I Don't See Serious Resources Used At LB

[BTTA]

Just for reference on these 3 cone times:

Top five since 2006:

1. Jordan Thomas 6.28 CB 2018
2. Jeffrey Maehl 6.42 WR 2011
3. Buster Skrine 6.44 DB 2011
4. Scott Long 6.45 WR 2010
5. Dane Sanzenbacher 6.46 WR

 

[luuked]

I don't disagree, but you STILL need to find that tweener guy who can be a linebacker and still be fast enough to cover receiving TE's and RB's, with Telvin Smith being the archetype you are looking for.

Do you really NEED to find one ? Seriously, why ? We seem to be using DBs a lot more anyhow.

ight now that is a skill set we don't have on the roster. KGruier-Hill might have been that guy, but Philly grabbed him when we tried to hide him on our PS.

I don't think KGH is significantly better than most LBs we already have on our roster. This seems like one of those "the grass is always greener" arguments for me. I wonder if fans on some teams messageboard are talking about Elandon Roberts like that.

 

[Ring 6]

The team continues to need a cover LB, and relying on a low round (going into season two) who was injured 3 games into the season is not generally wise. But BB has gambled on thin and theoretically inadequate LB corps fairly often in recent years.

I think the position of “cover lb” doesn’t exist in Belichicks defense. The way he uses the lb position makes it almost impossible to find a guy who meets all of the criteria on early downs and can cover RBs one on one effortlessly.
This is why our “cover lb” is a db as we use a nickel base and 6 or even 7 docs on passing downs.

 

[SBLIII]

We have 7 picks in the first 4 rounds.

While a LB would be nice we can only fill so many holes.

I'd rather get 2 DL, 3 WR/TE, S and OL.

 

[Adam Seward]

Gary Guyton ain’t walkin thru that door.

 

[Joey007]

This changes if Hightower gets shipped out for whatever reason.

 

[mgteich]

I expect us to extend Van Noy, hopefully before the draft.

We can't have everything.

We do have 4 LB's that are really good.

HT and KVN are elite IMO + Bentley and Roberts (he improved a LOT) provide nice depth. I would love to add another LB because KVN will be a FA and Bentley sample is really small, but we only have one WR, one DT, and lack elite ED, so LB is only a plus.

I can't say because FA did not even begin but if the draft was today

I would love to add

2 WR
1 TE
2 DT
1 ED
1 S
--------
QB is a need but i don't love any of them, so i would like a late pick like the Brett Rypien

 

[patsinthesnow]

Do you really NEED to find one ? Seriously, why ? We seem to be using DBs a lot more anyhow.



I don't think KGH is significantly better than most LBs we already have on our roster. This seems like one of those "the grass is always greener" arguments for me. I wonder if fans on some teams messageboard are talking about Elandon Roberts like that.

Agreed.

• The team frequently plays 6 DBs on 3rd & long with CB/S matched up on TE/RB.

• They rarely have a LB matched up with a TE in man on early downs.

• Kyle Van Noy has significantly improved his coverage on RBs out of the backfield (92.4 passer rating against - 20/94 among LBs). It seemed as if every dumpoff vs. LAC was met with Van Noy to meet them.

When your 4 CB & 3 S were all starting caliber, you weren’t putting a coverage LB on the field in passing downs, especially when the only LBs on the field were usually blitzing.

I’m not arguing we have a coverage LB specialist (we don’t), I’m just not sure its needed in this defense.

 

[patfanken]

Do you really NEED to find one ? Seriously, why ? We seem to be using DBs a lot more anyhow.



I don't think KGH is significantly better than most LBs we already have on our roster. This seems like one of those "the grass is always greener" arguments for me. I wonder if fans on some teams messageboard are talking about Elandon Roberts like that.

Yeah, I really do. As the league morphs into the National Flagfootball League, I think the "cover LB" will become more and more a position of need for every team. First down is no longer a predominately run down.

On the other hand teams will see what the Pats did with THEIR run game against 5 or 6 DB alignments and begin to copy this tactic. Having a true LB who can excel on all three downs is a huge advantage and well worth the effort to find him. Though finding that skill set is tough.

I was thinking about the LB position the other day and how the position is evolving. Back in 2001-7 when the Pats were predominantly a 3-4 team, the Pats would routinely keep 9 LB's on the roster. Now the number is closer to 6 and some of those guys are more ST'ers than LB's.

BTW- You might be right about KGH, but he was a binky of mine that TC when he was with us. And you know how people LOVE their binkies. So I have followed his career with the Eagles as he's developed from a ST player to a starting LB in a couple of years.

 

[farn]

Simon resigning for a few years could be an under-the-radar win for NE. Per Reiss talks have been good. I welcome the signing and think he could carve out a decent few years.

 

[edkk323]

Melifonwu 3-cone: 7.07. DK's fixed above. DK is not a shifty guy - straight line player.

THX, I have no idea where I got that ridiculous 3 cone time.

 

[luuked]

On the other hand teams will see what the Pats did with THEIR run game against 5 or 6 DB alignments and begin to copy this tactic. Having a true LB who can excel on all three downs is a huge advantage and well worth the effort to find him. Though finding that skill set is tough.

The thing is that getting a true three down LB is not only tough it is as rare as finding that true dual threat TE. And unless we talk about the rare blue chipper or a total random find the reality is that LBs take some time to be proficient in coverage on NFL level. The jump is gigantic. So whoever you get will most probably not even be able to play at that level for 1-2 years.

I think the right way to frame my question would have been is it worth throwing resources at something that is damn difficult to find and that you can scheme around. I mean yes of course a true 3 down LB would be amazing but even the freaky athletic ones like Collins were not much better in coverage than what we already have. The ones people like to bring up like Kuechly are the ones that are on a HoF track. That is not a fair comparison or expectation.

BTW- You might be right about KGH, but he was a binky of mine that TC when he was with us. And you know how people LOVE their binkies. So I have followed his career with the Eagles as he's developed from a ST player to a starting LB in a couple of years.

Oh of course. Everyone loves their binkies no question.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

THX, I have no idea where I got that ridiculous 3 cone time.

Wes Welker's 3 cone time was 7.09 and Melifonwu's is 7.07 at 6'4" tall. That really is amazing. He was a second round pick and assuming that the Raiders did not know how to use him, the kid could be really good. At 6'4" tall and 225 - 230 you can think of him as a Strong Safety or a Linebacker.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

We have 7 picks in the first 4 rounds.

While a LB would be nice we can only fill so many holes.

I'd rather get 2 DL, 3 WR/TE, S and OL.

I doubt we use all 7 picks. BB will trade into 2020 IMO. He will also sign some "John Simon" types so the need is lessened. Can't have All-Pros at every spot - the key is solid team guys.

If we expect that we will draft 5 or 6 guys in the first 4 rounds, we will not be disappointed. Expecting one of those picks to be a 2nd round safety will lessen anxiety on draft day as well

 

[edkk323]

Wes Welker's 3 cone time was 7.09 and Melifonwu's is 7.07 at 6'4" tall. That really is amazing. He was a second round pick and assuming that the Raiders did not know how to use him, the kid could be really good. At 6'4" tall and 225 - 230 you can think of him as a Strong Safety or a Linebacker.

he was injured I think. Measurements do not always translate into production.

 

[reflexblue]

With all due respect, I've played this game since 2000. I have NO IDEA what the hell BB is going to do, no clue who he'll pick and probably will go batshyt when he DOES draft this April.In other words, it's more fun to project who the OTHER 31 teams are going to take.At least I'll have SOME clue.

I gave up a few years ago, BB seems to go against the grain, last year was a perfect example. Going into the draft the consenses was that he'd go defense after giving up 41 pts in a super bowl loss. So what did he do Drafted a RB and a LT/guard. A year late i can see the logic, establish a running game and keep the other teams offense off the field and take the heat off TB.

 

[50-yard-line]

If the Patriots were to grab a LB in the draft, who would it be? Without having to dig through the draft section, anyone here see any prospects worth talking about?

I think they're pretty set at that position, personally, and hope they find a way to make Obi's athleticism translate into something more than special teams.

I'm also really curious to see if they stole another potential gem in Kamalu. The guy needed some time (late to football), but might be a pleasant surprise.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

We need someone with Ca........

Oh never mind...

 

[Ring 6]

Simon resigning for a few years could be an under-the-radar win for NE. Per Reiss talks have been good. I welcome the signing and think he could carve out a decent few years.

Can you clarify? Is he signed or are they talking about a contract?

 

[Deus Irae]

Wes Welker's 3 cone time was 7.09 and Melifonwu's is 7.07 at 6'4" tall. That really is amazing. He was a second round pick and assuming that the Raiders did not know how to use him, the kid could be really good. At 6'4" tall and 225 - 230 you can think of him as a Strong Safety or a Linebacker.

Welker is an excellent example of a player who's faster (in this case it's quicks rather than straight speed) than his time. He's also an excellent example of why you can ignore anyone who's arguments are about the numbers.