Patriots, OLBs & the draft
(Tenth in a position-by-position look at the Patriots leading into the draft)
Personnel: Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Tully Banta-Cain, Vince Redd, Angelo Craig.
Short-term need: Moderate to high. The Patriots traded Mike Vrabel, creating a void at one of the starting outside linebacker spots. It's possible the replacement is on the roster -- either in the form of one player or a combination of players -- but it remains an unknown.
Long-term need: Moderate to high. It is difficult to project without seeing the year 1-to-2 progressions from Shawn Crable (2008 third-round pick) and Vince Redd (2008 rookie free agent). Woods will be on a one-year deal once signing his restricted free agent tender and Banta-Cain is also on a one-year deal.
Quick hit: One of the challenges of evaluating rookies at this position is the projection required, because most of the prospects are defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme. Vrabel was extremely tough defending the run, and while he might have slowed as a pass rusher in 2008, it's still a considerable void to fill.
Prospects that could be on the radar in the draft or rookie free agency: Robert Ayers (Tennessee), Connor Barwin (Cincinnati), Cody Brown (UConn), Everette Brown (Florida State), Larry English (Northern Illinois), Clay Matthews (Southern Cal), Lawrence Sidbury (Richmond), Clint Sintim (Virginia)
* Pro Football Weekly Draft Guide used as reference
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Maybe too short for the Pats system but heard nice things from scouts after oregon state's pro day about Victor Butler, Oregon State (6-2, 248) , who played mostly DE but projects to OLB in a 3-4.
5:00 AM Mike? You are dedicated....
Definitely think we go LB at 1 or early 2. Julius Peppers is not walking through that door fans, and neither is Jason Taylor.....
The nice thing about finding an OLB to fit the system is that even if Crable/Redd/Woods/Cain works out, you can create depth behind that spot and Thomas. It would be nice to protect against the type of injury Thomas had last year.
Mike, I think you have the absolutely right three guys up front on your list, Ayers, Barwin, and Brown. I hope you know something, because I really don't like the rest of the list. It will be interesting because they can certainly get one of those three players. I think Brown would make a good ILB also, so he is versatile. Ayers is exceptional and probably won't be there. The question is does BB go for a big player at #23. He has said in the past that there are only so many good big players in a draft and when you get a chance at one you take him. Might have said that when they drafted Ty Warren higher than expected. We have DL and OL needs for the future and I think he might go d or o lineman at #23 then LB at either #34 or #47. Like your list!
Eric, Hey did you watch Victor Butler last season. He is a sack machine and he will not be drafted until 5th-7th so great value. He is a little lighter than you listed but I do not think he has to cover anyways. As a 5th round pick he does not have to be a pro-bowler. This is to Reiss-e, Eric, Chris and Mikelav. The prospect for the Patriots that is listed as OLB is Jason williams of Western Illinois. I want us to draft him so badly and thats hard for me because I am high on Guyton and think he is going to be great. I research prospects so many hours a day and 95% of these sites do not have him updated yet. He will be playing inside in our system. J-Williams is 6-1 240 pounds and ran a 4.2 at his pro day. What I mean about these sites not updateing williams is that they still have him as a late pick. We will need to use a 2nd rounder on him but he has the potential to be the next urlacher. NFL.com has him updated and where he ranks.
Hey Reiss,
You remember Willie Williams (The Big mouth Author who has been arrested 11 times and transferred like four times)??? Well he is a five year player like Aaron Curry, Well he spent five years in school I mean. This kid Williams was like the best High School linebacker ever. Have you heard anything about the Pats having any interest in him? I have not found anything. Teams are scared about his past and it is a terrible past. However, he sucked it up for the love of the game and swallowed his pride; knowing he is great and playing for Union College, I think Division II or III. He has not got into trouble since he has been there. We all know that bad boys become Passtors under BB. Can Bellichick see through it and forget? They say he still has more talent then Curry or any other Linebacker in this draft . Bowden was going t otake Charlie Wards retired #17 and give it to Willie if he went to Florida State. Some team is going to draft him in the 7th round or pick him up as a free agent and either they get the next Ray Lewis or 2. Pacman Jones. Billy B should do the Pats a favor and do Williams a favor and draft him. He will be a diiferent human as a Patriot and we get a 6 foot 3 233 pound future all-pro who runs like Taylor Mays . He has been clocked at 4.4. 2008 stats at union College - 150 tackles, 19.5 for loss, 11.5 sacks and he was quoted as saying he was not pleased with his performance. And his teammates and coaches had positive info to say about him. So what do you think Mike would you like to see Willie Williams playing Inside Linebacker next to Mayo? You all can tell how much I like the other williams Jason, but I can honestly say Willie Williams intriques me more than any other prospect because none have his potential. Can I have some feedback from everyone?
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