SeymourTrophies

The Ridley fumble is where the game was lost. The offense went roaring down the field after the McCourty pick only to have the ball pop out in stride to a San Fran defender who was quick to oblige. From the start, you could tell. We see these games from the other side of the fence so often, it was a reality check to see the bounces from the side of the lessers.

This defense needs another edge athlete, bottom line. We have a front seven full of big uglies, and we have a somewhat competent secondary with Talib going toe to toe with some impressive wideouts. Our edge guys, be it Jones, Ninko, or whoever, are good for one or two plays a game where they beat their man. We need to go all out to get that guy in the offseason, because we're that guy away from being a defense that can win games for itself. It frees up Vince inside, and it makes everyone else's job easier.

Hightower is quietly a beast. His instincts are second to none. Sure, he struggles in coverage, but every LB in a defense with little pass rush does.

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Forza Roma, Go Pats, Go Sox

Patriot Missile

I agree, I love what Ninkovich does. He has great value to this team and I hope he is extended. Would love to see someone brought in for sub packages who excels at getting to the QB to share time. Having two fresh capable bodies at the end position would be nice. Then again we do have Cunningham coming back which will be huge down the stretch.

SeymourTrophies

For my money, though I don't have much of it particularly during the Christmas season, Cunningham is of the same feather as Ninkovich. They are high motor guys with big hearts, but not game changers. Naturally, one more body to rotate in and out is helpful, particularly when said player has such a knack for skinning interior linemen alive.

I don't know what happened to Chandler Jones. Even before his injury he had fallen off from his first couple of games. I was on the Patriots website ordering my Chandler Jones jersey after he dominated a series against the Cards with a pressure, a drawn hold, and a false start. Even when he wasn't beating his man, he was commanding his edge. Now he's just another one of those guys who will give and take sporadically.

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Forza Roma, Go Pats, Go Sox

ThatllMoveTheChains!!!

The 49ers scored 24 points off of ~70yds of offense... The D was pretty solid all game, but was continuously left out to dry. Really the only difference between the first and 2nd half is the D came up short bailing out the O and STs were as in the 1st half they'd bail them out and then give up long drives on their own. If the rest of the Pats were playing up to par it's fair to say the 49ers would've struggled to even get 17pts.

One bit of worry is the 49ers seemed to have a game plan to go for the end zone once they got inside of the Pats' 40. They seemed to be pretty effective at this and it allowed them to bypass the Pats stingy goal line D. I think the Pats are going to have to be careful moving forward in that area of the field.

aluminum seats

He's a rookie. That's all. And now he's a rookie who's coming off an injury. He'll be terrific.

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"So I'm going to throw myself against the wall...
'Cause I'd rather feel bad than not feel anything at all."

aluminum seats

I feel bad nobody's taking you up on this, so....

HA HA YOU IDIOTIC HOMER!! WHERE'S YOUR MESSIAH NOW?? PATS ARE TEH SUCK!!!

There you go.

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"So I'm going to throw myself against the wall...
'Cause I'd rather feel bad than not feel anything at all."

Marqui

100% agree. I don't get what the obsession is with Ninkovich. The defense will never be great with him starting.

mayoclinic

I love Nink, but I've been saying a stud LDE is our top defensive priority for 2013 for a while.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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Marqui

He's a good football player but he's an Arrington level player. Would be excellent in a back up/rotational role but does more harm than good as a full-time starter.

mgteich

1) Sure, I'd like a premier pass-rushing LDE. Stud LDE's are hard to get given where we pick. Every team would like a stud, pass-rushing DE. I'm fine with Ninkovich, Jones, Wilfork, Deaderick, Francis, Love, and Cunningham. I would note that we have 2-3 youngsters in that group who should develop.

2) You must be assuming that we are re-signing Talib, Vollmer and Welker. I'm fine with our safety situation for 2013. Are you?