Linebackers - Pick 4

[mgteich]

6 LOCKS - BANTA-CAIN, MAYO, SPIKES, BURGESS, GUYTON, CUNNINGHAM

PICK FOUR

MCKENZIE, Williams, WOODS, MURRELL, Alexander, NINKOVICH, Fletcher
Reiss cuts Murrell because of his lack of production on special teams. I still have Murrell over Alexander because he may start in the place of Thomas, being one of the three key players in the rotation, at least early in the year.

Reiss added back McKenzie, but he may be right with regard to his vulnerability. He doesn't add much and would be inactive in every game since he adds nothing on special teams. Perhaps Alexander really is the best choice as #9 "linebacker", no more a linebacker than Izzo was. We seem to be well set inside with Mayo, Spikes and Guyton.

 

[RayClay]

How is it decided who gets to play on teams. McKenzie is on one, but I'm sure he'd get up to speed on others if given a chance. I can't imagine just giving away a young talent in favor of a guy we could cut on national TV and no one would pick him up.

Not positive Guyton makes it, but given i get four, he stays.

McKenzie Woods Murrell Nink. That should be harder, indicative of a still weak OLB position.

I'm of a mind to keep Aikens, so bye bye Alexander the not so great.

 

[mgteich]

I too have Alexander as the odd man out. However, I'm not sure it makes much sense. I agree that no one would likely pick up Alexander, but that is likely also true of other special teamers. The issue is value to us. Alexander was a top special teamer. How is McKenzie an upgrade. Will it be on his 3 or 4 reps at ILB that we see the difference?

How is it decided who gets to play on teams. McKenzie is on one, but I'm sure he'd get up to speed on others if given a chance. I can't imagine just giving away a young talent in favor of a guy we could cut on national TV and no one would pick him up.

Not positive Guyton makes it, but given i get four, he stays.

McKenzie Woods Murrell Nink. That should be harder, indicative of a still weak OLB position.

I'm of a mind to keep Aikens, so bye bye Alexander the not so great.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

McKenzie,Woods,Alexander and Fletcher are my 4 picks

I am POSITIVE we still keep stiffs like Woods and Alexander as they have pictures of Belichick running naked through Downtown Boston

McKenzie will be given a chance considering his injury last season - If Crable stuck around 2 years on IR then so will McKenzie

Fletcher is a bubble boy who could nose out Nincovich by a slim margin

Williams and Murrell are gone IMO

 

[JSn]

Not positive Guyton makes it, but given i get four, he stays.

IMO, if there only THREE he'd make it. That's a solid player who can call the defense. You don't trash heap that.

 

[RayClay]

I too have Alexander as the odd man out. However, I'm not sure it makes much sense. I agree that no one would likely pick up Alexander, but that is likely also true of other special teamers. The issue is value to us. Alexander was a top special teamer. How is McKenzie an upgrade. Will it be on his 3 or 4 reps at ILB that we see the difference?

Murrell and Woods play teams and so does McKenzie on the kickoffs. Not everybody can play all the teams at the same time. Aikens is the special teams Captain.

With Aikens, Alexander and Slater have we had the best ST in the league? I don't think so. We have too many good young players trying to make the team. cut Alexander and Slater and we won't even notice. STs ins 90% effort, the other 10% is the smarts and savvy a real player has IMO.

I've been watching Patriots football around 50 years and the best special teams players were always players trying to get the eye of the coaches and get on the regular team.

Besides the captain (Aiken) I see zero benefit in players who are secure because they can run up and down the field a few times a game.

 

[RayClay]

IMO, if there only THREE he'd make it. That's a solid player who can call the defense. You don't trash heap that.

He's not going to be calling our defense.

 

[mgteich]

I would suggest that there are many players on the inactive and active roster who do less than run down the field a few times a game.

So we have found our disagreement. You value one speicla teamer, CAPTAIN AIKEN. You say we can cut Slater and Alexander and not notice. Perhaps and perhaps not. We have added Arrington and McCourty so you could be right. BTW, I also cut Slater and Alexander.

Over the years, guys like Whigam, Izzo and Davis have been important to the team.

Please understand. McKenzie would be inactive in every game.

Murrell and Woods play teams and so does McKenzie on the kickoffs. Not everybody can play all the teams at the same time. Aikens is the special teams Captain.

With Aikens, Alexander and Slater have we had the best ST in the league? I don't think so. We have too many good young players trying to make the team. cut Alexander and Slater and we won't even notice. STs ins 90% effort, the other 10% is the smarts and savvy a real player has IMO.

I've been watching Patriots football around 50 years and the best special teams players were always players trying to get the eye of the coaches and get on the regular team.

Besides the captain (Aiken) I see zero benefit in players who are secure because they can run up and down the field a few times a game.

 

[RayClay]

I would suggest that there are many players on the inactive and active roster who do less than run down the field a few times a game.

So we have found our disagreement. You value one speicla teamer, CAPTAIN AIKEN. You say we can cut Slater and Alexander and not notice. Perhaps and perhaps not. We have added Arrington and McCourty so you could be right. BTW, I also cut Slater and Alexander.

Over the years, guys like Whigam, Izzo and Davis have been important to the team.

Please understand. McKenzie would be inactive in every game.

McK played on the kickoff unit, according to Reiss. Izzo was a better linebacker than Alexander, as undersized as he was. Davis had a vital backup role, giving us a 4-3 type linebacker, and he played safety in a critical moment.

Wigham started 6 games and had four interceptions in seasons where he didn't start. You don't get interceptions on special teams.

I'm mocking, because players that are motivated to make the team have the skills and motivation on special teams too, have for years. Look at Arrington and what he did in half a year. There's no room for guaranteed jobs

 

[mgteich]

I agree that there is no room for guaranteed jobs.

Is it your position that Arrington would be on the squad as a corner? Will he ever get on the field as a corner, except PERHAPS in garbage time.

Arrington is the perfect example of a player who will make the team as a special-teams only player. Aiken is the other best example, although Belichick continues to have him play WR with the 1's.

I have Woods as my third special teamer. Now Woods is probably a poor example since he is adequate as a run defending OLB.
==========================
Obviously, you disagree with Belichick's choice of keeping Slater and Alexander for the last couple of years. When push comes to shove, it seems that we end up with more rather than fewer players who are active every week as special teamers, and who aren't much use otherwise.

McK played on the kickoff unit, according to Reiss. Izzo was a better linebacker than Alexander, as undersized as he was. Davis had a vital backup role, giving us a 4-3 type linebacker, and he played safety in a critical moment.

Wigham started 6 games and had four interceptions in seasons where he didn't start. You don't get interceptions on special teams.

I'm mocking, because players that are motivated to make the team have the skills and motivation on special teams too, have for years. Look at Arrington and what he did in half a year. There's no room for guaranteed jobs

 

[mgteich]

Just BTW, I will repeat that I still have McKenzie on my projected roster as one of two developmental players; Price is the other. I don't expect either to see the active roster much at all. However, they would likely not make it to the Practice Squad. I have the rest of the developmental players on the Practice Squad.

I find it amusing that posters think that Belichick would start McKenzie over Guyton.

 

[RayClay]

Just BTW, I will repeat that I still have McKenzie on my projected roster as one of two developmental players; Price is the other. I don't expect either to see the active roster much at all. However, they would likely not make it to the Practice Squad. I have the rest of the developmental players on the Practice Squad.

I find it amusing that posters think that Belichick would start McKenzie over Guyton.

I doubt either starts.

 

[mloyko]

My four would be Ninkovich, Murrell, Alexander, McKenzie.

Those are not nessacarily the 4 I would pick put those are the 4 I think will make it.

-Alexander who I am not a huge fan of is on all four of the special teams units, meaning he will likely be on the team

-Ninkovich/Murrell are both very good ST and are better pass rushers than Woods. Woods has topped out as far as potential and Nin and Murrell can contribute more to the team.

-McKenzie- it's simply to early to give up on him based on one training camp and 2 preseason games. He is a physical player who once becomes more comfortable in the defense, things will start to slow down and he will make quicker reads.

- I like Thomas Williams' versatility and we all know how BB values players who can play multiple postions so I wouldn't be surprised if he snuck on the roster, and if not they will definitely try to sneak him on the PS.

 

[mgteich]

I'm discussing the condition where there is an injury to Mayo (or even to Spikes)

I doubt either starts.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Surprise cut, Guyton? Every season has one.

 

[Schmo]

McKenzie, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell. With Murrell just beating out Alexander. Alexander has been very good at ST, but if BB wants to get rid of memorabilia from previous seasons, getting rid of Alexander would be a big push to erase the 2006 AFCCG from my memory.

McKenzie is a no-brainer, you give the kid a full season before Crabling him. Woods can actually do a serviceable job at OLB as well as be a big impact on ST. I'm a big fan of Ninkovich. I think in the times I've seen him play (last year and this preseason) he has a great motor and has a good combination of pass rush/setting the edge. Murrell I'm not too sure about. I've seen as much as most people around here, so I don't know if he impressed enough in camp. Of course, that single sack against the Saints rang loud and clear, even though it isn't necessarily a sign of things to come.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Ninkovich, McKenzie, Alexander, Murrell - I think Woods gets replaced by Murrell on ST.

This is of course, a wild guess. Alexander could as easily be replaced by Guyton.

Or both.

Ack! Is it gametime yet?

 

[RayClay]

I'm discussing the condition where there is an injury to Mayo (or even to Spikes)

They are backing up one or the other. BTW, I'm not negative on guyton, just less positive on him having more time in the regular D as time goes on, I think McK might end up in a three man rotation with Guyton a ST, sub package guy.

 

[RayClay]

McKenzie, Woods, Ninkovich, Murrell. With Murrell just beating out Alexander. Alexander has been very good at ST, but if BB wants to get rid of memorabilia from previous seasons, getting rid of Alexander would be a big push to erase the 2006 AFCCG from my memory.

Painting the wall around Alexander's locker would be a very positive move.

 

[captain stone]

I don't think that Bill will keep 4 LBs, but if he did, I hope he keeps:

McKenzie - another SILB in case of injury to Spikes is imperative;
besides, if Chicken Legs deserved 2-1/2 years, then so does this kid.

Ninko - I like his motor & his ST ability, though only adequate size for OLB.

Murrell - see Ninko.

Williams - barely adequate size, even for just a WILB;
but if his ST & FB play improves, he could be versatile enough to stick as a 10th LB.

As for the others:
Fletcher is TC fodder, perhaps a PS body;
and Woods & Alexander are...never mind.