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It Is What It Is » The Patriots and their continuing search for coverage linebackers

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It Is What It Is » The Patriots and their continuing search for coverage linebackers

This is an underrated need of the offseason for the Pats, and Christopher Price does a good job of laying it all out. Though I will say I wish Mayo showed more of a jump in coverage ability, I think that’s still the weakest point of his game, which is surprising given his speed.

While Mayo has consistently shown an ability to work well in coverage over the course of his career (he had three passes defensed and a pick in 2012), the one to really watch this year could be Hightower. While he did have his rookie moments, he did show enough over the course of his first season in the NFL that could lead you to believe that he can contribute on a regular basis. To that point, PFF had him at 3.1 in pass coverage as a rookie — that was second-best among all New England linebackers in 2012, trailing only Mayo’s 5.6.

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There are a few notions to dispel about Kelly based on his 2012 film. He’s not a player that is a shell of himself at age 32. His physical skills have dipped (as would any 32-year old’s), but he has productive football left in him. On top of that, despite just 1.5 sacks last season, he can still generate pressure as a rusher, something that the Patriots lacked consistently from Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick last season. Kelly could be called upon to play alongside Wilfork in transition downs (i.e. run or passing downs such as second-and-6, third-and-2, even first-and-10), while Deaderick and Love may be more responsible for obvious run situations. The Patriots also could add more size in the draft, which makes Kelly’s projected role fluid.

Scouting report: Tommy Kelly – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

Good news. I’m torn on how this affects the draft need at DT. Because really when it comes down to it I think youthful talent is what is most needed. Kelly could be a good solution this year, but long-term he’s not going to be a building block unless he suddenly flourishes in New England. 

https://www.patspropaganda.com/there-are-a-few-notions-to-dispel-about-kelly/

If the season started today….

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Here’s what I’ve got for a 53-man roster. Of course this is way off from where things will be this summer, but if gives you a sense of who the rookies will have to beat out for a roster spot.

Notable guys who will be for a tough fight: Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Deaderick, Ras-I Dowling, Jeremy Ebert, and Hoomanawanui/Fells.

QB (2) Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett

RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Brandon Bolden, Leon Washington

WR (5) Danny Amendola, Michael Jenkins, Donald Jones, Matthew Slater, Jeremy Ebert

TE (5) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells, Michael  Hoomanawanui

C  (1) Ryan Wendell

G  (3) Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Nick McDonald

T  (4) Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Will Svitek

DE (5) Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jermaine Cunningham, Justin Francis, Jake Bequette

DT (5) Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, Kyle Love, Armond Armstead, Brandon Deaderick

ILB(3) Brandon Spikes, Dane Fletcher, Mike Rivera

OLB(3) Jerod Mayo, Donta Hightower, Niko Koutouvides

CB (5) Aqib Talib, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Ras-I Dowling

SS (2) Tavon Wilson, Adrian Wilson

FS (3) Devin McCourty, Steve Gregory, Nate Ebner

ST (3) Stephen Gostkowski, Danny Aiken, Zoltan Mesko

Total players: 53

Created with Pats Picker: http://patspicker.patsfans.com

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Love (6-1, 315) is more of a 3-4 nose tackle type than a penetrator, while Deaderick (6-4, 305) fits a little bit of a different profile – he’s played 3-4 end and also has the flexibility to penetrate at times as a 4-3 tackle. Adding to the group has been a priority for the Patriots this offseason, and Kelly’s potential contirbutions as an interior penetrator would provide a boost.

Kelly, interior rush & Wilfork’s snaps – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN Boston

At this point I don’t just feel like I’m beating a dead horse, I feel like I’ve dropped a bomb on the entire stable.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/love-6-1-315-is-more-of-a-3-4-nose-tackle-type/