Is Bruschi a guaranteed starter on opening day?

[Box_O_Rocks]

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.

If Tedy starts it will be based on production. Guyton is still listed at 242 on the Patriots.com unofficial roster. I agree Guyton stepped up and had a great rookie season, he's certainly whetting my appetite for more, I expect his reps to increase from last year and Tedy to be used situationally to put his experience into situations where his skills still match the need, but if opponents are playing from behind as we hope, Guyton should be the man.

 

[PATRIOT64]

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.

A starter IMO is considered mostly as a player when healthy is starting on the field at the first snap and has more time in his position during the game than others.

 

[RobertWeathers]

If Tedy starts it will be based on production. Guyton is still listed at 242 on the Patriots.com unofficial roster. I agree Guyton stepped up and had a great rookie season, he's certainly whetting my appetite for more, I expect his reps to increase from last year and Tedy to be used situationally to put his experience into situations where his skills still match the need, but if opponents are playing from behind as we hope, Guyton should be the man.

Yep- you are right. However, I projected him at 250 based on this article and what Reiss in one of his chats in which he mentioned that Guyton has gotten noticeably thicker in the chest and legs (along with Crable obviously). Trying to find the chat thread...


New England Patriots to Watch This Preseason: Gary Guyton | Bleacher Report

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

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

That would get him trouble with Giesel. But I doubt BB would bench Tom over it.

On the other hand if KOC is lights out and TB has clearly lost a step or is unable to perform because he now paranoid of being hit. BB will play the player who gives the team the best chance of winning.

I think it is very highly unlikely that KOC will be deemed to give the Pats the best chance of winning. Just like I think it is highly unlikely BB will decided Brace over Wilfork gives the team the best chance of winning. But nobody is a guaranteed starter.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

I think Lenon is the better player right now.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yep- you are right. However, I projected him at 250 based on this article and what Reiss in one of his chats in which he mentioned that Guyton has gotten noticeably thicker in the chest and legs (along with Crable obviously). Trying to find the chat thread...


New England Patriots to Watch This Preseason: Gary Guyton | Bleacher Report

I have no doubt Gary has gotten stronger, and probably even added a few pounds. I'd assume Coaches Woicik and Nash wouldn't let Gary do anything that slows him down, and while I'm certain actual weights are different from the published reports, I use them just to be consistent. Gary needed to get stronger, heavier may be a side effect, but where both he and Mayo needed work is in technique and hand use so they can leverage those big fellows out of their way - I wonder if one of them could ever become as slippery as Tedy was in his heyday?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think Lenon is the better player right now.

I haven't seen him play.

 

[farn]

I think Lenon is the better player right now.

I thought we'd be Ok with Beisel & Brown.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have no doubt Gary has gotten stronger, and probably even added a few pounds. I'd assume Coaches Woicik and Nash wouldn't let Gary do anything that slows him down, and while I'm certain actual weights are different from the published reports, I use them just to be consistent. Gary needed to get stronger, heavier may be a side effect, but where both he and Mayo needed work is in technique and hand use so they can leverage those big fellows out of their way - I wonder if one of them could ever become as slippery as Tedy was in his heyday?

Agreed 100%. Both Mayo and Guyton possess tremendous physical skills. They key question is can they deliver on what BB appreciates the most out of a player in this defense- solid fundementals & tecnique, playmaking, toughness, and based on the situation, making the right reads & decisions based on the situation. Mayo is obviously well on his way. I'm very high on Guyton's potential and if he can provide something close to what Bru gave the D in his prime, I'd be pretty pleased with that!

 

[DaBruinz]

I thought we'd be Ok with Beisel & Brown.

I thought we'd be OK when the Pats signed Beisel and Brown because they still had Ted Johnson to be the leader at ILB. When Johnson retired, then all bets were off.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yep- you are right. However, I projected him at 250 based on this article and what Reiss in one of his chats in which he mentioned that Guyton has gotten noticeably thicker in the chest and legs (along with Crable obviously). Trying to find the chat thread...


New England Patriots to Watch This Preseason: Gary Guyton | Bleacher Report

That's good and expected because last year rookie Guyton looked sorta like a girly mon in the upper body, compared to the other LBs.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That's good and expected because last year rookie Guyton looked sorta like a girly mon in the upper body, compared to the other LBs.

Bewbies?

 

[RayClay]

No one ready to take Tedy's job if he can walk IMO. Hopefully we can spell or replace him if necessary.

 

[lurker1965]

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.

Yes, BB might let respect for a players past influence his current decisions. I know because Bernie Kosar, Ted Johnson, and Drew Bledsoe told me.

 

[lurker1965]

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

Not if in the first pre-season game he turns to Belichick and says, "My mistake, the ankle is not ready."

No, I doubt that will happen, but it is more likely than him sleeping with Belichick's woman. (BTW, does BB start Brady anyway, but break up with the woman?)

 

[Deus Irae]

Not if in the first pre-season game he turns to Belichick and says, "My mistake, the ankle is not ready."

No, I doubt that will happen, but it is more likely than him sleeping with Belichick's woman. (BTW, does BB start Brady anyway, but break up with the woman?)

Nobody's talking injuries here. Come on, now.

 

[Patjew]

I've been presuming that Tedy would play situationally and not be a starter (i.e., play less than 50% of snaps). But maybe that was a faulty assumption.

 

[RayClay]

I've been presuming that Tedy would play situationally and not be a starter (i.e., play less than 50% of snaps). But maybe that was a faulty assumption.

Since he'll be playing more on running downs, both would be true. I would like to see someone step up who can be an every down player.

Is he on the roster? I'm from Missouri on that one.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Yes, BB might let respect for a players past influence his current decisions. I know because Bernie Kosar, Ted Johnson, and Drew Bledsoe told me.

None of those players were ones he drafted, traded for or got in FA. All three were left overs from prior coaches.

 

[klinefan]

I think Bruschi has it pretty much in writing that he is starting.

The only way he doesn't is if his skills have deteriorated to the point that someone is more effective than he is. Or possibly in certain game situations they are deemed to be better players.

Other than that he is a lock.