When the Patriots traded Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs, it shined a brighter spotlight on the team's outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense.
Who will fill the void?
Candidates on the roster include Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd and Tully Banta-Cain -- or any combination of that group.
The Patriots might also look to the draft, and with that in mind, this video from NFL Network and NFL.com is an informative segment explaining the intricacies of the position. It has former Patriots OLB Willie McGinest speaking with NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, and Bill Belichick is referenced in the conversation.
Some of the points made in the chat:
1) Belichick called McGinest one of the toughest players he ever had to scout because of all the positions he played at Southern California.
2) McGinest helped change the way Belichick coaches the position, specifically against the run ("setting the edge"), and against tight bunch formations with jams at the line of scrimmage.
3) Larry English from Northern Illinois is a good example of a 4-3 defensive end who would project to 3-4 outside linebacker. McGinest thinks English could make the transition.
4) The hardest part for all prospects making this transition is playing in space and reading coverages in the passing game.
5) The prototype 3-4 linebacker stops the run by being strong at the point of attack, and can also rush the passer on all downs, including on the goal-line.
