New England Patriots: Why Versatility Is Important for OLBs in 2011 NFL Draft

A video was posted today on ESPNBoston.com, in which Tedy Bruschi talked about some defensive end/outside linebacker "tweener" prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft. In the video, he touched on why versatility is so incredibly important for outside linebackers.

Having played for the New England Patriots for 13 years, Bruschi understands more than anyone why versatility is important in their scheme.

Many Patriots fans have begun to clamor for the pass rush specialist, the guy who may not be able to drop into coverage smoothly and effectively, but can get after the quarterback with the best of them.

As of recently, the Patriots defense has been predicated on specialization. Their personnel groupings in the front seven differ greatly between running and passing situations, as evidenced with Mike Dussault's listing of the defensive formations in 2010.

Finding more specialists may contribute to the problems that the Patriots 25th-ranked defense faced last year.

The best way to fix that problem is to find the players that can play all three downs in the 3-4 defense. It may not be the easiest or the quickest, but in the long run, it will be the most effective.

The Patriots don't want to stop the bleeding, they want to build the muscle.

Drafting someone who can only contribute as a pass rusher could make matters worse.

The Patriots were in the sub package 57 percent of the time last year, and were burned for the third-most passing yards in the league. Drafting a "sub package pass rusher" may seem like the answer to that problem, but if he can't hold his ground against the run, he'll have a bulls-eye on his chest anytime the opposing team wants to run.

So he must not only be able to rush the passer, but also hold his ground in the running game.

It doesn't stop there.

Bruschi goes on to talk about an outside linebacker's coverage duties. While also being fast enough to get after the quarterback and strong enough to hold his ground against the run, an outside linebacker must also be quick enough to cover tight ends and running backs.

One of the most important aspects in Bruschi's video, though, is perhaps one of the most subtle messages. Not only does the outside linebacker need to be able to do all those things, and do them well, but he needs to be able to communicate all of those things to his teammates at the drop of a hat.

He also has to be smart enough to know what to do.

If only it were as simple as breaking the outside linebackers down into their specialization, the Patriots wouldn't have this problem. Unfortunately, specialization has opened them up to problems that could perpetuate if they don't address it.

Playing outside linebacker in Bill Belichick's defense is no small feat. Not many are up to the challenge.

The Patriots must be patient, though. There will never be a prospect that projects out as an every-down 3-4 outside linebacker in his first year, but if he doesn't project out as one at all, he's not worth consideration for the Patriots in this draft.