Reiss, SMY: Seau signs today

[Deus Irae]

Some news on the Light front, from Adam Schefter:

Some semi-good news for Pats: OT Matt Light has no significant ligament damage in his knee or ankle. But when he returns still is uncertain.

Adam Schefter (Adam_Schefter) on Twitter

 

[RobertWeathers]

Some news on the Light front, from Adam Schefter:



Adam Schefter (Adam_Schefter) on Twitter

That is good news. Light is still an above-average LT and can help this team.

 

[JSn]

That is good news. Light is still an above-average LT and can help this team.

Agreed. BUT I think Vollmer and maybe even LeVoir could make impressive strides over the duration of Light's recovery. We'll see if either makes a Brady-like showing at the position.

 

[Angry Man]

Welcome Back Junior Seau!

 

[Rob0729]

Some news on the Light front, from Adam Schefter:



Adam Schefter (Adam_Schefter) on Twitter

That is great news. Eventhough Light gets slammed on this board, he is a pretty good LT and far better than his detractors give him credit. Yes, he struggles with speedy DEs/OLBs, but so do most LTs.

 

[Rob0729]

P.S. glad to see the freak of nature Seau back. The guy may be playing until he is 90.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

-With Light appearing to be out for some period of time, we probably can't let an OL go unless we try to sneak Simmons/Orhnberger onto the IR.
-With Sanders banged up, it seems even harder to cut Lockett, although I personally would be ok with Meriweather, McGowan, and Chung at safety w/ Slater and Springs as emergency options
-To me that leaves Galloway. He has been inactive for the past two weeks, it seems like going with 4 WRs is the protocol this year (becomes more necessary w/ Light and Taylor injuries), and there have been rumors/rumblings that Tate may actually contribute this year, especially with our issues at Kickoff Return.

That actually makes sense. I'd like to see Galloway given one do-or-die day, but that train seems to have left the station with Tate, Aiken, and maybe even Nunn providing more value elsewhere, while they compete for time at Galloway's former position. It would be good to see somebody with Real Speed returning kicks. Edelman was adequate last week, but he doesn't have big-play potential.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Great news. I love seeing Seau in a Pats uniform (even though he is 40 years old). Hopefully we can get him a ring this season.

The team better start playing more like a total team who is motivated and intensified or the only ring Seau will get will be at a Downtown Boston Jewelry Store

 

[tombonneau]

You noticed that too?
It was sad to see, IMO.

It was an interesting contrast watching the benches of the Dolphins & Jets last night and seeing the fire and intensity they were bringing, versus the demeanor the Pats have exhibited this season. I don't think intensity alone can win you games, but when you combine it with smarts & execution it certainly doesn't hurt. And right now, the Pats seem to be spending too much time thinking and worrying and not enough time getting fired up and motivating each other. At least that's how it appears to a layman. Hopefully Seau fills that void left by Bruschi, Harrison, and even Colvin.

 

[pats1]

Some news on the Light front, from Adam Schefter:



Adam Schefter (Adam_Schefter) on Twitter

This thread seems to be a weird spot for it.

 

[Deus Irae]

This thread seems to be a weird spot for it.

People were talking about who would get cut, and Light's injury has a potential impact there, so I put it in this thread. I didn't think that tweet deserved its own thread. Feel free to do with the post as you will, though.

edit: McSully just made it a thread of its own.

 

[Kontradiction]

The team better start playing more like a total team who is motivated and intensified or the only ring Seau will get will be at a Downtown Boston Jewelry Store

It's not how you play at the beginning of the season, it's how you play at the end. Right now, the Jets are reeling and we are still well in contention for the division. We'll be fine.

 

[crypto]

This is great. I love Seau.

I think we should also sign Grogan in case Brady goes down.

 

[bigfandan]

It was an interesting contrast watching the benches of the Dolphins & Jets last night and seeing the fire and intensity they were bringing, versus the demeanor the Pats have exhibited this season. I don't think intensity alone can win you games, but when you combine it with smarts & execution it certainly doesn't hurt. And right now, the Pats seem to be spending too much time thinking and worrying and not enough time getting fired up and motivating each other. At least that's how it appears to a layman. Hopefully Seau fills that void left by Bruschi, Harrison, and even Colvin.

Our players are all "coached up" to:
read and react,
play prevent defense, and above all else
avoid mistakes

not to:
attack

the players heads are filled with info, pointers, reads, finer adjustments, they are all pieces of the chess master. They are on the rooster for their smarts and characters; not fire, not thuginess. If they don't want to fit in, the moment they speak out, they are gone (see Vrable).

Remember we could have Ray Maualuga, Brian Cashing, or Clay Matthews. I was chewing out my fingers when we passed on them in round one, and again in round two. The board was buzzing. maybe they can't play 3-4, maybe they have character issues. So far, these guys are playing lights out. And yes in 3-4 too. We end up character guys like McKenzie although nobody else seemed particularly interested.

It's a mistry why is it so hard to fill LB position here that we have to bring in 40 year olds guys like Seau and Colvin.

 

[Raymond]

I was actually hoping, that this year, we wouldn't have to ask a 40 year old guy to unretire again. You know....youth movement and all.

 

[jbb9s]

with Maurice Jones Drew on a screen in the open field on Seau, I don't think I could bet on Seau to make the play.....

.....even if it was 1 hand touch.

 

[jbb9s]

with Maurice Jones Drew on a screen in the open field on Seau, I don't think I could bet on Seau to make the play.....

.....even if it was 1 hand touch.

I'm laughing......although I don't like Seau's chances, I like them more than I like Eric Alexander's.....I'm ok with the pickup but think it will play out with little significance.

 

[bigfandan]

I'm laughing......although I don't like Seau's chances, I like them more than I like Eric Alexander's.....I'm ok with the pickup but think it will play out with little significance.

It does make you mad how we ended here:
trading away Vrable (and Cassell) for Patrick Chung, when we desperately need LB

Passing Maualuga/Cashing/Matthews (2 twice) and picking Chung/Butler/Brace, instead. Do not you think any of the USC trio be paying handsome dividends right now?

 

[mgteich]

I don't think Belichick is unhappy he passed on the USC trio. I'm not. There were issues will each of them. The board favorite (looking back) is Mauluaga who would have trouble understanding this post. Belichick can't have a DTD (dumber than dirt) linebacker running his defense. At the time, poster wanted Barwin, a project, but good value.

I am surprised that anyone is questioning the pick of Butler. Most of us would have picked him at 34 at the very latest.

However, your point is well taken. We had chances at 34 and 40/41 to choose a linebacker and did not. You have your three choices. Mine were Laurinitis and Sintim and even Brown.

In the end, Belichick was NOT desparate for a linebacker. He was fine with Banta-Cain, Thomas, Guyton, Mayo and Woods as the base five linebackers. He did draft McKenzie in the 3rd. He was injured and Ninkovitch ended up with his roster spot.

Belichick has been tryng to get a 3-4 runstopper to play next to Mayo. That is where Seau fits in.

And Belichick is probably right. He needed four of the five top linebackers wo play reasonably well. Most importantly, he needed Woods or Banta-Cain to step up. Woods seems to be the weakest at the moment, but most of us knew that from the start.

===========

The BOTTOM line is that was much more concerned with the secondary and the defensive line. Even after signing Bodden and Springs and Tank Williams, we drafted Butler and Chung. And then we picked up McGowan.

As far as the defensive line, he drafted Brace at 40 and then Richard and Pryor late and then continued to look during camp, but Brace and Pryor looked fine in camp.

I would have drafted a linebacker early, but Belichick didn't see the value or the priority, so he decided to wait.

It does make you mad how we ended here:
trading away Vrable (and Cassell) for Patrick Chung, when we desperately need LB

Passing Maualuga/Cashing/Matthews (2 twice) and picking Chung/Butler/Brace, instead. Do not you think any of the USC trio be paying handsome dividends right now?

 

[bigfandan]

The board favorite (looking back) is Mauluaga who would have trouble understanding this post. Belichick can't have a DTD (dumber than dirt) linebacker running his defense. At the time, poster wanted Barwin, a project, but good value.


In the end, Belichick was NOT desparate for a linebacker. He was fine with Banta-Cain, Thomas, Guyton, Mayo and Woods as the base five linebackers. He did draft McKenzie in the 3rd. He was injured and Ninkovitch ended up with his roster spot.

And Belichick is probably right. He needed four of the five top linebackers wo play reasonably well. Most importantly, he needed Woods or Banta-Cain to step up. Woods seems to be the weakest at the moment, but most of us knew that from the start.

With all due respect, I don't remember seeing big plays coming out of our LB corp (except one fumble forced by Mayo). This LB group is pretty week (self-evident by the Seau signing) and probably at bottom of the league. As for Butler, I am not questioning the pick. But he has not contributed much so far.
You underestimated these USC guys. Obviously time will tell, but they are getting off a great start. Maualuga has 27 tackles, sack, 2 forced fumbles in his first 5 NFL games. His productivity speaks for itself. He's flying around and crushing people. He knows how to play the game; calling him dumb is bit unjustified. I highlighted you comment as I believe it's a common practice here "defending Bill with any logic". That's what he gets after winning 3 SBs. But I chose to keep on looking for ways to improve.