LB next year

[cstjohn17]

That being said, Anthony Spencer out of Purdue looks like he has the body type and game to make the conversion.

Quentin Groves, Junior from Auburn is 6'3, 250 and moves very well for a DE. IMO could move to DE\OLB.

 

[rookBoston]

My top 2 are Posluszny and Woodley. Inside and outside.

PP is an academic all american. He's having a down year (good for us because it will help him slip on the board). But realize that he's playing behind a defensive line that lost a bunch of seniors including Tamba Hali last year. He's one of the best on-field leaders to come along in a while. Plus, he projects with inside-outside flexibility in a 3-4.

Woodley looks and feels like McGinest, and has the same big play potential. Even against top competition, he takes over games as a pass rushing DE. What makes him special is that even at 270# is that he can play in pass coverage against a RB or TE. Also worth mentioning that Pierre Woods, who looked good enough in TC to win a roster spot as a UDFA, came from the same system.

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

PS: Donnie Edwards played a whale of a game vs. Pittsburgh the other night.

I've been in the sign Adalius Thomas camp for more than a month now, but Donnie Edwards is another guy I thought would look great in a Pats uni. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised BB didn't pursue him this past offseason.

 

[cstjohn17]

My top 2 are Posluszny and Woodley. Inside and outside.

PP is an academic all american. He's having a down year (good for us because it will help him slip on the board). But realize that he's playing behind a defensive line that lost a bunch of seniors including Tamba Hali last year. He's one of the best on-field leaders to come along in a while. Plus, he projects with inside-outside flexibility in a 3-4.

Woodley looks and feels like McGinest, and has the same big play potential. Even against top competition, he takes over games as a pass rushing DE. What makes him special is that even at 270# is that he can play in pass coverage against a RB or TE. Also worth mentioning that Pierre Woods, who looked good enough in TC to win a roster spot as a UDFA, came from the same system.

I love the draft, even though the season is only half over I am already reading scouting reports.

Are they big enough?
History shows that a typical Pats ILB is 245-260, if these guys can bulk up and carry the weight (sand in pants) then they are worth a look in rounds 1 or 2. If they are a true 235 they should be able to bulk up, if they are 225 then they may not have the build necessary. It would be nice if they are a good fit because they would really add some speed to the LB position.
- Posluszny, Paul Penn State 1 6-2 230 4.58
- Patrick Willis, Mississippi, 6-2 232
- Everett, Earl Florida 1-2 6-2 232 4.56

Woodley is a playmaker, it will be interesting if he is still on the board. I also like Brian Smith because he can get to the QB (IMO Colvin has to step it up, I could see him being cut as he has a 6.5M cap hit next year and has is not producing at an elite level)
Smith, Brian Missouri 2-3 6-4 235 4.65

A couple of underclassmen to consider...

Siler, Brandon Florida 6-2 238 4.62
Brinkley, Jasper South Carolina 6-2 258 4.64

Wild cards.
- Zak DeOssie Brown 6-4 248 4.62 , son of non other than Steve DeOssie of WEEI fame. Good build but he is coming off a shoulder surgery. He will be available in rounds 5 and 6.
- Anthony Waters of Clemson 6-3 242 4.59 is coming off a knee injury, he was a round 1 talent before the injury, he could be worth a look in the 4th or 5th.

If the price is right, I like both of the lesser heralded Michigan LBs Burgess and Harris. In the 3rd / 4th they could be worth a look.
David Harris Michigan 6-2 242 4.75
Prescott Burgess, Michigan 3 6-3 245 4.74 (not sure about a LB named Prescott...)

Since the Pats have never really drafted a ILB in the early rounds it is hard to tell if they will break tradition this year (they took Andy katz. but he got hurt before we could really tell what kind of player he was).

Also since it takes a while to adjust to the Pats system they may take an ILB on day 2 who can start on special teams and develop into a player which will allow them to focus on a DE/OLB in the early rounds.

 

[Seneschal2]

That being said, Anthony Spencer out of Purdue looks like he has the body type and game to make the conversion.

Woodley looks and feels like McGinest, and has the same big play potential. Even against top competition, he takes over games as a pass rushing DE. What makes him special is that even at 270# is that he can play in pass coverage against a RB or TE.

These are two I like. It's still way too early though to know for certain who the Pats-type prospects really are.

 

[patsfaninpa]

My top 2 are Posluszny and Woodley. Inside and outside.

PP is an academic all american. He's having a down year (good for us because it will help him slip on the board). But realize that he's playing behind a defensive line that lost a bunch of seniors including Tamba Hali last year. He's one of the best on-field leaders to come along in a while. Plus, he projects with inside-outside flexibility in a 3-4.

Woodley looks and feels like McGinest, and has the same big play potential. Even against top competition, he takes over games as a pass rushing DE. What makes him special is that even at 270# is that he can play in pass coverage against a RB or TE. Also worth mentioning that Pierre Woods, who looked good enough in TC to win a roster spot as a UDFA, came from the same system.

I love Poz rook. Watch every game. Go to a couple each year. I think
his best position in the NFL is a weak-side linebacker in a 3-4. I don't
think he has the frame to put on 20lbs and play inside for us. Conner is
having an impressive Jr. season for PSU. Might be just as good a prospect
as Poz. But, also olb in a 4-3 is his ticket to the NFL.

Woodley kicked the crap out of PSU. But, our ol is horrendous. I can't
wait to see the OSU/Michigan game. Smorgasborg of prospects. Harris
from UM might be ok as a supple 3 or 4. Big, run-stuffer.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

And, move Vrabel inside.

:wha:

Not to be facetious, but why do so many people want to move Vrabel inside? I'd rather the Pats get an ILB and let Vrabel wreak his preferred brand of LB havoc.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think the reason people think Vrabel can be moved inside. Is that it's
usually easier for a younger olb to learn the olb position. Not as many
things to read. You basically, hold the fort if you're on the strong side.
On the weak side, attack the qb or drop into zone coverage. Also,
most college play 4-3 and don't have big lb's. A lot of them use
converted rb's from hs and move them to lb. De's in the 4-3 college
scheme look like they might be easier to convert to the 3-4 in our
scheme. And, there may be more of them.

No knock on Vrabel. One of my favorite Pats. I just have more
confidence in his smarts moving inside as he loses some footbspeed.
Than grooming some over-eager rookie who takes too many false
steps. Get the younger olb to attack the qb. Let Vrabel use his
football smarts inside. My .02. I'd be content signing a run-stuffer
and leaving Vrabel outside. Just may be harder to do.

 

[carolinatony]

Everyone knows we need to draft a LB next year but its seems like most want to draft one in the later rounds instead of the first two. I hear
LBs are always a gamble in the draft....hard to teach,ect.
Are not all picks a gamble in the draft except for maybe the top 5ish. Why the concern for LB .....Am I missing something here?
thanks