2011 NFL Draft: Don't Worry- Patriots Will Address Pass Rush Today

by Richard Hill on Apr 30, 2011 9:45 AM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

I know a lot of you are sad that the Patriots' seemingly ignored the pass rushing situation. Well, Belichick addressed those concerns in his press conference last night:

Q: So far you haven’t drafted a pass rusher. Do you feel like you have players here and you don’t need to upgrade?
BB: We have some young players on our roster and I think that those players – in all the various positions, not just at that specifically – but I think younger players will still continue to develop. But there are good players up there on the board and we got the ones that we felt were best for us. There are other players that are good players, too, that went to the other teams. That’s the way it always is.

My thought is that Belichick is happy with the development of Ron Brace and Myron Pryor, and the return of Ty Warren, and that they will improve the outside linebackers on the roster. Jermaine Cunningham will still develop and I wouldn't be surprised to see certain players (Dane Fletcher, Gary Guyton) more utilized on the outside.

Belichick gave a solid non-answer, but he didn't go too in depth into the position. As a result of that response, I feel like the Patriots will take an OLB or DE project in the closing rounds of the draft.

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I dont know if guyton can play outside.... i dont know enough about fletcher.

How about Eric Moore though? He looked very good in the games he played in last year.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 30, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

Guyton can't play 34OLB..he tried it once...failed

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
In Bill We Trust.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 30, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Dane Fletcher I like very much as a player....

Also, what’s the chances of Herzlich being drafted, and would he project to the inside or outside? I know quite little past his story…

Just trying to keep up.

by Mellon on Apr 30, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

He's a likely 4th or 5th rounder

I’m a BC fan and know that his mobility isn’t nearly what it was before his fight with cancer. Granted he’s only a year removed from having a titanium rod placed into his leg.

The leg’s a concern but we’re talking about a guy who was a first round pick before the bad new broke out. If he gets back to the level he was pre-cancer, he’ll be a steal.

Every Month Should Be March.

by hoyaeagle on Apr 30, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

He plays 4-3 OLB and 3-4 MLB

He wont fit in with us, because we dont need them. But hey, BB may surprise us I suppose…. maybe Herz has the speed and such to be a 3-4 OLB but I doubt it.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 30, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

What outside linebacker/defensive end prospects?

Do you all think the Pats could be targeting today?

Every Month Should Be March.

by hoyaeagle on Apr 30, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

I really hope they go after Acho or Elmore. Not sure if they'll last to the 5th, but you never know haha.

I’d look for BB to trade into the 4th at some point, that’s a long gap.

by wildcat61 on Apr 30, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

WR Cecil Shorts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MC-6pp9rnU

reminds me of deion branch/miles austin

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 30, 2011 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

MOAR RICKY ELMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 30, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

Ricky Elmore, Greg Romeus, Jeremy Beal, someone!!! Get an effn OLB please. No more Tully Banta-Cain. In Bill We Trust, but come on Bill, dont pretend like one of these guys cant help your pass rush.

by The Qwan on Apr 30, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

I guess BB likes his D

when you look at the roster, he has a slew of young guys. can only coach up so many guys at once..I guess.

How about a FA…oops no free agency.

by tstorey1 on Apr 30, 2011 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

Free Agent?

I am not a fan of Banta-Cain, he is just above average as a pass rusher and that does not make him adequate because he is awful against the run. Not sure who is out there but maybe the Pars will grab some free agents this year as the Adelus Thomas wound may have healed a little.

by 2009gmc on Apr 30, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions