Is Ninkovich a starting OLB? If not, why not?

[mgteich]

Belichick may like what he sees in Ninkovich. he may be willing to have a rotation of Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Woods.

I'm sure that he will bring in camp competition and perhaps draft a linebacker. After all, we have Thomas and Crable in the two other roster spots as of now.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

He may end up surprising and start, but they have to draft some competition. If they rely on the same guys as last year, expect the same results.

 

[RayClay]

Belichick may like what he sees in Ninkovich. he may be willing to have a rotation of Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Woods.

I'm sure that he will bring in camp competition and perhaps draft a linebacker. After all, we have Thomas and Crable in the two other roster spots as of now.

He might be on this team.

Why not?

I might be one on this team.

Let's fill in where needed please. Wishful thinking doesn't disguise the weak link.

 

[pats1]

Belichick may like what he sees in Ninkovich. he may be willing to have a rotation of Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Woods.

Sure worked pretty well last season...

Maybe Duane Starks and Fernando Bryant will come back to rotate with Terrence Wheatley at cornerback.

Championship!

 

[wilfork is beastin']

He's good depth and contributed much more than I expected, but I don't trust him to be a starter and I hope BB doesn't either. Give me Kindle, Graham or Hughes.

 

[RayClay]

He may end up surprising and start, but they have to draft some competition. If they rely on the same guys as last year, expect the same results.

I hope Thomas is gone, so expect worse results.

 

[mgteich]

We are relying on improvents from the youngsters brought in over the last few seasons, including Ninkovich. And maybe one of our 2010 draftee will be a major contributers in their rookie season, or not.

All of us would like a couple of more youngsters in the front seven. That doesn't mean that they will be huge contributers in 2010.

He may end up surprising and start, but they have to draft some competition. If they rely on the same guys as last year, expect the same results.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Well he didn't crack the starting lineup over Burgess or Thomas so if he's going to do it this year it's because they are both gone, he was more of a situational player at LB last year. As of right now he is to compete with Woods for the starting OLB position unless Thomas isn't or we make a trade because I don't think any rookie will be starting week at OLB, then again I could be wrong

 

[pats1]

We are relying on improvents from the youngsters brought in over the last few seasons, including Ninkovich. And maybe one of our 2010 draftee will be a major contributers in their rookie season, or not.

All of us would like a couple of more youngsters in the front seven. That doesn't mean that they will be huge contributers in 2010.

What youngsters? Ninkovich is in his fifth season. Woods is in his fifth season and has shown nothing to this point other than being a special teamer (as with Ninkovich); if you think he's all the sudden going to come on, that's the textbook definition of insanity.

That leaves who? Crable? Are you really expecting something out of him?

You don't build a team relying on unproven players to perform above their established level of play.

 

[PatsChamp88]

What youngsters? Ninkovich is in his fifth season. Woods is in his fifth season and has shown nothing to this point other than being a special teamer (as with Ninkovich); if you think he's all the sudden going to come on, that's the textbook definition of insanity.

That leaves who? Crable? Are you really expecting something out of him?

You don't build a team relying on unproven players to perform above their established level of play.

Crable, hmm yeah I forgot about that guy

 

[mgteich]

We are where we are.

1) As of now, our rotation at OLB is Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Woods.

2) We will replace Thomas, likely with a 2nd round draftee.

3) A draftee will likely be competing with Crable (or perhaps a free agent jag) for reps.

4) We could get lucky and draft a stud who is ready to be a major contributer in their rookie season.

5) We need to replace Green and re-sign or replace Burgess. I think of this as a somewhat different issue than the issue of Ninkovich, although as was posted, Ninkovich could have gotten more reps if he were clearly better than Burgess (or Thomas) last year.

BOTTOM LINE
Ninkovich is a youngester who will be in our system with a year of game experience.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

I hope Thomas is gone, so expect worse results.

I expect Crable to get cut as well. They can't cut him until he is healthy so it will happen during the summer.

We are relying on improvents from the youngsters brought in over the last few seasons, including Ninkovich. And maybe one of our 2010 draftee will be a major contributers in their rookie season, or not.

All of us would like a couple of more youngsters in the front seven. That doesn't mean that they will be huge contributers in 2010.

Crable has had two years to develop but has been on I.R. both seasons. I doubt he will make the team if the Pats draft a couple LB's. Whether or not Ninkovich improves, Thomas needs to go so there will be another spot open on the outside. Although Banta-Cain is a very effective nickel and dime rusher, the Pats need to find a full time starter on the outside.

In short, they will never be a dominating defense with the players they have now.

 

[mgteich]

We have a good enough line to be dominating. And I would note, that as in almost every year, there will be additions. My hope is for Odrick.

We have a good enough secondary to POTENTIALLY be dominating.

The linebackers are the worst of the three defensive units. I think that we are all fine with adding two outside linebackers to the mix. That does not necessarily mean that Crable will be cut. Top draftees are tradiitionally gieven three camps to develop. I see no reason to cut Crable befoer camp.

In short, they will never be a dominating defense with the players they have now.

 

[jmt57]

I can't recall ever seeing anything from Ninkovich to make me think 'wow, this guy should be starting', whether it be for the Pats or any other NFL team. On the other hand I don't recall him constantly making terrible mistakes either. To me that makes him suited to be what he is, a reliable and serviceable backup.

 

[cstjohn17]

Belichick may like what he sees in Ninkovich. he may be willing to have a rotation of Banta-Cain, Ninkovich and Woods.

I'm sure that he will bring in camp competition and perhaps draft a linebacker. After all, we have Thomas and Crable in the two other roster spots as of now.

That would without doubt be the worst set of OLB in the history of the NFL.

 

[mgteich]

Given the production that we got from Thomas last year, I project Ninkovich to be capable of giving us at least as much in 2010. I also expect Banta-Cain to be better with a year in the system. Finally, I expect all the OLB's to better with a healthy Mayo inside.

That would without doubt be the worst set of OLB in the history of the NFL.

 

[muzz]

Sure worked pretty well last season...

Maybe Duane Starks and Fernando Bryant will come back to rotate with Terrence Wheatley at cornerback.

Championship!

LM*AO !!

XNA?KLCnas/LKjas LKaj KL:j

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

We have a good enough line to be dominating. And I would note, that as in almost every year, there will be additions. My hope is for Odrick.

You seem to have low expectations and overly optimistic, but their line is pretty weak. The loss of Seymour really hurt them last season and was finally put out of their misery against Baltimore.

We have a good enough secondary to POTENTIALLY be dominating.

This is flat out comedy. Bodden is decent, Merriweather is inconsistent and they have two question marks at the other safety and corner spot. Most of us have seen enough to conclude that Wilhite will be nothing more than a situational player at CB and god forbid he starts. Wheatley has shown us he's just plain worthless. Butler needs to take the leap and become the Patriots #1 CB next season. The competition is weak, there is no excuses for Butler. As for Chung, I think he will tell us everything we need to know if he can't beat out James Sanders or McGowan this off season.

The linebackers are the worst of the three defensive units. I think that we are all fine with adding two outside linebackers to the mix. That does not necessarily mean that Crable will be cut. Top draftees are tradiitionally gieven three camps to develop. I see no reason to cut Crable befoer camp.

I have two reasons to cut Crable before camp. One, he landed on the IR in '08. And two, he landed on the IR in '09. If the Pats draft two LB's, the only way Crable makes the team is if he beats out Woods.

 

[mgteich]

OK, I agree that if we draft two outside linebackers in the first four rounds (and if they both stay uninjured), then Crable will need to beat out Woods or Ninkovich.

So, I still don't understand why we wouldn't want to find out if Crable is capable of beating out Woods.

I have two reasons to cut Crable before camp. One, he landed on the IR in '08. And two, he landed on the IR in '09. If the Pats draft two LB's, the only way Crable makes the team is if he beats out Woods.

 

[Deus Irae]

We have a good enough line to be dominating.

How so? Did they get Seymour back in trade without me knowing, or something?

We have a good enough secondary to POTENTIALLY be dominating.

Again, how so?

The linebackers are the worst of the three defensive units. I think that we are all fine with adding two outside linebackers to the mix. That does not necessarily mean that Crable will be cut. Top draftees are tradiitionally gieven three camps to develop. I see no reason to cut Crable befoer camp.

It's true that the linebacking corps sucks. That's what happens when you only have 1 linebacker of starting quality and you have to field 4.

P.S. No, he's not a starting OLB.