PFW analyzes last OTA for the year

[ALP]

Official Patriots Football Weekly Blog

highlight:

"–Eric Alexander continues to get a lot of reps, many alongside Tedy Bruschi, at inside linebacker in various defensive packages."


im pretty sure that less than 50% of us have eric making the final roster....i know i didnt have him in the final 53....

 

[Deus Irae]

Alexander has been one of the whipping boys, albeit a seldom mentioned one due to his injury/special teams status. I don't know his future, but he's carved out a nice career for himself and I hope he's saved his money.

 

[JSn]

Alexander has been one of the whipping boys, albeit a seldom mentioned one due to his injury/special teams status. I don't know his future, but he's carved out a nice career for himself and I hope he's saved his money.

I can't see him beating Guyton for that ILB spot, personally.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I can't see him beating Guyton for that ILB spot, personally.

I can't believe that is even considered. Alexander makes the team because McKenzie got injured. If anybody starts at MLB over Bruschi, it's Guyton. In fact, I really hope Guyton is starting opening day.

 

[JSn]

I can't believe that is even considered. Alexander makes the team because McKenzie got injured. If anybody starts at MLB over Bruschi, it's Guyton. In fact, I really hope Guyton is starting opening day.

Me too, but I think he'll be rotational until mid-season no matter how good he does.

 

[BPF]

Didn't Fernando Bryant look good early last year? Sometimes we read too much into the offseason OTAs. Not saying what will happen one way or another but it's way too early to form any sort of a long term opinion/view.

My big question is, where is Mayo? Is he rehabbing? What is holding him back? Again, it's early but I'd like to know what the deal is.

 

[VJCPatriot]

"Darius Butler stepped in front of Greg Lewis to pick off a Brian Hoyer pass on an in-cut in group work. Butler has been up-and-down at points in OTA work, but he’s gotten his hands on the ball on a pretty regular basis."

It would be really nice if Butler could develop quickly. But I'm hoping that Bodden and Springs look good enough that it will be more like a bonus than a necessity.

I'm not sure if Alexander even makes the team. I'd hope that Guyton could beat out Alexander. In any case is the other starting ILB going to stay Bruschi for now?

 

[ALP]

I can't see him beating Guyton for that ILB spot, personally.

The dillema isnt with Guyton, whos the #3 ILB, but for the #4 IB spot is open, and id rather mcKenzie get it, but since his injured, i want anyone over Eric LOL

unless he turns into a completely different player

 

[Pats726]

Maybe he's getting reps to give him a "step up and do it" sort of thing or be ST only...That could be part of that..Give him a shot to see if he can fill the shoes. He is a solid ST player.

 

[Patjew]

Didn't Fernando Bryant look good early last year? Sometimes we read too much into the offseason OTAs. Not saying what will happen one way or another but it's way too early to form any sort of a long term opinion/view.

My big question is, where is Mayo? Is he rehabbing? What is holding him back? Again, it's early but I'd like to know what the deal is.

Mayo hasn't been out there?

 

[satz]

Me too, but I think he'll be rotational until mid-season no matter how good he does.

Could you explain this to me. Brushi is bigger and was a DE so is better on playing inside taking on gaurds. Guyton was in on 3rd down in coverage packages. Am i missing something here ?, 2 different skill sets.You want guyton to tackle and play gaurds in 1st and 2nd downs ?.
He got injured when he did that when bru went down. Do you think he can suddenly develop this technique and strenght to take on 300 LB gaurds.The side effect is gaining more weight and lossing speed. I think he is exceptional in coverage and i hate loss that skill set. a step slower and players like leon washington are going to be unstoppable[referring his last year matchup where he did an exceptional job].

I also wanted to add that bru makes mayo very effective . If you rewatch the jets game where mayo had the coming out party bru was leading him taking the gaurd and leaving mayo to be so much better. i cannot imagine guyton doing the same reducing mayo`s effect on the defence.

 

[BelichickFan]

Mayo hasn't been out there?

He's missed all the OTAs but has been a regular at Foxboro. We'll probably hear that he had some kind of procedure done during the offseason - it may not be until he writes an autobiography that we hear about it though

 

[Patjew]

He's missed all the OTAs but has been a regular at Foxboro. We'll probably hear that he had some kind of procedure done during the offseason - it may not be until he writes an autobiography that we hear about it though

Thanks for the info. I hope he shows up strong at camp, that is one man we need.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Maybe BB decided to hold the Mayo, keeping him fresh for the season?

 

[BradyManny]

It could be that Eric Alexander, Paris Lenon & Tank Williams are probably fighting for 1-2 spots on the roster, or maybe they all make it and we take spots away from OLB or DL, who knows.

 

[JSn]

Could you explain this to me. Brushi is bigger and was a DE so is better on playing inside taking on gaurds. Guyton was in on 3rd down in coverage packages. Am i missing something here ?, 2 different skill sets.You want guyton to tackle and play gaurds in 1st and 2nd downs ?.
He got injured when he did that when bru went down. Do you think he can suddenly develop this technique and strenght to take on 300 LB gaurds.The side effect is gaining more weight and lossing speed. I think he is exceptional in coverage and i hate loss that skill set. a step slower and players like leon washington are going to be unstoppable[referring his last year matchup where he did an exceptional job].

I also wanted to add that bru makes mayo very effective . If you rewatch the jets game where mayo had the coming out party bru was leading him taking the gaurd and leaving mayo to be so much better. i cannot imagine guyton doing the same reducing mayo`s effect on the defence.

Bro, Guyton is a whopping 5 pounds smaller than Bru and 2 inches taller.
That's hardly a major size compromise. He could probably put on a little bit of bulk without losing much in speed.

I think Guyton can definitely develop into an every down back. I don't think his ankle injury was because he was too little...

 

[satz]

Bro, Guyton is a whopping 5 pounds smaller than Bru and 2 inches taller.
That's hardly a major size compromise. He could probably put on a little bit of bulk without losing much in speed.

I think Guyton can definitely develop into an every down back. I don't think his ankle injury was because he was too little...

Dude i do not think they are build similar. guyton is more lanky and with longer legs and torso of an atheletic who can run fast. Bru is more compact and has a lower center for leverage.completely different body type.

I am lanky with long legs and legs...i am 6 3 ,245 lbs and look skinny that is just my body type i met people who ave huge belly and weight the same at 6 2.

 

[JSn]

Dude i do not think they are build similar. guyton is more lanky and with longer legs and torso of an atheletic who can run fast. Bru is more compact and has a lower center for leverage.completely different body type.

I am lanky with long legs and legs...i am 6 3 ,245 lbs and look skinny that is just my body type i met people who ave huge belly and weight the same at 6 2.

I get what you're saying. But I think the league is shifting and guys like Guyton need to be able to train to stop the run.

My other thought is this: Bru won't be here much longer. So can a Tandem of Mayo and Guyton start? I think so, personally. I understand your concerns, for sure, I just think it's doable.

 

[ALP]

i agree with satz....Guyton is NOT run stopper....we need to find another starting ILB who can play 1st and 2nd down....and then guyton will come in on select 2nd, and 3rd downs, or obvious passing downs...

i highly doubt guyton can become a starting LB for us, especially in the SILB position, which even Bruschi is not supposed to be in, (hes most suited for the WILB, which is what mayo plays)