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With Bruschi on the shelf for the foreseeable future, and his status unknown for the team’s season opener against the Bills Sept. 10, veteran free agent addition Barry Gardner continued to get significant reps at inside linebacker with the first unit on Wednesday. Veteran special teamer Don Davis worked alongside Gardner on the inside with the first unit. Monty Beisel and Freddie Roach took reps with the second team, while outside linebacker Mike Vrabel, who played inside out of necessity last season, has also made some cameo appearances on the inside at practice in recent days.
Based on the reps less than two days before the exhibition opener, it would appear that Gardner and Davis could get the starting nod in Atlanta. Gardner is experienced, thanks to 18 starts over his first two seasons in the league with the Eagles in 1999 and 2000, but the veteran only started six more games over the next five NFL seasons and is with his third team in three seasons. His 24 career starts, and 266 career tackles make him the most experienced of the would-be inside players other than Vrabel, but he’s a complete newcomer to New England’s 3-4 scheme and style of play.
“It’s definitely a different scheme,” Gardner said after a recent practice. “I’ve played in 4-3 schemes. It’s also a fun scheme to play in. I never knew much about the 3-4. I mean I experimented a little bit last year with the Jets, but this is definitely a scheme that requires linebackers to be able to make plays. I am excited about it.”
Davis, who started 15 games at linebacker for the Rams over two seasons in 2001 and 2002, also lacks game experience in New England’s 3-4 scheme. In three years with the team, Davis has played more special teams than anything else, and actually started two games at safety late in the 2004 season.
“It’s a great opportunity right now,” Davis Said. “Guys are down and we are moving guys around everywhere. I’m just excited to be able to get out there and show what I can do. I did come here to learn the inside position. Safety was more of the aberration so to speak. It’s just kind of getting back in there, going with the natural reads for me. It’s not really that challenging, it’s just getting out there and doing it.”
When they signed Gardner I didn't think that he had a chance to make the team. I thought that Don Davis was on the bubble.
It appears that I might be wrong.
Last edited by DefenseRules; 08-09-2006 at 04:16 PM..
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Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
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Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks
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Well, yes ... but, on the other hand, what does that tell us about Monty Beisel?
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Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike the Brit
Well, yes ... but, on the other hand, what does that tell us about Monty Beisel?
That he is bouncing back from an injury and needs to play some catch up (plus he hasn't worked alongside either man yet - chemistry experiment in progress). Patience, it's the preseason.
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When they signed Gardner I didn't think that he had a chance to make the team. I thought that Don Davis was on the bubble.
It appears that I might be wrong.
Has Davis bulked up, or something? I thought he was a borderline safety at one point?
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Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
Barry Gardner should make this team. We've never heard of him, so to us he's a nobody. Yet he was the reason the Eagles felt comfortable letting Jeremiah Trotter leave town a few years ago. Granted it was a downgrade, and it was a 4-3 defense, but he has the necessary intelligence and experience to get some good reps at ILB during the season.
That, plus he plays on all Special Teams. I think Claridge leaving has secured his spot on the team, and he may make Izzo expendable.
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Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
I will put my reputation on the line as an astute observer of football talent and predict that we will be seeing a very improved Monty Biesel this year.
He will not be a Pro Bowl player be he will do an adequate job as ILB. Good enough to take our concerns away.
Re: Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
Gardner and Beisel will be adequate enough for us to keep mentioning Ted Johnson and Phifer who have been finally replaced. Add Alexander and we should be fine inside. And we can't forget Davis and Izzo!!
The worry is still outside depth. How healthy and effective will Chad Brown be? Will Banta-Cain step up. Will we get help from someone else? If Brown is healthy and effective, we should be fine.
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Originally Posted by PATSNUTme
I will put my reputation on the line as an astute observer of football talent and predict that we will be seeing a very improved Monty Biesel this year.
He will not be a Pro Bowl player be he will do an adequate job as ILB. Good enough to take our concerns away.
Don Davis and Barry Gardner are the men in the middle?
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