LB depth chart

[Nunchucks]

Bill finds a one-year $2M contract for Fletch too steep, yet finds the cash to over-pay for Browner and especially LaFell? Penny-wise but pound foolish, again.

2 million for a backup lb that is usually used for development/special teams players is too much.

 

[Ring 6]

Or, to be more accurate, that's what Bill said.

No it isnt.

 

[captain stone]

It's what he obviously thought.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Beauharnais was drafted to be the backup ILB? I guess 7th rounders are locks.

I guess that's it. Plug him in. We don't need any free agents. You do know that Beauharnais never played a down on defense, and was inactive almost always?

Beuaharnais may or may not make the team. If he is not a special teamer, he has even less chance to make the team. He's a prospect, just like lots of others who played almost not all. However, to simply plug him as the the FIRST man up is not really very good analysis.

Belichick knows we need free agent help, even if you do not. Others here understand that we will likely draft another more qualified prospect, even if you do not.

There will definitely be more competition there, and a FA signing for coverage LB is almost a certainty, even if he goes the route of Bobby Carpenter from 2 years ago. I would expect a late-round draft choice and maybe another street FA to be brought in. Still, Beauharnais looked pretty good in run support last pre-season. Unfortunately, his skillset was a lesser developed version of what Spikes, Fletcher, and Hightower brought to the table. However, now that he's had a year to improve within the defense, I expect that he is the leading candidate to fill a backup run-stopping role, although if he doesn't start making ST contributions, his viability may be tied to BB's willingness to use Collins on 4 downs. Regardless, I don't think BB will draft a LB in the first 3 rounds of the draft , so Beauharnais should have a leg-up on most late-round draft choices this year. There will be plenty of competition, however. There's lots left to do in the off-season.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

What do you guys think of Collins replacing Hightower in the sub? As the bigger LB Hightower seems the logical guy to sit during the nickel

This is the general expectation, although Hightower may work his way into a pass-rushing role in the sub, either to spell Nink and Jones or to allow Jones to move inside. We might also see a little less sub, as there are lots of options for interesting blitz schemes with Hightower, Collins, and Mayo all able to go forward or drop at the snap and prospects for solid man coverage downfield.