IF Seau and Bruschi hang them up

[mgteich]

Woods and Alexander are fine special teamers, and have yet to prove that they should have more reps as the linebacker position. It seems that, at best, there are Banta-Cain.

Lua wouldn't ahve made the team last year, and may have a future, or not. They are not the answers for losing reps from Bruschi and Seau. There are not the answer to replace Bruschi, Seau and Colvin in 2009 (should he decide to move elsewhere).

Has everyone soured on Lua, Woods, & Alexander?

 

[PittPatriot]

Can Vrabel handle a full year at MILB? He has a ton of miles on him and has said that the constant beating a MLB takes can wear on you.
I wish we could keep him outside (where he prefers) but that leaves Colvin/Thomas platooning. I think we NEED Junior and Tedy to stick around.

 

[cornhuskers_2002]

Karlos Dansby from the Cardinals would probably make a great ILB. Too bad it looks like he will be franchised. Also Terrell Suggs would be a great addition to the LB'er core. He would provide the 4-3 type DE rush that the Patriots lack against the 2 minute offense. He will most likely be franchised too.

 

[captain stone]

Has everyone soured on Lua, Woods, & Alexander?

I have.
Alexander was dead to me after the AFCC last season.
If Woods had enough ability, then why wasn't he on the field during the jints' last drive?
Lua was drafted in the 7th round (ahead of Brandon Siler??) for a reason.

Unless a starting-quality ILB is acquired, via draft and/or free agency, and both Bruschi and Seau retire, then the best option may be to have both Vrabel and Thomas at ILB. I feel that Vrabel is no longer explosive enough for our needs to remain at OLB. Another quality OLB could then be acquired, whereafter Thomas remains inside.

If a starting-quality ILB is acquired, however, then Thomas could return to OLB. Either way, Vrabel should move permanently to ILB.

My best-case situation for our LBs:
Thomas - Vrabel - new WILB - Colvin
new OLB - Seau - Bruschi - Woods
...........Lua - Alexander (as STers to replace Izzo)

 

[bolts_fan]

I think Seau could make a move to the Chargers and make a run with them.
If Brandon Siler is still not over his 7 round slide they may be able to use Seau .. who knows .. anyone who thinks his heart is still not with that team is crazy and he has another year left in him.

I'll come here and eat 2 servings of crow if Seau is re-signed by the Chargers. AJ Smith doesn't play that game.

 

[Disco Volante]

It'd be a real bummer to see two great guys end their careers like this.

Hell, even good ol' Troy Brown. His last game included that muffed punt and wasn't even active for the Super Bowl.

 

[newton_tom_cat]

I'm sorry but Teddy doesn't have it anymore. For 2 seasons now replay after replay show him being escorted out of his assignment by an offensive lineman or blocking back. Great guy forever, former great linebacker.

Seau has his moments shooting the gap and I could see keeping him around for spot duty.

 

[Jimke]

I think it is time for Seau and Bruschi both to retire. It is time for us to bite the bullet and go through the growing pains of bringing in new fresh blood with some legs.

I agree the time has come to draft and develop a starting linebacker.

The Pats can't depend on signing free agents forever because the salary

cap hit eventually becomes too high. Oftentimes (Beisel, C. Brown),

the free agents have almost as much trouble picking up BB's system

as the rookies.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

The Pats D is in big trouble if Seau and Bruschi retire, yes. But what about Harrison and Samuel... they are probably both gone too.

Rebuilding time. This was the last shot at the title. Time to man up and look to younger guys through the draft and FA.

 

[Keegs]

The Pats D is in big trouble if Seau and Bruschi retire, yes. But what about Harrison and Samuel... they are probably both gone too.

Rebuilding time. This was the last shot at the title. Time to man up and look to younger guys through the draft and FA.

i'll remember you said that.

Thank god you aren't in charge.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

i'll remember you said that.

Thank god you aren't in charge.

Just MHO, man. I think this team will be good, but not Superbowl champ good. They are just getting too old on D.

 

[Patjew]

Hell, even good ol' Troy Brown. His last game included that muffed punt and wasn't even active for the Super Bowl.

Yeah, that's pretty sad isn't it? Of all the guys, I wish he could have gone out in a better way. Not to take away from anyone, but Troy did more for the organization than any of the departing players, in my opinion.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I have.
Alexander was dead to me after the AFCC last season.
If Woods had enough ability, then why wasn't he on the field during the jints' last drive?
Lua was drafted in the 7th round (ahead of Brandon Siler??) for a reason.

Unless a starting-quality ILB is acquired, via draft and/or free agency, and both Bruschi and Seau retire, then the best option may be to have both Vrabel and Thomas at ILB. I feel that Vrabel is no longer explosive enough for our needs to remain at OLB. Another quality OLB could then be acquired, whereafter Thomas remains inside.

If a starting-quality ILB is acquired, however, then Thomas could return to OLB. Either way, Vrabel should move permanently to ILB.

My best-case situation for our LBs:
Thomas - Vrabel - new WILB - Colvin
new OLB - Seau - Bruschi - Woods
...........Lua - Alexander (as STers to replace Izzo)

Vrabel went to the Pro Bowl this year. He was plenty explosive when Colvin was playing.

AD was acquired to be that speed we need (with a brain) at ILB even if people here couldn't see it. Unfortunately Colvin was lost and that changed everything. Seau and Bruschi were no longer sharing 1 position they were manning the inside full time while AD covered for Colvin outside.

Too many people here are prone to kneejerk reactions.

Bill doesn't draft LB's high for lots of reasons. The only first rounder in the present unit was drafted by someone else 19 years ago. And even at that, in his youth, he could not have played for Bill here - too undisciplined. Our core is guys were drafted in the 3rd-5th rounds and then developed, Tedy here and everyone else on another team. Tedy wasn't a starter here until Bill came back in 2000. TJ and Willie while eating up a ton of cap early didn't live up to their 1st round potential until the second half of their careers here. And even then, did they ever really...

You can say the same for all the folks who think Rodney needs to go. Better hope not because a secondary without a brain is not a pretty thing to watch, in case you've forgotten 2005. There will be enough changes there with Asante's departure. Meriweather is showing signs of promise, but we all remember when Eugene Wilson was a pro bowler in the making...and the staff is higher on Sanders than they board lately... I think Bill is secretly hoping against hope that Rodney can play until Baltimore thinks Ed Reed is just too expensive to carry through a rebuild...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Just MHO, man. I think this team will be good, but not Superbowl champ good. They are just getting too old on D.

Don't you have more important things to worry about, like how it's going to impact your football life once all your home games are played Canada...

 

[Patjew]

Vrabel went to the Pro Bowl this year. He was plenty explosive when Colvin was playing.

AD was acquired to be that speed we need (with a brain) at ILB even if people here couldn't see it. Unfortunately Colvin was lost and that changed everything. Seau and Bruschi were no longer sharing 1 position they were manning the inside full time while AD covered for Colvin outside.

Too many people here are prone to kneejerk reactions.

Bill doesn't draft LB's high for lots of reasons. The only first rounder in the present unit was drafted by someone else 19 years ago. And even at that, in his youth, he could not have played for Bill here - too undisciplined. Our core is guys were drafted in the 3rd-5th rounds and then developed, Tedy here and everyone else on another team. Tedy wasn't a starter here until Bill came back in 2000. TJ and Willie while eating up a ton of cap early didn't live up to their 1st round potential until the second half of their careers here. And even then, did they ever really...

You can say the same for all the folks who think Rodney needs to go. Better hope not because a secondary without a brain is not a pretty thing to watch, in case you've forgotten 2005. There will be enough changes there with Asante's departure. Meriweather is showing signs of promise, but we all remember when Eugene Wilson was a pro bowler in the making...and the staff is higher on Sanders than they board lately... I think Bill is secretly hoping against hope that Rodney can play until Baltimore thinks Ed Reed is just too expensive to carry through a rebuild...

So you're saying we should definitely switch to a base 4-3 next year?

 

[DropKick Flutie]

Don't you have more important things to worry about, like how it's going to impact your football life once all your home games are played Canada...

Ouch. At least my season tickets will be cheaper this year.

As long as Ralph is alive, the Bills aren't moving. The fact that he could go any day now is scary, but at least he is still kicking.

Maybe Harrison can give Ralph the number of his HGH dealer, so he can live a few more years?

 

[captain stone]

1) Vrabel went to the Pro Bowl this year. He was plenty explosive when Colvin was playing.

2) AD was acquired to be that speed we need (with a brain) at ILB even if people here couldn't see it. Unfortunately Colvin was lost and that changed everything. Seau and Bruschi were no longer sharing 1 position they were manning the inside full time while AD covered for Colvin outside.

Too many people here are prone to kneejerk reactions.

3) Bill doesn't draft LB's high for lots of reasons. The only first rounder in the present unit was drafted by someone else 19 years ago. And even at that, in his youth, he could not have played for Bill here - too undisciplined. Our core is guys were drafted in the 3rd-5th rounds and then developed, Tedy here and everyone else on another team. Tedy wasn't a starter here until Bill came back in 2000. TJ and Willie while eating up a ton of cap early didn't live up to their 1st round potential until the second half of their careers here. And even then, did they ever really...

4) You can say the same for all the folks who think Rodney needs to go. Better hope not because a secondary without a brain is not a pretty thing to watch, in case you've forgotten 2005. There will be enough changes there with Asante's departure. Meriweather is showing signs of promise, but we all remember when Eugene Wilson was a pro bowler in the making...and the staff is higher on Sanders than they board lately... I think Bill is secretly hoping against hope that Rodney can play until Baltimore thinks Ed Reed is just too expensive to carry through a rebuild...

1) Some players lose their explosiveness suddenly, instead of gradually. Will that be the case with Vrabel? I hope not. We'll know the answer by this time next year, or less.

2) Injuries happen, esp. to older players. We need a better contingency plan at LB.

3) Then let's start drafting some kids in the 3rd-5th rounds and developing them. It's time for the next wave to learn from the old guard, before there is no more old guard from whom to learn.

4) I'm not one of those folks. Rodney needs to return, for at least one more year.