Draft observations and analysis

[Kontradiction]

I have to thank you personally for your excellent post, summary and attached highlight vids, Kontra!

I really appreciate the effort and support this site puts out....Having a resource like Patsfans.com is tremendous.....I even enjoy the internecine back-biting and food-fights.....

Eh, I was bored.

 

[Feep50]

Eh, I was bored.

Bored? or Possessed? Despite your humility I appreciate the effort.....

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Nice post, agreed on all points although like Whiza pointed out I also heard somewhere that Butler isn't a good tackler (and yeah I'm too lazy to research myself right now). I expected and hoped for day 1 to be defense heavy and that's what we got, and I can't say enough how much i like Chung. IMO since Rodney's injury in '05 the defense has been okay but truly missing the toughness it had in secondary pre-'05.

And on top of that we bent the Titans and Jags over with those trades.

 

[Kontradiction]

Nice post, agreed on all points although like Whiza pointed out I also heard somewhere that Butler isn't a good tackler (and yeah I'm too lazy to research myself right now). I expected and hoped for day 1 to be defense heavy and that's what we got, and I can't say enough how much i like Chung. IMO since Rodney's injury in '05 the defense has been okay but truly missing the toughness it had in secondary pre-'05.

And on top of that we bent the Titans and Jags over with those trades.

All you need to see to know that the so called "experts" are wrong about Butler's tackling is the video I posted. The guy is a sure open field tackler.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Seeing a small guy like chung level then OT Long of michigan is just insane, great tackling. Troy P, doesnt have that much speed and does a great job flying across the field on passes and plugging holes on run plays. Great video highlight of him and most of all great pick up for our back 4.

Go back and watch that play again. Not only does he level Jake Long, he manages to take out another OL before one of the skill players finally has the presence of mind to tackle him.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Personally, I expect McKenzie to be the Ted Johnson to Guyton's Roman Phifer.

Every body always remembers only half of Belichicks observation about3-4 LBs.

"You need to take college DEs and teach them to become 3-4 OLBs".... and the forgotten second half is "You need to take college OLBs and teach them to be ILBs".

Tyrone looks to be a very good ILB reserve and possibly a spot starter. He doesn't hold a candle to Guytons speed or athleticism though. He is what he is. The third ILB and prime reserve. Appleby looks to be the situational TJ.

 

[BradyManny]

I think from what Bill did, and didn't do, that Mackenzie wil take over for Tedy. But as a reserve, behind Guyton and Mayo. He doesn't have the size or speed to displace either of them, as a starter. But his triangle and mental qualities suggest he will be a good reserve.

I'd say McKenzie at SILB in the base defense, and then he comes off the field in nickel/dime situations. Of course, he could improve in coverage as a Patriot and become a full-time player at some point, but he's a tackling machine with a good head on his shoulders, which to me suggests he's primed to compete for reps as the SILB in the base D, sooner than later.

Between Guyton and McKenzie, someone will step up and win the job from Bruschi at some point in 2009.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

Seeing a small guy like chung level then OT Long of michigan is just insane, great tackling. Troy P, doesnt have that much speed and does a great job flying across the field on passes and plugging holes on run plays. Great video highlight of him and most of all great pick up for our back 4.

I think Troy is one of the fastest safeties in the NFL and ran a 4.43 at the combine.

JockBio: Troy Polamalu Facts

Fun fact about him
"Despite signing a multimillion dollar contract with the Steelers, Troy showed up to his first training camp in a $12,000 Kia."