Who Starts Opposite Banta-Cain?

[mgteich]

Burgess was not the starter in the base defense last year. I don't think anyone thinks that he is ready to step up to a larger role than last year (57% of defensive reps, more than any OLB other than Banta-Cain and more than any defensive lineman other then Wright).

Make your cases!

 

[BradyManny]

Its been Burgess since mini-camp. The guy missed the entirety of training camp and stepped into the role as starting 3-4OLB immediately, so I don't know why one would suggest he wouldn't continue that into the season.

Ideally, maybe its Cunningham, but as it is, its Derrick Burgess. To be honest, I thought last nite he looked much better than against Atlanta. Maybe that's not saying a lot, but it was an improvement.

 

[blackcat54]

I think Murrell has been the best OLB this preseason. Even though I never heard of the guy before the season, I think he has earned the start in game one. I like that he is a bigger linebacker, which fits best with Belichick's 3-4.

 

[UofApatsfan]

It's frustrating how TBC is considered an every down starter.

IMO no OLB on the team is a clearcut "starter". TBC and Burgess should be platooning at ROLB to start off, and Cunningham/Murrell should be platooning at LOLB assuming Cunningham gets healthy.

 

[363839]

It's frustrating how TBC is considered an every down starter.

IMO no OLB on the team is a clearcut "starter". TBC and Burgess should be platooning at ROLB to start off, and Cunningham/Murrell should be platooning at LOLB assuming Cunningham gets healthy.

Totally agree with this.
But nevertheless I got to go with my Binky Ninky.

 

[TheComeback]

Yeah, no one could possibly think Burgess is ready for a bigger role this year... except for Bill Belichick, Mike Reiss, who have all talked about how hard he's worked at playing LB.

 

[bucky]

Its been Burgess since mini-camp. The guy missed the entirety of training camp and stepped into the role as starting 3-4OLB immediately, so I don't know why one would suggest he wouldn't continue that into the season.

Preseason is for evaluation of players - which is exactly what the Pats are doing at OLB. Burgess has started 2 preseason games, so has TBC, so has Murrell. So the OLB situation is not that different from RB.

 

[BradyManny]

Preseason is for evaluation of players - which is exactly what the Pats are doing at OLB. Burgess has started 2 preseason games, so has TBC, so has Murrell. So the OLB situation is not that different from RB.

There is a difference in that - as far as I know - Burgess has run with the 1's in every practice he's participated in, both in the spring and in the summer. I could be wrong on that, but I don't recall otherwise.

 

[crowell33]

wouldn't be shocked to see burgess cut

 

[Ring 6]

There is a difference in that - as far as I know - Burgess has run with the 1's in every practice he's participated in, both in the spring and in the summer. I could be wrong on that, but I don't recall otherwise.

I think you are mistaking bringing him up to speed with what his role is.
Burgess is Godawful as a base 34 OLB, unless he is blitzing.
Thats fine though because an OLB in our defense plays 34 OLB about half the time and DE in the nickel/dime the other half. So he wont be needed to play OLB, and thank God for that. Did you watch him try to play the position last night?
He is out there with the 1s because he is a "1" in nickel and dime, will be making the team, and that is his position if he were ever to play in the base.
The only way that happens is if everyone else is injured, or if we want to run a D for a stretch where he will blitz on every play. Example, if we played base vs the Colts he may well be the OLB, but we never play base against the COlts the nickel is our base.
While it makes some sense that he could play OLB and be the 4th rusher on every play, there are 2 problems with that.
1) BB really does not like to designate a 4th rusher
2) He is defensless in the running game as an OLB

 

[Ring 6]

I am guessing Ninkovich right now, although it could be Murrell.
Clearly the job coulda, shoulda, woulda been Cunninghams but he can't win it from the tub.
Anyone have any news on whether they have amputated yet or not?

 

[mgteich]

I have Murrell with a slight edge over Ninkovich. I just don't think that Ninkovich has shown much. Against running teams, I might play Woods on first down.

I am guessing Ninkovich right now, although it could be Murrell.
Clearly the job coulda, shoulda, woulda been Cunninghams but he can't win it from the tub.
Anyone have any news on whether they have amputated yet or not?

 

[Ring 6]

I have Murrell with a slight edge over Ninkovich. I just don't think that Ninkovich has shown much. Against running teams, I might play Woods on first down.

I think he has played as well or better than Murrell. I think Murrells time with the 1s was more because BB has seen more of Ninko, but I oculd be wrong. You could easily pursuade me the opposite

 

[apple strudel]

Pierre Woods, obviously.

 

[mgteich]

I don't have strong feelings one way or the other. What I do think is that both Ninkovich and Murrell are an integral part of the team at this point. Cunningham's injury has made that clear. I also would not part with Pierre Woods. Thomas had a lot of reps last year (over 50%). Woods was in 20% of the time. Someone needs to pick up the slack. We need to keep all we have.

I think he has played as well or better than Murrell. I think Murrells time with the 1s was more because BB has seen more of Ninko, but I oculd be wrong. You could easily pursuade me the opposite

 

[Pisa]

I can't get over how well Banta-Cain has played for the Pats. Saffold is highly regarded by the Rams but 95 gave him more than he could handle. Saffold picked up two penalties in the second quarter and had to work hard just to stay even most of the time.

Banta Cain seems like the only pass rusher though. I thought the Pats would take advantage of Jason Smith and did so early on with two outside blitzers. After that though, only Brace seemed to cause problems beating Goldberg from the DE position.

Wright was a much better player than I expected, strong against the run and pushed the pocket on pass plays. I thought Jason Brown beat Wilfork all night. Warren and Lewis didn't show much.

 

[UofApatsfan]

I can't get over how well Banta-Cain has played for the Pats.

Suit yourself. 7.5 of his sacks came against divisional opponents. If New England didn't play in a division with 3 other teams that had pass blocking issues at some point last year w/ offensive lines that fell apart once the other team built a lead and stopped playing the run, his sack numbers woulda been puny. The TBC hype is not nearly as bad as this, but it's similar to how Jared Allen is hyped by some as the best pass rusher in the NFL when his numbers are heavily inflated by the 3 weak divisional opponents Minnesota has. I'm all for TBC as a guy used in obvious passing downs when New England has a huge lead and wants to step on the other team's throat, but TBC IS NOT an every down player on a team trying to win a superbowl.