How important is having a backup NT? - New England Patriots Forums

***mgteich*** · 06-23-2010, 09:57 AM

How important is having a backup NT and rate our current roster candidates in terms of current skills and potential?

I have seen several posts saying that Pryor is a best choice for this roster spot. I strongly disagree.

***DaBruinz*** · 06-23-2010, 11:10 AM

Pryor isn't a NT.. He's a bigger (in weight) version of Jarvis Green. A 3rd down pass rushing specialist..

**Ian** · 06-23-2010, 11:16 AM

I think after watching the Buffalo game again last year when Wilfork was out, it's definitely very important. Obviously we've heard positive things regarding Brace, but it would be nice to see someone step up when camp starts.

tombonneau · 06-23-2010, 12:04 PM

To spin off my post of Brace as a surprise cut, I'd argue that the question isn't how important is a backup NT, but rather how important is *competent* backup NT. If you don't have a legit backup and VW goes down, I think the team shifts to a 4-3 if there is no one in the fold who can fill that role. Just too much risk to run a 3-4 if you don't think you have the NT to make it happen.

Unfortunately, not a lot of teams are blessed with having two large bodies to man the 3-4 nose.

***ctpatsfan77*** · 06-23-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgteich

How important is having a backup NT and rate our current roster candidates in terms of current skills and potential?

Channeling patchick for a second, important enough, apparently, to pass on Connor Barwin, who seemed tailor-made for this D. . . . *grumble* *grumble*

BrewCity Cheesehead · 06-23-2010, 01:02 PM

I'd say D-line, more than any other position, you need to have good depth. Those big guys get tired, and they need breathers quite often. If you're 2-deep at each D-line position, you can rotate guys in so you always have fresh guys playing up front. So yes, you do need a competant backup NT, or at least a guy who starts at DE but is NT size who can slide over when Wilfork needs a breather. I'm not familiar enough with the Pats D-line depth, but I remember looking at Ron Brace when he was in the draft, and remember him catching my attention.

BelizePats · 06-23-2010, 01:19 PM

I think its critical when playing a 3-4. Brace was either drafted to play NT when were in a 3-4 or as a tackle in the 4-3.
Brace's first year was a disappointment for us fans but I don't think the franchise was expecting great things out of him in year 1.
That said, there is significant paying time out there waiting for Brace, if he can seize it. If he can't step up in year two and make at least a decent contribution, then this pick has to be considered a disaster when you consider who was still on the board when we picked Brace.

RayClay · 06-23-2010, 01:43 PM

It's only important when you don't have one. We lucked into Ted Washington because BB and Colangelo are friends, but don't forget, Steve Martin...plus Rick Lyle, Jarvis Green and Dan Klecko.

Before Big Ted, it was "technique" that was important (BB was not hooked up to a lie detecter when he said that).

Very few players have the right size, strength and endurance and are willing to play that position full time if they have other options.

Big ted has said he'd much rather play 4-3 T, so he wants to get paid to play nose. Wilfork could start at 4-3 tackle and have more fun, less work.

Ty Warren is the only adequate nose we have besides our two and he'd probably be looking around at other options come contract time if we put him there.

A Nose Tackle is important because, if you needed one all of a sudden, you likely couldn't get one.

***jmt57*** · 06-23-2010, 02:49 PM

A good nose tackle is critical to the success of the 3-4 defense, and just like left tackles, good ones are hard to find. Since they are rare, if a player is a good NT then he's going to be starting somewhere rather than being a backup.

If Wilfork were to be out for an extended period of time, then it might make sense to play more 4-3, as tombonneau suggested. Even if that is the plan, you still need an adequate backup if the starter is dinged up and out for a series or two, as well as to give him a breather and keep him fresh as BrewCity Cheesehead pointed out.

Bottom line is, it's not reasonable to expect your backup NT to play to the same level as Wilfork. Just need to be sure the backup is competent and can hold his own for the short term.

lillestroom · 06-23-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmt57

A good nose tackle is critical to the success of the 3-4 defense, and just like left tackles, good ones are hard to find. Since they are rare, if a player is a good NT then he's going to be starting somewhere rather than being a backup.

If Wilfork were to be out for an extended period of time, then it might make sense to play more 4-3, as tombonneau suggested. Even if that is the plan, you still need an adequate backup if the starter is dinged up and out for a series or two, as well as to give him a breather and keep him fresh as BrewCity Cheesehead pointed out.

Bottom line is, it's not reasonable to expect your backup NT to play to the same level as Wilfork. Just need to be sure the backup is competent and can hold his own for the short term.

What Jim said. No decent NT means that teams will just run all over the top of you, all day every day.

I'd say that NT is a more important position than LT to be honest. With an average LT you can get by. With an average NT, you lose nigh on every game.