crowell33

Been a while since the Patriots have had a pass rusher as effective as Tully Banta Cain. TBC's 8.5 sacks (with 2 games left), is 1. More sacks than Richard Seymour has EVER had during any one season of his career, 2. More sacks than Mike Vrabel has in the last 2 seasons ( 2008-2009 ) combined (6), and 3. More sacks than Adalius Thomas has in the last 2 seasons ( 2008 - 2009 ) combined, (8). Keep in mind, aside from maybe Mike Wright, there is absolutely no one else offenses have to account for, on passing downs, against the Patriots.

patsinthesnow

He is one of the best suprises of the season. I think we should stop calling him an overacheiving JAG, he is a great pass rusher.

DaBruinz

This is false. They have to account for Burgess and for Green. Unfortunately, Green hasn't been as effective as a full time player as he was as a 3rd down rusher.

One of the things to remember is that the Pats defense isn't predicated on the sack. It's predicated on getting pressure on the QB and forcing turnovers via interceptions. So, you throwing up sack numbers is pretty stupid. Not to mention, comparing the numbers of a 3-4 DE in Seymour to a 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB is disingenuous.

Marqui

It would be cool if he all of a sudden turned into a DPoY OLB at age 30 like James Harrison did .

emoney_33

I like TBC, but this post is pretty flawed with the comparisons.

1.) Seymour commands double teams frequently and played DE in a 2-gap system, which doesn't lead to many sacks.

2.) Vrabel is at the tail end of his career, comparing that to TBC entering his prime doesn't make sense to me. I'll take Vrabel in his prime over TBC.

PATSYLICIOUS

Agreed.

Still, TBC has been a savior this year. Awesome pick[back]up by BB

farn

I am also pleased with TBC's progress... I'm not certain "great pass rusher" is the exact evaluation at this point.

convertedpatsfan

TBC has surprised a lot of people, but I don't know if I'd call him a "great" pass rusher. He's been solid, our best pass rusher, but I don't think he's an elite guy. Maybe he'll continue to develop into one. I sure hope so.

But I loved his signing. I know a lot of people called him a JAG, but these under-rated signings are one of my fav things about the off-season. He had some familiarity with our system, we didn't give up anything to get him, and we signed him for the bare minimum. What's not to like there?

Even with the contract extension, Miguel has him in the books for under $1.4 million each season for the next 2 seasons. Is that right??? Because that's fantastic value for our best pass rusher to be signed for so little. I know the cap number might not matter as much if there is an uncapped year, but considering how much pass rushers cost in the free agent market, quite a deal.

ALP

i can only imagine if he had Richard with him....

__________________
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

BionicPatriot

Today made his numbers awesome I guess, but he's not disruptive enough to be called elite.

Maybe the recent upward play of Burgess has helped him out. I said it before, but I really liked how BB had his guys standing up today, it really helped mismatch them with our speed.

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