Seward worth the risk?

The Patriots already took a close look at restricted free agent linebacker Adam Seward but are yet to make an offer to the Carolina Panther. It's been a while since they brought Seward to Foxborough so what's keeping the Pats from signing him to an offer sheet?

 Carolina apparently holds Seward in high regards. In Thursday's Boston Globe, Panthers head coach John Fox said, "We like him. He's competitive and he has stepped in and played on defense, not just special teams. That's an important role."

In other words, Seward is a special teamer looking for a chance to compete for a starting job. That wouldn't happen in Carolina with Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs, and Jon Beason pegged as the starters. Seward has a chance in New England if the Pats could get his name on the dotted line.

While it wouldn't be a major signing, I could live with Seward on special teams. But I have my aprehensions if he starts on defense somewhere.

Seward projects as an inside linebacker. My question is can he make the transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4? He sounds similar to Monty Beisel, and we remember how that signing worked out for the Pats. Beisel started six games but eventually was benched. The Patriots said goodbye after one season.

That experience has me concerned, as does the fact that Seward's teammate in college was LB Ryan Claridge. They came out of Nevada-Las Vegas at the same time but Claridge never made it onto the field for the Patriots as injuries derailed his career. Seward doesn't have Claridge's bad luck, but it's like a premonition. I'm being paranoid, but with the lack of depth at the LB position for the Patriots, they can't afford to make mistakes.

On another note, as the franchise continues to evaluate prospects, the Patriots worked out Georgia's Marcus Howard. Based on his measurables, he's a great athlete with excellent speed, but he's on the short side, listed no taller than 6-1. It gets harder and harder to find big 6-5 LBs. Maybe they'll give Cincinnati DE Angelo Craig a look. He has the size but lacks the bulk. He could make for a good late-round or rookie free agent project. The Pats seemed willing to do that with Justin Rogers, a Southern Methodist DE they tried out at OLB in the preseason. As long as the character red flags check out, Craig might be intriguing.

lordrc@netzero.net