PATRIOTSFANINPA

Nothing special in this article but this writer likes what potential Cunningham could bring to the Pats and interesting to compare the possibility of Cunningham's rookie campaign to Clay Matthews Jr.

Pats in a hurry to fix pass-rushing decline - NFL - Yahoo! Canada Sports

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lillestroom

As soon as Cunningham starts getting reps, teams are going to target him and check out if the can wear him down as he goes thru the 4-3 , 3-4 transition.

Mark my words.

Elijah

They said McKenzie is an outside linebacker. This was me when I read that part:

mgteich

I forgive yahoo for thinking that the only linebacker the patriots drafted in 2009 would have been expected to play outside. After all, wasn't OLB our #1 need in 2009? On Draft Day no one knew where Belichick would put him, although most were predicting that he would play inside.

mgteich

Everyone is ready to watch the awesome pass-rush from Banta-Cain, Ninkovich, Burgess and Cunningham (and Crable or Woods). Where would we rate this group compared to other AFC teams?

We have seen literally dozens of posts discussing Belichick's philosophy of not have major weaknesses at positions. No matter how I spin it, I still see 2-3 JAGs and a couple of wannabees at OLB.

Perhaps Banta-Cain is more than a JAG; perhaps he is an average OLB in this league. I wonder how many teams he would start for. Of course, he is our #1 pass-rusher.

AndyJohnson

Can you explain what you mean?

PatsWickedPissah

So, stats wise on pass rush how does TBC compare with his several tens of competitors in the NFL?

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RIP Vince Flynn. Condolences to family and friends.

AndyJohnson

I think 10 sacks, which is an accomplishment is inconsistent with Just Another Guy, however, if you want to call TBC Just Another Guy, then it shouldn't be hard to get 10 sacks out of whoever wins the job on the other side, huh?

As much ragging on our pass rush as goes on around here you would think we were the only team in a league where teams get 8-10 sacks a game that never gets one.
Only 5 of the16 teams in the AFC had more than 35, we had 31.
None of those 5 made the playoffs, and they combined for a record of 34-46.
Those 5 teams were also 7th, 7th(tied w each other) 11,12 and 14th ranked in points allowed.
They werealso 5,9,11,13,14 in opp QB rating allowed.

As much as readng this board would make you think there is some magical wand that can be waived and we will get pass rushers that cause Qbs to get sacked 7 times a game hit 20 more and go 8-34 passing because they get hit every time they throw, that isn't the NFL any more.
Sacks are rare, half the pass plays are behind the line or 3 step drops.
Most sacks are now made by blitzes and by unblocked players.
Certain rushing the passer matters because there are plays and situations where there actually is a real decent opportunity to get to the QB, and if you cannot, you extend the play. But where we are going to improve the defense that allowed the 3rd fewest points in the conference last year is by covering well enough and long enough to give the pass rushers time to rush.

I'm mean we could go out and trade for Freeney, and change out whole system to tell him to rush the passer every play and ignore the run unless you trip over the back. That would give us an expected extra one sack every 2 years over what JAG-TBC got us with his 10 last year since Freeney averges 10.5 for his career.

AndyJohnson

He compares well based upon last season. The question is whether it was a fluke. I posted his stats compared to most of the top rushers a while back, I will see if I can find it.

PatsWickedPissah

TBC had one less sack and one less tackle than Peppers last season. TBC was 15th in defensive player stats.

2009 NFL Player Defense Stats - National Football League - ESPN

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RIP Vince Flynn. Condolences to family and friends.