Add another name to ILB possibilities

I guess the question is "Why did they release him?" The article says he's been on injured reserve for two years. I would think if he was healthy they would not have released him, but it might a a cap issue. Guess we'll see....

Antoine Womack!! Lol!!!

In your 2002 article, you said that teams were not allowed to work out players during pre draft visits. Is this still the rule?

Nice job Reiss! Quick with the info, on a Friday no less.

Would've been nice to grab Stephen Cooper as a free agent....

Hi Ron, that is still the case.
--Mike

Why is Larry Foote not a possibility?

Foote signed with the Lions

I'd sign him for his name alone!

(PS- Evidently he led the Rams in tackles last year. His injuries were in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.)

Sorry about the repetition, Mike. I missed the first time when you said Foote signed with the Lions.

I apologize.

mike, i see the genesis of your standard pre-draft visit disclaimer:

then:
"Teams are allowed to schedule 20 such visits. Often times, they are used to cross-check medical records and to get to know players who might not have been invited to the combine. Players aren't allowed to be worked out in the visits."

and now:
"NFL teams are allowed up to 30 visits with out-of-town prospects before the draft. The purpose of those visits can vary -- from genuine interest, to a smokescreen, to a final medical check. Sometimes the visits can result in a player being ruled out by a team (e.g. if a player's interview or film work raises concerns about his ability to fit into a team's scheme)."

I'm a huge BB supporter but he's not been without precedent when it comes to fielding a team with glaring holes at important positions.

One example would be the lack of WR's in 2006. Another example would be the lack of LB's in 2005. I realize there were extenuating circumstances in each instance but it still appears BB was caught without a viable contingency in both cases.

I just hope this doesn't turn into a Monty Beisel and Chad Brown type situation!!

I'm not impressed with any of the names on these lists, except for Seau, and only as a last resort. After all, it seems at least one starting LB goes down for extended time every year. I'm thinking we're gonna see a lot more 4-3, especially given the depth and talent on the Dline with back ups like Green, Wright, and Brace. Seriously, anyone else getting a little concerned??

Mike,

That was a neat flashback and a pretty interesting read. Thanks for posting that, I hope you post more of your old stuff moving forward!

Cheers

Tinoisamoa, has relatively the same build as Mayo. And being that he is only 27, his best years are still ahead of him. I would completely agree to the Patriots possibly targeting Tinoisamoa and working him along with Guyton and Bruschi on the inside. McKenzie doesn't have the run-stuffer type frame either so I don't see this as much of a disparity between the two. But if the Patriots are looking for more of a plugger, then I would figure that Harris or Thomas both fit that role more than Tinoisamoa.

hey mike-he would be a good addition,but couldnt AD Thomas slide in the ILB?he has played both positions,and with him getting older,it could make the most sence.then the pats could have the outsides open for some speedy guys.

I was hoping that the Patriots would take a flier of Mitch King DT from Iowa - with the idea of moving him to ILB - I guess the failed experiment with Dan Klecko made this a non-starter. I watching him play I believe he would have been nifty enough to play LB (especially after dropping down to250-260)

Peace

Joe E O

"I'm a huge BB supporter but he's not been without precedent when it comes to fielding a team with glaring holes at important positions.

One example would be the lack of WR's in 2006. Another example would be the lack of LB's in 2005. I realize there were extenuating circumstances in each instance but it still appears BB was caught without a viable contingency in both cases.

I just hope this doesn't turn into a Monty Beisel and Chad Brown type situation!!

I'm not impressed with any of the names on these lists, except for Seau, and only as a last resort. After all, it seems at least one starting LB goes down for extended time every year. I'm thinking we're gonna see a lot more 4-3, especially given the depth and talent on the Dline with back ups like Green, Wright, and Brace. Seriously, anyone else getting a little concerned?? "

Beautiful post. Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to agree with you.

I take a back seat to NOBODY in my admiration of Coach Bill, but he DOES make mistakes. And I don't mean good moves that went bad. I mean PRECISELY the instances such as you described, Steve. There're ALWAYS serviceable Vets available in the off season, and Coach Bill's neglect of Wide Receiver, prior to 2006 was CRIMINAL. Yes, the Branch bit was unexpected, but there is NO excuse for having left him as our last line of defense.

Had Coach Bill even put together a cache of solid journeyman for Brady to work with, we would've notched our 4th ring. There's simply no denying that.

Sometimes, he simply outsmarts himself.

And that is PRECISELY what he is doing at LB, and HAS been doing, ere the last 4 years. Didn't find the optimum prototype at ILB OR OLB, this year, so you won't invest the pick or the money?? Fine by me. By all means: let's hold fire on that, and continue to work that Draft Magic that you do so well, Bill. Count me among your appreciative and grateful admirers.

But for the love of JESUS, get some freaking DEPTH, in the meantime, will you PLEASE??? Solid vets with heart and fire are NOT that hard to come by! And when, for the love of GOD, are you gonna figure out that being 4 deep at ILB AND OLB is precisely HOW you minimize your chances of injuring the guys??? By NOT overworking them??? DAMN!!!

Sorry. Stupidity IS rampant in the world. It just particularly MADDENING...when the stupidity issues from a Genius. How can HE miss what we can all see???

***

Anyway: Great work, Mike Reiss! I pored over the list, and I personally think Teddy Lehman looks really interesting. 27. 6'2'', 238. Tore it UP as a 2nd Rounder Rookie in 2004, but has been beat A
LL to hell, ere the last 4 years. The downside is obvious: Health History. The upside? Young. Very few miles. Can make plays. And if he plays only part time, in a rotation, he's much more likely to stay healthy, and get even stronger...And he's presumably VERY cheap!

Paris Lenon might do. Nothing special, but he's started for the last few years, he tends to make plays and keep highly touted guys on the bench, and he's been VERY healthy.

One guy who Reiss didn't mention ~ because he's not a Free Agent! ~ but that I would LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to snag?

Dan Phucking MORGAN.

No way in HELL, of course. But he's come back after a year of retirement, and he's feeling like a million bucks ~ "100%" is the report. The bad news is that the Saints have him...But we DO have a trading relationship with the Saints, and as a low-risk high-reward guy, they're not exactly counting on the guy...I would LOVE to see Coach Bill swing a low-proflie deal with them to bring him in...just IMAGINE Dan Morgan ~ he's only 30, and with only a few miles on'm! ~ coming back in ALL his fury!

1. Thank GOD for the INTERNET to learn about all of BB mistakes. Where else could we go to learn the truth about what the Patriots should have done in the draft?

2. I'd also like to thank GOD for the CAPS LOCK KEY! Without it, the internet could not function as well as Al Gore intended.

And that's why you are obviously a Yankees fan....because fo dumb ideas like that.

If starting CB's and TE's can be had for 5th round picks and Pro Bowl/SB winning OLB's can be handed over as spare parts in trades then I say we fill this spot by trading for it. Has to be someone out there that can fit and be had for a late round pick. Better than the FA scrap heap at this stage, right?

He led the Rams in tackles last year. Piso is still young too. But he would have to take on the Ted-johnson position because on of the two inside linebackers have to take on the blocks and the other one makes the plays--Mayo.

I agree with "Dean"..

The Patriots are already well positioned in next year's draft and there should be a better option available via trade.

Why wait for a CAP casualty that's free to sign with any team when he could be acquired at this point for a 4th or 6th rounder? I believe the Patriots gave up their 5th to acquire TE Stewart, and their 7th for Greg Lewis?

please sign piso tinoisamoa.make that deal for julius peppers.then i can guarantee a championship this coming year.c'mon pats.you haven't won a title since 2004.a long time ago-too long.

"Might be a bit undersized for what the Patriots generally look for (6-1, 240) in their 3-4 defense"

Brilliant observation! The doesn't sound undersized to me if that's his true size. How big do you think Teddy Bruschi is? If you've ever stood next to him like I have, you'd know he's not this big.

Hi Eric. I think he's smaller than 240. I interviewed him after the Rams-Patriots game in 2008 and I felt like I was talking to a safety, not a linebacker. I think Bruschi's a bit bigger. But I think Tinoisomoa has some unique athleticism that could help him overcome that in the Patriots' scheme.
--Mike

whats the diffrence in useing a S/LB like tank williams,and that of tinoisomoa?tank weighs how much?