4th and 5th Safety

[BBass]

Read today's practice rundown and it stated that Ebner would be a shock not to make the roster. So who does everyone see as missing the roster in that situation.

Chung
Gregory
Wilson
Ebner

Do we keep just 4 or would we keep 5? If so who Barrett, Ihedlgo

 

[Dingleberry]

From Bedard:

Nate Ebner was thought to be an afterthought when he was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round. Even he was surprised to get drafted, especially given most of his play had been on a rugby field. But the Patriots apparently like what they see because he is all over the special teams units, and he’s in the mix at the backup safety spot. He also took over for Tavon Wilson at the “money” position (a linebacker/defensive back hybrid) in sub packages. It would be a surprise if Ebner doesn’t make this team.


All I can say is....:rocker:

After the draft, Ebner became my binky and I vowed to get an Ebner jersey. This guy will be heard from as a rookie!

 

[jah]

I originally had Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ihedigbo but now I'm thinking Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ebner + 1 of Ihedigbo/Cole/Allen for the last DB spot. I'm leaning toward Ihedigbo just because he's the only NFL player I've heard of from where I live (I'm sure the coaches are keeping that in mind).

 

[mayoclinic]

Read today's practice rundown and it stated that Ebner would be a shock not to make the roster. So who does everyone see as missing the roster in that situation.

Chung
Gregory
Wilson
Ebner

Do we keep just 4 or would we keep 5? If so who Barrett, Ihedlgo

Nope, those 4 sound good to me. Field Yates had similar notes about Ebner today:

Ebner impressing. Hard not to notice rookie safety Nate Ebner, sort of the unknown from the Patriots' draft class. Billed as a special teams stud, Ebner has caught my attention on the defensive side of the ball too. He broke up a pass and snuffed out a reverse. He has impressive ball skills and a quick trigger in his movements.

Camp Observations: Day 22 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

For a guy who was essentially a pure STer last year, Ebner is showing awfully quick development and some nice instincts and awareness to go along with his insane motor and athleticism. Barrett was atrocious last year, and has had trouble staying healthy. Brown was worse than atrocious. Ihedigbo was a decent journeyman safety, but has little upside. I'd be thrilled to stick with those 4 safeties and a CB group of McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Moore and Dennard.

 

[Off The Grid]

Nope, those 4 sound good to me. Field Yates had similar notes about Ebner today:



Camp Observations: Day 22 - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

For a guy who was essentially a pure STer last year, Ebner is showing awfully quick development and some nice instincts and awareness to go along with his insane motor and athleticism. Barrett was atrocious last year, and has had trouble staying healthy. Brown was worse than atrocious. Ihedigbo was a decent journeyman safety, but has little upside. I'd be thrilled to stick with those 4 safeties and a CB group of McCourty, Dowling, Arrington, Moore and Dennard.

#$%&in' A.

That's our Secondary right there, Baby.

 

[Avenger]

That's the secondary I've been calling all along, I think it would be one of the better ones in the league.

 

[mayoclinic]

#$%&in' A.

That's our Secondary right there, Baby.

If you take those 9 players and add a LB group consisting of Mayo, Hightower, Spikes and Carpenter, a DE/OLB group of Jones, Ninkovich, Bequette and Cunningham, and a DT/DE group of Wilfork, Love, Fanene and Deaderick, you have the makings of a pretty decent defense. That's 21 players, which still leaves 4 spots available.

 

[supafly]

If you take those 9 players and add a LB group consisting of Mayo, Hightower, Spikes and Carpenter, a DE/OLB group of Jones, Ninkovich, Bequette and Cunningham, and a DT/DE group of Wilfork, Love, Fanene and Deaderick, you have the makings of a pretty decent defense. That's 21 players, which still leaves 4 spots available.

Couldn't agree more. I like the breakdown too, by the way.

That would leave 4 players.

2 bigs on the line--any combo of 2 from guys like Brace, Pryor, Warren, other

1 DE/OLB--either Scott or Francis could be chosen here

1 ST, smaller/coverage LB--Tarpinian, White, Koutivedes

 

[mayoclinic]

Couldn't agree more. I like the breakdown too, by the way.

That would leave 4 players.

2 bigs on the line--any combo of 2 from guys like Brace, Pryor, Warren, other

1 DE/OLB--either Scott or Francis could be chosen here

1 ST, smaller/coverage LB--Tarpinian, White, Koutivedes

That's about the way I see it. 2 "bigs", 1 DE/OLB, and 1 ST/coverage LB/extra DB. A couple of thoughts:

- Pryor seemed like a pretty safe bet, but having missed all of training camp so far, he could turn out to start the season on PUP. I still think that Marcus Harrison could be a sleeper, and Marcus Forston has shown some flashes.

- Andre Carter is still an option, though unlikely.

- A 10th DB could take the place over one of the 3 positions you mentioned, with Will Allen or Marquice Cole being the most likely candidate.

But I like the nucleus of this defense so far.

 

[patchick]

If you take those 9 players and add a LB group consisting of Mayo, Hightower, Spikes and Carpenter, a DE/OLB group of Jones, Ninkovich, Bequette and Cunningham, and a DT/DE group of Wilfork, Love, Fanene and Deaderick, you have the makings of a pretty decent defense. That's 21 players, which still leaves 4 spots available.

Yep, I like the flexibility as well as the talent level. With those 21 players, you could field just about any style of defense BB can dream up.

I have a feeling that Cole could slip into the CB roster, too. He seems to offer the best balance of ST impact and actual DB skills.

 

[supafly]

Yep, I like the flexibility as well as the talent level. With those 21 players, you could field just about any style of defense BB can dream up.

I have a feeling that Cole could slip into the CB roster, too. He seems to offer the best balance of ST impact and actual DB skills.

That's about the way I see it. 2 "bigs", 1 DE/OLB, and 1 ST/coverage LB/extra DB. A couple of thoughts:

- Pryor seemed like a pretty safe bet, but having missed all of training camp so far, he could turn out to start the season on PUP. I still think that Marcus Harrison could be a sleeper, and Marcus Forston has shown some flashes.

- Andre Carter is still an option, though unlikely.

- A 10th DB could take the place over one of the 3 positions you mentioned, with Will Allen or Marquice Cole being the most likely candidate.

But I like the nucleus of this defense so far.

Certainly a fair thought with M.Cole. It will be interesting to see how it works out, that's for sure.

I still have a feeling that Pryor makes the PUP list. It could very well be a carry over from his injury last season that they are being cautious with. As a matter of fact, that is my humble and uninformed opinion

 

[crew1954]

I originally had Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ihedigbo but now I'm thinking Chung, Gregory, Wilson, Ebner + 1 of Ihedigbo/Cole/Allen for the last DB spot. I'm leaning toward Ihedigbo just because he's the only NFL player I've heard of from where I live (I'm sure the coaches are keeping that in mind).

Mark Chmura played for Frontier in Deerfield (Yes there is a town called that in Mass. for all those geo-politically challenged E. Mass folks).

 

[ATippett56]

I'm leaning toward Ihedigbo just because he's the only NFL player I've heard of from where I live (I'm sure the coaches are keeping that in mind).

Ihedigbo is part of the problem and not part of the solution to the New England Patriots defensive secondary woes. It's time to move on from safeties Josh Barrett and James Ihedigbo.

 

[ATippett56]

I still think that Marcus Harrison could be a sleeper, and Marcus Forston has shown some flashes.

Marcus Harrison eh um ..... no thanks. Marcus Forston could be a candidate for the practice squad.

 

[ATippett56]

1 DE/OLB--either Scott or Francis could be chosen here

I have a hard time justifying more than four 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB on the 53 man roster:

Chandler Jones
Jake Bequette
Rob Ninkovich
Jermaine Cunningham or Trevor Scott

Francis is more likely a practice squad candidate with the aforementioned defensive players currently attending New England Patriots training camp.

 

[jah]

Ihedigbo is part of the problem and not part of the solution to the New England Patriots defensive secondary woes. It's time to move on from safeties Josh Barrett and James Ihedigbo.

I don't necessarily think Ihedigbo was part of the problem. He was in a role that he never should have been in. If we kept him for ST and minimized his defensive role then I think we'd see this guy in a different light.

I give him the edge over Cole and Allen because I think the need for a reserve SS is stronger than the need for CB/FS. With a grouping of Chung (SS), Ebner (SS), Gregory (FS), Wilson (FS), we would be on thin ice if Chung went down (which he does very often). Ebner might not be ready to play full-time as a sixth round rookie who only played 3 downs on defense in college. With Ihedigbo on the team, there's a third player who could fill that role, even if just in a worst case scenario.

Barrett? Yeah, he's done here.

 

[jah]

Mark Chmura played for Frontier in Deerfield (Yes there is a town called that in Mass. for all those geo-politically challenged E. Mass folks).

How could anyone not have heard of Deerfield?

One of my childhood friends moved there when we were like 10. Funny to hear that someone from that tiny, rural place turned into a Pro Bowler.

 

[ATippett56]

I don't necessarily think Ihedigbo was part of the problem. He was in a role that he never should have been in. If we kept him for ST and minimized his defensive role then I think we'd see this guy in a different light.

At the backup strong safety position, the New England Patriots only have Ebner, Barrett, Ihedigbo currently on the training camp roster. Pray that Patrick Chung plays all sixteen games this season.

 

[Avenger]

Wilson can play SS too, and if he goes down also we can move Gregory there and McCourty to FS. The Patriots don't even really use the FS/SS designation anyways.

 

[Fencer]

I have a hard time justifying more than four 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB on the 53 man roster:

Chandler Jones
Jake Bequette
Rob Ninkovich
Jermaine Cunningham or Trevor Scott

Francis is more likely a practice squad candidate with the aforementioned defensive players currently attending New England Patriots training camp.

A few Cunningham flashes aside, only one of your proposed 4 has ever played well for the Patriots. Also, we want 2 of the guys on the field at almost all times; 3 can be a possibility; at least Ninko can be a backup to the true LBs; and the fundamental position is one where rotation to rest guys is common.

Since it's imperative to have at least 3 of them taking significant reps each game, I'm not super-happy with the idea of having only 4 overall.