Did Cunningham show enough to keep him on the 53?

[Kontradiction]

I'd say he's done more than enough to earn his way onto the 53. Last night, he lined up at DE and DT... and he generated pressure from both spots.

 

[Frezo]

I'd say he's done more than enough to earn his way onto the 53. Last night, he lined up at DE and DT... and he generated pressure from both spots.

I recall that you were really high on him when he was drafted. It took awhile, but it's good to see him pull through. He and Jones on passing downs are going to be tough to handle.

 

[BB4PRez]

I recall that you were really high on him when he was drafted. It took awhile, but it's good to see him pull through. He and Jones on passing downs are going to be tough to handle.

The fact that they played Cunningham at DT and DE last night is interesting. It looks like the Pats may experiment with putting Cunningham and perhaps others DE's like Scott in at DT in on obvious passing situations to try to generate more effective (i.e. quicker) pressure.

Give the Giants credit - they have shown that the best way to stop a modern high caliber NFL offense like the Pats, Saints or Packers is to generate fast and consistant pressure rushing four. (The Giants have also shown if they fail to get that pressure they will get shredded just like everyone else)

 

[Kontradiction]

I recall that you were really high on him when he was drafted. It took awhile, but it's good to see him pull through. He and Jones on passing downs are going to be tough to handle.

I thought he'd do good but what I actually said was that I preferred Dunlap. This past offseason, I said that I didn't believe that he would make the team much less contribute for us. I look forward to continue to be proven wrong.

But thanks for the kudos though.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Cunningham is going to have to be good enough to make us forget about not having Carter this year,Carter's production on defense in 2011 was second to none,the guy was awesome and Cunningham hopefully fills that void adequately.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Cunningham will definitely make the team. 2 Sacks + a forced holding penalty last night. Played well in the Eagles game too, and earned off season awards from BB.

Being able to rush from the inside on 3rd downs gives him extra value.

As a rookie he had a lot of "almost sacks" but he seems to have improved enough to actually Finish and get the sacks now.

 

[jsull87]

Hmm - After seeing him play very well as a DE this preseason, then recalling the struggles he's had at OLB plus the amount of consternation among fans about whether he's a viable OLB, I'm surprised you think his avenue to the 53 is in that role.

FWIW he's listed as a LB on the Patriots.com team roster.

I don't think his struggles were at OLB or DE (as a rookie he started almost 16 games as an OLB and looked very competent)... His struggles last year seemed to stem from coming in after the lockout not in the shape needed to be a contributor on this defense.

good news is he seems to have turned that around this pre season with an off season award and coming in and really being noticed for his good play.

ATM it looks like he is playing DE, DE/OLB and is even a DT sometimes on the sub packages.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Having 2 established vets ahead of him in Carter and Anderson certainly didn't help him get playing time last year either

 

[pherein]

The fact that they played Cunningham at DT and DE last night is interesting. It looks like the Pats may experiment with putting Cunningham and perhaps others DE's like Scott in at DT in on obvious passing situations to try to generate more effective (i.e. quicker) pressure.

Give the Giants credit - they have shown that the best way to stop a modern high caliber NFL offense like the Pats, Saints or Packers is to generate fast and consistant pressure rushing four. (The Giants have also shown if they fail to get that pressure they will get shredded just like everyone else)

They haven't been able to stop us at all. No disrespect but we dont have much of a problem playing the Giants, even with our bad defensive play, and at their home field. I think we are just one of those teams that have their number. Confuse their DC or something. I wouldn't give them very good odds to be in the SB last year if we beat SF, and they had to go threw NO.
Saints 48 Giants 27 2009
Saints 49 Giants 24 2011

 

[stcjones]

I agree with you.....It seems like Cunningham is finally starting to "come into his own" and becoming the pass rush guy BB thought he would be when he drafted him. He looks bigger, stronger, and faster this year. He set up at MANY different spots on the field...and often broke through DOUBLE TEAMING to still get to the QB!! I think he did more than enough to make the final cuts and I am really pulling for the kid to be a superstar for us this year!!!

I was pleasantly surprised that Cunningham showed more quickness and agility than he did before and his efforts may have earned him a spot on the 53,but my question is ....
why was a former high round pick just a few years ago still out there playing against the scrubs in a final preseason game in the final few minutes?

I am aware that you can't sit everyone but .....

It seemed odd to me,I am not sure he is a lock to make this team,he may still be on the bubble.

 

[ATippett56]

Jermaine Cunningham has looked better in preseason than Trevor Scott.

The question should be whether Trevor Scott has shown enough to keep him on the 53 man roster.

 

[Reckedtrek]

I definitely think he's on the 53. Back in March/April if someone asked me if I thought he'd be on the 53 you would have gotten a far different answer, but he has looked great. By all accounts, he's worked hard and it shows.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

I thought he'd be cut for sure but he's put in some serious work in the offseason.

He might even be a starter in regular season

 

[Finnishfan]

He's played well all pre-season, won an award for his off-season work and looked good during TC, I'd say he's pretty safe.

Add to that he got sacks from 3 different positions yesterday he's showing something BB loves - versatility.

I was thinking along the same lines, but there is one reason I wouldn't put him in the category "safe" just yet. Why would BB play him for almost the entire game against the Giants in the bubble week?

Usually only rookies, players who play on a new position and players who fight for the roster spots see a lot of action in bubble week. Cunningham doesnt qualify for 1 or 2 and SHOULDNT qualify for 3 either.

Would be interesting to know why he played as much as he did, instead of giving some other DE candidate a chance to prove his worthiness.

 

[Bhelmet]

If we keep 9 DT's and DE's he has to make it. He was our best D player the entire preseason - and enough was against 1st teams. When going against 2nd/3rd teams, he looked even better, but he should, so that might help him. If he keeps it up, I have to agree that he may be a starter and have an impact. He was in danger and played like it, hope he never forgets the feeling.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I was thinking along the same lines, but there is one reason I wouldn't put him in the category "safe" just yet. Why would BB play him for almost the entire game against the Giants in the bubble week?

Usually only rookies, players who play on a new position and players who fight for the roster spots see a lot of action in bubble week. Cunningham doesnt qualify for 1 or 2 and SHOULDNT qualify for 3 either.

Would be interesting to know why he played as much as he did, instead of giving some other DE candidate a chance to prove his worthiness.

I think some on this board and in the media have answered your question, Finnish. He only played a handful of snaps last season before being IRed, so he has had very little game snaps and the preseason was one way to get him more live action before the games are for real. Therefore, I don't think working as much as he did is an indication that he is not safe.

 

[fester]

I thought he'd be cut for sure but he's put in some serious work in the offseason.

He might even be a starter in regular season

Define "starter" --- if you mean a first snap of the game player, I don't think so, at least not on a regular basis as I think the versatility of Ninkovich is highly valuable as the Pats can morph from 4-3 to a smallish 3-4 or more likely a 2-5 very easily with Nink and Jones out there....

But if you mean someone who routinely gets 40% to 50% of the snaps, I could see Cunningham being a sub-package starter as well as a rotation DE.

 

[Kontradiction]

I thought he'd be cut for sure but he's put in some serious work in the offseason.

He might even be a starter in regular season

If he can show the ability to set the edge, contain the run, and generate pressure in the pass rush, I don't see any reason why Cunningham wouldn't leapfrog Ninkovich to get some serious snaps in sub-packages opposite Chandler Jones.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I hope Cunningham and Brace continue to make me eat crow in the regular season.

 

[Off The Grid]

I hope Cunningham and Brace continue to make me eat crow in the regular season.

Pure, Crystaline Integrity and unfettered Loyalty!! My HERO, Brother Snow!! :rocker: