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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.In the post game PC, Belichick said, paraphrased, that Nink was very disappointed in how he played the first game against Denver and worked hard this week to make sure it didn't happen again.I think it was apparent that Ninko felt like he had something to prove this game. I'm sure the game film from the last Denver game was a motivating factor.
In the game at Denver I thought he stunk. Last night he played at high level. Shows what happens when a guy goes out and "does his job" as BB would say.
In the game at Denver I thought he stunk. Last night he played at high level. Shows what happens when a guy goes out and "does his job" as BB would say.
Seeing Ninkovich all over the field yesterday reminded me of an offseason debate here. Some of us pointed out how much the first 5 years of his career looked like Mike Vrabel's, with some time wandering in the wilderness, then coming to the Patriots and putting up these numbers in season 5 (top line is Vrabel, bottom Ninkovich):
G GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs FF
16 12 63 40 23 3.0 -- 7 2 0 0
16 10 62 45 17 4.0 -- 4 2 0 0
Some other posters felt that those numbers meant little -- that their eyes told them Nink wouldn't even be on the field if the Pats had any OLBs who actually belonged in the NFL, and that Vrabel comparisons were ridiculous.
So fwiw, here's Vrabel's sixth season, followed by Ninkovich's:
G GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs FF
16 13 82 58 24 4.5 0 4 1 0 0
16 16 74 43 31 6.5 0 4 2 1 1
Looks to me like remarkably comparable steps forward from year five; a few more tackles for Vrabel, a few more big plays for Ninkovich. Here's hoping he continues to follow Vrabel's trajectory.
IMO, Vrabel showed up in 2001 as an above average LB. He became very reliable, versatile and consistent. Then later was turned into the primary pass rusher.Seeing Ninkovich all over the field yesterday reminded me of an offseason debate here. Some of us pointed out how much the first 5 years of his career looked like Mike Vrabel's, with some time wandering in the wilderness, then coming to the Patriots and putting up these numbers in season 5 (top line is Vrabel, bottom Ninkovich):
G GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs FF
16 12 63 40 23 3.0 -- 7 2 0 0
16 10 62 45 17 4.0 -- 4 2 0 0
Some other posters felt that those numbers meant little -- that their eyes told them Nink wouldn't even be on the field if the Pats had any OLBs who actually belonged in the NFL, and that Vrabel comparisons were ridiculous.
So fwiw, here's Vrabel's sixth season, followed by Ninkovich's:
G GS Comb Total Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int TDs FF
16 13 82 58 24 4.5 0 4 1 0 0
16 16 74 43 31 6.5 0 4 2 1 1
Looks to me like remarkably comparable steps forward from year five; a few more tackles for Vrabel, a few more big plays for Ninkovich. Here's hoping he continues to follow Vrabel's trajectory.
IMO, Vrabel showed up in 2001 as an above average LB. He became very reliable, versatile and consistent. Then later was turned into the primary pass rusher.
Ninko arrived more flawed than Vrabel, but over time has now developed into a pretty good facsimlie of Vrabel 04-05ish