Lots Of Bodies At OLB and DE

[mgteich]

How do we feel about our OLB's? I guess that I should also include Arrington, our designated pass-rusher. Many find this great. I find the situation a sad one if Arrington is our best outside pas-rusher

Personally, I like who we've added. I'm fine with Ninkovich and Cunningham. However, it seems that there is a real need for a top player at this position. This year it is NOT a matter of wanting to use the money elsewhere. Money was not an issue this season. We may have gotten the best players we could regardless of money.

DT
We seem set for a couple of years with Wilfork, Haynsworth, Pryor and Love. What a difference Haynsworth makes to the run defense!

ILB
We seem to be set with Mayo, Fletcher and Spikes (who needs to an attitude transplant). Guyton is in his contract year and could stay or be upgraded. He has been a fine value, but we'd all like to see him up his game. Edds could give him a go, and is the default #4 ILB next year if Guyton isn't re-signed.

OLB/DE
Ninkovich and Cunningham are the "core" of this group, although Cunningham has been injured. With 6-7 rosters spots available at thes positions, it seems that Cunningham will be with us for a couple of years.

We have great hopes for new one-year additions Carter, Ellis and Anderson. We also have Deaderick and Brace under contract for a couple of years. At least one is likely to return during the PUP period.

WILDCARDS
PS player Carter could be added at any time. Warren could be re-signed at any time. Wright could be medically cleared. I don't count on any of these at the moment.

 

[BlitzFritz]

Anderson had a nice sack. Carter and Ellis looked to be getting some push upfield. Arrington was lined up as a rusher, but only if Bush stayed in to block, otherwise he was assigned to cover Bush. (pretty cool actually).

Ninko keeps getting better at doing the Vrabel immitation.
Cunningham is MIA but last year had some good bullrushes.

I am ok with the current line up so far - vastly better than last year.
Unclear there is a silver bullet player to be had out there. Did you have someone in mind?

-- FRITZ

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Personally I don't see Cunningham contributing much this year or even making the team next season, so I think that the Pats need a lot more OLBs.

 

[mgteich]

I didn't have anyone in mind. Only Belichick who was available in trade, the most likely source of top linebackers. Such a linebacker might have cost $5M or $6M a year, but we have the cap money. Apparently, Belichick found no one worthy.

Anderson had a nice sack. Carter and Ellis looked to be getting some push upfield. Arrington was lined up as a rusher, but only if Bush stayed in to block, otherwise he was assigned to cover Bush. (pretty cool actually).

Ninko keeps getting better at doing the Vrabel immitation.
Cunningham is MIA but last year had some good bullrushes.

I am ok with the current line up so far - vastly better than last year.
Unclear there is a silver bullet player to be had out there. Did you have someone in mind?

-- FRITZ

 

[NEP4Life]

Right now, I tend to think big-name free agency signings blow up the Pats' salary structure for dubious gains (see Thomas, Adalius).

I'd prefer to see cap money go to signing/extending Pats vets who have performed well for the team (*cough* Wes Welker *cough*).

Also, Gary Guyton is what he is, and I think he's a "Patriot Way" player. For the right money, I can see him having some kind of role on the team for years.

I can see OLB/DE being a draft priority.

We'll learn more as the season progresses.

ETA: I expect solid 4-3 DE spare parts like Carter/Ellis/Anderson to be readily available every off-season, so I don't see it as a huge need right now.

 

[Deus Irae]

The question going forward is "How many of this year's signings will be one year bandaids?".

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Anderson had a nice sack. Carter and Ellis looked to be getting some push upfield. Arrington was lined up as a rusher, but only if Bush stayed in to block, otherwise he was assigned to cover Bush. (pretty cool actually).

Ninko keeps getting better at doing the Vrabel immitation.
Cunningham is MIA but last year had some good bullrushes.

I am ok with the current line up so far - vastly better than last year.
Unclear there is a silver bullet player to be had out there. Did you have someone in mind?

-- FRITZ

Exactly. When he was in on a goal-line play, I knew that BB will be using him as a Vrabel type player.

 

[patchick]

Arrington was lined up as a rusher, but only if Bush stayed in to block, otherwise he was assigned to cover Bush. (pretty cool actually).

Agreed -- I don't think anyone (before this thread) has ever suggested that Arrington plays that role because he's the best pass rusher on the roster!

I also wonder about some of the positional divisions proposed in the original post. I hardly know what to think of the defensive roster at this point because I don't really get how players are going to be used. E.g. What percentage of Mayo's snaps did he line up as an ILB? Etc.

Exactly. When he was in on a goal-line play, I knew that BB will be using him as a Vrabel type player.

You mean as a TE? I thought I saw Fletcher rather than Nink in that role. Was I wrong? Or were they both involved?

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Personally I don't see Cunningham contributing much this year or even making the team next season, so I think that the Pats need a lot more OLBs.

So you think it was a bust to pick him over his former teamate Carlos Dunlap?

 

[Sicilian]

Exactly. When he was in on a goal-line play, I knew that BB will be using him as a Vrabel type player.

That was Fletcher.