Regarding Ciurciu and/or Lenon - New England Patriots Forums

***ALP*** · 06-15-2009, 01:43 PM

do we keep both? do we keep one?

it seems that Ciurciu is looking to replace Izzo's spot...that means that hell be a LB, who plays nothing but ST

i was hoping BB would be able to get away from that, and instead use a reserve LB to fill Izzo's role, instead of an actual only ST player, which I see as not using a roster spot effectively

is it possible we keep both? i dont believe any predictions of the final 53 that i have seen so far actually include both of these two LB's....

and if Lenon is not kept, we only have 3 ILB's....

PATRIOTSFANINPA · 06-15-2009, 01:49 PM

Word out is that so far in practice that Ciurciu is doing a fine job as Izzo's replacement so I say he is a good shot for the roster.]

I would not say the same for Lenon,For some reason and a guess, I think he will be cut later in TC

Feep50 · 06-15-2009, 02:03 PM

Anyone know how Ciurcui is properly pronounced? Ser-cue? Ker-Kue-ee?

Urgent · 06-15-2009, 02:43 PM

Ciurciu is pronounced "Chur-chew" or "church you."

I think Lenon is far more likely to make the team than Ciurciu.

Lenon is a viable inside linebacker. As noted, he led his team in tackles. He hasn't missed games. He handles coverage and makes tackles. He plays special teams. Very versatile player.

Lenon fits in the four-ILB rotation with Mayo, Bruschi, and Guyton. While Mayo is clearly the best of the four, all four have experience and can play for extended parts of a game.

Ciurciu is solely a special teams player. As such, you need to look at a couple different parts of the roster. Primarily the ST roster, but secondarily the back-ups at other positions who can also function in the ST role, to balance depth on the roster.

At LB, the Patriots have:

ILB: Mayo-Bruschi-Lenon-Guyton
OLB: Thomas-Woods-Crable-Banta-Cain-Redd

At ST, in his size/position range, there is also:

Alexander-Appleby-Tank Williams-Alex Smith-David Thomas-BJGE

At LB, the first seven are pretty secure (Mayo-Bruschi-Lenon-Guyton-Thomas-Woods-Crable). One of TBC and Redd are highly likely to fill out the group. Both are possible. With nine LB, a 10th spot for another ST is pretty unlikely, given needs at other positions.

Comparing Ciurciu to the other ST specialists:
Alexander has some history on Pats special teams, and has played well in that role. Obviously many remember his role starting against Indy with an injured Pats team in the playoffs, unhappily.
Appleby offers some upside as an ILB, coming from Virginia's 3-4 system, and offers some size for the role. He is more likely to make the practice squad.
Tank Williams offers the hybrid SSILB role that Belichick likes (as demonstrated when Belichick brought in Lynch immediately after Williams was injured to try to fill that role).
Alex Smith, David Thomas, and BJGE are potentially competing for two roles as either a fourth tight end or fifth RB, and again offer a lot more to the offense.

With LB Lenon, Guyton, TBC, Woods, Redd, and Alexander all capable ST players, I think the odds for Ciurciu are long. The availability of other ST players at the big safety, TE, and RB position further decrease his chances.

Lenon is no lock. You can look at the Fernando Bryant situation last year as a decent analogy. But I think he's a lot more likely.

Feep50 · 06-15-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urgent

Ciurciu is pronounced "Chur-chew" or "church you."

I think Lenon is far more likely to make the team than Ciurciu.

Lenon is a viable inside linebacker. As noted, he led his team in tackles. He hasn't missed games. He handles coverage and makes tackles. He plays special teams. Very versatile player.

Lenon fits in the four-ILB rotation with Mayo, Bruschi, and Guyton. While Mayo is clearly the best of the four, all four have experience and can play for extended parts of a game.

Ciurciu is solely a special teams player. As such, you need to look at a couple different parts of the roster. Primarily the ST roster, but secondarily the back-ups at other positions who can also function in the ST role, to balance depth on the roster.

At LB, the Patriots have:

ILB: Mayo-Bruschi-Lenon-Guyton
OLB: Thomas-Woods-Crable-Banta-Cain-Redd

At ST, in his size/position range, there is also:

Alexander-Appleby-Tank Williams-Alex Smith-David Thomas-BJGE

At LB, the first seven are pretty secure (Mayo-Bruschi-Lenon-Guyton-Thomas-Woods-Crable). One of TBC and Redd are highly likely to fill out the group. Both are possible. With nine LB, a 10th spot for another ST is pretty unlikely, given needs at other positions.

Comparing Ciurciu to the other ST specialists:
Alexander has some history on Pats special teams, and has played well in that role. Obviously many remember his role starting against Indy with an injured Pats team in the playoffs, unhappily.
Appleby offers some upside as an ILB, coming from Virginia's 3-4 system, and offers some size for the role. He is more likely to make the practice squad.
Tank Williams offers the hybrid SSILB role that Belichick likes (as demonstrated when Belichick brought in Lynch immediately after Williams was injured to try to fill that role).
Alex Smith, David Thomas, and BJGE are potentially competing for two roles as either a fourth tight end or fifth RB, and again offer a lot more to the offense.

With LB Lenon, Guyton, TBC, Woods, Redd, and Alexander all capable ST players, I think the odds for Ciurciu are long. The availability of other ST players at the big safety, TE, and RB position further decrease his chances.

Lenon is no lock. You can look at the Fernando Bryant situation last year as a decent analogy. But I think he's a lot more likely.

Thank you, Urgent.... I was curious....

I just read on Price's blog that the popular opinion amongst those covering the OTA's and various workouts, is that Ciurcui looks to be the replacement for Izzo on special teams..... Paris Lenon looks to be more of a standard ILB rotational player.........

***ALP*** · 06-15-2009, 05:46 PM

exactly my point...

Aiken is a ST teams guy, and so is Alexander....how many spots is BB willing to dedicate to ST aces who dont have another position? i would say about 2 (other than the specialist of LS, P, and K).....the other ST's players would need to play something else too

i think Aiken is a lock, Ciuciu is very shaky, and Alexander, unless hes improved enough to join the 4 man rotation at ILB (replacing Lenon) hes just as shaky as Ciurciu

captain stone · 06-15-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALP

it seems that Ciurciu is looking to replace Izzo's spot...that means that hell be a LB, who plays nothing but ST

i was hoping BB would be able to get away from that, and instead use a reserve LB to fill Izzo's role, instead of an actual only ST player, which I see as not using a roster spot effectively....

It is impossible for me to agree with these words any more than I already do.

I was happy when Izzo left, and will be ecstatic when Alexander & Ciurciu leave, too.

Obviously, I voted for Lenon Only.

VJ11 · 06-15-2009, 06:37 PM

I can see at least three reasons for Ciurciu being on the present roster:
1. competition at the ILB position - he should push the others that haven't secured a roster spot, even a guy like Lenon.
2. competition for the ST-specialist like gunners, wedge busters, etc.- whether he's considered to be Izzo's replacement or not, doesn't really matter if he pushes the others to perform at a higher level. The better he performs, the better his chances to stick on the final roster.
3. if not on the practice squad, he could become an in-season injury replacement in case we lose a ILB for an extended period of time - now he gets to learn the defensive system, get some reps, enough to make him an easy signing (BC, local guy) if it comes to that.

***DarrylS*** · 06-16-2009, 04:04 AM

If he is able to grab the subtleties of this D Lenon would be my vote..