Marques Murrell: Does he make the team?

[captain stone]

As of today, my OLB depth chart looks like this:

TBC - Spikes - Mayo - Burgess
Murrell - McK - Guyton - Cunningham
Ninko - Williams - Alexander - Woods
Fletcher

When the reg. season begins, I still believe that Burgess will be in the starting lineup;

Murrell's playing with the first-stringers, so there's little doubt of his chances;

I'm ass-uming that Cunningham doesn't become the next Crable;

I like Ninko as a 9th LB, so he makes the cut;

Williams has a chance if Bill wants to keep a backup FB, but is he a good enough STer?

Alexander & Woods are stale, moldy trash in need of immediate removal.

 

[signbabybrady]

As of today, my OLB depth chart looks like this:

TBC - Spikes - Mayo - Burgess
Murrell - McK - Guyton - Cunningham
Ninko - Williams - Alexander - Woods
Fletcher

When the reg. season begins, I still believe that Burgess will be in the starting lineup;

Murrell's playing with the first-stringers, so there's little doubt of his chances;

I'm ass-uming that Cunningham doesn't become the next Crable;

I like Ninko as a 9th LB, so he makes the cut;

Williams has a chance if Bill wants to keep a backup FB, but is he a good enough STer?

Alexander & Woods are stale, moldy trash in need of immediate removal.

So Williams has a chance because he is a back up full back but Woods and Alexander are stale moldy trash despite being exceptional STers. I would be willing to go out on a limb and say that every coach in the league would rather have a solid STer compared to a back up full back.

In the end there may not be enough room for guys like Woods and Alexander but stale moldy trash is a little harsh and they both IMO have a much better chance than Williams (even though I have seen some nice things at TC from Williams I still think the STs wins out).

 

[PatsBoy12]

I really hope Murrell makes the team. He's shown me that he can be a big contributor in certain situations, if not full-time. I like what I've seen thus far in two preseason games. How awesome it would be if he turned out to be a good pass rush specialist for this team.

 

[Marqui]

Murrell is clearly ahead of Ninkovich/Woods for a roster spot and might even push to start.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Liked him at camp. You can tell that BB likes him too. Makes the team.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Jet fans are laughing because Murrell was only on their team as a ST contributor...and now he's a potential strting OLB on Pats.....

Shows to go ya how thin Pats are at OLB......either that or recognizing talent and coaching up a player can change his role....

That is what Pittsburgh fans were saying when a fellow named Mike Vrabel signed with the Pats...

 

[Kontradiction]

Murrell, at least in part because of Cunningham's injury, has been playing with the starters. I don't see how he doesn't make the team with that in mind.

 

[Jackson 2]

Does he make the team? He's going to start.

 

[captain stone]

So Williams has a chance because he is a back up full back but Woods and Alexander are stale moldy trash despite being exceptional STers. I would be willing to go out on a limb and say that every coach in the league would rather have a solid STer compared to a back up full back.

In the end there may not be enough room for guys like Woods and Alexander but stale moldy trash is a little harsh and they both IMO have a much better chance than Williams (even though I have seen some nice things at TC from Williams I still think the STs wins out).

That's why I asked how good a STer Williams is. After further review, the answer appears: Not much. According to Reiss, Williams did not play on any of the 4 coverage/return units yesterday.
Special teams breakdown - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Not a good sign for Williams, at all.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That's why I asked how good a STer Williams is. After further review, the answer appears: Not much. According to Reiss, Williams did not play on any of the 4 coverage/return units yesterday.
Special teams breakdown - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Not a good sign for Williams, at all.

Williams is still a bit dinged up from the NO game. He made the trip, but watched practices in shorts from the sidelines. He was not suited up for the game.

 

[bigfandan]

Murrell is taking a lot of snaps... in ATL game, he seems a bit slow reading the plays and a step late on a lot of plays either rushing or covering.

Does he make the team? He's going to start.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I was thinking much of Reis' analysis before I read his summary...
" Alexander's presence on the "Big Four" could give him the edge over someone like Tyrone McKenzie for a roster spot, especially considering Alexander entered the game before McKenzie on defense at inside linebacker. ... With players like Matthew Slater and Bret Lockett injured, it's given rookie free-agent safety Sergio Brown a chance to open some eyes. ... Kyle Arrington's value on special teams -- playing on three of the four units -- gives him the edge if he's competing for a cornerback spot against someone like Terrence Wheatley."

Good news for binkies Sergio Brown and Arrington, bad news for my man McKenzie. I really would like to see the team upgrade longtime backups Alexander & Woods, excellent STers but with proven no upside as defensive players.

 

[crowell33]

I was thinking much of Reis' analysis before I read his summary...
" Alexander's presence on the "Big Four" could give him the edge over someone like Tyrone McKenzie for a roster spot, especially considering Alexander entered the game before McKenzie on defense at inside linebacker. ... With players like Matthew Slater and Bret Lockett injured, it's given rookie free-agent safety Sergio Brown a chance to open some eyes. ... Kyle Arrington's value on special teams -- playing on three of the four units -- gives him the edge if he's competing for a cornerback spot against someone like Terrence Wheatley."

Good news for binkies Sergio Brown and Arrington, bad news for my man McKenzie. I really would like to see the team upgrade longtime backups Alexander & Woods, excellent STers but with proven no upside as defensive players.

Agreed. I would love to see Mc Kenzie make this team but he is clearly in jeopardy.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

Agreed. I would love to see Mc Kenzie make this team but he is clearly in jeopardy.

Good call by Reiss, but sad to see him go...I think Dane Fletcher is ahead of him at this point.

 

[Ring 6]

As of today, my OLB depth chart looks like this:

TBC - Spikes - Mayo - Burgess
Murrell - McK - Guyton - Cunningham
Ninko - Williams - Alexander - Woods
Fletcher

When the reg. season begins, I still believe that Burgess will be in the starting lineup;

Murrell's playing with the first-stringers, so there's little doubt of his chances;

I'm ass-uming that Cunningham doesn't become the next Crable;

I like Ninko as a 9th LB, so he makes the cut;

Williams has a chance if Bill wants to keep a backup FB, but is he a good enough STer?

Alexander & Woods are stale, moldy trash in need of immediate removal.

Burgess may well be with the starters in nickel and dime, but he is last on the depth chart in the 34 base. He probably played less than 10 more snaps there than I did last year. He is not going to be playing 34 OLB unless there is an emergency due to injuries, or we run a specialized scheme for a few plays here or there.

 

[Ring 6]

I was thinking much of Reis' analysis before I read his summary...
" Alexander's presence on the "Big Four" could give him the edge over someone like Tyrone McKenzie for a roster spot, especially considering Alexander entered the game before McKenzie on defense at inside linebacker. ... With players like Matthew Slater and Bret Lockett injured, it's given rookie free-agent safety Sergio Brown a chance to open some eyes. ... Kyle Arrington's value on special teams -- playing on three of the four units -- gives him the edge if he's competing for a cornerback spot against someone like Terrence Wheatley."

Good news for binkies Sergio Brown and Arrington, bad news for my man McKenzie. I really would like to see the team upgrade longtime backups Alexander & Woods, excellent STers but with proven no upside as defensive players.

McKenzie is making the team.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Good call by Reiss, but sad to see him go...I think Dane Fletcher is ahead of him at this point.

I see Fletch as a PS candidate, much easier to slip a UDFA onto the PS than a 3rd? round pick like McKenzie

 

[PatsBoy12]

Guys, McKenzie will not be cut. Are you serious? He has definitely not played well outside of a few really good plays, but the kid will not be cut. A third-round pick is nothing to scoff at and that's what the Pats used to draft this kid. They'll at least keep him around a little longer to see some return on investment, IMO.

 

[captain stone]

Williams is still a bit dinged up from the NO game. He made the trip, but watched practices in shorts from the sidelines. He was not suited up for the game.

You are correct, sir.

I watched the replay on the NFLN yesterday, and during the 5+ minutes of the 2nd quarter that I missed Thursday, it was mentioned that Thomas Williams wasn't dressed for the game.

2 questions:
How much ST action did Williams see vs. NO?
Why was there only 66 players dressed, as was also mentioned during the 2nd quarter yesterday?

 

[captain stone]

Burgess may well be with the starters in nickel and dime, but he is last on the depth chart in the 34 base. He probably played less than 10 more snaps there than I did last year. He is not going to be playing 34 OLB unless there is an emergency due to injuries, or we run a specialized scheme for a few plays here or there.

Who do you see then as the other OLB in the base 3-4, if not Burgess?