Belichick is ahead of the game as usual. :rocker:

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I think if you can sign Woodyard for reasonable money, it gives you excellent depth and flexibility, and doesn't lock you in. If Dane Fletcher resigns for cheap $ then you're set at the LB position, and can address other needs in the draft. Otherwise, you see how things fall. I would personally love to get either Christian Jones or Jordan Tripp if either is available in the right range (3rd/4th), and think either would make the LB group a potentially dominate one, but with Woodyard on board you're not desperate.