Ninko!!

[signbabybrady]

I hope its been mentioned already but from my view in section 134 Ninko was everywhere!

He gets a game ball in my book.

Lot of skill position guys with great stats but our o line and front 7 won this game. Just dominated at the line of scrimage all game.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

The next Vrabel, maybe won't ever be as good at rushing the passer but looks to be the complete OLB we've been looking for.

 

[ay-yo]

Ninko made a really nice head fake to get around the RT and then strip Tebow on the opening possession. It was only 7-0 and the Broncos were driving. Huge play. Followed it up w/ a great all around game.

 

[warx]

He played the option really well (took away Tebow's option on the outside) and got in the backfield on a regular basis. Great game by Ninko, he's come on strong as the season has progressed.

 

[PATSNUTme]

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.

 

[BlitzFritz]

he played great.

tho i still remember one play where he had tebow in the backfield and could not bring him down. that tebow mf is strong..

-- FRITZ

 

[Water Boy]

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.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

I've liked him since the Colts Pats Game of 2009.

 

[Fixit]

We should dig up the "Ninkovich is the worst starter in the league" threads.

 

[BelichickFan]

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 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.

 

[MaineMan]

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.

Also shows what happens when a guy manages to avoid being held on nearly every play. Ninko may have benefited from the fact that the Broncos OL was apparently focusing their holding efforts on Deaderick last night instead.

In fairness, all of the officiating crews have apparently forgotten how to call offensive holding so far in the post-season.

 

[PlainOldEd]

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.

This was evident on one particular play where Ninko looked like he had a shot at Tebow but stayed in his lane to cut off the option pitch and his teamates cleaned up Tebow.

 

[patchick]

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.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

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.

I miss the Old Vrabel...sigh.

 

[ahmed]

He was great yesterday, our best def player even though there were a lot of really great performances yesterday. I liked him since day one.

 

[jefmblrd]

I've been a supporter of Ninkovich from the start (many posts about it on these boards). It's been great watching his development over the years.

 

[Ring 6]

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

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Maybe Ninkovich would not be a starter on most teams,but he would certainly be one of the best backup linebackers in the NFL.

I think a few years down the road many will agree with this.

 

[patchick]

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

That sounds right to me. Ninkovich is actually a very good athlete, but his early career was a mess -- a bad fit for the defense that drafted him, suffered a nasty injury, and for a while was trained primarily at long snapper. He needed a total career reboot, and got it here.

 

[Betterthanmost]

I was very down on him after the first Broncos meet. I think he just needed to trust his teammates more but then look at the linebackers and safeties we had in that game.