Mike Wright as OLB?

[khayos]

Once Wilfork is back, obviously. He's a bit undersized as a 3-4 tackle but seems to have great speed (almost blocked a punt or two) and can sniff out a play, like the draw that lead to a sack of Carr.

Any thoughts?

 

[DB15]

Although I do really like Wright he just isnt LB materia, he is far to big for OLD... he is playing nose for a reason..

 

[patsox23]

He doesn't have the speed, agility or anything else required of being OLB. I love the thinking, though. Anything we could do to infuse the LB corps with youth.

 

[Brownfan80]

Once Wilfork is back, obviously. He's a bit undersized as a 3-4 tackle but seems to have great speed (almost blocked a punt or two) and can sniff out a play, like the draw that lead to a sack of Carr.

Any thoughts?

Wright is a 3-4 DE. I don't see him as a potential hybrid type.

I think his strength is holding up at the point of attack and getting off blocks as a pass rusher. I can't imagine that he'd be natural enough in coverage to pull off playing OLB, and the skill set for setting the edge in the rushing game for an OLB is completely different than the skill set for holding your gaps as a DE/NT. I think he's a DL member, through and through.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Wright is one of the fastest big men the Pats have, competing with guys like Neal and Koppen who get upfield so well. He is a member of the wedge, the KO coverage and Punt return teams because he has open field mobility.

That said, I don't see him holding up that well in pass coverage, I don't think he has that first step burst that Colvin, Vrabel, and TBC bring to the edge rush. I'd have no problem with him setting the edge in the run game, he'd be darned good at it.

He's worked hard to earn his 5th DL role and increased playing time, I don't see the Pats trying to have him lose weight and learn OLB. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets into an offseason routine similar to the one Ty Warren did this year to improve his burst off the snap. I'll settle for him being very productive behind Big Vince and his Bookends.