Usually, the way it works is that coaches meet early in the week to go over the game plan and all contingencies. A question sure to be asked in those meetings is: "If this player is injured, whom would we put there?"
The room must have fallen silent when it came to the linebackers, because as of Tuesday, the Patriots had no fallback plan after a string of injuries. At this point in the season, with a playoff berth still a possibility, it had to be anything but a comforting thought.
So the calls went out to Colvin, then Seau, both of whom have prior knowledge of the team's system, thus shortening the learning curve in an emergency.
"To me, they're here more for their depth," coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. "I'm sure they can contribute, but in the short term, I think you have to take it step by step and see where things are at."
As a team running a 3-4 base defense, the Patriots employ an extra linebacker, which further highlights the need for depth at the position.
The season opened with Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel as starters at outside linebacker, Pierre Woods and third-round draft choice Shawn Crable the top backups. The outside linebacker spot is somewhat equivalent to a defensive end in a 4-3, so it takes a player sturdy, physical, and tough enough to play at the line of scrimmage, but also with athleticism to drop into coverage.
Meanwhile, veteran Tedy Bruschi and first-round draft choice Jerod Mayo were the starters at inside linebacker. Rookie Gary Guyton opened as the top backup, with depth coming from third-year man Eric Alexander. Unlike outside linebackers, inside 'backers play off the line of scrimmage, so they're usually a bit lighter, but also must show the physicality and toughness to run downhill and fill a hole.
The attrition has been staggering.
Of the top eight linebackers, Thomas (forearm), Crable (shin), and Alexander (thigh) have all landed on injured reserve, with Thomas joining the ranks yesterday even though his injury occurred Nov. 9. Although Belichick called it a long shot, the team had been holding out hope that perhaps Thomas would return. Time simply ran out.
