As the Pats start their first OTA, one group to look at are the linebackers. With Mike Vrabel gone and free agent Jason Taylor signing with Miami, the Pats hope to find a proper mix of six linebackers for four starting positions and substitution.
It looks like Tedy Bruschi and Jerod Mayo on the inside while Adelius Thomas and Pierre Woods will fill the roles on the outside. Both Woods and Thomas ended up on Injured Reserve last season. Bruschi is starting to show his age. Mayo was Defensive Rookie of the Year.
They have already lost Tyrone McKenzie, one of their draft choices, for the season with a knee injury. Shawn Crable, a 3rd round pick last year also ended up on IR in 2008, but hopes to battle for time on the outside. Tully Banta-Cain was signed as a free agent from the 49er's and was a contributor when he was previously here. Gary Guyton and Vice Redd showed some promise last year.
Eric Alexander is probably on the bubble. The often injured former LSU star has been bitten buy the injury bug in his years here. Recent free agents include veteran Vinny Ciurciu of Boston College who saw playing time with the Vikings the last few years. Antonio Appleby from Virginia and Angelo Criag from University of Cincinnati round out the roster as undrafted free agents.
Right now there are 12 linebackers on the roster along with hybrid Tank Williams. Probably half will be gone by the final roster cut.
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