Linebacker Fall-back Plan

I didn’t put much stock into the Patriots playing a 4-3 defense this preseason, but my thinking might be changing. Tedy Bruschi’s retirement yesterday could have a chain reaction that leads to New England playing predominantly a 4-3 alignment.

Currently on the roster there are Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton and Eric Alexander as known inside linebackers. In years past, a rotation of three ILBs was good enough to get through the season. If this is the rotation for the Patriots, they are in trouble. Based on preseason play, Alexander has shown he can’t get the job done.

One way around the problem is having linebackers with the versatility to move inside if needed. In years past, Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas could handle the move without  compromising the defense. Without Vrabel, the Pats are down to Thomas, but shifting Thomas inside takes away the only proven OLB pass rusher on the team.

Moving Thomas would be a mistake because the pass rush was weak last year. DEs Tully Banta-Cain and Derrick Burgess have not stood out rushing the passer this preseason. They also haven’t rushed from a two-point stance. The coaching staff plays them in ways they are comfortable. That meant eliminating coverage responsibilities a typical OLB has and let them do what they do best: rush the passer.

Unfortunately that means two less players able to cover for Thomas if he shifted inside. The coaching staff doesn’t trust Shawn Crable or Rob Ninkovich to start. And while the coaches believe in Pierre Woods, he is not a good pass rusher.

Maybe the answer is Paris Lenon. The free agent from the Detroit Lions has experience playing inside and outside. The problem with Lenon is we don’t know if he can handle the job. Paris spent a lot of time hurt during training camp and only got on the field for the first time last week.

His debut included letting Washington QB Jason Campbell run for a touchdown. Lenon fell completely for a fake by Campbell - Paris jumped to bat the pass, but Campbell held on to the ball and skipped past the airborne Lenon.

If the coaching staff doesn’t believe they have the right ILBs on the roster, they might reach out to veterans Junior Seau (again) or Derrick Brooks. The other alternative is to watch the waiver wire to see who’s trash can be a New England treasure. One hint: he isn’t Monty Beisel.

Another avenue could be a trade. Cincinnati is hurting for a tight end. Now would be the time to find a use for TE Alex Smith. It’s worth exploring to see if he could fetch a decent player in return instead of cutting Smith and getting nothing.

There is one last preseason game left to play. If the Patriots are to find out if someone on the roster can fill out the rotation at ILB, Thursday will be the time to put the players to the test. Because if the solution is not currently on the roster, I’m positive that Bruschi won’t get the itch to come back.

Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.