if patrick's best position is ilb, i don't see any need look for a vet to replace kiser until patrick proves he can't man the position. heck, patrick may have beaten out kiser without the injury. there'll be some vet out there during the season they can bring in if patrick flops or until kiser comes back.

unlike the nt position, i don't feel too bad about a pair of rookies or inexperienced guys holding down the 2nd ilb slot given what those guys have shown: patrick and allen or howard.

on the other hand, i remain uneasy about nt. still think it's unfair and ill advised to expect gaines and day to perform at championship contender level through 17, 18 up to 20 games. rather save cap space to deal with nt depth as opposed to ilb.