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Last modified: Saturday, April 28, 2007 12:31 AM EDT
Patriots have choices to make at linebacker
BY MARK FARINELLA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final part of a nine-part series previewing the 72nd annual National Football League draft of college players. Today, the linebackers are previewed.FOXBORO - Time waits for no man.
That old saying works on multiple levels today, for the march of time and a ticking clock will intersect later this afternoon, forcing the Patriots to make a crucial decision about their future.
The 72nd annual National Football League draft of college players begins today at noon with the Oakland Raiders on the clock. Another four hours after that, the Patriots will be making decisions about their two first-round selections, Nos. 24 and 28 respectively, if they haven't already made moves away from those picks.
Time will be a factor in the thinking of head coach Bill Belichick and personnel master Scott Pioli - most notably, the 11 years of service given by inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi to the team.
Bruschi was the Patriots' leading tackler last year, both in the regular season (124) and in their three-game playoff run (25) - absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring, given that he is two years removed from a life-threatening stroke.
But pro football is an unforgiving business. As the longest tenured Patriot (pending Troy Brown's possible return), a product of the 1996 NFL Draft, Bruschi is being judged more critically by those who need to consider the future. Any sign of decline in his play is the signal to find his replacement, and the most opportune time to do that is in this weekend's draft.
But drafting linebackers is not a staple of the Belichick-Pioli success story. They have selected only five true linebackers in the draft since 2000, and none of them are still with the team. Only one, Tully Banta-Cain (recently signed by San Francisco), lasted on the roster for more than a year. Their successes have come through free agency, or as in the cases of Bruschi and ex-Patriot Willie McGinest, from personnel already on hand.
If this is the year that need is to converge successfully with opportunity, Belichick and Pioli cannot afford to swing and miss.
According to the Ourlads Scouting Service and Pro Football Weekly, there are a few players either already considered pro-type inside linebackers, or outside 'backers who can make the transition, that are worthy to be chosen with either of the Patriots' two first-round picks.
Leading the pack is Mississippi's Patrick Willis (6-1, 242; 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash), a two-year starter with explosive speed and power who may have among the best physical gifts of any athlete in the draft. He's projected to go in the middle of the first round.
Penn State's Paul Posluszny (6-1½, 238; 4.7) moved inside when the Nittany Lions changed to a 3-4 alignment and took some time to adjust, but he proved himself a top prospect by the end of the season. He has great instincts and inherent toughness, and could emerge as a team leader quickly.
Miami's Jon Beason (6-0¼, 237; 4.78) is a natural on the inside, a competitor who initiates contact and consistently performs at a high level. Durability is a concern, but he plays smart and commands respect from his teammates. Both he and Posluszny have been projected as likely Patriot picks in several mock drafts, not only because of where their talents are slotted, but also how they fit the New England system.
Michigan's David Harris (6-2¼, 243; 4.62) gets the most out of his talent despite a few technique flaws that can eventually be purged. He also has better-than-average coverage skills for an inside player, and could be a worthy pick if the cupboards have been raided prior to the Patriots' No. 28 pick.
Beyond this group, however, Belichick and Pioli would be overpaying to choose an inside 'backer in the first round. Not scheduled to pick again before the third round (No. 91), they may engineer a trade to move up for a next-tier prospect such as Florida's Brandon Siler (6-1½, 241; 4.55), who has all of the tools but needs to get stronger to play as well at the next level.
Florida State's Lawrence Timmons (6-0¾, 234; 4.7) is smallish for the outside and raw and unpolished, but his impressive productivity proves he is the sort of developmental player who can make (or break) a draft for those willing to make the commitment.
If you listen to WEEI, you've heard the merits of Brown's Zak DeOssie (6-4½, 250; 4.63) being touted by his father, former Patriot long-snapper Steve. The younger DeOssie is an intriguing prospect - big, strong and smart with a football pedigree, but hindered by his level of competition. Although DeOssie is an outside linebacker by trade and could be converted, special teams will be his ticket to the NFL, possibly as early as the third round.
On the second day, the Patriots have plenty of options. The true inside 'backers likely to go early are Louisville's Nate Harris, Florida State's Buster Davis and Clemson's Anthony Waters. Although they are more likely to take smallish defensive ends and attempt to convert them to outside linebackers, Belichick and Pioli could take their chances with Hampton's Justin Durant, Nebraska's Stewart Bradley, New Mexico's Quincy Black, Penn State's Tim Shaw, Oklahoma's Rufus Alexander, Florida International's Antwan Barnes, Southern Cal's Dallas Sartz, Mississippi's Rory Johnson or Michigan's Prescott Burgess.
MARK FARINELLA may be reached at 508-236-0315 or via e-mail at mfarinel@thesunchronicle.com |
