mgteich

We've been having 24-25 positions on defense: 6 DL, 8 LB, 9 DB and 1-2 Sters. The question is whether we should keep the extra defensive lineman? Considerations:

A) Seymour might be gone, extended or franchised in 2010.

B) Wilfork could be gone, extended or franchised in 2010.

C) Green is likely in his last year as a patriot, and we still don't know about his roster bonus. If that bonus can be avoided, it will be, as it was with Vrabel.

D) LeKevin is a backup. We already have two of these in Wright and Brace.

E) The roster spot might help more if used for a special teamer or a player who can fill several roles. Ventrone and Tank Williams come to mind.

BOTTOM LINE
As of now, wouldn't it be reasonable to expect to choose between Green and LeKevin?

ALP

if i remember correctly, in some packages late last year, when lekevin was in, he was getting amazing pressure on the QB, and was actually the only one to be doing so....

i would like to see how far we can take that ability....in all honesty, i would have given him green's spot, and it would have been a heck of a lot cheaper

__________________
Last time I lived in New England the Pats became a Dynasty

Then I moved away and they haven't won since

...now I'm moving back, and a Lombardi I predict

reamer

What if we trade Green + one of our offensive lineman (a suddenly crowded position) to Oakland for Burgess? I think that's win-win for both teams, provided the Raiders are willing to extend Green and lower his cap hit. I like Green a lot, especially because of his work in the community, but his production in no way justifies his price. He might be the most expensive backup in the league. LeKevin is a more than adequate replacement, at a vastly reduced price.

Pats726

If they like what Green is doing..they could extend..THAT is a real possibility...BUT..maybe they wish to trade or let go...a few options.. I agree there are possibilities of both going..OR maybe one stepping up and taking Sey's position...or in the mix with someone like Richard stepping up in 10. Many possibilities...and I agree..there is some extra players on the O line...that could be added in in a trade.

spacecrime

We have Wilfork, Wright, Smith and Brace as NTs. We need two of of them for sure, maybe three.

We have Seymour, Warren and Green as DEs, plus the NTs can fill in sometimes.

Green is better than Smith at DE, and there needs to be a thrid DE in case Seymour or Warren get hurt. We could save 2 mil by cutting or trading Green. If we coukld improve on him for $2 mil, fine, but I doubt it.

I like 6 DL at this point in time:
Seymour
Warren
Green
Wilfork
Brace
Wright

mgteich

You consider Wright primarily a backup NT. I'm not sure that Belichick agrees or he wouldn't have drafted Brace.

If Belichick does not consider Smith a DE, then he is simply gone. Wilfork, Wright and Brace are more than enough inside.

There is little point trying to find a replacement for Green in free agency. We can do that next year, if Green isn't extended.

PatsChamp88

Well then why did we resigned Mike Wright to a four-year, $7.5 million contract if he is not considered a primary backup at DE and NT...or are you saying that he can be starter material? Maybe its just me but I don't think Wilfork will be around after this season

ivanfears

you can never have enough big men the extra bodies take care of themselves with injuries stop trying to take a strength and try to make it a weakness give up for a few weeks man

spacecrime

That is pretty much what I said in different words except for the first sentence which sounds like you are saying that BB doesn't draft positions for which he has a backup.

I do considered Wilfork and Wright as NTs, though both sometimes play DE in certain situations. Ditto Smith. Brace may also be groomed to play DE once in a while.

I think that LeKevin is the odd man out unless there is an injury in tc, or BB carries 7 DLinesmen.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Where is Keegs??