MVN - Most Valuable Network

Return of #55?

For over a decade, the Patriots’ defense has had a solid player lining up at linebacker or defensive end wearing number 55. That player was also a solid locker room presence, providing leadership to the defense and the team as a whole. That player was also a former first round draft pick coming out of USC. Currently, there is no #55 on the Patriots roster. The question is: is there someone on the horizon to take that number and continue the tradition of #55 being a presence on defense? That answer could be in the upcoming draft.

In 1994, Bill Parcells drafted DE Willie McGinest fourth overall. McGinest, from USC, became a cornerstone of the Patriots defense. After a stretch of injury-plagued seasons and an ineffective head coach in Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick came in and asked Willie to play more outside linebacker than defensive end in the 3-4. McGinest had a career resurrection and returned to Pro Bowl form, helping the Pats win three Super Bowls in four years. After McGinest and the Patriots parted ways after the 2005 season, the Pats signed a veteran linebacker to help solidify a depleted linebacking core. That player was Junior Seau, a former first round pick out of USC of the Chargers, who received permission from McGinest to wear his traditional number: 55. Junior’s future in football is in question and likely hinges on, first, the Pats needing him, and second, a feeling that he can return and still contribute. If Junior has played his last down of football in New England, there could be another player to step in and continue the growing tradition of #55 from USC. That player is linebacker Keith Rivers.

Rivers is rated as the best linebacker in the draft, and projects as an inside linebacker in the 3-4. ILB just happens to be one of the Pats’ primary areas of need. Rivers is known for his amazing athleticism, wowing scouts at his pro dayby reaching 42 inches in the vertical jump (highest at the combine was 39 inches) and running the 40 yard dash in 4.58 seconds. Rivers definitely possesses the athleticism the Pats are looking for and has the youth they lack in the linebacking core as a whole. Drafting a linebacker to play and learn alongside Tedy Bruschi while he’s still playing makes sense. The biggest problem scouts have with Rivers is his inability at times to shed blocks from the interior offensive linemen. However, time in the weight room, proper coaching, and Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, and Richard Seymour doing their jobs up front can cure that.

The Patriots can get Rivers if they want him. They certainly are looking at the possibility of drafting Rivers, as he is set to visit Gillette Stadium next week. I have seen Rivers rated anywhere from being a top 10 pick to a top 15 pick. In some mock drafts, he lasted into the 20’s in the first round. That certainly is no longer the case after his pro day. Rivers did not workout at the Combine due to an ankle injury that bothered him most of last season. If they like him enough, the Patriots could draft Keith Rivers with their #7 overall pick. Some may consider that a reach, but we’ve seen in the past that the Patriots’ draft board doesn’t necessarily match the draft board of the “draft experts.” Logan Mankins is a terrific example of this. He was called a reach at the time and some said he could have been had at the end of the second round that year, but he has blossomed into a Pro Bowl guard. The Patriots could also move back a few spots and pick up some extra picks, along with drafting Rivers. However, they cannot move too far back as they could risk losing Rivers. The Bengals at #9, Saints at #10, and Bills at #11 all could draft Rivers, as each has a need at linebacker.

 I feel Keith Rivers is the next-best option at linebacker if Vernon Gholston and Chris Long are off the board and the Pats feel they can wait for the later rounds to pick up secondary help. While it’s anyone’s guess at this point as to who the Patriots are going to draft, don’t be surprised to see #55 suiting up and manning the middle of the linebacking core Week One.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 4th, 2008 at 6:37 pm and is filed under Junior Seau, Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Logan Mankins, Linebacker, Ty Warren, Willie McGinest, Bengals, Patriots Roster, Patriots Draft, New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork, Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.