Ninkovich and Crable as our OLB's

[mgteich]

Draftees don't fit the system or aren't high enough in value. Free agents either don't fit or are overpriced.

Our 2010 outside linebackers as of now are NINKOVICH and CRABLE, unless you believe Thomas is coming back.

I supposed we could pay Woods $2.4M and keep him for another year. He didn't play much this year.
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But, we certainly trust Belichick to find OLB's.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Ninkovich is good for depth and we have no idea what we have with Crable. I certainly hope not to see Ninkovich in the STARTING line-up next season as an OLB.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Our 2010 outside linebackers as of now are NINKOVICH and CRABLE, unless you believe Thomas is coming back.

Sucks that we have a game coming up in about 7 1/2 months. No time to do anything about this mess. And it's not like Belichick has ever signed a veteran FA OLB like Vrable, Colvin, Thomas or TBC.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We have a lot of time. The cry for linebackers is not a new one. We need TWO starting OLB's, and a role player (presumably Woods). You make it sound like this is an easy task.

Sucks that we have a game coming up in about 7 1/2 months. No time to do anything about this mess. And it's not like Belichick has ever signed a veteran FA OLB like Vrable, Colvin, Thomas or TBC.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Draftees don't fit the system or aren't high enough in value. Free agents either don't fit or are overpriced.

Our 2010 outside linebackers as of now are NINKOVICH and CRABLE, unless you believe Thomas is coming back.

I supposed we could pay Woods $2.4M and keep him for another year. He didn't play much this year.
===============================

But, we certainly trust Belichick to find OLB's.

Well Thomas definitely isnt coming back so count him out....

Woods I say we keep, he does a decent job on special teams and possibly give him a shot at OLB with Ninovich, who when he played this season I dont think did that bad of a job.

We havent seen what Crable can do so its tough to decide on him yet. Definitely give him a shot

I do think we need to add an OLB to our roster this off season. If there is a quality OLB available with our 1st round pick that we are almost certain would make an immediate impact I say we draft him.

Names that come to mind in the draft at OLB are:
Navorro Bowman-Penn St.
Sergio Kindle-Texas
Bruce Carter-UNC

Possible FA OLB:
Thomas Davis-Panthers
Thomas Howard-Raiders
Jason Taylor-Dolphins

FA OLB's are very slim this offseason so our best option might just be through the draft. It will be very interesting to see what we do at this position.

EDIT: I forgot about TBC. I see him coming back but even with him coming back I still think we need to add a OLB to our roster and let him compete with Woods, Crable, and Nicovich for a spot

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We have a lot of time. The cry for linebackers is not a new one. We need TWO starting OLB's, and a role player (presumably Woods). You make it sound like this is an easy task.

Banta Cain isn't gone yet. Maybe he will be and we'll need two. If he returns then 50% of the problem is fixed although I'd really prefer him to be the #3 rotation guy.

I also wouldn't be shocked if Guyton ends up as an OLB. Which would make us need an ILB unles McKenzie surprises.

Or we may end up going to a 4-3 with Guyton at OLB, Mayo at MLB and needing one more OLB.

Honestly I have no idea but the offseason hasn't actually started yet so I'm not concerned about filling 1-2 spots at a position that Belichick has often filled through free agency.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Well Thomas definitely isnt coming back so count him out....

Woods I say we keep, he does a decent job on special teams and possibly give him a shot at OLB with Ninovich, who when he played this season I dont think did that bad of a job.

We havent seen what Crable can do so its tough to decide on him yet. Definitely give him a shot

I do think we need to add an OLB to our roster this off season. If there is a quality OLB available with our 1st round pick that we are almost certain would make an immediate impact I say we draft him.

Names that come to mind in the draft at OLB are:
Navorro Bowman-Penn St.
Sergio Kindle-Texas
Bruce Carter-UNC

Possible FA OLB:
Thomas Davis-Panthers
Thomas Howard-Raiders
Jason Taylor-Dolphins

FA OLB's are very slim this offseason so our best option might just be through the draft. It will be very interesting to see what we do at this position.

Absolutely not on Jason Taylor. He is beyond done. Anybody know the latest on Merriman?

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Sucks that we have a game coming up in about 7 1/2 months. No time to do anything about this mess. And it's not like Belichick has ever signed a veteran FA OLB like Vrable, Colvin, Thomas or TBC.

Exactly. No time to hit the panic button. Free agency is just around the corner, then you have the draft. And as we saw last year, Belichick isn't afraid to wheel and deal during the preseason.

Some of this is scheme related too. Why wasn't AD as effective as a Pat as he was when he was a Raven? Different 3-4 schemes. Ravens are aggressive, we are conservative.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We need two OLB's unless we're going to the 43.

Banta Cain isn't gone yet. Maybe he will be and we'll need two. If he returns then 50% of the problem is fixed although I'd really prefer him to be the #3 rotation guy.

I also wouldn't be shocked if Guyton ends up as an OLB. Which would make us need an ILB unles McKenzie surprises.

Or we may end up going to a 4-3 with Guyton at OLB, Mayo at MLB and needing one more OLB.

Honestly I have no idea but the offseason hasn't actually started yet so I'm not concerned about filling 1-2 spots at a position that Belichick has often filled through free agency.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We need two OLB's unless we're going to the 43.

Assuming TBC leaves. I understand he's not under contract now but it seems at least 50-50 he'll stay. When he leaves, you're right we need two. For now I'm assuming he stays.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Absolutely not on Jason Taylor. He is beyond done. Anybody know the latest on Merriman?

I agree with Taylor, cant see him coming here. The options for FA OLB are very slim. I didnt include Merriman because I cannot see him being a Patriot. He isnt a BB player and I dont think would fit in here at all.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

I agree with Taylor, cant see him coming here. The options for FA OLB are very slim. I didnt include Merriman because I cannot see him being a Patriot. He isnt a BB player and I dont think would fit in here at all.

We'll have to disagree. I think he'd fit in here just great.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We need two OLB's unless we're going to the 43.

I am surprised that hasnt been brought up more. What do people think about us switching to the 4-3? If we do we will need to add another quality DL instead of OLB. I think if we wanted we could switch to the 4-3.

 

[The Dynasty]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We'll have to disagree. I think he'd fit in here just great.

He isnt a BB type of guy when it comes to attitude, I feel like he could be another AD.

Also, his play on the field has definitely taken a hit since his injury. He had 12.5, 17 and 10 sacks in the 3 seasons before his injury and only had 4 this season and his tackles have decreased by about 50% as well

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Banta Cain isn't gone yet. Maybe he will be and we'll need two. If he returns then 50% of the problem is fixed although I'd really prefer him to be the #3 rotation guy.

I also wouldn't be shocked if Guyton ends up as an OLB. Which would make us need an ILB unles McKenzie surprises.

Or we may end up going to a 4-3 with Guyton at OLB, Mayo at MLB and needing one more OLB.

Honestly I have no idea but the offseason hasn't actually started yet so I'm not concerned about filling 1-2 spots at a position that Belichick has often filled through free agency.

Regardless of whether or not TBC returns to the team, the Patriots need to find 2 OLBs and 1 ILB. Starting TBC and Guyton along with Thomas is how you end up 10-6 and getting bounced in the wild card game.

Guyton and TBC should be considered passing down linebackers or situational players only, so 1st and 2nd down linebackers need to be brought in to platoon with them. Then, since the team will likely not be bringing Thomas back, another LB is needed on the other side.

Of course, if Crable and/or McKenzie go from "never really played in the NFL" to "solid starting linebacker" in one offseason, that will ease the pressure somewhat.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

We'll have to disagree. I think he'd fit in here just great.

I agree. I'd like to see some jackassedness come in to NE. Our guys all seems quite pleasant and agreeable. I want some thugs, albeit some thugs that can play in harmony.

 

[BelichickFan]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Regardless of whether or not TBC returns to the team, the Patriots need to find 2 OLBs and 1 ILB. Starting TBC and Guyton along with Thomas is how you end up 10-6 and getting bounced in the wild card game.

If Banta Cain returns, I think 1 OLB and 1 ILB of starting quality is fine. TBC doesn't thrill me but as the 4th best LB he's a lot better than this year being the 2nd best.

It's not a great situation but it's ridiculous to panic in January. Yes, OLB is a big need but shock subjects like this are a bit silly.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Ninkovich, Crable, and Guyton have a lot of work to do...

 

[Patjew]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

Ninkovich, Crable, and Guyton have a lot of work to do...

Yeah... on special teams.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Ninovich and Crable As Our OLB's

I'm not one to pine for the past, but the LB corps has been so weakened the past few years it's no surprise the team has declined.

2004: Bruschi-T.Johnson-Willie Mac-Phifer-Vrabel

2007: Bruschi-Seau-Colvin-A.Thomas-Vrabel

2009: A.Thomas-Mayo-Guyton-TBC-Ninkovich

Look at those names! The 2009 guys (minus Mayo) wouldn't even have sniffed the starting line ups of the previous years.

Never mind no longer having what was clearly the best d-line anymore.

My point is... nothing. I'm sure it will be strengthened again for 2010. I just hope it gets really strong.