Ninkovich and Banta-Cain, your NE Patriots starting OLB

[State]

Any chance we can get Chicken Legs back? Or Pierre Woods? Maybe they'll be on waivers from the Jets and Bills, respectively, come this summer.

 

[crowell33]

Now that we traded away our 4th rounder its anyone's guess who will be available when we pick next at the bottom of the 5th round.

 

[Ring 6]

Yup. Unless Cunningham can break up this amazing tandem, this is what we'll be looking forward to.

Then I guess its good we didnt waste a pick on an OLB in this draft, since these guys are so good last years #2 who played well all year has fallen behind them.

 

[Ring 6]

It would be an absolute joke for either Tully or Ninkovich to being starters on this team.

Tully is a back up at best, Nick is a 3rd string special teamer.

Hell, if we have to rely on those guys, we can only hope to go 14-2.

 

[mgcolby]

No one Krafty would pay for....they'll get some guys on the Wrong side of 30+ like Dhani Jones or Takeo Spikes...those type of guys are right up the Pats alley.....

Another toolbag that joined the Kraft is cheap team. Welcome I'm sure you will find no shortage of idiots here that share your view.

And while your kind continues to ***** in April we'll continue to win football games when they are actually played.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Hell, if we have to rely on those guys, we can only hope to go 14-2.

Agreed, I'm ok with regular season success only.

 

[Ring 6]

Agreed, I'm ok with regular season success only.

We didn't lose the playoff game because of the OLBs.

 

[Greg]

We can't sign people once the lockout is over? Did Aliens steal all the FAs?

It's just me but don't you think Veteran linebackers will be able to provide more for us this year than rookies who may not have any contact with their new team during the offseason?

 

[bucky]

Yup. Unless Cunningham can break up this amazing tandem, this is what we'll be looking forward to.

You were hoping maybe for the amazing OLB combo of Brooks Reed and Jabal Sheard?

 

[Major **********]

We didn't lose the playoff game because of the OLBs.

I would think that if the terrible trio could get in the same zip code as Sanchez we might have had a better chance.
Our 3rd down defense has been horse **** the last few years. The pass rush unit is a big part of the problem. Yes the DB haven't covered themselves in glory either but it seems like while we throw plenty of pics to those particular positions (CB/S) in hopes to fix it but in 11 drafts we used how many 1st or second round pics on the pass Rush? Where are our pass rushers going to come from if we don't think anyone on 11 drafts is worth drafting? Will they hatch them in the bowels of Gillete? Or is the stork going to bring them.

 

[Ring 6]

I would think that if the terrible trio could get in the same zip code as Sanchez we might have had a better chance.
Our 3rd down defense has been horse **** the last few years. The pass rush unit is a big part of the problem. Yes the DB haven't covered themselves in glory either but it seems like while we throw plenty of pics to those particular positions (CB/S) in hopes to fix it but in 11 drafts we used how many 1st or second round pics on the pass Rush? Where are our pass rushers going to come from if we don't think anyone on 11 drafts is worth drafting? Will they hatch them in the bowels of Gillete? Or is the stork going to bring them.

So picking a guy because he is an OLB but won't make us any better is a good idea?

 

[Major **********]

So picking a guy because he is an OLB but won't make us any better is a good idea?

So in 11 drafts there hasn't been 1 player that was worthy of being picked. Funny . Other teams seem to find them.

 

[patsfan13]

Fletcher and Cunningham will be the starters.

Was anyone expecting a rookie on this D to contribute this year especially at OLB??????????????


Really????????????????


There is a real chance of NO MINICAMPS and not much if any preseason you really think a rook comes in after the lockout ends say on 8-15 and will make a major contribution?????????

Really?

Cunningham will be an OUTSTANDING LB. I am sure he got all the study material and an off season conditioning program before the lockout.

RB's we had were very old, RB don't need as much time to contribute. I will be interested to see ifthe guy everyone hates from LSU did a good job blocking in pass protection as well as running inside.

 

[Major **********]

So while its not a given that any rookie was going to come in and significantly contribute at OLB we are perfectly OK with expecting a rookie to protect out Franchise's blind side?
No one expects a rookie to come in and contribute on all 3 downs at OLB. It is reasonable however to expect one (if you pick a player for his pass rushing skills) to still be able to pin his ears back on third down and get after the passer.

 

[condon84]

Fletcher and Cunningham will be the starters.

Was anyone expecting a rookie on this D to contribute this year especially at OLB??????????????


Really????????????????


There is a real chance of NO MINICAMPS and not much if any preseason you really think a rook comes in after the lockout ends say on 8-15 and will make a major contribution?????????

Really?

Cunningham will be an OUTSTANDING LB. I am sure he got all the study material and an off season conditioning program before the lockout.

RB's we had were very old, RB don't need as much time to contribute. I will be interested to see ifthe guy everyone hates from LSU did a good job blocking in pass protection as well as running inside.

So you expect a rookie to protect Brady's blind side?

And if Fletcher is one of our starting OLB, then I'd say you're nuts.

 

[patsfan13]

So while its not a given that any rookie was going to come in and significantly contribute at OLB we are perfectly OK with expecting a rookie to protect out Franchise's blind side?
No one expects a rookie to come in and contribute on all 3 downs at OLB. It is reasonable however to expect one (if you pick a player for his pass rushing skills) to still be able to pin his ears back on third down and get after the passer.

Nope who who thinks Solder will be a starter? He will sit as a backup and learn if the off season is lost. That is why you take the guy who need some strength and technique development but has the best upside and could be in place for 10 years.

Do you think BB MIGHT have considered the implications of the loss of the off season and how it affects what you can expect from rookies? And perhaps influences how selections were made?

The D will be much better this year due to the youngsters having a year of experience and the jump from the first to second year. And of course the return of starters who were in IR last year.

I never do mocks. I don't study film of college players. I use the draft to understand who BB views the team. What we learned is that he thinks the pass rushers are already on the roster.

This d will be much better next year. I would have thought more people understood that a D has to play together regardless of the talent and that the talent can take a year or two to develop.

Think Cunningham will be better/smarter next year?

Deaderick?

Fletcher?

McCourty?

Spikes?


Think adding Warren, Bodden, Stroud and even Brace will heap the D next year?


My guess is the 2 rookies will be healthier than Morris and Taylor.....

This draft was never about short term solutions for this season, the labor dispute insures that.

 

[Major **********]

What did people see specifically from Jermaine last year that make them so confident he will turn into a pass rushing stud next season? That one play against the Colts? How many pressures did he have last year? Sacks aren't always a good indicator as to one's productiveness in the pass rush. See TBC and his 10 sack season. 5 of wich came against one team.

 

[ausbacker]

Well I see three pieces of the linebacker core as definite starters - Cunningham, Mayo & Spikes. Who takes the other linebacker spot is anyone's guess. I'm hopeful the Patriots can bring in an impact player and utilize our roster for depth or situational plays.

 

[Major **********]

Ah that great year 2 jump. Why do we assume that jump will be forward? Buttler jumped the wrong way last year. Maroney jumped the wrong way every year. Wheately hasn't jumped at all. Hell, I'll settle for the guy to flinch just to make sure he is alive and all.

 

[randomk1]

We don't need a pass rush....we like to stay on the field so we get more shots at turnovers.

Just ******* great...what an opportunity and we don't do a thing about our biggest needs.****!!