Ninkovich one of leagues Top OLB

[BradyFTW!]

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.

If Clay Matthews only rushed 172 times, in situations that were ideal for pass rushing, he would have a whole lot more than 4 sacks. I like Ninkovich, and think he can fill a valuable role on the team, but let's not get carried away. Ideally, he's your #3, maybe even #4 OLB

 

[Deus Irae]

I wonder how much PFF is paying people to pimp its website on forums like this.

 

[Urgent]

Ninkovich is a nice little player.
We don't point out how he got blown up or was way out of place.
I also don't think a lot of teams gameplan around him, like you have to do with some of the elite rushers. You don't adjust your offense to a three-step drop, or keep multiple blockers in to deal with him.

The question on Cunningham, Ninkovich, and TBC:
There are some different roles for OLB's. Cunningham really is the more classic edge-setter, SOLB.
It was terrific when the Patriots had McGinest and Vrabel, two guys who could do everything.
Goodness, remember 2003 & 2004 when the roster included Colvin, Vrabel, McGinest, and TBC? (And Bruschi, Phifer, and Johnson inside.)
The Patriots really need a complement to Cunningham (like Ted Johnson complemented Roman Phifer). Versatility is great, and the defense really depends upon two OLB's who can set the edge, cover, and rush. They lack strong coverage and rushing, so could use someone more explosive than Cunningham. That's not Ninkovich. Ninkovich is the guy who can sub for any spot.

That's sort of what I see Roth as as well. The guy who can do a bit of everything. They could use someone who complements those guys. That's why I would be more excited by Manny Lawson or Charles Johnson, given the presence of Cunningham and Ninkovich.

 

[Sciz]

I wonder how much PFF is paying people to pimp its website on forums like this.

I hate them as much as anyone here, but I'm hoping their "pass rushing snaps" stat is fairly accurate :lol2:

 

[Deus Irae]

I hate them as much as anyone here, but I'm hoping their "pass rushing snaps" stat is fairly accurate :lol2:

One problem with the PFF formula, among several, is that it doesn't bother taking the number of rushing defenders into account. The Patriots were absolutely brutal in attempting to get to the QB with 3-4 players, and were forced to blitz in order to get pressure. That changes the pass rushing dynamics.

 

[BlueThunder]

Dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway because I'm dumb..

What constitutes a pass rushing snap?


Down and distance or number of players sent after the QB...

or something else?

 

[Sciz]

Dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway because I'm dumb..

What constitutes a pass rushing snap?


Down and distance or number of players sent after the QB...

or something else?

It's just a snap where Ninkovich rushed the QB

 

[BlueThunder]

It's just a snap where Ninkovich rushed the QB

That was too easy

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

He was certainly better than Mike Vrabel last season and I'm glad that thanks to that no one's been calling for the Pats to bring Vrabel back.

 

[TheSolderKing]

#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

genius... there are 2 OLB's on the field at once



13 out of 40 by your equation:rocker:


you r a hater that does not know Math

 

[JoeSixPat]

According to ProFootballWeekly, Pats fans might want to come to terms with Belichick going with what he's got at OLB

ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots content with edge rushers heading into free agency

Despite opportunities to address the position with multiple draft picks, Belichick chose to only spend a sixth-round pick on the OLB spot, grabbing developmental prospect Markell Carter.

While there have been cries to improve the pass rush, we hear that Belichick is not expected to make any moves on the defensive side of the ball in free agency. It also doesn't help that there isn't a strong crop of outside 'backers available.

Actually I think the more relevant factor might be a significantly shortened off season where Belichick knows that any free agent or rookie just isn't going to have enough time to learn the system.

Of course it'd also be just like BB to let this type of news leak to so as other teams aren't looking at the Pats as a competitor for a free agent target

 

[BlueThunder]

The expected 2nd year jump in development of Cunningham, as mentioned numerous times previously, along with Moore ( who many people either forget or dismiss ) could be a reason for cautious opptimism for the OLB and pass rush situation this season (Come on Goodell, get that CBA ironed out)

DE-OLB Eric Moore could be one of the reasons the Patriots can feel comfortable standing pat during free agency. A typical Belichick find (the 6-4, 268-pound Moore went from the UFL to the Patriots last December), Moore had two sacks and two forced fumbles in his four games with the club and should continue to contribute off the edge in 2011.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Biggest reason im NOT worried about outside linebackers and pass rushing?

Dane Fletcher! (dude will be a BEAST)

 

[patsfan13]

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.

Kirwan didn't rank outside pass rushers, he ranked Outside Linebackers. As pointed out by another poster his sacks/rush are comparable to other OLB whose primary job is to rush the passer.

In the Pats D the OLB isn't a full time designated pass rusher.

 

[Professor Frink]

Biggest reason im NOT worried about outside linebackers and pass rushing?

Dane Fletcher! (dude will be a BEAST)

Dane Fletcher isn't going to be the answer at OLB. He's 245 pounds, which makes him an unlikely contributor as an edge player playing on the LOS. I think his contributions are more likely to come lined up off the LOS, making it harder for O Lineman to get their hands on him. I see him as competing with Gary Guyton for playing time, not Rob Ninkovich.

 

[spacecrime]

#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

genius... there are 2 OLB's on the field at once



13 out of 40 by your equation:rocker:


you r a hater that does not know Math

open mouth insert foot

 

[Off The Grid]

#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

genius... there are 2 OLB's on the field at once



13 out of 40 by your equation:rocker:


you r a hater that does not know Math

open mouth insert foot

Yeah...Bubba ain't too bright.