Congtrats to Ninkovich!

[mgteich]

He now seems likely to get a roster spot. Since coming in last year, he has outlasted Thomas and now Crable.

 

[patriot lifer]

I'll send him a muffin basket

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

I'll send him a muffin basket

lmao ... filler

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm not sure whether to celebrate or be disappointed in the fact that this is somehow a good thing. Ninkovich couldn't knock A.D. out of the starting line-up last season and, to be a fair, a fly in the locker room probably could have "outlasted" Crable.

 

[JMarr]

I'll send him a muffin basket

lol, just thinking the same thing. The guy's an over-achiever and you gotta love him for that. I loved the way he played when he was out there at LB last year.

However, on a team with serious championship aspirations, he has no business playing anywhere other than special teams.

 

[Ring 6]

If there is a silver lining its that Crable will not take up reps in camp pnly to be cut.
We have candidates at OLB who need the reps, for experience as well as evaluation.

 

[mgteich]

--- my feelings exactly

Ninkovich has had no competition for his roster spot, and last year he couldn't play at the level of Thomas.

I'm not sure whether to celebrate or be disappointed in the fact that this is somehow a good thing. Ninkovich couldn't knock A.D. out of the starting line-up last season and, to be a fair, a fly in the locker room probably could have "outlasted" Crable.

 

[The Coon]

Will Mackenzie be getting some reps at OLB?

 

[TheComeback]

I'm not sure whether to celebrate or be disappointed in the fact that this is somehow a good thing. Ninkovich couldn't knock A.D. out of the starting line-up last season and, to be a fair, a fly in the locker room probably could have "outlasted" Crable.

It was Ninko's first year on the team and AD is a veteran.

I wouldn't count him out yet. He hasn't had a full offseason since joining the NFL. I'm not expecting the next Vrabel or McGinest but I think he'll be better than AD was last year (except in coverage)

 

[patsfan-1982]

im happy for the guy but all that means is the pats could have the worst OLB's of all the 3-4 teams in the NFL and oakland and the bills just moved to a 3-4 lol

 

[Rob0729]

I don't know. If Spikes is as good as he has been hyped from minicamp and McKenzie rebounds from injury, I think Guyton could be a surprise contender for a starting position outside. He certainly has the speed. Although he is a bit small, he is around the same height and weight as Colvin was.

 

[jsull87]

the TV series Joey had more lasting power than crable

 

[Reckedtrek]

I don't know. If Spikes is as good as he has been hyped from minicamp and McKenzie rebounds from injury, I think Guyton could be a surprise contender for a starting position outside. He certainly has the speed. Although he is a bit small, he is around the same height and weight as Colvin was.

I posted this idea once and got nailed for even suggesting it. I think the team is foolish not to try any reasonable possible combination at least in the preseason.

 

[TheComeback]

I posted this idea once and got nailed for even suggesting it. I think the team is foolish not to try any reasonable possible combination at least in the preseason.

They did try him there and he was terrible. Speed is not that important for OLBs compared to strength and the ability to shed blocks. Neither McGinest or Vrabel were very fast.

 

[Reckedtrek]

They did try him there and he was terrible. Speed is not that important for OLBs compared to strength and the ability to shed blocks. Neither McGinest or Vrabel were very fast.

I'm suggesting they try again now that he has a bit more experience in the NFL, granted as an inside LB. If he stinks at OLB in the preseason, that's where the experiment ends.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm suggesting they try again now that he has a bit more experience in the NFL, granted as an inside LB. If he stinks at OLB in the preseason, that's where the experiment ends.

He doesn't play with enough lead in his ass. If the Patriots were playing an attacking style like the Steelers, he'd make more sense on the outside. In the Patriots version of the 3-4, putting Guyton on the outside is essentially giving the opponent first downs on the ground anytime they can get outside the DE.

 

[Deus Irae]

--- my feelings exactly

Ninkovich has had no competition for his roster spot, and last year he couldn't play at the level of Thomas.

I expect the team will be keeping a sharp eye on the cuts lists for this position, don't you?

 

[Kontradiction]

It was Ninko's first year on the team and AD is a veteran.

I wouldn't count him out yet. He hasn't had a full offseason since joining the NFL. I'm not expecting the next Vrabel or McGinest but I think he'll be better than AD was last year (except in coverage)

His first year on the team doesn't really make any difference. If Ninkovich had it, he would have supplanted AD in the starting line-up.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I expect the team will be keeping a sharp on on the cuts lists for this position, don't you?

I agree with this.

 

[Ring 6]

--- my feelings exactly

Ninkovich has had no competition for his roster spot, and last year he couldn't play at the level of Thomas.

I tend to agree with the logic that you dont get better by losing your starter and elevating the backup that couldnt beat him out.
But in this case, I think there are other considerations too.
Thomas had a history of playing well here. He was a known quantity who just failed to come close to his level of play. Ninkovich was a newbie still learning the system. While Afailius was Afailing, there was still the puzzle o why and wheter he could get it back. Nincovich would have had to be clearly dramatically better to 'beat him out'.
That doesnt mean that he would have played better than AD, just that its not ironclad that he was on an even playing field or should have been.

Overall, my take is whoever plays the role Thomas played can't really represent much of a downgrade, if any because the bar is set so low.