Linebackers Are NOT a weakness

[Pats726]

There's a few different ways the Pats could go...Firstly, we have no idea what the Patriots think of the 4 backups (at this point)..If we knew that, I think we could project a lot better. Is Alexander after 4 years ready to step in to the rotation? Will Lua be a surprise inside? Is Slaughter more than A STer and could rotate in? Is Woods an outside rusher that could spell any of the vets? Many do not think ANY will step it up and given what we've seen ON the field, that might be quite accurate...but the Pats coaches might have OTHER ideas. If any could, it would make the situation all that better. (Better would also be if Seau and Bruschi stick around.) Worse case is both retire and NONE of teh 4 are ready. In that case, first day LB picks might be more crucial as would be a vet signing.

 

[DaBruinz]

How's moving Colvin to inside to replace Bruschi any where near a great idea? Not only does Colvin excel but as does Vrabel when both are playing the edges. All of the backups you've mention havn't even come close to proving anything. I think Woods is the only one at this point with enough potential to develop into a decent OLB, he has the speed that's for sure. So i really fail to see you're logic in this thread. I believe that LB is our biggest weakness at this point. Both in depth and age.

Listen, you read his post wrong.

The season ended last year with the following as starters:
Thomas, Bruschi, Seau, and Vrabel (OLB, ILB, ILB, OLB).

If Bruschi retired and Seau was re-signed you'd have the following:
Colvin, Thomas, Seau, Vrabel. Which, in essence is Colvin replacing Bruschi.

He was not talking LITERALLY moving Colvin to ILB.

That being said, Seau is not under contract yet. So the Pats are short a starting ILB.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with all you posted.

Listen, you read his post wrong.

The season ended last year with the following as starters:
Thomas, Bruschi, Seau, and Vrabel (OLB, ILB, ILB, OLB).

If Bruschi retired and Seau was re-signed you'd have the following:
Colvin, Thomas, Seau, Vrabel. Which, in essence is Colvin replacing Bruschi.

He was not talking LITERALLY moving Colvin to ILB.

That being said, Seau is not under contract yet. So the Pats are short a starting ILB.

 

[RayClay]

Here's the quote I was responding to: "Endurance is another concern also especially toward the end of the season our LB's looked a little worn out especially against the run."

I was simply pointing out that in the last 3 games of a very long and grueling season, the Pats run defense was pretty solid. They have always had problems (it seems) with quicker running backs. That's because they're not a particularly fast group of linebackers. But that was true of Bruschi, Ted Johnson, Roman Phifer, etc., even before they got old. They're just not that fast. All I was saying was that I don't think they got "worn out" at the end, or if they did, it didn't show up in the stats during the playoffs.

Well stated. I think they're slow reacting, (different from slow naturally, all these guys were quick when young, including Johnson).

I also think there's eveidence of wearing out late in games and seasons and I include Vrable who has a bad back.

Bad backs don't go away, believe me, I know.

 

[jeffbiologist]

What no one else has said is what we have been missing with blitz packages. Our options have gone down considerably making our base defense predictable and easier to game plan for. Woods and Alexander have had their chance(2 yrs)as far as I am concerned they will never be anything but STers and backups. If Woods makes 1(!!) play I might have changed my mind...but he didnt. We have a 3-4 and need more pressure from LBs to get more hurrys/sacks. Speed both off the edge and inside blitzes(Rodney included)has really hurt our options. We saw what kind of pressure packages are possible in the Super Bowl....Bruschi and Seau are good/steady starting backers. We need a rotation of backers throughout the game that cant be picked on like Alexander was by Peyton last year. More/different/faster guys gives us more options and depth,,,remember that 6-7LB package from the playoffs a couple years ago?? Peyton was crapping his pants because pressure could come from ANYWHERE not just a couple speed guys.
Thomas will get better in his 2nd yr in the system, and he should be left inside as much as possible. I dont think he has a quick enough first step to be an edge rusher. We did best with Colvin and Vrabel on the edge because they couldnt concentrate on one or the other. Age and stamina will come into play if we cant find suitable situational players...say a run specialist and a pass rushing specialist. Its too bad Woods couldnt be that rush outside guy but after 2 yrs we gotta face that fact. Z.Thomas wanted too much $$ for a guy who wont play every down in our system. We now NEED Tedy and Junior to stay more than ever. We need to have at least 6 servicable LBs(injuries,substitutions) and we now have 4.....

 

[mb6592]

The Pats do not have enough pass rushing depth. Bill Walsh once said playoff games are won with a 4th Quarter pass rush. There is no greater illustration of that than what we witnessed this season. ILB can be filled with the likes of Hobson et al. OLB depth should be upgraded with an elite athlete. Until it is, the position is a weakness IMO. Whether it be Long, Gholston, Groves, Harvey, Campbell, whoever, IMO the Pats must come out of rd 1 with an elite pass rusher.

Exactly. The NFL of the last three years has made it obvious that the refs are not going to allow db's in on the party. That puts a PREMIUM on the pass rush. The Pats were ahead of the curve when they focused heavily on wr's and the offense. Now to finish the logical transition, they have to shift focus from db's (SO LONG SAMUEL) to multiple solid pass rushers.