Justin Francis

[RobertWeathers]

Justin Francis? Average looking tackle/end tweener with mediocre production from a Big East school, who looked terrible in the 4 preseason games. Lousy pro day numbers. Yet in every game he's played, he's racked up a couple of QB hits and pushed the pocket, with 3 sacks to show for it.

Apparantly you were not watching the preseason. Francis was all over the place and played very well thus why he made the 53 man roster. The kid needed to get a little stronger and more time learning the defense.

No undrafted defensive player has made the same impact as he has this season.

Randall Gay was a UFA on 04, played in 15, starting 9, all 3 playoff games including the Super Bowl. He outplayed Francis his rookie year.

 

[Double TE]

Francis is fine...but why didn't we get Alfred Morris!!?!?

He he

 

[Claremonster]

Francis is fine...but why didn't we get Alfred Morris!!?!?

He he

BB got Dennard (late draft pick) Bolden (udfa) instead.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Francis had a career day against Miami and had a huge sack on Kaps against the Niners. He looks like he's having the time of his life out there, which makes me only want to root for the guy more. He has so much energy and gives the D even more character. Him, Spikes, and Dennard are looking like the future of this defense.

 

[51Hits]

If we could get Francis/Jones hot in the playoffs, this defense will be on a whole new level.

 

[ausbacker]

If I may make a comment: Francis has made a late season run in the fashion that I expected (hoped) Jake Bequette would at some stage during the season. Either way, I'm chuffed.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Francis had a career day against Miami and had a huge sack on Kaps against the Niners. He looks like he's having the time of his life out there, which makes me only want to root for the guy more. He has so much energy and gives the D even more character. Him, Spikes, and Dennard are looking like the future of this defense.

Those very attributes were those so lacking in the 2009 Patriots who had no heart on defense. Apologies to stalwarts Wilfy & Mayo but that 11 possessed anti-synergy and played with lethargy. No more. You can feel the energy bubbling as this squad finds itself.

/ Pats homer rant

 

[1%er]

Francis had a career day against Miami and had a huge sack on Kaps against the Niners. He looks like he's having the time of his life out there, which makes me only want to root for the guy more. He has so much energy and gives the D even more character. Him, Spikes, and Dennard are looking like the future of this defense.

I think its a little premature to consider Francis the future of are defense. The future of are defense is Mayo, Spikes, Jones, Hightower, McCourty, Dennard. All players who are currently starting and have provide a impact all season long.

Don't get me wrong I like Francis, but I think he ceiling is being Sterling Moored right now because he put up 3 sacks on Sunday. He is a nice player but physically he just isn't that freak human being that you like Jones that you deem the future of are D.

 

[DocHoliday]

Those very attributes were those so lacking in the 2009 Patriots who had no heart on defense. Apologies to stalwarts Wilfy & Mayo but that 11 possessed anti-synergy and played with lethargy. No more. You can feel the energy bubbling as this squad finds itself.

/ Pats homer rant

You gotta wonder if its really the age thing. Younger, more vibrant characters can really set the tone of a defense.

 

[Bhelmet]

Either way, I'm chuffed.

What does that mean? Is that good/bad?

 

[DarrylS]

UDFA's who make this team, and then make a significant impact warm the ****les of my heart... these are the guys I really root for, against all odds.

 

[Shed83]

What does that mean? Is that good/bad?

It's a really common word in Britain, meaning very happy/delighted or proud!

 

[cstjohn17]

looked terrible in the 4 preseason games

I actually thought he looked ok in some of the preseason as an interior rusher, better than Cunningham. Seems like a typical tole player, looks dynamite in limited snaps will get exposed as a full time player (Jarvis Green, TBC, etc.)

Plus his sack dance was off the charts, I actually felt like I have rhythm next to him....

 

[The Gr8est]

It's a really common word in Britain, meaning very happy/delighted or proud!

Good to hear, I was going to recommend a good ointment.

 

[Marqui]

I really like the way Francis plays. He might be the future solution at LDE.

 

[1%er]

I really like the way Francis plays. He might be the future solution at LDE.

I think the best future solution for LDE would be to find someone who can make 58tkls, 8scks, 5ff, 4fr and offer the ability to drop into coverage as a OLB.

Do you think 28 yr old Rob Ninkovich can be that someone?

 

[BPF]

I wonder if Burflict would have done well if he had been drafted high as he was originally projected before the bowl games.

I'm sure his coaches tried to reign in his free-lancing and undisciplined tendencies, but going from probable high pick to undrafted may have been just the wakeup call he needed.

Burfict lost weight and got in shape and is playing like he did as a soph in college. Yes looks like UDFA status motivated him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think the best future solution for LDE would be to find someone who can make 58tkls, 8scks, 5ff, 4fr and offer the ability to drop into coverage as a OLB.

Do you think 28 yr old Rob Ninkovich can be that someone?

No kidding. A couple more sacks and a few more tackles and we're talking about a Pro-Bowl season. I wasn't sure what kind of full-time DE he'd be but clearly hes made for that role.

 

[patchick]

Those very attributes were those so lacking in the 2009 Patriots who had no heart on defense. Apologies to stalwarts Wilfy & Mayo but that 11 possessed anti-synergy and played with lethargy. No more. You can feel the energy bubbling as this squad finds itself.

/ Pats homer rant

I'm with you. Francis is just a role player, and there's a good chance that's all he'll ever be. But he's a role player with enormous positive energy who seems thrilled to be playing football with the Patriots. You need that up and down the roster, and this team seems to have it.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I think the best future solution for LDE would be to find someone who can make 58tkls, 8scks, 5ff, 4fr and offer the ability to drop into coverage as a OLB.

Do you think 28 yr old Rob Ninkovich can be that someone?

His first year at DE too! Had a very slow start rushing the passer but has become a very good all round DE, pass rushing and setting the edge.

2010: 4 sacks, nothing more than a JAG LB.
2011: 6.5 sacks, 2 INTs, solid LB, yet there was still the "worst starter in the NFL" BS around here from some.
2012: 8 sacks, 5 FFs, great against the run in first year at DE. No longer worst starter in the league, more like would start on most teams.

It's tough to find a complete package in a DE. I'd rather have Ninko than people like Robert Quinn, Bruce Irvin, Osi Umenyiora that just constantly get ran at.