supafly

As guys like Fanane, Pryor, and G.Warren are nowhere to be seen so far, what is the general consensus for defensive line positional predictions as we move into a period to wrap up the last 3 preseason games (10 day period starting Monday vs PHI)?

I'm guessing 16 myself for front seven:

1.Wilfork
2.Deaderick
3.Love
4.Ninkovich
5.Mayo
6.Cunningham
7.Brace
8.Bequette
9.Hightower
10.Jones
11.Scott
12.Spikes
13.Francis

14.Either one OR two of Carpenter, Tarpinian, T.White as our "coverage" LB(s) who will also play special teams. That will either take us up to 14 or 15.

There's a big difference between 14 and 15 though, as we certainly would need more big bodies for the front line.

I'm not as worried about Pryor myself, as I am about Fanane.

Warren was already a bubble/shadow roster player as it was, but has use in run heavy packages and has experience in this system--especially if Fanane and Pryor end up on PUP (EDIT: as mayoclinic correctly points out, Fanane has already taken practice reps in TC, therefore making him ineligible for PUP...so that's my mistake)

Obviously the popular thought will be that either: one or more of these guys will not be out for too long + the idea of picking up another teams' castoff.

At any rate, we seem to have a slight problem with some depth on the defensive line if more than one of these guys is expected to miss any time. It could have been argued that we needed more depth and competition before this too.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

Fencer

My take.

Heavies
2 needed at once; need endurance to deal with double-teams. Would need 3 in a 3-4 base.

1.Wilfork
2.Deaderick
3.Love
7.Brace

At least one more is needed; if that's your point, you're absolutely correct. I'd say Fanene, then Warren.

Lighter ends and rushing-specialist LBs
2 needed at once; traditionally this is an endurance-need/rotate-the-guys role

4.Ninkovich
6.Cunningham
8.Bequette
10.Jones
11.Scott
13.Francis

6 is a nice to have. Not sure if it's absolutely needed. Is Francis that good? Will Andre Carter be available at the Pats' price? Does also provide LB depth, and perhaps 3 of these tuys might play at once.

Unarguably LBs
3 needed on base-package downs, 2 otherwise (and in some but not all 3-4 base configurations)

5.Mayo
9.Hightower
12.Spikes
14.Either one OR two of Carpenter, Tarpinian, T.White as our "coverage" LB(s) who will also play special teams.

I say 2 of the STers, else things get thin the moment Spikes is hurt again.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

supafly

I am thinking 2 of the ST LB'ers myself, Fencer. I think that Carpenter is looking pretty good for a spot, and was seen calling plays from the defensive huddle today. More assignments can often lead to a better chance of making the team, especially in Carpenter's situation with Fletcher being out now.

The other position will likely be a battle between Tarpinian and White, as White is finally healthy. That will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

For the 6 lighter ends/rushing specialists I just have a gut feeling that Cunningham gets a chance to stay another year. If not, it will likely come down to Cunningham vs Scott in my opinion.

At any rate I still see 16 front seven players, with an additional big body added--whether or not Fanane is fine. That could also raise competition for Brace too. I personally don't see Carter coming back unless it is into the regular season, which is a possibility. Warren should be a close phone call away too, or will be signed after the 1st game to avoid the guaranteed salary (what they did last yr IIRC). Pryor will likely be a PUP spot, seeing as how he hasn't had any TC reps + the fact that we could possibly use an interior sub guy later in the season.

That would leave 9 DB's to make 25 on defense total.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

Marqui

Based on the Saints game I'd say Cunningham is pretty much a lock at this point. He was the first DE off the bench and was effective rushing the passer and holding up against the run. He also lined up at DT on passing downs a couple times.

mgteich

I agree with you comments.

HEAVIES (5)
We need at least five. Fanene is my #5, although the position could go to Warren.
Wilfork, Deaderick, Love, Brace, Fanene, (Warren)

LIGHTER DE'S AND PASS-RUSHING OLB'S (5)
Francis is the odd man out. Scott and Cunningham have done well enough to stay.
Ninkovich, Jones, Bequette, Cunningham, Scott

UNARGUABLY LINEBACKERS (4)
Carpenter competed with Fletcher for the fourth spot. It is now his.
Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Carpenter

SPECIAL TEAMS (1)
Niko seems to be the best choice at this point. This give us 2 LB/ST specialists: Carpenter and Koutouvides.

NUMBER 16 (1)
This could go to a 6th DT (Warren), a developmental player (Francis) or a Special Teamer (White, Tarpinian or even a safety). Personally, I would chose Warren. There always seems to be an injury at DT.

Ivan

I don't know how bad the injury to Fanene is but short of IR there is no way I see him left off this roster.

BradyManny

Geez, I forgot about Fanene.

When did he last practice? Minicamps when he tweeked something?

signbabybrady

Not sure you guys were doing this with any sort of order in mind but I found it interesting all three of you wrote Wilfork, Deadrick, then Love. To me the two best DL we have wide bodied or not right now are Wilfork and Love.

I dont think people realize how good Love is he had a real good year last year and looks confident and is a beast out there. I think he had 4 sacks last year and would think that number will be about the same but I think he will be a better all around player. I think he seems to be stronger and more stout and I expect his reps will go up somewhat from last year.

I said widebodied or not so hopefully he quickly becomes 3 behind Vince and Jones but right now I say 2.

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BradyFTW!

I agree that 16 should probably go to a DT, but I also wouldn't be at all surprised to see Francis beat out Scott, or even Cunningham if his resurgence has been overstated.

patchick

Yep, a lot of short memories here. By all accounts Fanene had a great start to camp, and there's still plenty of time for him to come back. With Pryor presumably on PUP, Fanene's the one real inside rusher on the team and an extremely valuable moving part. Plus the combo of a $3.85 signing bonus and $900k salary = lock.

Here's how I have it, based on the latest we've seen:

Locks/Near-Locks
DT/3-4 DE: Wilfork, Love, Fanene, Deaderick
DE/3-4 OLB: Jones, Ninkovich, Cunningham, Bequette
LB: Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Carpenter

Most Likely Final Spots:
DT/3-4 DE: Brace (Warren on shadow roster)
DE/3-4 OLB: Scott (he's pretty cheap, and my guess is Francis makes the PS)
LB: Tarpinian (this is an ST-first slot, and the coaches see to love him there)