Christopher Price: Fletcher looks bigger.

[crowell33]

Is this our 3-4 OLB Pass rusher? Adding weight to set the edge ?

Twitter

Also see:

The Dane Fletcher Experience - Pats Pulpit

 

[Calciumee]

I like Fletcher, seemed like a longshot to make the team, and when he got his chances, he took them!

Also, didn't he get a sack when Green Bay were driving for the game?

 

[Gumby]

Was my first time on the pats pulpit site. was a real nice analysis on fletcher and OLB roles.

thanks for link.

 

[DarrylS]

Can we turn a situational MLB into a full time OLB?? Isn't he a little short for OLB??

Not being a naysayer, but it is a big step.. would love it if it happened. UDFA's who do well are always a good thing.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Anyone know (from our 14 wins) what game he was good at? I remember the GB game (the sack), remember couple of good snaps from him from the Ravens game.

I posted a video (YouTube - ‪No. 51 Jerod Mayo, No. 59 Gary Guyton and No.52 Dane Fletcher vs. the Buffalo Bills‬‏) of the 2nd bills game where he was playing both 34 SILB and 4-2/4-3 LB.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Well...he is 6'1. I think he might have bulked up to become our reserve 34SILB.

 

[randomk1]

Fletcher definately looked like a good addition for us last year in the role he was playing. Will be interesting to see his development.

 

[FCB02062]

This is what the Pats' pass rush has come to? Dane Fletcher the Savior? wow...

 

[Oswlek]

Something tells me Fletcher is a bigger part of the team's plans than the fans'.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

This is what the Pats' pass rush has come to? Dane Fletcher the Savior? wow...

This is what happened when you can't draft Vernon Gholston, Aaron Maybin, Larry English, Everette Brown, Anthony Spencer, Robert Ayers, Sergio Kindle, Jerry Hughes...........

Why not just complete the cycle and note the Steelers have James Harrison and the Patriots have Fletcher. I'm sure you are smart enough for that concept.

LOL

 

[Sicilian]

This is what the Pats' pass rush has come to? Dane Fletcher the Savior? wow...

Yes, because one person's casual remark of a potential POSITION change on a message board means the Pats are counting on Fletcher to "save" the pass rush.

Seriously people, can we have ONE thread appreciating a surprise player without someone making a snarky comment about the lack of pass rush?

 

[signbabybrady]

Yes, because one person's casual remark of a potential POSITION change on a message board means the Pats are counting on Fletcher to "save" the pass rush.

Seriously people, can we have ONE thread appreciating a surprise player without someone making a snarky comment about the lack of pass rush?

I agree.

In my mind we have 7-8 LBs that I like Mayo, Cunningham, Spikes, TBC, Fletcher, Guyton, Ninkovich, and more of a wildcard in Moore.

Sure of these 8 guys only Tully is pass rusher but we can focus on the negative and cry about the lack of pass rush or we can focus on the positive which is we have 7-8 fairly good LBs and we should be able to mix and match them and all but Tully are still young and improving. Which IMO explains how the draft went by without a heavy investment in OLB and how if it ever comes FA may not bring it either. BB has a lot of talent at LB just not the right fit at OLB and he could have tried to fit a square peg in round hole but he already has guys he can do that with.

Sometimes I get the feeling that everyone is looking so hard for that next LT that ignore the talent that acctually has accumilated at LB.

IMO Mayo, Spikes, Cunningham, and TBC should be your starters/highest in playtime of LBs. Now sure that isnt as good as Willie, Bru, Johnson, and Vrabel but it is still pretty good and with a little luck it could be close Mayo is as good if not better than any of the four, If TBC can pull off another double digit sack year, If Cunningham and Spikes continue to improve (I know shocker sophmore players could actually be better than their rookie years) we really could have a good LB group. And then guys like Guyton, Fletcher, Ninkovich, and Moore can play small roles that they should excell at.

The LB position is not even close to as bad as people would like to think. IMO all it really lacks is a top end pass rusher. So sure if an OLB fits the system and is out there in FA lets get him but if not I still think we have a pretty damn good LB group and it shouldnt hold this team back.

 

[Oswlek]

I agree.

In my mind we have 7-8 LBs that I like Mayo, Cunningham, Spikes, TBC, Fletcher, Guyton, Ninkovich, and more of a wildcard in Moore.

Sure of these 8 guys only Tully is pass rusher but we can focus on the negative and cry about the lack of pass rush or we can focus on the positive which is we have 7-8 fairly good LBs and we should be able to mix and match them and all but Tully are still young and improving. Which IMO explains how the draft went by without a heavy investment in OLB and how if it ever comes FA may not bring it either. BB has a lot of talent at LB just not the right fit at OLB and he could have tried to fit a square peg in round hole but he already has guys he can do that with.

Sometimes I get the feeling that everyone is looking so hard for that next LT that ignore the talent that acctually has accumilated at LB.

IMO Mayo, Spikes, Cunningham, and TBC should be your starters/highest in playtime of LBs. Now sure that isnt as good as Willie, Bru, Johnson, and Vrabel but it is still pretty good and with a little luck it could be close Mayo is as good if not better than any of the four, If TBC can pull off another double digit sack year, If Cunningham and Spikes continue to improve (I know shocker sophmore players could actually be better than their rookie years) we really could have a good LB group. And then guys like Guyton, Fletcher, Ninkovich, and Moore can play small roles that they should excell at.

The LB position is not even close to as bad as people would like to think. IMO all it really lacks is a top end pass rusher. So sure if an OLB fits the system and is out there in FA lets get him but if not I still think we have a pretty damn good LB group and it shouldnt hold this team back.

Nice post, the only thing I would change is that Nink is better suited to be a starter in the 3-4. NE is in sub a lot, so TBC might get more snaps, but I'd rather they be more as a 4-3 end.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

One thing that I did notice from him last year was his closing speed, I hope that they do try him at OLB.

 

[jmt57]

Is this our 3-4 OLB Pass rusher? Adding weight to set the edge ?

Twitter

Also see:

The Dane Fletcher Experience - Pats Pulpit

If you follow that twitter timeline there was an interesting discussion last night between Price and four Pats' bloggers: Capeleaguer, AllThingsPats, PatsPropaganda, Erik Frenz and Rich Hill. Debate was on the ILB and OLB positions in general, and specifically the idea of Fletcher rather Ninkovich at OLB.

From that conversation there's also this link to another blog on the subject: New England Patriots: Where Does Dane Fletcher Fit into the Defense

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Something tells me Fletcher is a bigger part of the team's plans than the fans'.

Add in the obvious jump from year 1 to year 2 of a career.*** (I know the lockout factors in but it has to help coming into camp having been on the roster and active for most games versus just hoping/trying to make the roster....)

 

[jays52]

He's going to become a good player. He's going to play OLB in their 43 looks and is a solid sub defender. Would I feel OK with him getting reps if something happened to Mayo or Spikes? Absolutely, and I think he can play both Will and Mike. Do I want him as a starting OLB in the base? Hell. No. Yes, he has nice burst and closing speed but he's not overly sudden. Is a fairly stout? Yes, but he doesn't have the height to lockout tight ends and tackles in the run game. He's much better suited to playing against guards and centers. Further, he's too short to plug passing lanes effectively. This is a huge factor in Belichick's defense and one that is not worth compromising.

It's fun to think alternatively, and it's nice that people are trying to be ahead of the curve. That being said, prototypes exist for a reason, and I don't think many people truly understand the importance of length on the edges of a defense. There's a reason why NE goes into the spread and destroys GB and Pitt with their H and Y receivers. Those shorter OLB's are a dream to throw against in those pressure heavy schemes.

 

[patsfan-1982]

he was only 244lbs so he need it to get bigger just to play ILB in the pats system nevermind OLB

 

[Calciumee]

Yes, because one person's casual remark of a potential POSITION change on a message board means the Pats are counting on Fletcher to "save" the pass rush.

Exactly! If that was the case, Connor Barwin would be a Pat

 

[DW Toys]

Well...he is 6'1. I think he might have bulked up to become our reserve 34SILB.

He is 6'2" and 248. He is the same size as TBC. He is the same height as Ninkovitch. He is taller than Harrison or Freeney or Dumerville.
I still have questions but who knows. He is not that much smaller than Reed.
I guess he is better than bringing back Burgess. I'd still be happier if we had him learn under a Kiwuneka etc. for at least another year.

I think he has more upside than TBC because he has more coverage ability.
DW Toys