What Draftee Is Starting Game One at ILB?

[MetalBleachers]

Yes, he had a good All Star game to, I thought I read a Pro Day report on him but couldn't find it.

You did read a pro day report on him, on that link: Jason Williams | Western Illinois, OLB : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Just had it last week. 6-1, 241; 4.49 40/26 bench reps/39 in. vertical. As an OLB, he had 67 TT, 17 TFL (4 sacks) and 6 FF. NFL Draft Scout has him in the fourth. I'd consider him in the third.

The more I read, the more I like about this guy.

 

[DW Toys]

1) Are you suggesting that we should wait until the 4th for our ILB and then expect him to be part of the rotation by mid-season (not "early in the year")?

2) I think the answer from everyone is that we will have Bruschi and Guyton "early in the season".

OK, then who would be able to start or be a major contributor by midseason and when should that player be drafted? Your answer is brinkly in the 4th. Others I suspect would say Sintim at 23 or 34. My answer is Maualuga or Laurinitis at 23.

3) I think it is much more likely that the OLB's step up. There we have a player who was just tendered/signed at a reasonable salary and a 3rd round rounder. We also have an UNDA who contributed last year and a player who started in this league for a few years. At ILB, Guyton is already needed as part of the rotation, so for the third we are counting on Ruud or Alexander. I'd rather call Woods part of my rotation and hope that TBC or Crable or Redd steps up.
OLB Thomas, open, Woods HOPE: TBC, Crable, Redd
ILB Mayo, Bruschi early, Guyton HOPE: Alexander, Ruud

4) I think we need a top draftee at both ILB and OLB. Obviously Jason Taylor could fill the OLB role.

Although he is not a binkie, I would have to go with Maualuga at #23. Just figuring what is available at the pick versus need+BPA. I would not be surprised. The last two years we have asked Seau to come in and solidify the middle either through injury or need. He is not a pass defense specialist like a Phifer. He was brought in to solidify the run defense first. I could see the Pats going Maualuga at #23 to fill that role. Combine figures not withstanding, they said he was not bad in coverage. At a possible Pre-Draft top 15 pick, at #23 he would be a value.

We have had some mention taking an OT at #23. I can't see it as will this OT plug in and help in 2009, or is this 2010 and 2011 help? Koppen was a fifth rounder and starter day one. Kaczur was the 100th pick in the third round and he has started 44 of 49 games. He is adequate but maybe the best is yet to come from him. His sacks against were actually pretty decent.

A guy like Vollmer, Parrish or Fulton are rising on the boards from the 3rd round to the fifth. One site has Fulton as a future All Pro. I think the slotting has a a lot to do with hype. All three of those guys have great creds. If you want to talk best athlete of all OT's, it's Murtha from Nebraska, no contest. This time last year Alex Boone from OU was being hyped at a first round pick. I think we can wait one more year before taking an OT in round one and maybe not if we take a shot with the above guys. Neal was a FA, Light was round two and the only first rounder was Mankins who was a late choice but a great one.
DW Toys

 

[cstjohn17]

You did read a pro day report on him, on that link: Jason Williams*|*Western Illinois,*OLB*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Just had it last week. 6-1, 241; 4.49 40/26 bench reps/39 in. vertical. As an OLB, he had 67 TT, 17 TFL (4 sacks) and 6 FF. NFL Draft Scout has him in the fourth. I'd consider him in the third.

The more I read, the more I like about this guy.

Seems fast and athletic but small, maybe the new NFL requires this sort of athelete. I am up for trying it, the pass coverage at ILB can't get much worse. Hopefully he can hold up against the run.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Seems fast and athletic but small, maybe the new NFL requires this sort of athelete. I am up for trying it, the pass coverage at ILB can't get much worse. Hopefully he can hold up against the run.

I thought he was small, too, until I saw this: Jerod Mayo

He's an inch taller and one pound lighter than Mayo.

Now, maybe he doesn't fit the role of the Ted J. Headcracker type, but (as this thread discusses), maybe that role has decreased in the NFL. Also, doesn't Guyton already play the quick-coverage ILB position?

If Williams were a second-rounder, I'd say no. Third or fourth? Worth a look.

 

[cstjohn17]

I thought he was small, too, until I saw this: Jerod Mayo

He's an inch taller and one pound lighter than Mayo.

Now, maybe he doesn't fit the role of the Ted J. Headcracker type, but (as this thread discusses), maybe that role has decreased in the NFL. Also, doesn't Guyton already play the quick-coverage ILB position?

If Williams were a second-rounder, I'd say no. Third or fourth? Worth a look.

Well said, I am sold. If Williams were signed the ILB speed would like:
Williams - <4.5
Guyton - <4.5
Mayo - 4.6 ish
Bruschi - 2009 model is pretty damn slow

No longer could people say the Pats ILB are old and slow, they may not be able to cover but they would not be old and slow.

Williams profile seems to be perfect as an special teamer. Maualuga is the only player in the draft that IMO has some potential to start at ILB, with even the top prospects unlikley to start the question quickly becomes. What does the player look like in years 2-4 and what can they do in year one to contribute. At least Williams can play teams well he learns LB.

 

[condon84]

I have a feeling Maulaluga will drop to us. Christmas comes early.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I have a feeling Maulaluga will drop to us. Christmas comes early.

For the Jest.

 

[condon84]

For the Jest.

I know some people here don't want anything to do with him, but I for one think he'll be great in our system. Our ILBs first and foremost are there to stop the run. What other ILB in the draft has the same kind of physicality that Rey brings? His coverage skills is being beat to death, but that's what usually happens pre-draft, focus on the only thing a player might not do well and beat it to death. Even though his coverage skills are not as bad as people would have you think. If we get him, Mayo and Rey would be our ILBs for the next decade.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I wouldn't go for an ILB until round 2 at the earliest. I'm not sold on Maulauga or Laurinitis as a fit for the Pats defense. OLB has to be the #1 need right now imo. Followed by safety.

 

[mgteich]

I don't think that there is any other ILB help for us on Day One other than these two. If Belichick agrees with you, then I expect to see no ILB help until at least 89. I'm fine with that if we address OLB and DE. I do think Laurinitis would work out well, but that is for Belichick to decide. Unlike OLB, there are not many choices at ILB on Day One.

My gut feel is that ILB just isn't a high priority given the needs at DE, OLB and SS. And just BTW we do need a guard.

I wouldn't go for an ILB until round 2 at the earliest. I'm not sold on Maulauga or Laurinitis as a fit for the Pats defense. OLB has to be the #1 need right now imo. Followed by safety.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I know some people here don't want anything to do with him, but I for one think he'll be great in our system. Our ILBs first and foremost are there to stop the run. What other ILB in the draft has the same kind of physicality that Rey brings? His coverage skills is being beat to death, but that's what usually happens pre-draft, focus on the only thing a player might not do well and beat it to death. Even though his coverage skills are not as bad as people would have you think. If we get him, Mayo and Rey would be our ILBs for the next decade.

Vic Carrucci seems to think he's being targeted, but I submit Maualuga has a full tool bin, but I'm not impressed with how he cares for his tools or how he uses them. If BB thinks differently - well, I've been wrong often enough to know I'll survive to be wrong again. As the French might say, "I surrender."

 

[Seneschal2]

You did read a pro day report on him, on that link: Jason Williams*|*Western Illinois,*OLB*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Just had it last week. 6-1, 241; 4.49 40/26 bench reps/39 in. vertical. As an OLB, he had 67 TT, 17 TFL (4 sacks) and 6 FF. NFL Draft Scout has him in the fourth. I'd consider him in the third.

The more I read, the more I like about this guy.

He was first mentioned here - http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...7-its-time-start-list-pre-draft-contacts.html, as one of the Pats private workouts.

 

[MetalBleachers]

He was first mentioned here - http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...7-its-time-start-list-pre-draft-contacts.html, as one of the Pats private workouts.

Good catch. Once again, BB's dotting all the i's, which means that not getting a LB in round one only means they've got other options.

 

[jsull87]

if we are talking who would start game one. the only one who could possibly fall to us is maualuga who has a chance of starting day one opposite mayo