Patriots Much Deeper at LB Entering 2015 Despite Key Absences in Mini-camp
 Jamie Collins spearheads a deep and talented group of linebackers for the Patriots in 2015. (USA TODAY Images) |
The Patriots wrapped up their second day of mandatory mini-camp on Wednesday and Bill Belichick canceled the final day of workouts on Thursday giving the players an early vacation until training camp begins at the end of July.
One intriguing area to watch once camp begins will be the linebacker position. Unlike the beginning of 2014 where the depth was practically non-existent, this season’s group seems to be much deeper, talented and versatile. That depth was tested during OTAs and mini-camp.
All three starters, Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins missed OTAs and mini-camp due to injuries and/or off-season surgery. Mayo was seriously injured for the second season in a row and only played in six games in 2014. Hightower played down the stretch and the playoffs with a torn shoulder labrum, had surgery and should be ready for the season’s start.
Top backup Dane Fletcher who spent four seasons with the Patriots before playing last season with Tampa before re-signing with the Pats as a free agent missed mini-camp as well.
Morris Makes Most of Opportunity: Their absences opened the door for second year linebacker James Morris to get a lot of reps during the spring workouts holding down the middle. He’s healthy now and is looking to work his way into one of the top substitution roles on the Patriots defense.
Morris was a highly sought UDFA from Iowa last spring and his rookie season was doomed by injury. During rookie mini-camp, he suffered a blood clot in his leg and was subsequently released. He was brought back midway thru training camp and although playing from behind, caught the eyes of the coaching staff, wearing the green dot communication device in the final preseason game against the Giants before being injured and placed on IR.
The team re-signed STs ace Chris White as well bringing in Jonathan Freeny from the Miami Dolphins. Also signed during free agency was Buccaneer backup LB and special teams Dekoda Watson. Also vying for a roster spot will be 4th year LB Darius Fleming and OLB Eric Martin. After Brandon Spikes’ release, the Patriots signed 6’0, 250 ILB D.J. Lynch from Bowling Green. Green is a run-stuffer in the Spikes mold who played OLB in college but projects to be more of a two-down ILB in the pros.
Draft Highlights Versatility: During the 2015 NFL Draft, the Patriots drafted three players who are versatile enough to play both standing up at OLB or with their hand down in the dirt as a defensive end. Geneo Grissom from Oklahoma, Trey Flowers from Arkansas and Xzavier Dickson from Alabama all have versatility and experience playing on the edge.
Belichick practically raved about the potential for Grissom after he was drafted back in May and he could be a very intriguing prospect. Dickson was the “Jack” linebacker in the Alabama defense run by coach and Belichick close confidant Nick Saban. The “jack” is another word for the Belichick “Elephant” position that Willie McGinest played so well for New England. Not to compare Dickson to McGinest, who at this point is just a rookie trying to make the squad. But having played a similar position in a Patriots-type defense, the transition shouldn’t be too hard for a player who has just scratched the surface of his potential.
The Patriots also drafted the under-sized but very athletic Matthew Wells in the draft. Wells for now is getting more reps on the STs units but could fit the bill as the “big nickel” safety when facing teams with athletic tight ends.
With an increased focus on the front seven in 2015, the Patriots will be looking to get much better, more consistent pressure on the quarterback. Defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich were bolstered by the signing of Jabaal Sheard during free agency as well as having second year player Zach Moore with a year in the system.
Now with the depth to plug and play a number of other players into the mix, the Patriots can utilize plenty of different players and combinations to bring pressure from the edge. Interior pressure from Hightower and Collins was outstanding in 2014 and coupled with an increased edge presence will only make the outside pass rush more productive.
Bill Belichick loves camp competition and this deep group now gives him plenty of options and flexibility to mix and match. And while the core group of linebackers missed the spring workouts, it isn’t a cause for concern just yet. The depth of the linebackers on the 2015 version of the Patriots gives them one of the more talented and deeper units in the league.
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