patsox23

Given all the ink on how the Pats didn't play TBC much in SD and, especially, Indy, I wonder if this is a sign NOT just that the team has seen enough of Banta-Cain, but also that they feel Woods and Mays might be just as capable of producing in the limited way TBC did, and for far less $$$. Similar to the Ethan Kelley situation - where they felt it was time to give him a shot and see if he could fly (he couldn't) - Tully got his chance to show his colors last year. If the reports are true, clearly he wasn't up to the BAR that BB/Pioli set. So, I guess, it could just be an admission of his failure.

My hope, however, is that there's also an element of "Well, these guys could show something so let's move him along so they get THEIR shot."

Obviously it's too early to know any of this, but that's what's on my mind, LB-wise, anyway. (That and drafting at least one on Day One.) Thoughts?

MrBigglesWorth

He was on the bench when Seau was here. He should be a good backup if they get him cheap.

__________________
"There are two categories of superbowl participants that nobody remembers:

The team that lost the game and the team that only won one." Dwight White- Steelers

salty

My thinking is that Belichick and Pioli don't value one dimensional players much, if at all. Banta-Cain has proven to be a pretty good situational pass rusher, but terrible against the run and in coverage. I wouldn't call it a "failure" since he was a 7th round pick, I'd just say that they've probably developed him as much as they think they can and have come to find that he can't take The Next Step. So he'll move on, somebody else will pay him more than he's worth (good for Tully) and the Pats will replace him easily. Thats my take.

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What an off-season!

patsgo

not bad for a 7 round pick, is a good special teamer and good backup , id like to see him stick around he knows the system

AndyJohnson

I think this thinking is a real stretch.
TBC is a backup LB. One LB got injured, so he became the fill in to start.
Against Indy, for reasons we do not know, the coaching staff decided a different backup would be a better matchup in that game. (My personal feeling is that Vrabels play over the years vs the Colts made them think it was best to play him outside rather than inside, so rather than filling the vacant starter spot with an OLB, they filled it with an ILB-Alexander)
I don't know how Woods or Mays would fit into that equation because TBC ultimately played pretty mcuh the entire second half when Colvin and/or Vrabel were out.
IF we assume that the coaching staff felt TBC was a starter waiting to happen.
THEN we assume they were disappointed with what he did as a starter.
THEN we assume that led them to drastically alter their opinion of him.
THEN we assume he was not playing because he lost his job, not just because of matchup differences.
THEN we assume this now means they don't even consider him a viable backup any more.
Then I guess I end up with a similar conclusion (although Woods or Mays wouldhave tobe on the field before him for me to think they surpassed him)
But I have misgivings about ANY of those assumptions.

pats60

Hasn`t played that much against the run until this year.
Give him another chance if the price is right.

Seneschal2

BB can't do anthing more than try and upgrade the position. Whether he wants to just add quality depth, or create competition for the starter's position, his options will always be FA or the draft. TBC can still have a valuable role here. Starter or backup remains to be seen...

__________________
"What we want to try to do is maximize each spot on the roster; we want to be stronger at No. 1 than the opponent, stronger at No. 25 than they are, and stronger at No. 53 than they are, we're always looking to upgrade the talent level on the team, and play together to be functional."
- Bill Belichick -

unoriginal

I thought Ethan Kelley was cut for reporting to camp fat and out of shape? The same reason Robinson-Randall and Woody were shown the door? I've never heard anything like that about TBC.

I still think Indy was about what Vrabel and Alexander brought to the table, not what TBC didn't. When he was in he got a good push against Glenn, and I don't know if his coverage struggles where his own doing, or were the result of a difficult defensive scheme (as Breer seems to think). By the time he got sent in for Colvin Colts receivers were breaking loose all over the place, so it wasn't just TBC.

What we all should remember is that TBC is only the second young linebacker to work his way into the starting lineup. The first was Matt Chatham, and although he never really cut the mustard as a starter Belichick kept him around, because it is just not easy to find and train young linebackers in this system. I think they'll try and hold on to TBC.

cstjohn17

TBC is likely viewed as a player with limited upside, given he is 3rd on the depth chart they may feel that they can get a cheaper player with more upside through the draft or a veteran who can produce more.

I think next week several of the pending free agents will be contacted, some will sign and some will leave. The combine may provide some additional information on the overall depth of the draft.

Players that they may try to get something done with Evans, Gay (RFA), Izzo, Yates, Bulla-Cain.

All of the ERFA will likely get signed soon as well. Mostly just noise, the real fun starts March 2 when free agency begins.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

He is a piece of **** in my book. Let him sign with the Jets.