PatsFanStnfrd

Carlos Dunlap was the Bengals pick right behind the Pats selecting Jermaine Cunningham in round 2 of the 2010 draft. Dunlap had a terrific year masked by being on a terrible team. Dunlap was second among all rookies in QB sacks last year, narrowly second to Suh. An article on the Bengals website headlined "Reason for Optimism" points out:

"Dunlap finished with 9.5 sacks to break the Bengals rookie mark of 8.5 that had been set by defensive end Justin Smith in 2001. Dunlap had more than three times as many sacks as his closest teammate—rookie defensive tackle Geno Atkins was second at 3.0—and Dunlap became the first rookie to lead the Bengals in sacks since 1990, when linebacker James Francis had 8.0."

It goes on to say: "To be sure, Dunlap ended the season as the hottest pass rushing rookie in the NFL. He had 8.5 of his sacks over the last six games."

Reason for optimism

In short, Dunlap alone had nearly as many sacks as all of Pats OLB combined.

So, while a lot of people bemoan BB missing out on Clay Matthews a few years ago, there has been understandably less focus on BB passing over Dunlap. IF memory serves right, Dunlap had several "attitude" marks against him. He was said to inconsistent in some Florida games (which college player isn't?). But he certainly had the measurables and the broader college record that BB could look to (unlike Matthews). In fact, numerous draft "experts" had Dunlap a potential Pats pick -- precisely because of his measurables, record and Pats need at DE/OLB. I also recognize that the jury is out on Cunningham. I also understand that the players performance varies with scheme. But that's why BB is there -- to coach someone like Dunlap to play in his scheme.

Thus BB's pick of Cunningham -- and how he performs vs. Dunlap's performance going forward -- could be a defining one to watch in the long standing Pats search for an anchor pass rusher who can get the opposing QB.

Oswlek

Perhaps, but performance as a 4/3 end isn't easily transferrable to performance as a 3/4 OLB. It stands to reason that Dunlap is the better pass rusher because BB certainly would have used Jermaine more in sub rushing situations if he was a 10 sack talent. That said, Jermaine displayed a well rounded OLB game, which is a lot to say for any rookie, let alone a rookie who missed most of camp and all of the preseason.

Time will tell, but I'm comfortable with the decision at the moment.

__________________
"They have one objective," said Washington cornerback Shawn Springs. "They whoop people's [backsides]. If you understand that, it answers all your questions. They might not lose [this year]."

Professor Frink

I don't think just looking at sacks (overrated stat IMO) is a fair way of evaluating the two players. How consistently can Dunlap set the edge? How comfortable is he in dropping back into coverage? Can he play standing up?

I understand that he has more explosiveness, and perhaps he may be a better overall pass rusher, but that is only part of the equation.

Right now all we know is both rookies preformed pretty well in their respective systems, and I bet both teams are pretty happy with their selections.

patchick

I was high on Dunlap in the draft, and very surprised that they took Cunningham instead. But BB got up close and personal with that whole Florida roster and presumably got frank assessments from their coaches, too.

It could be that Dunlap's straight-line style athleticism didn't project well to the job here. Or it could be that Dunlap's character questions didn't project to the championship-caliber locker room that BB & Caserio have been so deliberately building. (Remember that Cunningham, not Dunlap, was a captain at Florida.)

In either case, success in Cinci's 4-3 defense and locker room full of miscreants doesn't necessarily reflect on what Dunlap's value would have been with the Patriots.

ctpatsfan77

I'm trying to remember who it was that tried to impress BB by getting a sack, only to have BB ream him out for ignoring his responsibilities (the gist of BB's anger was that if they had tried to run the ball instead of pass, it would have been an almost certain huge gain/touchdown).

__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

E Belichick Unum

What are you doing, accusing BB of making a mistake? Why here at BBManLove.com, that is cause for virtual disembowelment with a used kicking tee or a rabid cat.

For the record, the mantra here is:
1) Sacks don't matter, if they did matter BB would have surely addessed the situation years ago.
2) BB is always right, and when he is wrong it is because everybody else is wrong, not BB.
3) Did I mention that sacks don't matter?
4) It is a good thing that the nose tackle led the team in sacks last year, I mean, somebody had to do it and Brady wasn't available.
5) BB the GM is infallable, while BB the coach is the best ever.
and number
6) BB never gets wet, he walks on water.

And this is from a BB fan, a guy who had the audacity to question why BB didn't add a pass rusher, and between the BB ball sucking and the BB lollipoping I found out that I knew nothing about football, because I was told so in no uncertain terms.

Oswlek

Hyperbole much?

Sacks don't matter?

How exactly is pointing out that 10 sacks as a starter in Cincy doesn't tell us much about how he would have fared as part-time OLB here? Or is that pass rush bug up your arse buzz so loudly that you can't hear anything else?

__________________
"They have one objective," said Washington cornerback Shawn Springs. "They whoop people's [backsides]. If you understand that, it answers all your questions. They might not lose [this year]."

Tasco

would love more info on that! never heard this happened!

Sciz

Success in one scheme does not imply hypothetical success in another.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

mgteich

I agree 100% with all these comments. The choice was between Dunlop and Cuinningham. There is no reason to question the choice that Belichick made.