Ninkovich one of leagues Top OLB

[crowell33]

Ninkovich mentioned as third honorable mention ( #13 overall ) out of 64 Outside LB starters in the NFL.

NFL.com news: Willis, Harrison highlight list of NFL's best linebackers

 

[crowell33]

Does Pat Kirwan read Pro Football Focus ? Notice that in the notes at the bottom, PFF says with 28 more snaps Ninkovich would have qualified and been ranked # 11 overall edge rusher in the NFL. ( Kirwan of NFL.com says #13 )

Three Years of Pass Rushing Productivity: Edge Rushers | ProFootballFocus.com

 

[patsfan-1982]

#1 Pat Kirwan maybe the worst Analyst in TV History #2 he only had 3-4 OLB's on that list there is maybe 10 teams running a 3-4 in the NFL so he ranks 13 out of 20 thats realy not that high when you think about it lol

 

[JoeSixPat]

Ninkovich doesn't get the credit he deserves in my book - but I also expect that Belichick would love to find someone better than him.

So I don't get too high or too low on rankings - he's in the middle of the pack in the rankings and if the season started tomorrow he'd be adequate.

Reche Caldwell was also pushed into a starting role given the nature of the roster that year - statswise many felt he was more than adequate, leading the team in receptions that year.

One year later not only couldn't he make the Patriots roster, he couldn't really make ANY roster in the league.

I'm not saying that's the case with Ninkovich - though for guys who "get" Belichick's system, they often do better here than elsewhere. I'm just saying that if Belichick can improve at OLB, he will - and likely Ninkovich will continue to provide quality downs for the team.

 

[Froob]

I kind of find it hard to believe Ninko is a top OLB. He only had 4 sacks and he isn't exactly being triple teamed. Don't get me wrong I like Ninko he's a solid player.

 

[Sciz]

I kind of find it hard to believe Ninko is a top OLB. He only had 4 sacks and he isn't exactly being triple teamed. Don't get me wrong I like Ninko he's a solid player.

According to PFF, he only rushed 172 times, which is less than 1/3 as many times as guys like Tamba Hali, Clay Matthews, and Dwight Freeney. Ninko had 29.6% as many sacks as Matthews in 30.8% as many pass rushing snaps. That's a pretty negligible difference.

 

[supafly]

According to PFF, he only rushed 172 times, which is less than 1/3 as many times as guys like Tamba Hali, Clay Matthews, and Dwight Freeney. Ninko had 29.6% as many sacks as Matthews in 30.8% as many pass rushing snaps. That's a pretty negligible difference.

That's a great point Sciz. Well said.

 

[supafly]

I'm just saying that if Belichick can improve at OLB, he will - and likely Ninkovich will continue to provide quality downs for the team.

Yes, I agree. No matter what happens, Ninkovich is a nice part of the team puzzle on defense. He plays with all his heart and works hard. He thinks and reacts pretty well, and doesn't tend to keep repeating mistakes. That, and he keeps his mouth shut, and does his job. I don't know if he'll be starting or not, but either way, this team has good use for guys like Rob Ninkovich.

I look forward to seeing him continue to develop.

 

[jsull87]

Yes, I agree. No matter what happens, Ninkovich is a nice part of the team puzzle on defense. He plays with all his heart and works hard. He thinks and reacts pretty well, and doesn't tend to keep repeating mistakes. That, and he keeps his mouth shut, and does his job. I don't know if he'll be starting or not, but either way, this team has good use for guys like Rob Ninkovich.

I look forward to seeing him continue to develop.

People can say what they want about NINK's pass rushing but the previously mentioned stats are interesting to see and i won't forget that basically he and chung singlehandedly won that first dolphins game with his 2 int's and a sack, specially when it was close in the 1st half.

 

[supafly]

People can say what they want about NINK's pass rushing but the previously mentioned stats are interesting to see and i won't forget that basically he and chung singlehandedly won that first dolphins game with his 2 int's and a sack, specially when it was close in the 1st half.

A very important game, no doubt. IMO, it was when the 'team' concept really took shape last yr, which also led to the decision to part w/ Moss. That game in Miami COULD have been one of those games that we would've talked about a long way down the road, had they not lost that way in the playoffs. Either way, it will still the catalyst to a very successful season, in my opinion.

 

[randomk1]

According to PFF, he only rushed 172 times, which is less than 1/3 as many times as guys like Tamba Hali, Clay Matthews, and Dwight Freeney. Ninko had 29.6% as many sacks as Matthews in 30.8% as many pass rushing snaps. That's a pretty negligible difference.

Well ****..we should make Ninko an every down rusher and let's see him dominate games like Matthews or any other top rusher he compares favorably to. It seems we have been just holding a leash on this monster.

Our problems are solved.

 

[Shelterdog]

According to PFF, he only rushed 172 times, which is less than 1/3 as many times as guys like Tamba Hali, Clay Matthews, and Dwight Freeney. Ninko had 29.6% as many sacks as Matthews in 30.8% as many pass rushing snaps. That's a pretty negligible difference.

Or it means that BB doesn't think Ninko is a good pass rusher so he doesn't rush him that frequently; he only rushed him in situations which were ideal for Ninko and it's hard to imagine that Ninko would have the same sack rate if he rushed the passer 3-400 more times.

 

[BlueThunder]

Or it means that BB doesn't think Ninko is a good pass rusher so he doesn't rush him that frequently; he only rushed him in situations which were ideal for Ninko and it's hard to imagine that Ninko would have the same sack rate if he rushed the passer 3-400 more times.

Exactly..BB puts his players in position to succeed.....maybe with another year under his belt in this D, BB lets him rush a bit more...Ninko isn't spectacular, but he gets the job done most of the time....

There's a reason BB didn't draft an OLB this past April.....and it's not because he didn't have the ammo or wasn't in position to grab one....

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Exactly..BB puts his players in position to succeed.....maybe with another year under his belt in this D, BB lets him rush a bit more...Ninko isn't spectacular, but he gets the job done most of the time....

There's a reason BB didn't draft an OLB this past April.....and it's not because he didn't have the ammo or wasn't in position to grab one....

I think the biggest reason BB didn't draft another OLB is cuz he drafted a very good one last year. Cunningham doesn't have a real weakness at OLB, he seems to be able to do it all pretty well, and really seemed to excel at setting the edge. Considering how well he did as a rookie as an OBL in a BB 3-4, the kid will probably be a stud.

 

[Sfpat]

Well ****..we should make Ninko an every down rusher and let's see him dominate games like Matthews or any other top rusher he compares favorably to. It seems we have been just holding a leash on this monster.

Our problems are solved.

Yea, like the way Mathews dominated the Pats (or the Steelers)

 

[randomk1]

Yea, like the way Mathews dominated the Pats (or the Steelers)

...14 sacks, NFC defensive player of the year,best player on top 3 D in the league,huge forced fumble,superbowl champ,just turned 25. Yeah,like that would be fine by me.

 

[Rob0729]

I think Ninkovich is a better player than people give him credit for, but I think Kirwan and PFF are laughable in this regard. Well, I think PFF is always laughable. Ninkovich is not a top 15 outside pass rusher.

I think Ninkovich can be a pretty good role player, but I don't know if he is starter quality. I also don't know if you can expect him to even be a top tier situational pass rusher.

 

[cstjohn17]

Ninkovich mentioned as third honorable mention ( #13 overall ) out of 64 Outside LB starters in the NFL.

NFL.com news: Willis, Harrison highlight list of NFL's best linebackers

I think that is great, he is a good#2 and excellent #3 OLB the problem is the Patriots have no #1.

As for Kirwan, he is very good, one of the best writers with extensive league contacts.

 

[BlueThunder]

think that is great, he is a good#2 and excellent #3 OLB the problem is the Patriots have no #1.

That's why they hope Cunningham has a year 2 improvement to be their #1 OLB.....

Having TBC as the OLB opposite Jermaine is still a head scratcher...maybe a FA signing is in the future?

 

[Keyser Söze]

Since he's lower in these dumb rankings, the "I always knew""underrated" bs comes out. If he was higher he would be called a bum, which has been the overwhelming opinion on him.