Is Bruschi a guaranteed starter on opening day?

[PATRIOT64]

I know we all love and respect Tedy but we all realize he has slowed down the past 2 years and his role at this point is as a mentor to Mayo and the younger guys and maybe BB could decide its time to start a new player at ILB next to Mayo.

Bruschi did have a decent season in 08 with him being up in tackles but speed is the question now,actually it has been for the last 2 years.

Does anyone think if Bruschi does not have a great camp or preseason and looks a little worn that BB would decide to start either Lenon or Guyton opposite Mayo at the inside spot and only use Bruschi in a 3 or 4 man rotation and less on the field than years before?

Could the starter next to Mayo be someone other than 54 on opening night?

I doubt it,I think BB has too much respect for Tedy to not start but if there is a situation that one of the other guys is better at that time on opening day,does BB pull the plug and go with youth at ILB??

I think Bruschi faces some serious competition for the job this year with young talent and speed all around the roster at the position,although experience is definately the asset he has a huge edge over anyone.

 

[signbabybrady]

Bruschi likely will be playing in a roatation but he also likely will be in more on run plays so that leads to him being first out the gate in a rotation.

 

[SmokeShowin]

Tedy is my absolute favorite player, but I believe that BB will do what is in the best interest of the team. He may start, he may not. We'll have to wait and see what happens in training camp. I have no doubt that this is his last year in uniform, and I agree that he is more of a mentor. But I also wouldn't put it past him to give 200% and go out with a HUGE bang! #54 gets another ring! Give em hell Tedy!

It will be a sad day when Tedy hangs up the cleats.

 

[patriot lifer]

so long as he doesn't play like Chad Brown, he'll be in there starting

 

[jmt57]

I seriously doubt that Tedy Bruschi is not the opening night starter. However, I would not be the least bit surprised that either Guyton or Lenon ends up on the field for more snaps than Bruschi when the statistics for the 2009 season are added up.

 

[PATRIOT64]

so long as he doesn't play like Chad Brown, he'll be in there starting

I look at Tedy like I did at Zach Thomas who I think resembles his career a little - Undersized,Major force on defense when in their prime and never mentioned when it comes to big plays during a game and both now well on the downside - Both will enter their teams HOF but both will never make it to Canton.

The sad thing is that Thomas will never see a ring,At least OUR 54 can say he has climbed the mountain 3 times and hopefully 4 this season.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I'm pretty sure he will start. However, I think Guyton gets majority of the snaps this season, especially if the Pats jump out to early leads.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Definitely not. I think he's the odds-on favorite to be the opening day starter, but would anyone be shocked if Lenon or Guyton beat him out?

 

[PATRIOT64]

Definitely not. I think he's the odds-on favorite to be the opening day starter, but would anyone be shocked if Lenon or Guyton beat him out?

We forgot one guy who may beat a few guys out at ILB - He is a guy that played ILB in camp last year and reportably did pretty well at the transition as a hybrid player until his injury ended that dream - Tank Williams

 

[RayClay]

We forgot one guy who may beat a few guys out at ILB - He is a guy that played ILB in camp last year and reportably did pretty well at the transition as a hybrid player until his injury ended that dream - Tank Williams

He's not going to "beat out" linebackers.

He's not a linebacker, he's listed at 223 lbs.

He'll be doing what Rodney did sometimes, it's a hybrid position, it's not playing inside linebacker at 220 lbs.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Bill will do whats best for the team. Respect will have nothing to do with it. He respected Milloy, even when he was saying goodbye to him. Tedy has slowed, but will probably be the starter, mainly on 1st, 2nd downs. He can still contribute, but only in doses. Im really curious about Lenon, and Guyton. Can't wait for camp.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Situational defense.

 

[farn]

Most people have got it right - he'll be in there for running plays, therefore "starting", but the others might see more action overall.

I don't think that it's a guarantee he's the starter, but I'd wish he wasn't. That is - I wish there was someone on the roster to replace him... but right now : he's as good as any. I like, but do not love Guyton at this point.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Nobody is a guaranteed starter.

Not Bruschi, not Wilfork, not even Brady. Whoever plays the best in camp and convinces the coaches he gives the team the best oppertunity to win will start.

 

[satz]

He is the 2 down LB. he is a DE who plays big and blocks gaurds. Who is the heck is going take on 300 LB gaurds on the running downs.
also what speed do you need to block a pulling gaurd or tackle.these guys are 300 lb. Are you saying bru is slower than a oline man rumbling along ????????

Tank Willams is 223 lb --- 2 wacks by a 300 lb gaurd he is done
Lenon - wow another 230 lb guy who has never played against gaurds on every down. i can see him IR pretty soon if you suddenly ask him to handle gaurds in close quaters 2 downs.
Guyton - He is long lanky and fast. He brings speed to ILB position while not lossing alot of weight in the gut.......why does every one want this guys to bulkup/slow down or take on gaurds.

Why can`t we use the strength of the above 3 in coverage of TE or Fast RB and not force them to take on 300 LB tackles and gaurds who are going to lead to injury and loss in speed.

News flash YOU DO NOT NEED SPEED TO PLAY ILB IN RUNNING DOWN AS YOU ARE ONLY BLOCKING A GAURD WHO IS 300 LB AND NOT FAST.WHAT YOU NEED IS LEVERAGE,TECHINIQUE AND EXPERIENCE TO HANDLE THIS GUYS IN VERY CLOSE SPACE.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I seriously doubt that Tedy Bruschi is not the opening night starter. However, I would not be the least bit surprised that either Guyton or Lenon ends up on the field for more snaps than Bruschi when the statistics for the 2009 season are added up.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with this.

 

[Rob0729]

Well, it depends on what you consider a starter. I think Bruschi will be the guy who goes on the field the first play of every game since he will most likely be a situational run down ILB. But I don't know if he will play much more than first and second downs and only second downs that would be most likely running plays.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I am also a Bru fan but as most have already pointed out, he is at best a situational player at this point in his career. Keep in mind he did not register a sack last year, or in the last two years been able to force a fumble or make an interception.

In 2008, before injuring his knee, he played in 52% of the D's snaps last year which should be less in this upcomming year. At the end of the day, if you factor in his age, lack of the type of game-changing production he normally provided to the team and with the emergence of Gary Guyton (6'3" 250), if he starts, it'll be based on respect- not production. Additionally, on some passing downs, you may see AD move to the inside and let Woods and Crable russ the QB.

 

[DaBruinz]

He is the 2 down LB. he is a DE who plays big and blocks gaurds. Who is the heck is going take on 300 LB gaurds on the running downs.
also what speed do you need to block a pulling gaurd or tackle.these guys are 300 lb. Are you saying bru is slower than a oline man rumbling along ????????

Tank Willams is 223 lb --- 2 wacks by a 300 lb gaurd he is done
Lenon - wow another 230 lb guy who has never played against gaurds on every down. i can see him IR pretty soon if you suddenly ask him to handle gaurds in close quaters 2 downs.
Guyton - He is long lanky and fast. He brings speed to ILB position while not lossing alot of weight in the gut.......why does every one want this guys to bulkup/slow down or take on gaurds.

Why can`t we use the strength of the above 3 in coverage of TE or Fast RB and not force them to take on 300 LB tackles and gaurds who are going to lead to injury and loss in speed.

News flash YOU DO NOT NEED SPEED TO PLAY ILB IN RUNNING DOWN AS YOU ARE ONLY BLOCKING A GAURD WHO IS 300 LB AND NOT FAST.WHAT YOU NEED IS LEVERAGE,TECHINIQUE AND EXPERIENCE TO HANDLE THIS GUYS IN VERY CLOSE SPACE.

Just some food for thought. Lenon was a starter in Detroit. He's shown to be good in rushing and passing situations and he's closer to 240 than 230. I think your statement about Lenon not taking on guards every down, while true, shows a lack of understanding about the defense he came from. He was playing in a 4-3, so, no, he wouldn't be going against guards every down. But, when you look at Bruschi, you also realize that Bruschi has never done that either. So, its not a fair statement to make.

There is a slight chance that either Lenon or Guyton replace Bruschi, though both are more likely to see a lot of playing time on Special teams instead of starting.

Now, before anyone goes ballistic. I'm not touting Lenon as a starter. I just believe that he's shown that he's gotten better with age rather than worse. And I think that, with the injury to McKenzie, Lenon could end up being a very big piece of this Patriots team. Especially if he can excel at the WILB position.

 

[Deus Irae]

Nobody is a guaranteed starter.

Not Bruschi, not Wilfork, not even Brady. Whoever plays the best in camp and convinces the coaches he gives the team the best oppertunity to win will start.

Unless someone produces photos of Brady sleeping with BB's MILF, Brady is a guaranteed starter.