I've spent a lot of time talking about New England's need for linebackers, focusing on the pass rushing outside linebacker prospects.
In doing so, I barely acknowledged the need for inside linebackers. Tedy Bruschi is on a one-year deal and Junior Seau still doesn't know if he wants to continue playing. Adalius Thomas, while able to play inside or outside, finished the season at ROLB. So the need for a ILB prospect is real.
The problem has been the lack of 'backers that fit the profile of a Belichick LB. He prefers big guys that can hold his ground against guards and centers, not just fullbacks. There's less and less of those guys as blue chip prospects. 6'3" 250-pound thumpers are rare out of college nowadays. The logical thinking was if the measurables weren't there, head coach Bill Belichick wouldn't bother.
Apparently the bar was lowered at some point. A 'backer doesn't have to be at least 6'2". That's apparent with the free agent signing of Victor Hobson. He has the weight at 250 pounds, but stands just six feet flat.
As it turns out, their interest in Zach Thomas, released by Miami and signed by Dallas, wasn't an exception to the rule. The Patriots are adjusting to what's available.
That's why Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton and Tennessee's Jerod Mayo were brought to Gillette Stadium to be evaluated in person. Lofton is 238 pounds and stands six feet. Mayo stands taller at 6'1" but he carries about 242 pounds on his frame.
Scanning the list of prospects, players like Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler (6'2" 245), Nevada's Ezra Butler (6'2" 248), Oklahoma State's Roderick Johnson (6'2" 254), and equally sized LBs seemed like the kind of players that fit what the Patriots were looking for, even though they weren't equals on the field compared to the top prospects like Mayo and Lofton.
That might not be the case anymore. Last year they passed on 6'1" 245-pound Patrick Willis despite his qualifications. That might not repeat in this year's draft. If an inside linebacker and play and the Patriots believe he can play in a 3-4 defense, he can very well be taken off the board by the Pats.
On two occasions in last year's draft, a big ILB was drafted a few picks ahead of New England (6'3" Stewart Bradley, third round, then 6'4" Zak DeOssie, fourth round). When it was the Patriots' chance to draft, they traded the pick.
There are few ILBs with that kind of size in this year's draft. But that might not keep the Pats from adding one or two in this year's draft. Size won't matter as much if the kid can play.
Go Boston Bruins!
Keywords: Adalius Thomas, Curtis Lofton, Ezra Butler, Jerod Mayo, Junior Seau, New England Patriots, Patrick Willis, Philip Wheeler, Roderick Johnson, Stewart Bradley, Tedy Bruschi, Zach Thomas, Zak DeOssie
