This should be everyone's favorite position by the end of the season. With the drafting of D'onta Hightower the Pats now have the potential to have four impact linebackers on the field at the same time. It won't be Bruschi, Willie, Vrabel, and Johnson ... but it could be pretty darn close in a few years.
STARTERS
Jerod Mayo -- if he can stay healthy -- could be the best middle linebacker in the AFC this season. When Mayo is at the top of his game he closes the holes in the middle of the field with speed and ferocity. His return to health in the playoffs last year was a key part of the run to the Super Bowl. Next to him in the middle is Brandon Spikes. Another guy who can only be stopped by injury. Spikes showed his playmaking skills with a great pick in the AFC title game. A full year of these two in the middle will go a long way toward improving the defense. It's likely the Pats will play more 3-4 this year and when they do they have Ninko and Hightower to man the outside. Ninko had a great year last year, recording big play after big play. He's looking more and more like Vrabel every week. Hightower should make an impact right away. He's that good. Nick Saban usually has his players ready for the NFL.
BACK-UPS
Bobby Carpenter -- the former Cowboy, not the former Bruin -- is like offensive lineman Robert Gallery ... a high draft pick who hasn't reached his potential. Carpenter is a good fit as a veteran back-up. Returning vets Dane Fletcher, Tracy White, and Niko Koutouvides along with linebacker/ends Jermaine Cunningham and Trevor Scott are solid depth players.
IN THE MIX
Young linebackers Jeff Tarpinian and Mike Rivera have good size (6-3 and 6-5 respectively) but they will have a tough time making the team.
Bruschi. Vrabel. McGinnest. Johnson. ... Mayo. Spikes. Hightower. Ninkovich. The rebuilding on defense is almost complete.
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