StraightCashHomey81
Practice Squad Player
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I get caught up with the 6'4 4.6 40 standard because it came from the horse's mouth last year after the Draft. When BB said “I mean, generally speaking, I think that there were more shorter players, maybe a little less speed than what we've seen, maybe a little more power with good production. There weren't a lot of 4.6, 4.65 [40 time] guys. There weren't a lot of 6-[foot]-4, 6-[foot]-5 guys. I'd say it was a much smaller pool of those types of players.”, it was a shocking and rare insight into the Patriots scouting manual from BB and should not be overlooked. It said pretty defintley and clearly what the Patriots look for at the position: Tall, rangy, and fast.
If you look at BB's draft history with the Pats, that standard holds. And I also it believe it makes sense. BB's version of the 3-4 places a stronger emphasis on stopping the run, particulary the ability of the OLBs to set the edge in the run game.
Shorter players can get engulfed at the point of attack by better tackles and lack the length to effectively set the edge. This is why someone like TBC isn't an every-down player because he can get exposed in the run game (see the 2006 AFC divisional game against SD), although he is a good pass rusher. And while guys like LaMarr Woodley, James Harrison, and Elvis Dumervil are tremendous players, they also get exposed in the run game at times (even in a more zone-blitz oriented 3-4 that relies less on them to set the edge). Meanwhile, the Cowboys have found good players who close to fit this standard in DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.
I believe the 4.6 40 requirement is a test of overall athleticism, one that can encompass the 5-8 yards burst upfield while rushing the passer and the speed to cover.
I know a lot of people think Brandon Graham is going to be a great player and would be great on the Pats. In fact, I am pretty sure Graham is going to be an effective player somewhere. But the fact remains is that he does not fit our scheme and there has been no indication that the Pats have altered their prototype since last year (See Caserio's presser at this year's combine). Because the Pats won't draft him, I really don't see the point of discussing him or others of his ilk (Mosi, Worlids, Gibson, etc.) ad nauseum and putting them in any Pats mock draft.
It is best to focus any of our efforts into guys who fit the model and may more closely fit it after their pro days, like Kindle, Sapp, Griffen, etc. 6'3 guys with long arms and are on the heavier side (255+) who run better 40 times at their pro day may peak the Pats interests as well. Mid-round possibilites like Kevin Basped, Jermaine Cunnigham, Lindsey Witten, and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim also bear watching in the next month and a half.
