This was a question that someone asked on footballfuture.com in the jets forum. The author mentioned how he feels that Vilma might be a great fit at OLB in a 3-4. This was a question I had on my mind for quite some time as well. Most complaints about Vilma in a 3-4 is that he is to small and will be punished when a guard gets to him on every play. Now i agree with this idea a little but not wholly, yes he is to small and might get taken out of the play to often, but to say he will get put on his back is wrong, he's a tough player and just because he's undersized doesn't mean he will get "owned out" on very play, he's a great pro and will be great in any system but may not be as great in a 3-4 ILB. At ILB you need to bigger guys to just drill a guard or lead blocker and stuff up the hole. I feel that Hobson and Schlegel will be great in this role. Now this leaves us with a need for at OLB. From what I know your OLB in a 3-4 are speedy pass rushers who just like in a 4-3 cover the half the field they are on. I feel that with Vilma's speed he can get the passer very well and cause some huge problems. If you look at most of the 3-4 defenses in the NFL OLB is their best player, ex. Chargers-Merriman, Steelers-Porter, 49ers-Peterson, and the Cowboys-Ware, of course there are teams that run the 3-4 whose best player isn't an OLB ex Browns-Davis (ILB) and the Patriots-Seymour (DE). My projection at linebackers: OLB- Vilma ILB- Hobson ILB- Schlegel OLB- Thomas In this projection Barton is cut due to his odd fit in a 3-4, I really like Barton but i don't think he's a good fit in a 3-4 because he doesn't have good size to play ILB and he isn't a good enough rusher to play OLB.
No way. Why change your most consistent player on D from his natural position? That would be a terrible move. He is perfect on the inside anyway. He has incredible field vision, and being on the inside allows him to play where he plays best, coast to coast. The OLBs and probably Shlereth (sp?) will be able to pressure the QB. Vilma will be hanging back and making open field tackles all year.
Im just amazed at the fact you think that schlegel would start over Barton (who played on the inside with the Raiders) and Kassell ( who started at MLB for 2 years with the Titans)
Barton I explained why i feel he isn't a good fitat 3-4 ILB, he's not big enough or strong enough to take on blockers. The Pats were known for playing rookies, i feel that Schlegel may not start off the season as a starter but i feel he will end as one. I saw him play at Ohio St. he was great, he was a team leader and he just killed everone in the middle. I really feel he will be a fine player, he's just the player that this system needs and wants.
they were running a 3-4 d in the pro bowl... i know players dont go their hardest in the pro bowl but vilma had 6 tackles and his time with minimum.
Remember he had one of the best NT in front of him in cassy hampton. That guy takes up 2 blocks on every play, D Rob will force some double teams but not on every play.
OLB- Eric Barton ILB- Jonathan Vilma ILB- Matt Kassell OLB- Bryan Thomas I don't know why, but I really really like that group. It has a good mix of leadership, size, speed and toughness. If that is the starting group on opening day I will be a happy camper.
the pats have started many many rookies and look where it took them. Look at logan mankins already and hes so young, and what about Vince Wilfork? We can start Segel if we want to, i mean we are rebuilding, what does it matter if we lose a few games this year but build a killer defence up
Thats a great group, i agree totally. But I feel that they might be to weak up the middle with the lack of size and strength, also i don't think that Barton can get after the QB well enough.
Zach Thomas had a ton of success in the 3-4 and Donnie Edwards who is just over 230 has a ton of success at ILB...don't let people around here say Vilma won't be successful at his size because it has been done.
They have to be able to rush the passer, at least one of them does, and if Barton's not then Bryan Thomas is a much better choice to than Hobson. You do need speed, that's why guys like Wimbley and Lawson were seen as 3-4 OLBs, they had the speed to play there and pass rush from the position. That's also the reason why Thomas' speed has allowed the FO to see him as an OLB.
Im sure Mangini will find away to use Vilmas strengths to helps the Defense. I am also sure there are many ways to use Vilma in the 3-4 but with how the Pats rotate their players around i woudnt be suprised if we did see Vilma on the outside and inside whatever gives them the best matchups.
Its less about speed, more about size and technique. Shawn Merriman, Steve Foley, Willie McGinest werent burners in the slightest. You need the size and strength to fight off a block, or the technique to defeat it. Thats why 34 OLBs are so often 43 DEs...not enough size to play DE, not enough athleticism to play LB. Speed is a premium. Wimbley and Lawson were indeed seen as 34 OLBs, but speed wasnt the reason. Speed isnt gonna run you around a block, but strength and technique will help you defeat it
Now as much as i agree with you cause i did say that Vilma will be great in any system: To say that Thomas and Edwards did well but are still undersized has alot to do to who their NT was Edwards has the huge Jamal Williams protecting him and Thomas had a monster NT to (sorry i can't remember his name) and even Lewis has a monster protector in Seragusa (sp?). Vilma will be great anywhere but lets face it without a monster space eater at NT he will have some big problems and at OLB he may have more chances to be a playmaker. With that said i have no problems with Robertson, I have liked him from day one but i feel he would be a better fit at DE where his quickness can be used more. All you need out of your NT is to just force double teams whereas Robertson will cause them, but he doesn't demand them like Williams and Hampton do. HE has the strenght to hold up against them but he is moveable, and you don't want that out of your NT. Thats just how i feel, I'm not saying he would be bad I'm saying he won't be as good, I feel he would be better at OLB.
I didn't even read the whole thing but scanned to the bottom and saw this. You're insane!!!!! Barton is 6'2" almost 250. The only LB better than him is Vilma, and even at that, they are closer to parity. As for BT, he may have a greater upside, but still has yet to learn the position. There is no way Barton is cut. No way.
I still don't understand us not drafting a DE/OLB pass rushing hybrid. Mark Anderson was still available in the 3rd, 4th and 5th. Guys like Brandon Guillory and Charles Bennett could have been brought in as undrafted FAs.