Starting LBs in the 4-3

[unoriginal]

Not to knitpick, but it would be just be DT, they aren't left and right tackles, and its weak/strong in the 43.

He's got it right I think. If you look at the defensive playbook for Belichick's 1997 Jets, they have LDT and RDT and ROLB and LOLB in the defensive huddle, and LDT and RDT on the field. It gets confusing because when the defensive sets up, they call strong/weak for the linebackers and ROLB and LOLB become Sam and Will accordingly, but they don't switch sides.

 

[bucky]

He's got it right I think. If you look at the defensive playbook for Belichick's 1997 Jets, they have LDT and RDT and ROLB and LOLB in the defensive huddle, and LDT and RDT on the field. It gets confusing because when the defensive sets up, they call strong/weak for the linebackers and ROLB and LOLB become Sam and Will accordingly, but they don't switch sides.

I didn't realize we were running the Jets' 1997 defense...

Seriously, it all depends on personnel and the game plan. For example, you'll see the Pats' ILBs switch sides quite often based on strength. Not so much the OLBs because it's a hell of a long way to run when a TE goes in motion....

Yesterday, they were clearly putting Nink in a traditional Sam role where he lines up on the LOS over the TE and Guyton was in a typical Wil role off the LOS...

 

[condon84]

Guyton, for all his warts I think is our best cover LB. Spikes is built for MLB in a 4-3 and Mayo will wreak sh!t as a WLB. I think Fletcher, as good as he looked last night, won't get too many starts. But I'm sure BB will give him plenty of PT if Fletcher keeps his level of play pretty high. Loved the way he didn't hesitate whatsoever when he saw an opening.

 

[Sciz]

Not to knitpick, but it would be just be DT, they aren't left and right tackles, and its weak/strong in the 43.

At least last night when I looked, it was all left and right. There wasn't any switching based on strong and weak. But yes, left is basically equivalent to strong and right to weak.

 

[CrazyDave]

While Fletcher played well, you guys are way too high on him. He's got special teamer written all over him. And he looks a bit... light. Maybe another year in the weight room?
Seriously, a starter? We'll see.

 

[Sciz]

While Fletcher played well, you guys are way too high on him. He's got special teamer written all over him. And he looks a bit... light. Maybe another year in the weight room?
Seriously, a starter? We'll see.

He was 248 in June, probably playing around that now. He was probably closer to 240 as a rookie.

 

[Fencer]

You want a personnel grouping that could also play a 3-4.

• DL Wilfork/Haynesworth/Ellis
• DL/LB Cunningham
• LB Mayo/Spikes/Ninko

meets that standard.

G. Warren and Fletcher are in the mix to be top "breather" subs, as well as to pick off some regular sub-package roles.

Wright, Moore, Anderson, and Guyton are in the mix for specific sub roles. They all have excellent chances of making the roster, but stand at risk of losing out on snaps (Wright least so).

Love has a good chance at making the roster as Wilfork's backup, and of getting a few "breather" snaps as a game-day active (especially once the injuries start and everybody healthy is a game-day active, irrespective of position).

Brace and Deaderick are on PUP looking in.

Other youngsters have various levels of longshot chances of making the roster, mainly ahead of guys I've already named.

I haven't a clue about the older Carter.

 

[Sciz]

I haven't a clue about the older Carter.

Elite pass rusher as a 4-3 end, but don't ask him to play OLB.

 

[Fencer]

Elite pass rusher as a 4-3 end, but don't ask him to play OLB.

Likely to beat out Anderson?

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

While Fletcher played well, you guys are way too high on him. He's got special teamer written all over him. And he looks a bit... light. Maybe another year in the weight room?
Seriously, a starter? We'll see.

He looks like he belongs. I'm not sure what you're watching.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Who needs linebackers when you have 8,392 defensive linemen?

 

[Sciz]

Likely to beat out Anderson?

I expect him to start opposite Ellis with Anderson and Cunningham as reserves.

 

[unoriginal]

At least last night when I looked, it was all left and right. There wasn't any switching based on strong and weak. But yes, left is basically equivalent to strong and right to weak.

No, bucky's right about the last game, they were flipping Ninkovich and Murrell with Guyton and White all night. (They didn't flip the D-line though; there wasn't much wholesale shifting I could see either. Perhaps that's what you meant.)

I didn't realize we were running the Jets' 1997 defense...

Seriously, it all depends on personnel and the game plan. For example, you'll see the Pats' ILBs switch sides quite often based on strength. Not so much the OLBs because it's a hell of a long way to run when a TE goes in motion....

Yesterday, they were clearly putting Nink in a traditional Sam role where he lines up on the LOS over the TE and Guyton was in a typical Wil role off the LOS...

 

[CrazyDave]

He looks like he belongs. I'm not sure what you're watching.

Well yeah, he looked like he belonged... in the first pre-season game.
I thought he played very well, I'm just not ready to believe that he sees significant playing time. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Triple-T]

LE: Shaun Ellis (former Pro Bowler)
LT: Vince Wilfork (Pro Bowler)
RT: Albert Haynesworth (Former/Future? Pro Bowler)
RE: Andre Carter (former Pro Bowler?)
LLB: Dane Fletcher (Future Pro Bowler?-too hard to tell)
MLB: Brandon Spikes (Future Pro Bowler?-kind of looks like it)
RLB: Jerod Mayo (Pro Bowler)

WOW!


e-wow.

 

[Ring 6]

Fletcher is a baller and needs to be part of the starting D.

He makes good things happen on D and plays with tenacity and mean streak.
He can cover (he did it last year as a rookie in games and in camp), bring pressure, and tackle.

Ninko is a solid player but Fletcher has been playing linebacker for a little over a year (He was a hand down DE @ Montana). His ceiling is quite high.

Lets not get too carried away here. Fletcher made a few nice plays but he was engulfed by blockers on as many others that went for good yardage.
and it wasn't against starting NFL players.

 

[Sciz]

I like this plan. Here's what each one has:

DE: Shaun Ellis - 2x Pro Bowl, plus a 11 sack season
DT: Vince Wilfork - 3x Pro Bowl, 3x 2nd team All Pro
DT: Albert Haynesworth - 2x Pro Bowl, 2x All Pro
OLB: Jerod Mayo - DROY, 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All Pro

DE: Andre Carter - No Pro Bowls, despite 10.5, 11, and 12.5 sack seasons
DE: Mark Anderson - No Pro Bowls, despite 12 sack season

The Pats' 3 new DEs total 6 10+ sack seasons among them. Haynesworth and Wilfork were at one point the two highest-paid DTs in the NFL. If the LBs don't succeed behind this DL, then they've got no chance anywhere else!