Globe 10.0: Could McGinest help the Patriots?

Thanks for framing the argument that way, jerk. Instead, you could have just asked whether we should wait and see him as an emergency option, the likeliest scenario.

give him a shot I say..he could at least be a situational guy for them..plus belicheck seems to always get the best out of older players like that

Bring him back as a Don Davis type coach. Bill believes in Willie and how smart he is. Why not offer him a job as a small coach that would help out with the OLBs. He offers very little to the Patriots in the rush department which is where the problem is (look at the third down rate). He is a good rush defender but thats not a problem the Pats have.

He would help Shawn Crable out alot if brought in as a coach that is for sure. Watching him break down Larry English on NFL network you could tell he could help out alot here as a coach.

Hey, I'll be the first to say I loved Willie & all he's done for us in the past......however as much as I appriciate all of that there is no way I'd dedicate a roster spot for him......the Patriots already are going to have to make some really tough decisions on who to cut as it is, why confuse the issue...youth & speed is what we have & need & we already have vetran leadership.......I say tell Willie to stay in game shape & if someone gets hurt we'll give you a call......I don't even want to see the Patriots bring in Burgess from Oakland if he's available....we're sitting great as it is & BB knows that as well....I say go with Woods, Crable & Cain & maybe VR.....

I don't see what the fuss is about. He comes to camp. If he's better than the alternatives, he makes the team. If the alternatives are better than he is, he misses the cut. How many people try out and fail every year? I can't figure this is a waste of time, and McGinest meant enough to the Pats over the years to give him a shot.

8 sacks in cleveland in the past 3 years. That is a good stat considering cleveland is such a terrible and depressing team to play on. Bring him back and he will have 8-10 a season.

I think he should be considered only if there are injuries, like Seau and Colvin last year. Let the current players have an opportunity to compete and prove themselves during training camp. Regardless of what BB says, every position is not open for competition. If you were the [previous starter and you're doing your job, you don't get benched. Which means less reps and opportunities for others. Moving Vrabel forces them to find a replacement.

I don't know about adding him as player. I'm torn with this though because I loved him when he played here just didn't like the way he left since the patriots offer wasn't good enough for him.

Hell yeah bring back Big Willie Styles!! My favorite Patriot, so I'm completely non-objective. But he's got the smarts and experience. Plus, I can't judge him too deeply based upon his last 3 years in Cleveland......that team was always awful. Can't hurt to look at him at camp either way. Plus, he's don with Snoop, so maybe it'll at least bring in a Snoop Dogg performance at Gillete to kick off opening dizzay! Beeyatch!

Let's call it a day Willie ....and get off the bus; like Junior it's time to say goog bye!

He deserves a shot if he wants it just for that goal line tackle in indy...PRICELESS!!! Guys get cut all the time, it's no distraction. And if he'd like to coach one day what better place than here with BB to break him in.

If the Pats need McGinist as a player than there not very good at linebacker,veteran learedship "Teddy B"

If the Pats need McGinist as a player than there not very good at linebacker,veteran learedship "Teddy B"

my man WILLIE is one of my favorite players from the patriots dynasty, anytime he's with the pats its a good thing

Bring him in for a tryout. He is a savy player and if he has anything left, Belechick will get it from him. He was great when he was here.

mccginest was cut....he didn't leave in free agency when he left the patriots. he wanted to stay with the patriots.

For too long the Pats have opted to plug in aging veterans to their linebacker positions. They have gained the benefit of experience from doing so, but at what cost?

Their pass defense has suffered late in games because their aging vets can't defend downfield and can no longer rush the passer. They have also failed to develop new talent as roster spots are continually used on older vets and young talent are released or never drafted.

I loved willie but the Pats cant afford to continue this strategy.

Why is everyone so high on Tully Banta-Cain and Vince Redd? There's a reason that 31 other teams in the league didn't want these guys. McGinest may not be any good anymore, but let Redd and Banta-Cain earn a spot rather than just giving it to them because they're under 30.

I think the Pats will score 28 pt /game and give up 33 pts /game that defense is not gonna cut it other than the D-line they don't have much but a bunch of fill-ins

LBs to old.... DBs also aging and new to the system

Yeah, bring him back along with Seau, Colvin, Phifer. Rorget about Wallace. Maybe the Celtics can bring back McHale now that he's out of a job in Minnesota.

No.

When I saw this article, I was so psyched!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring Willie baaaack!!!!!!!!!!!! He would be a great situational player and a team motivator. Just look at past SB DVD's. Willie was always making tremendous plays. He can pass that on to the next generation of linebackers. Willie has an overbearing presence on opposing QB's. Ask Crybaby Peyton. I am overwhelmingly in favor of bringing Big Mac back.
He will be such an asset to the team. If he ends up not being able to play, then have him coach. Move over Junior, Willie is back!!!!!!!

Thank you for setting the record straight Peter. I can't believe how many posts I have seen on here by people inferring Mcginest left for more money. The fact is Wille was a salary cap casualty and he made it known the Pats never inquired about retaining his services with a new contract offer after he was cut.

Another guy to get gashed for 20 yards a catch by the likes of Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates. Loved him...in 2004.

There is nothing to lose by bringing him in. Why not?

There's really no reason to bring him into camp. They know what he can do. If they think he's better than any of the young guys on the roster, they'll bring him in then and save him the wear and tear of camp.

give willie a chance. The youngsters at that position have been watching game tape of willie all off season learning from him. then to have him show up in camp will give that spot some healthy competition and push the younger players, if he worksout,great if not we move on.

Mark Z, we can make the same argument about McGinest, however. He's been unemployed for MONTHS, so clearly no other team is interested in him right now (I agree with others that McGinest could be an injury replacement during the season.)

Bring Willie back he will good for the team. Jim A

Belichick does,nt want McGinist back so this is all for not .good luck we loved you but its time to get younger

I say send Willie to Kansas City, then bring back Vravel.

Willie was a great Patriot:that said ,his days as a productive OLB are past. If the Pats have such a glaring need for an OLB , why didnt they keep Vrabel, and dont tell me it was because of a measly few bucks!! They have some young guys who have been here for a few years who should be ready to step up and do the job. The offense should carry this team early and often, giving the young guys enough time to get some experience and be ready for the stretch run to the playoffs. Bring Willie in as an assistant coach to school the youngsters , I think he would welcome the opportunity and it would give him a new career path.

Spto duty with much better surrounding talent and a coach who puts players in a spot to best succeed. Why not? Lightning in a bottle. Once last sip at the cup. Knows the system. Wily ring veteran. If pundits like Maseroti and Dupont have been paying attention, they would realize Bell Belichick subscribes to the George Allen theory of the value of the "play of a veteran." If Woods or Crable can do the job in Belichick's mind then we don't see Willie wear #55 on more time.

If he wants to compete for a roster spot what is the harm?

Willie was the BOMB when he played here. I think he'd be a wonderful addition to the team because I believe he's still got some plays up his sleeve. What do the Pats have to lose..

BruceM, you're right. I just think there's a glaring vacancy at the fourth OLB spot (they won't carry only 3 OLBs...) that Redd and Banta-Cain are currently vying for. I'd like to see them add a couple other players to compete for that spot. McGinest and Colvin would be good candidates. Let the best player win the job. Honestly, I think McGinest and Colvin could give those young guys a run for their money. Banta-Cain has an obvious deficiency in his game (run support), and all we've really seen from Redd has been on the kick coverage team.

Ugh, the Vrabel trade still doesn't make any sense to me.

They brought back Junior at age 40 last year, and he played better than most of the Linebackers the Patriots have on the roster.
C'mon, they have TBC, Woods, and a big Gus Scott type ??? in Crable for OLB options other than Thomas... btw Bruschi is still on the team and he's what 36?

Let's skip the "good ol days" chatter and concentrate on the here and now with present day needs and viable candidates to fill those needs.

With what Willie can bring to the locker room and on the field.......you give the guy a shot!!
He is a class act and is in excellent shape......knows the defence, and playing for NE would rejuvinate his career.
1 more ring!!!!!!!

let sleeping dogs lie.A great patriot for sure but i would bring back a younger colvin roosevelt who seemed to be making progress at the end of the season,hopefully they will sign burgess or surprise us with peppers,even though you can expect the unexpected from bb i still think trading vrabel was a mistake

Sign McGinest in November only if two outside linebackers (Pierre Woods, Crable, Adalius Thomas) go on injured reserve. Sign Seau in November only if two inside linebackers go on injured reserve. They are both wonderful backstops for a 53 man active roster.

YEAH WHY NOT there better off giving willie a shot than junior age does make a differance I dont care what you say man even if its just a couple of years

Willie Mac has certainly lost several steps. He's nowhere near as quick as he was when he played for the Patriots. However, he still knows the system and is smart and tough. He should still be a great run-stopper on the strong side. Given the present personnel deficiencies on the Patriots, it would make sense to bring him back.

The Patriots are about to go into "win now" mode. There are a great many players on that team who are either going into their last years of effectiveness or are likely to move on in free agency. So Willie Mac makes sense for them.

I am sure BB will know what to do!