RayClay
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We are relying on improvents from the youngster brought in over the last few seasons
fixed.......
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.We are relying on improvents from the youngster brought in over the last few seasons
I expect Crable to get cut as well. They can't cut him until he is healthy so it will happen during the summer.
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.
100% agree. Mayo is not a SILB and was exposed in 2009. The Pats need a nasty ILB to free up Mayo.In my opinion, we need a vet SILB so Mayo can play WILB.
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.
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.
Amen. If only other people were this realistic. People act like we have young studs in waiting..
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.
Solid Back Up
He is better than Woods....
i Take Ninkovich over Woods because Woods has shown nothing. I like how Nin apllies pressure
my order LB needs BIG UPGRADES
TBC
Ninkovich
Woods
Our current stable of OLB's includes
Banta-Cain
Ninkovich
Woods
Crable and
Thomas
============
We usually carry five, although six is possible if one doubles as a passrushing DE. Then we add
(Burgess) who we will re-sign or replace.
==============================
I presume that you want upgrades on all six. This is very unreasonable. It is also unreasonable to expect more than ONE draftee to have significant reps in the early part of the season.
===============
So, we need to see how many new players will come in (and need to learn the system) and who will stay.
The BOTTOM LINE is that they are not all going.
Unreasonable as it may be, the current situation is unacceptable and WILL be the achilles heel of the team. Just like the wide receiver situation circa spring 2007, when the team signed Washington. Then Stallworth. Then traded for Welker. Then traded for Moss.
Thomas is a goner. You should stop wasting your time and don't even bother including him in your analysis.
Crable is a bubble player. If he makes the team it will be as a 4th or 5th OLB.
Woods and Ninkovich should be 4th OLBs/STs, but one of them will probably end up being the 3rd OLB due to the current personnel situation.
TBC ideally would be the 2nd or 3rd OLB, but will probably end up being the 2nd OLB due to the current personnel situation.
No matter how you slice it, the Pats are in the market for two Top 3 OLBs. They have one (Banta-Cain).
The Steelers have Harrison and Woodley. The Chargers have Merriman, Phillips, English, and Tucker. The Dolphins (had) Taylor, Porter, and Wake. The Cowboys have Ware and Spencer. The Jets have Pace and Thomas. The Packers have Matthews. The Broncos have Dumervil. The Chiefs have Hali and Vrabel. The Browns (had) Wimbley.
No matter how you slice it, the Pats are in the market for two Top 3 OLBs. They have one (Banta-Cain).
Our current stable of OLB's includes
Banta-Cain
Ninkovich
Woods
Crable and
Thomas
============
We usually carry five, although six is possible if one doubles as a passrushing DE. Then we add
(Burgess) who we will re-sign or replace.
==============================
I presume that you want upgrades on all six. This is very unreasonable. It is also unreasonable to expect more than ONE draftee to have significant reps in the early part of the season.
===============
So, we need to see how many new players will come in (and need to learn the system) and who will stay.
The BOTTOM LINE is that they are not all going.
The Dolphins (had) Taylor, Porter, and Wake. The Cowboys have Ware and Spencer. The Jets have Pace and Thomas. The Packers have Matthews. The Broncos have Dumervil. The Chiefs have Hali and Vrabel. The Browns (had) Wimbley.
TBC, Ninkovich and a high draft pick I think will be the top 3 spots. The rookie will see more time on 3rd down (ala Burgess) and Ninkovich will see more time on 1st/2nd. Brandon Graham or Koa Misi come to mind as potential draft picks in the first two rounds.
Woods would be in the 4th spot.
Unless, BB trades for a LB in RFA. Gocong comes to mind. But whoever plays opposite of TBC is not going to be a sack artist. BB will have to weigh out how high of a pick he would be willing to part with and how much better a player such as Gocong would contribute instead of Ninkovich. If it's a 2nd round pick, it might be better to draft a player with that pick and platoon him with Ninkovich.
We'll see.