Chris Borland could be our next Bruschi? Lets not sugar coat the fact that Brandon Spikes can not, can not consistently cover anybody. Yea he has two or three games a season where he's all over the field. Oh lets not forget his twittering skills. I say its time they moved on from the Spikes project. Insert Chris Borland. Chris Borland is a senior Middle Linebacker from Wisconsin. Here is a guy who most around the country don't know all that much about. Most didn't know all that much about Tedy Bruschi until he lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl Championships.
Chris Borland
- 6' 0", 245lbs
- native of Kettering, Ohio
Borland is extremely intelligent, heady on the field. Some compare him to Zach Thomas and with good reason. Both of smaller stature and without elite speed. Like Zach Thomas though, Chris Borland has the motor and football IQ to be an impactful player.
He played in the Big Ten, with the "big boys". Some say he has struggles at the line because of his short arms are not able to prop blockers up and read the player. Hard to use that as an argument, when multiple Big Ten lineman go on to play in the NFL. Never mind the fact that he was going against one of the biggest and most efficient lines in the country during practice. Speed yea, that's a question mark, but Brandon Spikes is not exactly a speed demon himself. If anything I'd say his hip and feet mobility is sub par.
How does a guy who can't get to the ball off blocks hold the all time Wisconsin record for forced fumbles (13)? Play recognition, that's how. knowing what his defense is running and knowing what the offense it trying to do. Tedy was always good at understanding where the dump off was on a play action pass and being in the right place at the right time.
The list of awards he's been mentioned for is lengthy. He was the only other player this year besides Michigan State corner back Darqueze Dennard to be unanimously selected to the Big Ten first team. Dennard, let me remind you is the number one corner back on the big board this year, and could be taken in the top ten. Borland has go to be doing something right, to be selected along side a guy with limitless talent.
I watched several highlight films and clips on Chris Borland. He's everything the Patriots need to become Jarod Mayo's right hand man or perhaps successor? Pursuit, an persistency is an underlining theme in his clips. Jet sweeps, read options, he has the ability to keep them from reaching the outside numbers. He's never out on a tackle if he's near the ball and with the nose he has for the football, he's always around it. The Patriots will have a chance at Borland in the second and third round. The proof is in the pudding with Borland. He has the make up to come in here, understand what Belichick wants from his defense, and grasp the whole "Patriots way". You want the lunch pail, hometown guy back in the huddle calling the plays, then I say Chris Borland is your man.