D-Rod
04-11-2007, 04:59 AM
In his press conference yesterday, Petrino suggested that the starting LB lineup of Boley-Brooking-Williams might be altered by what happens on draft day.
The only guy who might be drafted at #8, and could dislodge one of those starters, would be Willis, who would start at MLB and push Brooking to WLB.
Alternatively, someone like Beason could be available at #39, who might push Williams very hard at WLB.
Personally, however, I think that we would only be looking for LB depth in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We have MUCH bigger problems than our starting LBers, and using one of our highest picks on a LB would be a waste.
I suspect that Petrino is trying to persuade other teams that there is at least a risk that we would take Willis, to persuade them to trade with or above us, leaving someone else to fall to us. For example, if Bills are desperate for Willis, and think we might take him, they might offer us a generous trade (we could still get a top player at #12), or trade with the Vikings, allowing Landry to fall to us at #8.
Another possibility is that the post-draft change to the starters is us LOSING a player. Perhaps there is a potential trade for Demo in the offing. Then Brooking would move to WLB, and Beck would start at MLB. I'd happily add a 2nd round pick for Demo, if we could get one, and add lots of depth in the 4th.
Interesting possiblities. I think the likeliest inference is that Petrino is just blowing a little smoke.
The only guy who might be drafted at #8, and could dislodge one of those starters, would be Willis, who would start at MLB and push Brooking to WLB.
Alternatively, someone like Beason could be available at #39, who might push Williams very hard at WLB.
Personally, however, I think that we would only be looking for LB depth in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We have MUCH bigger problems than our starting LBers, and using one of our highest picks on a LB would be a waste.
I suspect that Petrino is trying to persuade other teams that there is at least a risk that we would take Willis, to persuade them to trade with or above us, leaving someone else to fall to us. For example, if Bills are desperate for Willis, and think we might take him, they might offer us a generous trade (we could still get a top player at #12), or trade with the Vikings, allowing Landry to fall to us at #8.
Another possibility is that the post-draft change to the starters is us LOSING a player. Perhaps there is a potential trade for Demo in the offing. Then Brooking would move to WLB, and Beck would start at MLB. I'd happily add a 2nd round pick for Demo, if we could get one, and add lots of depth in the 4th.
Interesting possiblities. I think the likeliest inference is that Petrino is just blowing a little smoke.