BradyManny

Pats defensive snapshot vs. Falcons - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

For two weeks, Mike Reiss has been killing on McKenzie for coming into the game after Fletcher (week 1) and Alexander (week 2).

His analysis makes no sense - obviously, McKenzie plays a different position than those two guys. Fletcher and Alexander backup Mayo on the weakside. McKenzie backs up Spikes on the strongside. We've never heard of McKenzie taking any substantial reps at any position other than SILB at practice. Likewise, we've never heard of Fletcher/Alexander taking reps at positions other than WILB.

They play different positions. I think users in his comment section have even pointed this out to him each week.

The end result is he's trying to make a bold analysis (McKenzie could be cut b/c he's the 4th LB into the game) when the foundation for that analysis is way off. Reiss may be my favorite blogger, but its an amateurish mistake, and he's misleading his readers. If McKenzie is going to get cut, it's b/c they feel depth at Strongside Inside linebacker is good enough without him - Eric Alexander, Dane Fletcher, Jerod Mayo and anyone who mans the WILB spot have little to do with him.

betterthanthealternative

I think Reiss, and all of these new guys, just don't work very hard. Maybe its just because all the info is available to everyone all the time now, so nobody has to work hard. But they definitely seem to get lazy at times.

patchick

Reiss left McKenzie off his roster projection a week ago, too. That's his out-on-a-limb prediction and he's sticking to it. If he turns out to be right, we should all tip our caps to him. But if he turns out to be wrong...in a situation where it appears that only boneheaded misunderstanding could lead him to his conclusion...well.

Personally, I see the extra time for Alexander & Fletcher as a reflection of Guyton's absence more than anything.

5 Rings for Brady!!

McKenzie's roster spot looks much more tentative now than I thought originally, and it would not surprise me in the least if he is released. They just have other guys at other positions who add more value to the team, including probably Alexander. I think Reiss was right in pointing out McKenize's precarious position, and we will find out pretty soon anyway.

patriot lifer

in the first preseason game when Mayo came out of the game who was it that lined up next to Spikes? I seem to think it was Fletcher, who I assume was playing WILB (ahead of McKenzie).

Reiss wouldn't be coming out of left-field. Maybe some strange injury will befall one of our Inside LB's and they are placed on IR.

__________________
2013 Season:

Nate Solder (6'8" 320 lbs)
Seabass (6'8" 320 lbs)
Rob Gronkowski (6'6" 265 lbs)
Jake Ballard (6'6" 275 lbs)
Logan Mankins (6'4" 320 lbs) (100% recovered)
Dan Connolly (6'4" 320 lbs)
Marcus Cannon (6'5" 340 lbs) (Switch to Guard??)

RB: Ridley, Vereen, Washington, Bolden

patsfan13

This is bad analysis by Reiss IMO. Alexander and Fletcher are competing for a spot. McKenzie is going to be backing up Spikes. MAyo doesn't need as many reps as Spikes who will be starting as a rookie and needs the extra reps. McKenzie has played well when he has been in especially against the pass.

HE is a lock IMO. I will be shocked if he were cut.

__________________
"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

DaBruinz

I made it a point to watch McKenzie during the 2 pre-season games and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. I'm not sure where his fire was, but he didn't seem to me to have it like he did during the practices.

But, I will say this. It's still early yet and there is plenty of improvement for this kid to make and I believe we'll be watching him the next few years.

patriot lifer

we'll have to pay mind to whether or not McKenzie is playing on first-team special teams next game. Reiss will likely post something covering who is in the first unit.

__________________
2013 Season:

Nate Solder (6'8" 320 lbs)
Seabass (6'8" 320 lbs)
Rob Gronkowski (6'6" 265 lbs)
Jake Ballard (6'6" 275 lbs)
Logan Mankins (6'4" 320 lbs) (100% recovered)
Dan Connolly (6'4" 320 lbs)
Marcus Cannon (6'5" 340 lbs) (Switch to Guard??)

RB: Ridley, Vereen, Washington, Bolden

BlueThunder

I project 24 on offense and 26 on defense and 3 ST. Reiss' guess is as good as anyone's when it comes to McKenzie.

WR-6
OL-9
TE-3
QB-2
RB-4

BB could also go with only 8 OL and add an extra RB

DL- 6
LB- 10
CB- 6
S- 4

ST: 3

BB might also go with 5 CB and add an extra DL or LB but I think 6 may be his number.

Some vets or second year players on bubble:

Bussey,Wendell,Ohrnberger,BJGE,Slater,Richard,Alex ander,Woods,Ninkovich,McKenzie,Murrell

PS: Larsen.Welch,Myers,Deaderick,Fletcher,Brown,Robins on, +1

Box_O_Rocks

McKenzie is PSquad eligible.

__________________
"Avert thine eyes! You're not hot enough to be looking at me."
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.