Our #1 need...by a mile.

[Ochmed Jones]

Ridiculous compairson.. I believe Mayo lead the ACC in tackles..

Do you mean the SEC?

 

[Revman]

I have been running these players over and over, I am starting to see that Larry English makes sense if they decide that getting to qb is the most important missing piece. That said, If they acquire Jason Taylor or Peppers before the draft, then ILB remains a problem. What other ILB'ers are out there in free agency? Maualuga-Beckwith make the most sense in draft at ILB. Beckwith actually fits Pat's schemes better- round 2.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I can't speak to technique, I barely understand what NE OLBs are supposed to be doing...but NFL Draft Scout says he runs around blocks. As a DE he's heading for the QB first.

I have no idea how the Pats OLB read progressions go either, but I do know that taking on blocks and setting the edge is huge. If he runs around a block instead of setting the edge, he won't be on the field as long as BB is there.

At 240-250 LBS. do any of this year's draft class have the shear size to set the edge against 300 plus pound NFL OT's? Whoever BB takes, Woicik will have his work cut out for him.

PS: Off the subject, but I have often wondered if science couldn't design a better shoulder pad so that when 3-4 OLB's have to set the edge game in and game out, their shoulders are better protected against long term degradation and injury. ie: Vrabel in 2008 playing the year with a bad shoulder.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

PS: Off the subject, but I have often wondered if science couldn't design a better shoulder pad so that when 3-4 OLB's have to set the edge game in and game out, their shoulders are better protected against long term degradation and injury. ie: Vrabel in 2008 playing the year with a bad shoulder.

Good thinking, it might have helped Neal in his youth too.

 

[dryheat44]

I have no idea how the Pats OLB read progressions go either, but I do know that taking on blocks and setting the edge is huge. If he runs around a block instead of setting the edge, he won't be on the field as long as BB is there.

.

This is why I'm fairly certain BB has no interest in Maybin. I think I might be able to set the edge better. I'm certainly more willing, if not more able. This kid has TBC all over him.

 

[dryheat44]

I can't speak to technique, I barely understand what NE OLBs are supposed to be doing...but NFL Draft Scout says he runs around blocks. As a DE he's heading for the QB first.

He does have a high motor.

I like the kid, I'd consider him in the late second/early third, but I don't see him as a first round value. As far as the people playing in front of him in previous years, perhaps someone could list them and offer an assessment of their NFL careers to date? (Barwin's predecessor at TE had 10 catches for the Eagles in the NFCC and his predecessor at DE finished the season on NE's Practice Squad and was re-signed to a futures contract).

His name's Brent Celek. I figured I'd save you some typing, since you've called him "predecessor at TE had 10 catches for the Eagles in the NFCC" several times now.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

His name's Brent Celek. I figured I'd save you some typing, since you've called him "predecessor at TE had 10 catches for the Eagles in the NFCC" several times now.

Like anyone but you and patchick know who he is...PATSNUTMe will be asking if his brother was the Magnum P.I. guy. :confused2:

 

[dryheat44]

Like anyone but you and patchick know who he is...PATSNUTMe will be asking if his brother was the Magnum P.I. guy. :confused2:

I would hope the draftniks would remember him from three years ago....it's not like Celek was an unknown.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I would hope the draftniks would remember him from three years ago....it's not like Celek was an unknown.

Hope springs eternal.

 

[DaBruinz]

The Pats need to significantly upgrade their OLB before next season. I don't think need #2 (WR in my opinion) is even close. As I have stated in other threads, of all the 3-4 teams, I would put the Pats current OLB position near the bottom. The guys people on this board seem to talk about with great excitement (Crable, Redd and Woods) have shown nothing, and Adalius has 1 season of double digit sacks in his career. Our secondary could consist of Pro Bowlers, but if they give teams as much time as they had last year, they will be picked apart.

Do you understand how the Pats got an effective pass rush in 2003 and 2004? It wasn't because they had great OLBs. It was because they could rush the passer from any of the 4 LB spots. The Pats, last year, could only rush from the 2 OLB spots because they had a leash on Mayo and Bruschi just doesn't have what it takes to get through the trash anymore. The Pats need an ILB to pair with Mayo who can also rush the passer. That would immediately improve the OLB positions just by virtue that its another player the O-line has to account for.

Also, if you are judging an effective pass rush on one player having double digit sacks, then you don't understand the object of the Patriots pass rush. So, while your conclusion is correct about the corners, how you got there is flawed.

 

[DaBruinz]

No disrespect, but I think you're overstating the value of a cerebral component for an OLB in a 3-4. Yes, there is some decision making involved, but the most important thing is getting after the qb. The Pats OLB's, while maybe intelligent, do not have that ability. This is a position where a young player can have a major impact. We have enough cerebral guys on this defense. We need a guy that can simply beat the guy (or guys) in front of him and get to the qb.

This is where you are wrong. The primary job of the OLB is to diagnose what the play is. The OLB has to be able to discern between a run and pass play. Once he has done that, he has to be able to set the edge on a run play on a rushing play to his side. Or, if its a passing play, rush the passer where someone else picks up the TE and or the RB, or drop back into coverage himself if one of the other line backers is taking up the rush. The Patriots, under Belichick in the 3-4, have never had an OLB JUST put his ears back and rush the Passer on every down. This is a flaw in your thinking.

 

[DaBruinz]

Seems like more of a project/workout warrior than a proven pass rusher. See Mike Mamula

WOW. Talk about NOT knowing about a player. Mamula was never a project. Barwin, while a project, is a football player. NOT just a workout warrior.

Also, Barwin led the ACC in sacks in his only season as a pass rusher. What does that tell you?

Not only that, but he's a player that just wants to be on the field. That's why he also played on special teams for Cinncinnati.

That makes him MORE than a workout warrior.

 

[BTTA]

The ACC has clearly had a couple of down years for defensive players. First, Mayo leads the ACC in tackles while playing at Tennessee, and now Barwin has led the ACC in sacks while playing at Cincinnati. Somebody in that league needs to step it up.

 

[DaBruinz]

This is why I'm fairly certain BB has no interest in Maybin. I think I might be able to set the edge better. I'm certainly more willing, if not more able. This kid has TBC all over him.

Are you taking into consideration that Maybin is only 20 and was never really called upon to set the edge in college?

 

[dryheat44]

Are you taking into consideration that Maybin is only 20 and was never really called upon to set the edge in college?

Sure. It's that consideration that prevents me from putting a first round tag on the guy. He's never done it, didn't play in a system that required him to do it, and doesn't appear to have the frame/strength to do it. So, yes, it's a skill he might acquire in a few years. But it's by no means a given. Right now he's a one-trick pony, and not a good use of the #23 pick.

 

[PATSNUTme]

WOW. Talk about NOT knowing about a player. Mamula was never a project. Barwin, while a project, is a football player. NOT just a workout warrior.

Also, Barwin led the ACC in sacks in his only season as a pass rusher. What does that tell you?

Not only that, but he's a player that just wants to be on the field. That's why he also played on special teams for Cinncinnati.

That makes him MORE than a workout warrior.

Wow , he played in the Big East and also lead the ACC in sacks? Box must be right. This guy is amazing!

 

[Boston Boxer]

The ACC has clearly had a couple of down years for defensive players. First, Mayo leads the ACC in tackles while playing at Tennessee, and now Barwin has led the ACC in sacks while playing at Cincinnati. Somebody in that league needs to step it up.

Mayo and Tenn are from the SEC