The Pats can buy a LB corp

[Pats Fanatic]

I really think that a 270 pound speed freak at LB, named Adalius Thomas. Pair him with Mike Vrable, whose best days at OLB are behind him, mainly because he is not a fast or nimble as he used to be. But at MLB he can still fight in the treanches, he doesn't have to be the play maker at MLB, just needs to hold his own. Colvin and Briggs could bring presssure on every down. This would give us probably the most complete LB corpse in the NFL. Just wait and see, I am on record for predicting my offseason wish-list. Lets see how the actual guys in charge approach it.

Maybe Thomas is saying this to Baltimore(warning language and bored).
http://www.devilducky.com/media/56368/

 

[Digger44]

This is a weak market

Are you just making stuff up for the fun of it? There is no doubt some players will be overpaid, but the LB market is hardly weak. Way off on that one.

 

[Patriot Missile]

If rumors are true,which in reality are only 10-15% accurate. Daniel Graham want's out of New England. The general consensus is he may be going to Seattle if he doesn't sign with us.

I agree with the majority here that Graham is one helluva contributor to this team and his blocking will be missed. But imo the LB core outweighs Grahams value to this team. If I had a choice between A.Thomas and Graham my choice will be the LB from Baltimore every time. And if by losing Graham it meant we could sign another LB like Fletcher-Baker or Edwards then I'm even more for letting this happen. We already have a dominant front 3,a nice 4 with Jarvis Green as well. Add two really good LB's in the mix and it makes us a dominant front 7 again. With lot's of depth. The 03 and 04 days would be back. Not to mention a great front 7 makes even the most crappy secondary look ok. Our secondary returning to full health would be awesome.

Not to mention we can concentrate on other positions in the draft like safety and CB to add depth in the secondary. I'm all for buying LB's in free agency this offseason. I think it's crucial that we get atleast one hot commodity.

 

[cstjohn17]

I agree with the missile... I hope this is the way I see it playing out.

We already have a dominant front 3,a nice 4 with Jarvis Green as well. Add two really good LB's in the mix and it makes us a dominant front 7 again. With lot's of depth. The 03 and 04 days would be back. Not to mention a great front 7 makes even the most crappy secondary look ok. Our secondary returning to full health would be awesome.

Not to mention we can concentrate on other positions in the draft like safety and CB to add depth in the secondary. I'm all for buying LB's in free agency this offseason. I think it's crucial that we get atleast one hot commodity.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Hate to say I agree with any bandwagon, but the LB bandwagon is my favorite these days. A great deal of talent out there in the FA market, a great deal of cap room... what's not to like?

But I'll tell you this: Thomas is a "maybe," and Briggs is a "You're kidding, right?" Edwards is (I know I know, I will regret it,) a lock.

If it were me? Would love to see any two of the above (plus Fletcher.) Every one of these guys can play and upgrade us from our present position.

Yes, we can have 2 of these guys, sign our draft picks, and franchise Samuel - but that agenda leaves little room for other moves... well, some cheap moves such as we pulled last year for our receiving corps. Perhaps signing two LBs plus Asante (franchise tag) would leave us enough for a Drew Bennett, but more likely a Kevin Curtis, unless we start up the whole restructuring business -- something not worth doing, except for a really key pickup.

As for the draft, I will be damned if I make position predictions before the combines have even happened. I mean unless I get really bored.

PFnV

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Spot-on, PF55.

Vrabel and Colvin are good, but:
their best days are behind them;
they need reinforcements, to stay fresh;
and they're not as explosive as they used to be.

This LB corpse needs an almost complete overhaul. Vrabel and Colvin, and Bruschi (as a family heirloom piece) are all that remain from what was once the backbone of the defense.

Vrabel and Colvin are fine on the oustide. We could use some depth there. Where the real re-tooling needs to be is on the inside with Seau and Bruschi.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Vrabel and Colvin are fine on the oustide. We could use some depth there. Where the real re-tooling needs to be is on the inside with Seau and Bruschi.

Carlos Polk, or Jarret Johnson would be nice if we don't get A. Thomas. I still think we will draft one though in addition to addressing LB in FA.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Maybe Thomas is saying this to Baltimore(warning language and bored).
http://www.devilducky.com/media/56368/

This might be the funniest thing I've seen in a week... this is better than bringing fire ants to Jello Wrestling at the strip club...

 

[captain stone]

Vrabel and Colvin are fine on the oustide. We could use some depth there. Where the real re-tooling needs to be is on the inside with Seau and Bruschi.

Absolutely.

At least one starter at ILB must come from either Free Agency or the Draft.

Ideally, one starter would be a free-agent signing, the other starter would be a 1st-day draft pick, and Bruschi and Seau would be backups.

 

[shirtsleeve]

This might be the funniest thing I've seen in a week... this is better than bringing fire ants to Jello Wrestling at the strip club...

Was that you? I knew it!

 

[shirtsleeve]

Hate to say I agree with any bandwagon, but the LB bandwagon is my favorite these days. A great deal of talent out there in the FA market, a great deal of cap room... what's not to like?

But I'll tell you this: Thomas is a "maybe," and Briggs is a "You're kidding, right?" Edwards is (I know I know, I will regret it,) a lock.

If it were me? Would love to see any two of the above (plus Fletcher.) Every one of these guys can play and upgrade us from our present position........



As for the draft, I will be damned if I make position predictions before the combines have even happened. I mean unless I get really bored.

PFnV

We could get Edwards or Johnson, along with Fletcher, but probably not both. BB has a tendancy to prefer FA's to draftees at this position (but not at WR????) so this is something that may actually happen.

 

[Krugman]

BB does'nt like holes in his D,he will make some moves to reinforce the LB corps,I think thats a given.Also,the draft hasnt really worked for us in that regard,where FA has provided the right personnel ,for the most part.Thats what I would look for.

 

[Krugman]

BB does'nt like holes in his D,he will make some moves to reinforce the LB corps,I think thats a given.Also,the draft hasnt really worked for us in that regard,where FA has provided the right personnel ,for the most part.Thats what I would look for.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Here's a sleeper at linebacker - Boss Bailey. Can't really tackle all that good but he is a freak and I bet he would be plenty fast to play cover linebacker on 3rd downs. He reminds me of Tebuckey Jones. I know I know... that's supposed to be good? But athleticism is needed to cover tight ends underneath.

If I had my druthers I would draft Patrick Willis 1st day and Zak Deossie 2nd day. Would be a heckuva group plus 1 or 2 free agent vet backers.

 

[frankiesfly]

If you think that BB or Pioli aren't going to splurge on a part of that 30 million cap number on one or maybe two premier LB, your crazy. There will be significant LB talent to hitting free agency, the one position that cost us the AFC title game. And maybe 2 regular season game wins, this is the time to spend the money and buy ourselves some talent. The staple of BB defense, which we can mold however he wants. On top of that we have 2 first rounders and can add some exellent prospects, there are many different ways to approach the draft, the best way to be. Take a look at this list and tell me what you think: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0702/gallery.nfl.freeagents/content.1.html
My preference: Briggs and Adalius Thomas, pair that with Colvin and Vrable and Bruschi as the top backup. Just think how much the defense improves, even if we lose Samuels. What is a cornerback on the Patriots, we can basically insert a variety of players and still live. Just a thought.

I didnt want the Colts to win the Superbowl at all, but since they did im kind of glad. This is the biggest motivation factor to get the Pats making moves. I think Kraft and the staff are going to go all out to win this years superbowl. If im thinking right. I dont see anything stopping us this year. We will go 14-2. All home field and win this years superbowl, mark my words.

 

[exchangeplaceworkerbee]

We will go 14-2. All home field and win this years superbowl, mark my words.

Which two EXACTLY do you have us losing?

( none of this ambigous crap)

 

[frankiesfly]

Which two EXACTLY do you have us losing?

( none of this ambigous crap)

We actually have a great undefeated season at home. We wont play as good on the road as last year and thats where we lose both of our games. We lose to Baltimore, and Giants. Sandiego is going to come in all charged up from last season and we literally put the smack down on them at home. Thats the game a lot of people have us losing, but we will that game. I dont see us losing to anyone in our division. I think our schedule is suprisingly pretty easy. We play the Colts once and there time of beating us is over. They will not be the Colts of last season, and the Colts finish there season at 10-6. The Jets, Miami, flop. The Bills will be a better team. Evans and Losman play well, and Mcgehee will stay healthy this year. There defense will be improved from last year also. The Bills will be the only team that will give us a challenge within our division.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

I'd take Adalius Thomas and London Fletcher/Donnie Edwards (I prefer Fletcher), despite their age.

Did anybody notice Belichick cozying up to Adelius Thomas at the Pro Bowl?

I smell a future Patriot!

 

[salty]

I really, really want the Pats to sign Adalius Thomas. This guy would give them so much flexibility in the front 7 that it would be unreal. He could play outside, with Vrabel inside. He could play inside, with Vrabel outside. He could move up to the line and let us go 4-3 on the fly. Those three options right there would virtually guarantee that an opposing offense would never know just what they were going to get from the Pats defense.

I think Donnie Edwards is too small to play in the Patriots' system. I like London Fletcher, but he is quite old, and the Bills defense was so bad against the run this year that I worry whether he might weaken us in that regard.

A couple other guys that came up in Reiss' article today that I hadn't thought of are Rob Morris and Kawika Mitchell. Both have great size and both are pretty much entering the prime of their careers. If one of those guys can fit our system, they could be a great option for (relatively) cheap.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

We could get Edwards or Johnson, along with Fletcher, but probably not both. BB has a tendancy to prefer FA's to draftees at this position (but not at WR????) so this is something that may actually happen.

I think I meant any two of [the above plus Fletcher], rather than [any two of the above] plus Fletcher.

My bad.

PFnV