New England Patriots: Did somebody say "aging linebackers"?

by tommasse on Dec 30, 2007 7:21 PM EST in New England Patriots News

'Aging' Linebackers a Liability?
Seau, Bruschi, Vrabel Define 2007 Patriots

What idiot(s) said the Patriots defense would suffer because of their "aging linebackers"? The Patriots are among the league's top five defense in total yards, passing yards and points allowed. And that's with Rosevelt Colvin (not one of the aging LBs) lost to injured reserve with a quarter of the season to go.

The top four tacklers on the team are Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel -- the three "aging" linebackers!

Bruschi, age 34½, finishes the regular season with a team-leading 92 tackles, a team-leading 64 solo tackles, and 2 sacks.

Seau, age 39 in 3 weeks, finished with 74 tackles (4th on team), 58 solo (2nd), 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions (2nd), 4 passes defended.

Vrabel, age 32, finished with 77 tackles (3rd), 55 solo (4th), 11.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. Vrabel is going to the Pro Bowl and should be considered for defensive player of the year.

(Thomas, a young'un at age 30, had 78 tackles, 57 solo.)

Don't forget Rodney Harrison, who is not a linebacker but who just turned 34 two weeks ago, who finished with 68 tackles (6th, James Sanders was 5th with 71), 54 solo (5th), 7 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles and two sacks. And that's with missing the first four games of the season due to his own stupidity.

I think I figured it out. While I've been touting the Patriots defense all year, they have gone all but ignored by the mainstream and the haters. Of course, if the mainstream and haters were to acknowledge how good this defense really is, they'd have to talk about these guys that they vehemently alleged were "washed up" and were "New England's Achilles' heels" and all that other garbage. And they can't have that, can they?

Oh, how little some people know about football. Or anything.

Fine Wine -- Some players "age"; some "get old." Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau just seem to improve.

Photos courtesy: boston.com, SI.com

Poll

Who do you not want to see in a Patriots uniform next year?

Some idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about

35 votes

Tedy Bruschi

4 votes

Junior Seau

5 votes

Mike Vrabel

7 votes

51 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'd like to have them all on the team

except some idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about. He can play for the Colts.

by scsatr on Dec 30, 2007 7:47 PM EST reply actions

RE:

The linebackers and Harrison are the heart of the defense -- essentially, the "old fogies." They make the defense. The defense is as good as it is because these guys are the gap stoppers. Seymour, Wilfork and Warren are great but they aren't in the emotional league that the linebackers and Harrison are. They'll have their day, but for now it's guys like Bruschi, Vrabel, Seau, and Harrison.

Over The Monster A Member of the SportsBlogs Nation Family.

by RBooth @ Pats Pulpit on Dec 30, 2007 9:28 PM EST reply actions

Don't forget...

...Thomas was injured for a good chunk of the year, or his numbers likely would have been even better.

That said, I'd like to see the Pats pick up a good, young linebacker in the offseason, partly because I suspect Seau may retire when the Pats win the Super Bowl -- what better way to cap a Hall of Fame career than by going out on top of your game in a perfect season?

by RSNexile on Dec 31, 2007 7:45 PM EST reply actions

Seau and others may come back if the Pats

go 19-0 to see if they can do it again.

by scsatr on Dec 31, 2007 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Anything's possible...

...until it's not.

by RSNexile on Dec 31, 2007 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

We need a few more traditions.

Will this develop into a Pats Pulpit New Year's Eve Yogi Berra Marathon?

Have something to say? Create a free account and step up to the Pulpit! (Please: No vulgarity. Thanks.)

by tommasse on Dec 31, 2007 11:22 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.

by RSNexile on Jan 1, 2008 12:16 AM EST up reply actions

On the bandwagon

I must say, I was on the "aging linebacker" bandwagon for awhile. Especially during the Eagles/Ravens close calls. I still think it's a concern, but I knew BB would fix any deficiency and they came out strong during the Steelers game and haven't looked back since. Shame on me. 40 lashes and keel hauling are the only answer. ;-)

by MaPatsFan on Dec 31, 2007 9:44 PM EST reply actions