Eric Alexander at OLB?

[cstjohn17]

Gulp... I hope Crable comes back soon.

Day 3, first Patriots practice - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

"5) Eyes on the Mike Vrabel void. One of the top questions entering training camp was "Who will replace Mike Vrabel?" Based on my observations, it starts with Pierre Woods and, although it's early, no player has distinguished himself behind Woods. Second-year player Vince Redd and seven-year veteran Tully Banta-Cain are the next in line, and it looks like Banta-Cain has edged ahead. But overall, this looks like an area that could use a boost. Eric Alexander was playing outside linebacker at one point in practice."

 

[BionicPatriot]

God help us.

I really pray we turn something out of nothing with Redd.

 

[captain stone]

God - or somebody - help us, and that right soon.

If the excreble Eric Effin Alexander is even on the Opening Day roster, then the FO has not done its job.

And if Alexander is later allowed to take meaningful snaps on defense, then we are dooooooooooooomed.

 

[mosslost]

God help us.

I really pray we turn something out of nothing with Redd.

And we just cut Redd apparently.

 

[pats1]

Alexander was playing OLB, but it has been in a 4-3 capacity. That was his position in college.

 

[farn]

Alexander was playing OLB, but it has been in a 4-3 capacity. That was his position in college.

Still - it'd be hard to expect anything more than this just being a TC-type situation. They have, reportedly, played quite a bit of 4-3 in the early going... but until they do it in a game, I'm skeptical that's the direction BB wants to head.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I highly doubt Alexander will be starting over Woods. In fact, because of Crable's injury, Woods has won the job by default. Crable blew it.

 

[mgteich]

All right, I'll say it. I don't care who plays OLB in training camp practice or in the preseason.

We have our four OLB's, not including Alexander. We already have added camp fodder to replace Redd. We could add another OLB to compete for a spot, or not.

As far as Alexander, we have this issue every year. Many posters here have little respect for special teamers. We have about four players who make the squad each year to play special teams. Alexander is a 2009 candidate for one of those roster spots as is Ciurciu, another linebacker who won't get very many linebacker reps during the season, even if he makes the Opening Day 53.

No more than six linebackers get significant reps. We have eight position linebackers who will make the teams as of now. In addition, we have two special teamers (listed as linebackers) who may or may not make the team as special teamers.

While I would have preferred an upgrade, I don't see the crisis, or any issue at all with our OLB's. Did other folks really think Redd was the savior for our defense in 2009?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I highly doubt Alexander will be starting over Woods. In fact, because of Crable's injury, Woods has won the job by default. Crable blew it.

Hey I was a Crab rump swab in TC last summah but don't you think it's like a tad early in TC to write someone off? Talk to me about The Crab in another 10 days if he's still out. All said, I'd expected Woods to start, certainly not Crable with Woods healthy.

 

[DaBruinz]

I highly doubt Alexander will be starting over Woods. In fact, because of Crable's injury, Woods has won the job by default. Crable blew it.

4 days and 7 practices into camp and you think that Woods has the OLB spot totally sewn up? Do you realize that there are still numerous days of camp and 4 games left before we know, for certain, that Woods has the OLB job won.

Anything can happen between now and September 9th.

 

[signbabybrady]

All right, I'll say it. I don't care who plays OLB in training camp practice or in the preseason.

We have our four OLB's, not including Alexander. We already have added camp fodder to replace Redd. We could add another OLB to compete for a spot, or not.

As far as Alexander, we have this issue every year. Many posters here have little respect for special teamers. We have about four players who make the squad each year to play special teams. Alexander is a 2009 candidate for one of those roster spots as is Ciurciu, another linebacker who won't get very many linebacker reps during the season, even if he makes the Opening Day 53.

No more than six linebackers get significant reps. We have eight position linebackers who will make the teams as of now. In addition, we have two special teamers (listed as linebackers) who may or may not make the team as special teamers.

While I would have preferred an upgrade, I don't see the crisis, or any issue at all with our OLB's. Did other folks really think Redd was the savior for our defense in 2009?

MG it is nice to see someone on here with some reason. the panic that I am seeing on this board right now over the OLB position is insane. Sometimes I wonder if people expect MVPs at every position. While OLB could be better it could be worse much worse. I am more concerned with the depth at the position rather than the overall talent because of Crable starting on the PUP and Redd not impressing the coaches we are left with 3 guys two of whom will be platooning one OLB spot so really there is no true back up until Crable gets back.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

4 days and 7 practices into camp and you think that Woods has the OLB spot totally sewn up? Do you realize that there are still numerous days of camp and 4 games left before we know, for certain, that Woods has the OLB job won.

Anything can happen between now and September 9th.

I'm saying this because I'm being realistic. What are the chances that Crable comes back from injury and takes the starting spot from Woods (who has been in this defense for 4 years)? It's highly unlikely. In addition, I'm not counting on Crable to come back from injury. Unless the Pats trade for some competition, Woods is the starter. However, if Woods doesn't win the starting job, then he really does suck!

 

[Double G]

It made zero sense the day the Patriots cut Vrabel and at this point months later, it still doesn't.

I thought at the time and I still think now they had a deal in place for a player and that deal fell through; there is no way they let the guy walk otherwise when clearly there is not a viable candidate to take his spot.

Somebody blew this bigtime, let's hope this position is not a problem all year long and it gets addressed sooner than later...........

 

[mgteich]

If Crable is truly injured, then we would need to pick up a backup emergency #4 OLB. Personally, I have no problem at all with Banta-Cain and Woods splitting reps opposite Thomas, but there is definitely the need for a #4 in case of injury. As you say, the issue is depth.

MG it is nice to see someone on here with some reason. the panic that I am seeing on this board right now over the OLB position is insane. Sometimes I wonder if people expect MVPs at every position. While OLB could be better it could be worse much worse. I am more concerned with the depth at the position rather than the overall talent because of Crable starting on the PUP and Redd not impressing the coaches we are left with 3 guys two of whom will be platooning one OLB spot so really there is no true back up until Crable gets back.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

It made zero sense the day the Patriots cut Vrabel and at this point months later, it still doesn't.

I thought at the time and I still think now they had a deal in place for a player and that deal fell through; there is no way they let the guy walk otherwise when clearly there is not a viable candidate to take his spot.

Somebody blew this bigtime, let's hope this position is not a problem all year long and it gets addressed sooner than later...........

I think the Pats had a plan and it didn't work. However, Vrabel was going downhill fast, it was time for him to leave. With that said, Burgess seems like their last option.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It made zero sense the day the Patriots cut Vrabel and at this point months later, it still doesn't.

I thought at the time and I still think now they had a deal in place for a player and that deal fell through; there is no way they let the guy walk otherwise when clearly there is not a viable candidate to take his spot.

Somebody blew this bigtime, let's hope this position is not a problem all year long and it gets addressed sooner than later...........

The sense...Vrabes was gonna cost a couple million against the cap, making us inflexible at FA opening and inhibiting the possibility of potential deals like a Wilfork extension. BB made a judgement (he's paid to do that) that Vrabes value at the position was not there. It's all about value in the Patriots system.

Rather than ask him to take a paycut, which BB I think realized player rep Vrable would bridle at doing, instead BB gave him a reward for his contributions sending him to a cap rich team where he'd be valuable. Remember that the Pats live by the motto...better let a guy go a year too early rather than keep him a year too long.

There was no secret plan with the Chiefs. No evidence of such except in fans' imaginings.

 

[DaBruinz]

It made zero sense the day the Patriots cut Vrabel and at this point months later, it still doesn't.

The Patriots didn't cut Vrabel. They traded him.

I thought at the time and I still think now they had a deal in place for a player and that deal fell through; there is no way they let the guy walk otherwise when clearly there is not a viable candidate to take his spot.

It came out that they had a deal in place for Taylor, but something happened that caused him to sign with Miami instead.

Somebody blew this bigtime, let's hope this position is not a problem all year long and it gets addressed sooner than later...........

I wouldn't say that anyone blew anything "big time." You can only do so much with what you have. No one knows how the Pats had the OLBs for this draft rated. It would seem that they weren't rated as well as the players they took. Only time will tell if any of them go on to have good careers in the 3-4 Defenses that Cleveland, KC, and Denver will be running.

 

[Double G]

The sense...Vrabes was gonna cost a couple million against the cap, making us inflexible at FA opening and inhibiting the possibility of potential deals like a Wilfork extension. BB made a judgement (he's paid to do that) that Vrabes value at the position was not there. It's all about value in the Patriots system.

Rather than ask him to take a paycut, which BB I think realized player rep Vrable would bridle at doing, instead BB gave him a reward for his contributions sending him to a cap rich team where he'd be valuable. Remember that the Pats live by the motto...better let a guy go a year too early rather than keep him a year too long.

There was no secret plan with the Chiefs. No evidence of such except in fans' imaginings.

Yeah, ok; and they haven't cut a deal with Wilfork yet with "all of the dough" they freed up by getting rid of Vrabel.

We'll see this year if Vrabel was playing hurt last year or if he is in a deep decline.

I'll go with the former.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yeah, ok; and they haven't cut a deal with Wilfork yet with "all of the dough" they freed up by getting rid of Vrabel.

We'll see this year if Vrabel was playing hurt last year or if he is in a deep decline.

I'll go with the former.

Re Wilfie, I simply stated the plan. Reality intrudes on plans. See DaBruinz on plans for Taylor. Management always needs Plans B and C. We'll see.

I also think Vrabes was hurt. My comment about leting him go a year early still operative. I hope he has a great season in KC.

 

[Double G]

Re Wilfie, I simply stated the plan. Reality intrudes on plans. See DaBruinz on plans for Taylor. Management always needs Plans B and C. We'll see.

I also think Vrabes was hurt. My comment about leting him go a year early still operative. I hope he has a great season in KC.

Understood regarding what you said. My opinion is you don't cut a guy loose unless you either a.) already have someone who can replace him or b.) have someone else signed, sealed and delivered who can replace him.

We don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but perhaps they thought 99.999999% to infinity that either Taylor or Peppers were coming here, so they cut Vrabel loose.

Shame on them if they assumed they had a guy on deck as both of those fell through, now it's plan b, c, d or z as a replacement.

Until we all see how this shakes out, the ending has not yet been written, but at this point, it looks like they effed up.