The Return of Burgess...

[cloud34]

...and how it affects a roster spot. TBC and Cunningham are locks. Burgess is now a lock, the only way he'd be in trouble IMO is if he reported in horrendous shape, but apparently, he already passed the conditionoing test. That leaves Ninkovich, Murrell and Woods. All 3 play ST's. I'm thinking the return of Burgess puts one of them in jeopardy. Who goes?

 

[mgteich]

I think that we need to see what we have in Cunningham first before we decide.

My gut tells me that Ninkovich is likely the one in trouble.

Woods is reasonable against the run, and is the top special teamer of the bunch. I ahve often posted the I thin Woods is a good enough special teamer to make the squad just as a special teamer.

Murrell looked pretty good yesterday playing with the 1's and is also a top special teamer.

 

[Marqui]

Ninkovich is a JAG. Get rid of him.

 

[ahmed]

I guess I am the only one who liked Ninkovich last year? To me, he looked better than Woods.

 

[Urgent]

I am very pleased Burgess has returned.

Hopefully this was a personal issue, not a lack of drive.

Best option to supplement a thin LB corps after the losses of Thomas and Crable. Better than breaking in another 4-3 DE who would struggle to pick up the scheme -- assuming he still wants to play.

If Cunningham or Murrell can develop into two-down edge-setters, Burgess can rotate in for passing downs. At the least, a lot more depth than yesterday.

 

[crowell33]

I guess I am the only one who liked Ninkovich last year? To me, he looked better than Woods.

Agreed. 10char.

 

[mgteich]

As some have said, he'd rather contemplate retirement than face Belichick's 2 a days.

Well, it is the preseason now. Burgess has lost his reason for contemplating retirement.

His could have more reps than any OLB other than Banta-Cain. He could be just an emergency backup. A lot depends on Cunningham. In any case, it is good to have the depth again.

I am very pleased Burgess has returned.

Hopefully this was a personal issue, not a lack of drive.

Best option to supplement a thin LB corps after the losses of Thomas and Crable. Better than breaking in another 4-3 DE who would struggle to pick up the scheme -- assuming he still wants to play.

If Cunningham or Murrell can develop into two-down edge-setters, Burgess can rotate in for passing downs. At the least, a lot more depth than yesterday.

 

[Urgent]

On depth:

Murrell started in preseason game one.
Woods came in late. We've seen what he can do on defense.
Murrell came up as a special teams LB.

I'd put Woods at the low end of the roster.
Murrell & Ninkovich can replace his ST capabilities.
Both are better on the field.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I am very pleased Burgess has returned.

Hopefully this was a personal issue, not a lack of drive.

Best option to supplement a thin LB corps after the losses of Thomas and Crable. Better than breaking in another 4-3 DE who would struggle to pick up the scheme -- assuming he still wants to play.

If Cunningham or Murrell can develop into two-down edge-setters, Burgess can rotate in for passing downs. At the least, a lot more depth than yesterday.

That sums up my thoughts on this situation. If he's ready to get busy and play ball, I'm all for it. With the injuries the team has already had to deal with, there's no room for dead wood on the roster.

 

[ahmed]

Maybe he did not want to go through the grind of training camp?

 

[eagle eye]

Maybe he did not want to go through the grind of training camp?

Or maybe he thinks that missing it gives him a better chance to stay healthy for the entire season.

 

[ahmed]

Or maybe he thinks that missing it gives him a better chance to stay healthy for the entire season.

Either way, it's not good for the team. Last thing we want is people skipping camp. I will forgive as long as he performs

 

[mgteich]

I don't see how the team would be better off with Burgess having gone though practices twice a day for the last couple of weeks. The kids needed the reps. He didn't. Why would it have been better for him to risk injury? I guess it would have been "fairer". The bottom line is that Burgess is fresh, healthy and in shape.

Either way, it's not good for the team. Last thing we want is people skipping camp. I will forgive as long as he performs

 

[JSn]

I'd be surprised outta me socks if Belichick didn't see this coming a mile away.

 

[makoute]

I guess I am the only one who liked Ninkovich last year? To me, he looked better than Woods.

I liked him too, and I agree with you about him looking better than woods.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't see how the team would be better off with Burgess having gone though practices twice a day for the last couple of weeks. The kids needed the reps. He didn't. Why would it have been better for him to risk injury? I guess it would have been "fairer". The bottom line is that Burgess is fresh, healthy and in shape.

Because he needed all the reps he could get in order to improve his ability to do things besides run forward?

 

[BradyFTW!]

Not sure how Burgess missing camp is a good thing, but I just know that he's better than whoever else would have had his rotation spot, so camp or not, I'm glad he's here.

 

[QB12]

Didn't like Ninkovich's body language at all yesterday. He wasn't playing with any confidence, surprising for someone who was all but handed the opportunity to earn a starting job. I agree he's in trouble.

 

[Ring 6]

On depth:

Murrell started in preseason game one.
Woods came in late. We've seen what he can do on defense.
Murrell came up as a special teams LB.

I'd put Woods at the low end of the roster.
Murrell & Ninkovich can replace his ST capabilities.
Both are better on the field.

You've decided Murrell is better than _____________ because he got one sack?
I think we need to see more of him to make that call.

 

[Ring 6]

Because he needed all the reps he could get in order to improve his ability to do things besides run forward?

Agreed, if players dont need camp, why is there camp?
Although at his age how mcuh will he improve. You know old dog new tricks.
The best thing that can happen is that he is reduced to a rotation guy in sub packages playing about half as frequently as last year, which means the other guys are taking playing time away from him, hopefully Cunningham. If Derrick Brugess plays as much this year as last, something went wrong.