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SOMEONE MAKE THE CASE FOR MCKENZIE
And, please use some other argument than he hasn't been given a chance. We have three young solid ILBs signed at least through 2011. Mayo on one side and Guyton and Spikes splitting the other.
The #4 ILB gets almost no reps. In 2009, even with the injury to Mayo, the #3 ILB was included on 12% of defensive reps, the #4 on less than 1% of the defensive reps.
This year we expect MORE reps from Mayo, and for Spikes and Guyton to split the reps on the other side. This leaves the same 1% or less for the #4.
So, what good is a #4 ILB at all. The #4 ILB spot has been used for years as a label for a top special teamer: for Davis, for Izzo and for Alexander.
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In what way is McKenzie and upgrade over Alexander?
I admit to ahving McKenzie on my roster. Reiss put him back after receiving such abuse after excluding him last week.
Last edited by mgteich; 08-26-2010 at 01:40 PM..
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1) Guyton's skill-set is very limited. He's ideally a passing-down specialist, and McKenzie, who's pretty much the opposite, is a good compliment to that. As of now, none of our DEs command a double team, which makes it all the more necessary that our ILBs be able to take on guards straight-up. Guyton can't do that effectively, which makes him even more of a liability on non-passing downs. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats keep McKenzie just to make sure that Guyton isn't rotating onto the field on running downs.
2) Injury insurance: he ensures that Mayo will not be forced into the regular SILB role, and that Guyton won't have to become an every-down ILB by necessity. In the event that Spikes is injured or hits the rookie wall, or anything like that, his presence on the team improves both ILB positions.
Is that worth a roster spot? I think so, although I can see the other side of the debate. either way, I see those reasons as being why he makes the team.
Potentially very solid depth, ie: if someone gets hurt, we still have a good 3-man rotation.
That said, I don't dislike Alexander and think he's ok for a stop-gap at ILB if he's rotational.
I dunno, it's a tough call to make. I guess the only thing might be potential and the fact he'll almost definitely get picked up and might be great. Lotsa maybes there, though.
I guess he just has untapped potential. We already know what Alexander is will always be.
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He has far more upside than Guyton IMO. His reps have been limited due to the number of reps givento Spikes (as a rookie who will be starting this is a good thing. When given the opportunity he has done some good things in the preseason games (haven't seen him in practice). Made tackles when the ball run to his side, what stood out to me (have to review the snaps against Atl) he had 2 passes defended.
I don't think you get rid of a young player with his skills in the case of an injury to the top 3 I would much rather have him on the field than Alexander.
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1) Guyton's skill-set is very limited. He's ideally a passing-down specialist, and McKenzie, who's pretty much the opposite, is a good compliment to that. As of now, none of our DEs command a double team, which makes it all the more necessary that our ILBs be able to take on guards straight-up. Guyton can't do that effectively, which makes him even more of a liability on non-passing downs. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats keep McKenzie just to make sure that Guyton isn't rotating onto the field on running downs.
2) Injury insurance: he ensures that Mayo will not be forced into the regular SILB role, and that Guyton won't have to become an every-down ILB by necessity. In the event that Spikes is injured or hits the rookie wall, or anything like that, his presence on the team improves both ILB positions.
Is that worth a roster spot? I think so, although I can see the other side of the debate. either way, I see those reasons as being why he makes the team.
The bolded should end the debate. This way, Mayo stays where he belongs and Guyton doesn't have to see time on first and second down.
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I think the illusion is that there are three everyday, every play ILB spots. There aren't. In 2009 Mayo and Guyton played every play when they were healthy. Seau played when Mayo was down. No one else (that is Alexander) played in more than 1% of the defensive reps.
In 2008, Bruschi and Guyton essentially shared the spot opposite Mayo, with Guyton as a passing down specialist.
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We all (including Belichick) thought that we could be upgraded by moving Guyton back to playing primarily on passing downs. The choice for the run-stopping ILB were Spikes and McKenzie. Spikes is our starter. McKenzie showed nothing.
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Backup ILB's should be top special teamers. Guyton certainly is one; besides he has shown that he is a reasonable option as a starter. The #4 ILB will get almost no reps at ILB, even if Mayo is injured (Guyton would just play more as he did last year). We don't need an injury backup for Spikes (Guyton would play more as he did last year). I suppose that we could us a backup for Guyton; but it seems we can just have Spikes play more.
So, we know what Alexander adds in case of injury (almost zero). We know what he adds every day: a solid, actioe special teamer.
What does McKenzie add in case of injury. I don't think he adds much. And he is NOT a top sepcial teamer.
Let's start (and end?) with this: regardless of his perceived value on S|Ts, Eric Alexander f-ing SUCKS at football. McKenzie is essentially a rookie, and is a guy who the team was said to be quite high on coming out last year. We're seriously letting him go this fast? No chance. And since when is 4 ILB enough for a 3-4 team?
That ends the debate only if you would rather have McKenzie and Spikes starting instead of Guyton and Spikes.
McKenzie has not shown the ability to be a starter. Guyton had done so.
That is the debate. Apparently you are ready to start McKenzie it Mayo goes down again. I am not.
I could find articles from three weeks ago saying how impressive McKenzie looked in camp. Now because they want Spikes to play, he's a has been.
Tough to be in show biz. Every player isn't getting a chance to shine and they aren't all going from impressive big hitter to washed up over a few weeks either.
Someone: Make The Case For McKenzie
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