Linebacking on this team

[JSn]

OK, so presumably we've seen the last of AD. That's a shame in the sense of his potential, but like every other play, when do you give up and move on? I suspect this was the time and these events just catalyzed this decision.

SO here we are with a couple guys I would call hybrids (Burgess, Banta-Cain) and a few relatively green LB's (Guyton, Mayo, Woods, Ninkovich) and the cagey ol' vet who still has some good tools in the shop (Seau).

I think we might actually be in good shape here. The time to step-up is now for the young guys and the only people they can look up to now are team players. The bildo that was taking up some LB playing time is now out of batteries and they are the official front-lines (not that it affects them all technically, but mentally).

Now if I'm remembering right, Woods started to come on nicely last year when we had to start (in AD's place, I think) and before he got injured. I know in many circles we say "well, he's a real good ST'er" but maybe this kind of shuffle in the line-up will bring back those memories and start some momentum on the team. If they pick up the pace and play light's out from here on, this could be our LB corps of the next little while, with the obvious minor tweaks and additions that happen every year.

For a guy like Woods and even Guyton, it times to show the NFL you really really belong there. Guyton is well on his way. Let's see about Woods and Ninkovich.

I've been really impressed with the clips of TBC's interviews this week and I think he's the new official role-model for these guys, aside of Seau who is in a special class because of the preservationist way he's used on the team.

I'm looking for the following guys to step up and possibly be the heroes of SB 43: Woods, Guyton, Green, Ninkovich, Wilhite (to slip in a Db who's close to be being excellent).

I'm willing to say I believe in those fellas. I think they're going to bring it hard from here to February if the rest of the team gives them the chance.

For those of you who followed the team in the SB years, can you look back and see if the heroes of those teams where the guys you'd have expected when those seasons began? I wasn't watching then, so I wouldn't know.

 

[BelizePats]

I like the optimism but its difficult to fully embrace based on what I've been watching this year. The LB play has been spotty to poor all year. Banta Cain the only one who has surpassed expectations. From my perspective every other LB who has had serious minutes on the field has under performed.
I hope you are right Jsn.

 

[mayoclinic]

SO here we are with a couple guys I would call hybrids (Burgess, Green) and a few relatively green LB's (Guyton, Mayo, Woods, Ninkovich) and the cagey ol' vet who still has some good tools in the shop (Seau).

I think we might actually be in good shape here. The time to step-up is now for the young guys and the only people they can look up to now are team players. The bildo that was taking up some LB playing time is now out of batteries and they are the official front-lines (not that it affects them all technically, but mentally).

I assume you mean TBC, not Green.

 

[JSn]

I assume you mean TBC, not Green.

Yeah, my bad. Was thinking about him showing up today and mis-wrote.

 

[patsfan-1982]

if it was week 2 and a vet went down with a injury i can say it's time to step up


but it's week 14 and every LB has had there shot to step up and TBC and he's 5 sacks is as good as it get's

 

[JSn]

if it was week 2 and a vet went down with a injury i can say it's time to step up


but it's week 14 and every LB has had there shot to step up and TBC and he's 5 sacks is as good as it get's

Disagree. It's only the fourth quarter of the season. Plenty of time to put it in high-gear.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

If any of these guys who are going to replace AD were actually better than AD they would have been out there instead of AD

Considering the fact that AD is another invisible man on this 2009 defense shows you this is actually a downgrade...and thats scary

 

[b72s]

So I watch alittle fox pregame

So Capers gets Matthews and he is doing well.

I here Laurinitus, meuluega(sic) and cushing are doing well


Where these not fits for Pats?????

vrabel bruchigone Mayo need some high caliber help

 

[TheComeback]

Disagree. It's only the fourth quarter of the season. Plenty of time to put it in high-gear.

We have a one-game lead in the division. The Patriots need to step it up right now.

 

[bigfandan]

Re: So I watch alittle fox pregame

So Capers gets Matthews and he is doing well.

I here Laurinitus, meuluega(sic) and cushing are doing well


Where these not fits for Pats?????

vrabel bruchigone Mayo need some high caliber help

Agreed. You can throw in Mathews as someone they should have grabbed. We screwed up the draft, compounded by bad trades (Vrable, AD, not landing Taylor), and not developing our own (Woods, Crable, and McKenzie).