It's no secret—in the confines of Gillette Stadium—that the Patriots' four linebackers are getting older.
The older age has been showing since 2001, and they have only added aging stars.
Many fans would like to see Darren McFadden in Patriot blue, but true fans want a young linebacker who can learn from what is possibly the best group of linebackers in the game.
I would love to see either Chris Long or Gholston holding up a Patriots jersey in April, from the stage of the NFL draft.
Coach Bill Belichick loves a defensive end that can step up and play linebacker when the need arises. Both, Long and Gholston could do that, especially if they were learning the ropes from Bruschi, Seau, Vrabel, and Thomas.
This way, when Bruschi and Seau leave, there will still be a smart, talented DE/LB, who can keep the system going.
If the Patriots can grab, either Long or Gholston early, and the other later on, they should be in good shape.
The defensive backfield could use some work as well, although they seem to have fixed it for now. Maybe a late rounder would be helpful.
Overall, the smart move is a LB. Long, a DE at Virginia worked out with the Patriots’ defense ends at the combine, but ran LB drills at his pro day.
Gholston is an Ohio State LB, and that is great for Belichick, as he's seen that system with Vrabel.
I like both of these guys to join the future Hall of Famers in the linebacking core.
Imagine, a talented, young, linebacker, who has been taught the ways of the league from the best?
Sounds good to me.
Comments (5) Add a comment »
from about 1 month ago
Fingers crossed... I'd like Chris Long...
Good point about a younger player being able to learn from Junior and Teddy etc not many will think that way but it would be the better long (pun intended) term option...
from about 1 month ago
great article I don't think the Pats will be lucky enough to get chris long I agree though the linbacker position is in need of youth
from about 1 month ago
some sources close to the pats' organization have said that the Pats really liked Ernie Sims before detroit took him, Keith Rivers fits that same mold as an athletic, yet undersized guy who makes plays sideline to sideline, Long will not be there and even Gholston is a bit up in the air
from about 1 month ago
new englands not gonna get either of them unless the patriots move up or one of them luckily falls to the pats
from about 1 month ago
Seems to me the Pats will trade down. But who knows? Always interesting to see what General Belichick and Mr. Pioli do on day one. I expect a few surprises.
JP
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