We Need EIGHT Defensive Linemen, not 9

[mgteich]

Let's examine how many DL's we need. I think that the top 6 will get almost all the reps. I think that 2 additional DL's should be sufficient. Also, these 2 should be chosen for their flexibility in filling various roles, as befits any bottom of the roster backup.

For me, I'd rather have Rivera (or another STer) than a 9th DL.

DE (3)
2 starters - Ninkovich and Jones
1st of the bench - Benard

DT (3)
2 starters - Wilfork, Kelly
1st off the bench - Forston, Armstead (more likely to NFI) or a free agent

DL backups (2-3)
Francis
Buchanan
Cunningham
Bequette
Grissom
Vallone

 

[JMC00]

Well you can take Vallone off the list, got cut.

 

[Ivan]

As long as they only keep 2 QB's I am fine with them going with an extra at any other position other than LS, K, or P.

 

[jmt57]

I think ideally you would have:

(4) DT -- 2 starters, 2 backups
(4) DE -- 2 starters, 2 backups
(6) LB -- 3 starters, 3 backups (see a trend here?)
(5) S
(5) CB


The reason for a 5th S and CB is because of special teams players from those units, and sub packages.


That's 24 players, so the 25th player can be used as the team sees the best fit.

It could be another DL, to keep the pass rushers fresh.

It could be another ST ace, with no regards to the position his title says he plays.

 

[mgteich]

I like the trend setting.

This works for me as long as the 25th is a Special Teams ace. Last year, we had White, Rivera, Koutovides, Ebner, Cole, and T Wilson. getting lots and lots of reps. This doesn't count players like Tarpinian, Chung and Carpenter who played on part of the year.

I think ideally you would have:

(4) DT -- 2 starters, 2 backups
(4) DE -- 2 starters, 2 backups
(6) LB -- 3 starters, 3 backups (see a trend here?)
(5) S
(5) CB


The reason for a 5th S and CB is because of special teams players from those units, and sub packages.


That's 24 players, so the 25th player can be used as the team sees the best fit.

It could be another DL, to keep the pass rushers fresh.

It could be another ST ace, with no regards to the position his title says he plays.

 

[TriplecHamp]

In on another MG roster/position numbers thread

 

[belichick010405]

I would prefer to see nine defensive lineman, at a minimum, with two starters at defensive end and defensive tackle, two primary backups at each position and one that makes the 53-man roster instead of being at risk of being picked up by another team (see Buchanan, Michael).

Starters: Ninkovich-Wilfork-Kelly-Jones

Backups: Francis-Forston-White-Benard

The 9th Man: Buchanan

Outside Looking In: Cunningham, Grissom, Bequette

NFI (as of right now): Armstead

 

[Brady6]

Let's examine how many DL's we need. I think that the top 6 will get almost all the reps. I think that 2 additional DL's should be sufficient. Also, these 2 should be chosen for their flexibility in filling various roles, as befits any bottom of the roster backup.

For me, I'd rather have Rivera (or another STer) than a 9th DL.

DE (3)
2 starters - Ninkovich and Jones
1st of the bench - Benard

DT (3)
2 starters - Wilfork, Kelly
1st off the bench - Forston, Armstead (more likely to NFI) or a free agent

DL backups (2-3)
Francis
Buchanan
Cunningham
Bequette
Grissom
Vallone

For reference; what we have had at DL over the past 3 season –

2012
92 Jake Bequette DE
96 Jermaine Cunningham DE/DT
71 Brandon Deaderick DT
94 Justin Francis DE/DT
98 Marcus Forston DT
95 Chandler Jones DE
74 Kyle Love DT
50 Rob Ninkovich DE/OLB
99 Trevor Scott DE
75 Vince Wilfork DT
91 Myron Pryor DT (PUP)
97 Ron Brace DT (Released)


2011
92 Albert Haynesworth DT (Released)
96 Jermaine Cunningham DE/OLB (IR)
91 Myron Pryor DT (IR)
93 Andre Carter DE (IR)
50 Rob Ninkovich OLB/DE
95 Mark Anderson DE/OLB
97 Ron Brace DT
71 Brandon Deaderick DE
94 Shaun Ellis DE
74 Kyle Love DT
69 Alex Silvestro DE
98 Gerard Warren DT
75 Vince Wilfork DT

2010
66 Landon Cohen DE
71 Brandon Deaderick DE
74 Kyle Love NT
91 Myron Pryor NT
92 Gerard Warren DE/NT
75 Vince Wilfork NT/DE
95 Tully Banta-Cain OLB/DE
96 Jermaine Cunningham OLB/DE
98 Eric Moore OLB/DE
50 Rob Ninkovich OLB/DE
97 Ron Brace DE
99 Mike Wright DE/NT

 

[mgteich]

You have stated the issue well. You want keep a 9th player out of fear (and likely inactive all year) rather than use the roster spot where it is more needed: on ST's or on offense.

I would prefer to see nine defensive lineman, at a minimum, with two starters at defensive end and defensive tackle, two primary backups at each position and one that makes the 53-man roster instead of being at risk of being picked up by another team (see Buchanan, Michael).

Starters: Ninkovich-Wilfork-Kelly-Jones

Backups: Francis-Forston-White-Benard

The 9th Man: Buchanan

Outside Looking In: Cunningham, Grissom, Bequette

NFI (as of right now): Armstead

 

[jmt57]

One other dynamic to consider is that Vince Wilfork will turn 32 this season, and Tommy Kelly will turn 33. I want those two to be as fresh as can realistically be expected in the fourth quarter of games, and in the fourth (and fifth) quarter of the season.

With that in mind does that make more for the case of another defensive lineman? Possibly, if early season is in essence an extended audition for playing time, to see who can be counted on. But really it's just a third DT (and third DE) that is reliable enough to insert in the lineup on a regular basis to keep the snap counts down for the starters.


On a side note I do believe that the Patriots will sign a veteran free agent DT after week one. With Armond Armstead unavailable I haven't seen enough from Cory Grissom, Anthony Rashad White and Joe Vellano at this point to make me think they should be getting snaps once the real games get under way. I'd like to try to focus more on the performance of those three plus Marcus Forston in this week's game.

 

[Brady6]

Let's examine how many DL's we need. I think that the top 6 will get almost all the reps. I think that 2 additional DL's should be sufficient. Also, these 2 should be chosen for their flexibility in filling various roles, as befits any bottom of the roster backup.

For me, I'd rather have Rivera (or another STer) than a 9th DL.

DE (3)
2 starters - Ninkovich and Jones
1st of the bench - Benard

DT (3)
2 starters - Wilfork, Kelly
1st off the bench - Forston, Armstead (more likely to NFI) or a free agent

DL backups (2-3)
Francis
Buchanan
Cunningham
Bequette
Grissom
Vallone

My 3 deep depth chart would look something like this at this juncture anyway. I would release Bequette and try and sign him to the practice squad, maybe in the carious of the roster cuts he slides on under the radar, but either way I cannot justify him holding a spot on the 53 man roster for another season of no contributions.

 

[belichick010405]

You have stated the issue well. You want keep a 9th player out of fear (and likely inactive all year) rather than use the roster spot where it is more needed: on ST's or on offense.

No - I want no less than nine defensive lineman so that our defense stays fresh and gives our offense shorter fields and so that the defense spends less time on the field.

I want a continuation, save the Ravens game, of what was going on last year.

It certainly is not out of fear and frankly, your special teams argument doesn't hold water on this team because of BB's value in versatility and his desire for his personnel being able to play both defensive snaps and playing on special teams.

We don't need anymore than 2 special team specialists on this team this year (Slater and Aiken).

In essence, your defensive depth serves as special team participants.