Patriots coach Bill Belichick was a guest on Sirius NFL Radio's "Movin' the Chains" program on Tuesday. Belichick spoke with hosts Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan.
A few nuggets from the interview:
1) Shawn Springs -- size and flexibility. When speaking on the addition of free-agent cornerback Shawn Springs, Belichick first mentioned his size (6-0, 207), which makes him the team's sturdiest corner. Belichick also said the team placed a value on Springs' versatility as he's played outside corner, slot corner, and safety. Belichick said Leigh Bodden, another free-agent signee at cornerback, has similar flexibility to play both outside corner and in the slot. "You can never have too many defensive backs," Belichick said. " It seems like every team's always got a handful of receivers, and you can never have enough guys to cover them."
2) Terrence Wheatley update. Belichick was asked about last year's second-round pick, cornerback Terrence Wheatley. He said that Wheatley has been participating in the team's offseason program "doing all the things that we would expect him to do at this time of year." Wheatley's 2008 season ended in early November with a wrist injury. Belichick said Wheatley was challenging for more playing time at the time of the injury.
3) Focus on outside linebackers. After trading Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have a void in the pass-rushing area. Belichick was asked about some of the players who could step in, and he said he feels that the Patriots have good competition at outside linebacker with "a couple of different types of players -- speed and power and size on the edge." He said it is hard to predict how big of a jump players like Vince Redd and Shawn Crable will make from their rookie seasons to year two. He noted that Pierre Woods and Tully Banta-Cain both made a nice jump from year one to year two.
4) Kevin O'Connell and his progress. Belichick was asked about backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell and he noted that O'Connell played in a pass-oriented offense at San Diego State, and last year in New England, he got more work directly under center in a pro-style offense. "He did a good job. He came along well," Belichick said, noting that he was helped by taking snaps as the No. 2 quarterback.
5) With 11 draft picks, trading some of them into 2010 is a good possibility. Belichick pointed out examples of how the Patriots have traded draft picks into the next year, and he seemed open to doing that again if the opportunity arises. Another possibility is packaging picks to move into position to select a specific player who might have fallen in the draft more than expected. Belichick also said it's probably not realistic to think that 11 rookies would make the final roster. "I think that would be asking a lot," he said. "If we could package those together, or move them into next year, I think that would certainly be something we would consider. But only if we had good value for those spots."
6) Recommending John Harbaugh to Ravens owner Steve Biscotti. Belichick spoke highly of John Harbaugh when Harbaugh was interviewing for the Ravens head coaching job last year, and he mentioned how he felt his own experience as a special teams coach was some of his best training to become a head coach. "That's one of the things I mentioned to Steve, because John had such an extensive special teams background [that] sometimes there's a little reluctance about hiring somebody like that as a head coach thinking it would be better to have a guy that's been longer as an offensive or defensive coordinator, but I don't think that's necessarily true, particularly in John's case," he said. "John's just an outstanding football coach."
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In your mailbag response, you noted the Patriots are pretty set in all starting positions entering the draft. I disagree, as I don't think they have a second proven outside linebacker (that is equal to or better than Mike Vrabel). Woods or Banta-Cain have yet to prove themselves on defense (they're both fine on special teams), and as Belichick says, Crable and Redd are question marks, and Guyton was definitely better as an inside linebacker than as an outside linebacker.
So I can see packaging a couple of picks to move up into the 10-20th pick range in the first roud to get the OLB they want, if necessary.
Jason Taylor will be coming in for that spot Mark...
Yeah, it will be Peppers, Taylor, someone already on the roster, or someone in the draft. They won't go into the season uncomfortable with who they have at the spot...but still, every team has at least one weak spot, and considering the Pats can easily take care of the OLB spot SOMEHOW, that leaves the major question marks as who will be the fullback (if anyone) and will Chris Hanson still be the punter? Considering some teams don't know who their quarterback is going to be, those are some damn fine questions to have.
Also, just because an OLB comes in the first round doesn't really mean he will immediately be able to step in and play from day one. Vernon Gholston did a great job last year. Or maybe not.
Vrabel wasn't quite as good last season anyway, so perhaps a combination of Woods, TBC and Crable could do the job. (Assuming no Taylor)
Having said that, just because no immediate starter coming from the rookie class, maybe Connor Barwin or someone like that could grow into starters within a few years.
I'm pretty sure BB has an idea who will man the other OLB spot. Just because he's not saying doesn't mean he doesn't know. The rest of the people who enjoy mindless speculation are allowed to go crazy.
What about Crable?! Give the guy a shot at least! The Pat's were high on him last year. But all of you scouts, who think Taylor or Peppers is the answer know better than the coaches.
By developing the young OLB's we have now along with a veteran OLB (Taylor) would be the best scenario for the Pats.
Forget Peppers. take the money and resign Wilfork.
The next Richard Seymour has to come from the draft. If a top DE falls to the "BB" range of the mid teens...then I can see those picks pacakaged to move up.
I can see a decent ILB that we can get in the 2nd round...Go pats.
you are also forgetting about Gary Guyton. Both Crable and Guyton have the size and speed of the edge to dominate. Crable looks like an NBA power forward with speed to boot, and Guyton was the fastest linebacker in his draft class.
What I've been hoping for, and what I now predict based on the off-season aquisitions, is that Ellis Hobbs will no longer be a starting cornerback on this Team, but a backup at that position as well as a (good) punt/kickoff returner.
I like Hobbs' heart, desire and confidence, and in many situations he's played pretty well, but I'm sorry, 5'8" cornerbacks don't completely "cut it" in this league at this point - there are too many tall and athletic receivers who can burn you on the sidelines and in the endzone with the high/out pass and catch.
It will be interesting to see how the young LB's do this year. It will be very important to this team's chances to win. I can't wait for the draft and next year.
Add me to the list of Crable boosters . Even though it was preseason he appeared sudden,instinctive and showed an ability to set the edge on running plays . Most young OLB's don't have the discipline or the strength to be consistent in this area .Redd also did not look out of place at all . The biggest need is inside next to Mayo its been average at best since Ted Johnson retired . I know a lot of people think that its just age with Teddy B but Ted J used to be able to take on guards like a extra linemen freeing up Teddy to blow up more plays before they started . This to me means one thing Rey Maualuga the pats have enough ammo to move and he would provide instant edge .Imagine Mayo Maualuga for the next 5 to 7 years .
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